Best men’s stocking fillers that he’d actually buy himself

If he constantly loses his keys, then this stylish accessory will make an ideal gift. Luxurious practicality at its finest, this is no ordinary key ring as it features a loop made from premium leather and a sleek polished stainless-steel ring. It’s available in four colours – black, orange, caramel, and cotton candy pink – and it also has a clever quick-snap lock system that makes changing keys convenient and keeps them secure.

Coffee and bourbon cream biscuits are both amazing on their own but combine them and you’ve got a match made in heaven. Courtesy of Pact Coffee, a London-based B Corp brand that aims to improve the lives of farmers in the industry, this brew is among one of the best we’ve ever tried. Creamy, indulgent, and chocolatey, it’s sumptuously tasty with a rich aroma and has fast become a firm favourite in our coffee-loving household. You can buy this in a range of grind sizes (including whole bean, fine and medium), depending on your recipient’s brewing method of choice and either as a one-time purchase or subscription.

Simplifying their grooming regime, Kiehl’s facial fuel kit for men gives tired, dull skin lift it needs. Featuring two skincare essentials to invigorate their complexion, this duo is taking it back to basics. First up, there’s the facial fuel energising face wash. This gel formula works to visibly brighten, cleanse, and enrich skin thanks to a hero formula of caffeine, vitamin E, menthol and orange and lemon extracts. The second step is the moisture treatment which is similarly powered by caffeine and vitamins. Nourishing skin and protecting it from environmental aggressors, the lightweight formula dries quickly for a non-greasy finish. A little goes a long way – so he’ll appreciate the stocking filler long into the new year.

Whitebox’s mini cocktail cans look just as good as they taste. Despite their diddy size, each 100ml tipple in the selection packs a mighty punch – from the Porter’s Gin negroni and classic cosmopolitan to the squeezy’s margarita and freezer martini (this last one needs a warning on the tin). Well-mixed, tasty, and encased in pocket-size cans for sipping on the go, the vintage-inspired packaging makes them feel like a real treat. Whether you gift all six in one stocking or divide them up for multiple people, Whitebox makes cocktail cans a decadent affair.

Recognised for being one of the more luxurious brands you might find in the bathroom, Aesop skin, body and hair care has “great for gifting” written all over it – and this isn’t just down to the brand’s uber cool, aesthetically-pleasing packaging. Made with pumice and bamboo stem for their smoothing and exfoliating benefits on the skin, anyone who receives this geranium leaf body scrub and incorporates it into their routine will feel thoroughly refreshed and pampered. With a scent that’s citrusy and botanical while also slightly sweet, this formula smells as addictive as it does delicious, and despite having that grainy texture you would expect from a body scrub, it doesn’t feel overly rough, instead leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and clean.

Made from irresistible 40 per cent milk chocolate, with creamy white and tasty dark chocolate detailing, these pups are almost too adorable to eat. Each one is a treat for the tastebuds thanks to the high cacao content used in Hotel Chocolat’s milk chocolate recipe, which makes for an astonishingly smooth texture. We found the best way to eat one was to take several small bites, waiting for the chocolate to melt on the tongue in between each mouthful. He’ll only need one dog at a time to get his chocolate fix, making these a healthier choice than a large amount of cheap chocolate. Think quality over quantity with an added dash of puppy love.

Practical, inexpensive and the perfect size to pop in a stocking – this plasma lighter is a nifty little gadget that any fan of the outdoors would love to unwrap on Christmas Day. An alternative to matches or traditional fluid-filled lighters, plasma lighters use electricity to generate plasma arc beams instead of a flame. This makes them windproof, which is invaluable when trying to light a campfire, gas stove or even a barbeque in wet and blustery conditions. This pick from Lifestystems is a favourite of ours as it’s sleek, light and rechargeable with a USB, yet still costs less than £10.

An ideal stocking filler for a caffeine junkie, this reusable travel cup will help the man in your life enjoy hot drinks in style while doing his bit for the environment. This Fortnum & Mason offering is made from cardboard cups that have already been discarded, therefore taking rubbish out of landfill, and reusing them in a practical way. The seal on the top of the cup is truly leakproof, making it a convenient choice for a man who’s always on the move.

Help him to stay looking sharp with this compact grooming kit from Tweezerman. Arriving as part of the set, there’s a small but robustly made curved nail clipper, which our tester said had a nice, clean-cutting action in use. Plus, a slim and pointed pair of tweezers is great for precise brow and facial hair pruning, and a pair of scissors with curved blades will make sure he’s snipping and trimming effectively and safely.

He’ll also find a multi-use nail tool combining a feature for pushing back cuticles, and a nail file with a straight and pointed tool at each end designed for cleaning beneath the nails. With a slick black exterior and a velvety feel on the inside, the carry case won’t secure the kit enough for it to stay in place when chucked in a bag unless kept upright. But, as a handy way to keep the tools together it works perfectly well and is ideal for the giftee who’s always misplacing their stuff.

Showcasing six miniature products from Malin and Goetz, this set makes a brilliant gift for skincare buffs and jetsetters alike. As far as the packaging is concerned, the bundle has been spruced up for the festive season using a bold, limited-edition design. Among the products is our favourite of the bunch, a gentle and effective grapefruit face cleanser that left our skin feeling balanced but clean. There’s also a face moisturiser made with vitamin E, a peppermint shampoo, and a bergamot hand and body wash with a lovely uplifting scent to enjoy during their morning shower.

It’s simply not a full stocking unless you’ve packed some boxers into it. And you can’t go wrong with this trusty three-pack from Calvin Klein. Depending on his preference, there are plenty of colours to choose from. The cotton gives them a nice softness and they wash well. While a fairly pricey addition to his underwear drawer, we think he’ll be happy with the upgrade.

If the person you’re buying for is a shoe fanatic, then anything from Jason Markk’s shoe care range is sure to go down a treat. However, this particular cleaning kit should be top of the list for anyone who loves to wear suede footwear, especially in the winter months. The set includes a rubber eraser and a brush that features soft horsehair bristles. When used together, they help to lift dirt from the notoriously temperamental material without causing damage, ensuring your more delicate shoes stay in top condition.

For a gift they’ll be sure to use until it runs out, consider this texturizing putty from men’s grooming brand Harry’s. A dense yet supple putty, this product can tame even the wildest of manes, helping to add texture and definition that lasts all day. Plus, unlike some hair products, it never feels greasy in your hair and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. Just a pea-sized amount goes a long way and we also like that it has a subtle, woodsy scent.

If he’s into fitness, a great stocking stuffer is gym wear. Enter Gymshark. Known for its affordable and reliable kit, make a beeline for the brand if he’s looking to upgrade his current collection. As you’d expect, these shorts are lightweight and wick away sweat, but importantly, they’re roomy so he’ll be able to train comfortably. If there’s any budget left, the essentials hoodie (£55, Gymshark.com) will make a great addition to his loungewear.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Colson Whitehead is back with the second instalment to his New York crime trilogy. First introduced in 2021’s Harlem Shuffle, furniture salesman and ex-fence Ray Carney returns to the criminal underbelly of the city in Crook Manifesto, in a bid to secure Jackson 5 tickets (which were like gold dust in 1971) for his daughter.

Jumping through the years up to 1976, Whitehead casts a satirical eye on New York during the tumultuous decade, touching on everything from police corruption and the Black Liberation Army to Blaxploitation. Blending family drama with history and culture, the sequel has the feel of a Quentin Tarantino movie and we were hooked.

Read the ebook now:

• Apple Books: £9.99, Apple.com
• Kindle: 99p, Amazon.co.uk

Listen to the audiobook now:

• Apple Books: 99p, Apple.com
• Audible: £11.37, Amazon.co.uk

Whether the man in your life is looking to be more mindful or is seeking ways to minimise his stress levels, we’d recommend adding a Headspace subscription to his stocking. While this may seem like a niche addition, the meditation service offers a great way for someone to get well acquainted with mindfulness. From learning how to meditate to getting a better night’s sleep, Headspace is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. This gift card offers your giftee a six-month subscription.

Chances are his T-shirt collection is overflowing. But if it’s a clothing item you know he’ll wear on repeat, we think he’ll love this short-sleeve design from outdoor brand Gramicci. The motif on the back is fun and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the brand, while the front shows just the logo – it’s the definition of business in the front and party in the back. Depending on his preference, it’s available in white and vintage-navy, both of which will slot into his wardrobe easily. If you’re feeling particularly generous, we’d recommend adding the pants (£85, Gramicci.co.uk) to his stocking – the trousers landed a spot in our review of the best men’s gifts, thanks to the oversized and easy-to-wear silhouette.