Men can be so incredibly hard to buy for and I’ve spend countless hours trawling through similar guides over the years. I’ve come to the conclusion that the best presents for him are those that are both practical and stylish so that’s what I’ve aimed for with this guide.

I’ve loosely split my recommendations into four categories: casual, active, work and daily essentials. I hope this will help build up a quick picture of what the modern man may wish for this Christmas for all those confused girlfriends, wives and friends!

Keeping it casual

Padded Pak’r® Black Ink Leather

A good backpack is essential for carrying all your day-to-day stuff whether you’re a student, worker or traveller. This bag is big enough that you can carry all your daily essentials and possibly even your weekend essentials if you’re a light packer! This is the classic Eastpak design and made from real leather too so it’s sure to please any guy. The straps and back are padded for extra comfort too.

Available from Zalando for £119.99

Available from Eastpak for £150

River Island Cream Flecked Cable Knit Jumper

This classic cable knit is a winter essential as it’ll go with pretty much every outfit and suits every skin type. Pair it with a pair of jeans or chinos, trainers or boots, this versatile jumper is sure to be a winner.

Available from River Island for £20 (RRP £30) 

River Island Navy Borg-Lined Jacket

I’m always amazed by guys that manage to fit all their daily essentials into the pockets of their jeans and coats meaning they can forgo carrying a bag around everywhere. I’m envious. I selected this jacket because my dad’s number 1 priority when it comes to purchasing a new jacket is… pockets. With 5 large pockets, this jacket is great for guys, plus, the borg lining is suuuper warm and cosy.

Shop coats and jackets from River Island here

Slaters Black and Grey Striped Knitted Scarf

A scarf is an easy Christmas present option that you know will come in handy for the months to come. This simple striped scarf from the Tresano collection is surprisingly soft and thick so it’s a great purchase for just £9.

Available from Slaters for £9 

On the go

The North Face Men’s Drew Peak Hoodie

There are few things more comforting than being smothered in a fluffy new hoodie, especially at Christmas time. You can’t go wrong with a classic navy hoodie but with The North Face you know you’re guaranteed something of the highest quality too. Perfect for either a cold outdoor adventure or lazing around in at home, this simple hoodie is a great gift option for those that are super hard to buy for.

Available from Tiso for £65 

Available from Zalando for £64.99

K-Way Le Vrai Claude 3.0

Unfortunately in England, a good waterproof mac will forever remain a wardrobe essential. This royal blue number from K-Way, the original pac-a-mac brand, is both stylish and practical so it’s great for active adventures or daily wear.

It’s a nifty little jacket that can be tightly packed away into your rucksack and saved for those sudden downpours. That said, you probably won’t want to keep a nice jacket like this hidden at the bottom of your bag!

Available from k-way.co.uk

Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing

Yes you read that right – axe throwing. This is possibly the most unique experience I’ve ever had in London and it’s one that thrill seekers are sure to love. It’s not as dangerous as it looks but it’s also faar more difficult than you’d imagine. If you don’t manage to get the right spin on the axe, the most likely result is that the axe will hit the target and just clatter to the ground! This is a great group activity and there are even weekly competition sessions!

Tickets available from £22 per person

Daily Essentials

Charles Conrad Leather Watch

A watch is a great gift for someone special at Christmas *time* (geddit 😉). This no fuss, no frills watch is beautifully elegant and the roman numerals around the edge make it that little bit more special than other minimalist watches out there. This range from Charles Conrad is particularly suited for men because the watch face is fairly large and it will suit those with larger wrists, without looking chunky.

Available from watches2u (RRP £189)

Skullcandy HESH 3 Wireless Headphones

I haven’t owned anything from Skullcandy since I was a teenager but their new HESH 3 wireless headphones are an excellent introduction back to the brand. They’re technically not noise-cancelling but they do a pretty damn good job of blocking out outside sound, which is impressive considering the price tag. They’re foldable and flexible so you can take them wherever you go and with up to 22 hours of battery life they won’t let you down. The best thing for me has to be all the padding so no more squished ears if you’re listening for an extended period of time!

Available from Skullcandy for £99

Available from Zalando for £109.99

Magnitone Face Wash & Moisturiser

Products for men are no longer available from Magnitone.

This is for the guys whose skincare routine consists of nothing but soap and water. If you put the right tools in their hands then they can’t say no… right? I only very recently became aware of Magnitone’s skincare range for men and I am impressed with this combo. The face wash contains caffeine and the moisturiser contains ginseng, both of which are known for their energy releasing properties. It also smells amazing and fresh so it’s a great morning wake up. Perfect for boyfriends and brothers.

Kelloggs – Frosties bowl mug

I love that novelty cereal packaging is making a comeback and this is one of the best little sets out there. This Kelloggs combo would make for a cute stocking filler or a present for the man that’s still a child at heart (we all know one!). Plus… they’re gonna taste great! (If you didn’t get the reference, this present probably isn’t for you)

Available from Debenhams

City Slick 

Dobell Blue Check Skinny Fit Suit

This is certainly one of the most bold items on the list and won’t be for everyone. However, I personally think that every guy should have a coloured suit so he stands out a little from the crowd of usual black and navy. This one will be great for formal Christmas and summer parties where you need to look smart but you’re free to be a little more creative too. Perfect for the man who’s confident in his skin and wants to be noticed.

Available from Dobell.com for £79.99 (RRP £109.99)

Hammond & Co Black and Brown Reversible Leather Belt

If you’ve reached that point in life where the only thing you can think of to buy for the man in your life is socks or underwear, then switch it up a bit with this more elegant daily essential. Seriously, why do these not exist for girls? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a reversible belt for women but they are so useful! FYI, this one is “one size” and needs to be cut before it can be worn. No need to guess his size and risk the awkwardness of getting it wrong!

Shop belts Debenhams

Dune Tan Chelsea Boots

Until about two months ago my boyfriend didn’t wear anything except his work shoes, trainers and mouldy converse. Then the heavens answered my prayers and he asked me if I wanted to go shopping with him. Whilst all he wanted to buy was more plain t-shirts and hoodies, I was adamant that his style could be drastically improved with a pair of good shoes, more specifically, some nice Chelsea boots. These gorgeous tan boots are easy to slip on and off and can be dressed up or down so there should be no complaints!

Available from Dune for £115 

Sawyers and Hendricks Navy Wool Mix Overcoat

A good smart coat is a top wardrobe essential for guys who want to look smart and this one ticks all the boxes. This classic style will always be in fashion and the wool mix material means it’s actually really warm and cosy – perfect for Christmas this winter! This looks great over a suit and is perfect for formal Christmas parties or any other occasion where you’ll want to look sharp af this season.

Available from Slaters for £89

*This post contains some PR samples and affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Laura

Editor of What’s Hot?

Laura is an award-winning travel and book blogger based in the UK. She studied French literature at Oxford University and is now an IP lawyer at a top law firm in London. She was named UK Book Blogger of the Year in 2019 and loves to combine her passion for books and travel with literary travel.