Secret Santa Gift Guide: Over £50 for him
Because if you can’t splurge at this time of the year, when can you?
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Your support makes all the difference.Men are notorious for claiming they don’t want anything for Christmas but the truth is that, just like the rest of us, the majority are secretly hoping to open a mountain of goodies on the day.
Of course, knowing what to buy a person who chooses to keep their cards close to their chest is never an easy feat, but that’s where we come in.
The trick here is, look at who you’re buying for, listen out for things they always talk about, and know their hobbies. That way you can connect their present to something you already know they like.
Do they have an ever-growing stash of expensive booze? Then a fancy decanter should do the trick. Are they an incessant gamer? Then the rise in retro consoles promises to make them grin ear to ear on Christmas morning.
Still stuck? Then take a look at our roundup of the best men’s gifts that ooze luxury and he’s guaranteed to love.
Tom Ford, Ombre Leather, £82, Selfridges
Christmas is the perfect time to try out a new fragrance, and we guarantee that Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather will become a firm favourite.
Designed with a sleek black bottle that will instantly add class to his bedside table, the scent contains whiffs of black leather and cool spices such as cardamom.
If you needed more convincing, it’s actually a unisex fragrance so you can wear it too – if he’ll let you, that is.
Rains, Field Bag Backpack, £75, Rains
A backpack might not sound like the most exciting present, but this is no ordinary carryall.
Created by Danish label Rains, the Field Bag Backpack takes its cues from both heritage design and Scandinavian weather to forge a classic style with innovative details.
Made from water-resistant fabric with a stylish matte finish, it’s fully lined, has a main compartment with a padded laptop pocket, and a practical outer-zipped front pocket making it perfect for weekend escapades or the commute to work.
For a failsafe option, we suggest picking up the black version but it’s also available in navy blue, red and grey.
Skagen, Men’s Hagen Leather Strap Watch, £116.10, John Lewis
An understated watch is a great gift for any stylish man but especially one with poor timekeeping.
While there are a number of designer names you could choose from, our favourite has to be Danish brand Skagen.
A company known for its contemporary watchmaking, we think the Hagen watch in particular ticks all the boxes with a monochrome dial, contrasting hour markers and hands, plus a supple leather strap.
It really is the perfect way to finish off any look perfectly, suitably for casual weekends or office attire.
Grenson, Sneaker 1, £169, End Clothing
Trainers are the go-to shoe for almost any occasion, but for more formal events a sleeker kind of sneaker is required.
For men who prefer to stay on the sharper side of style, we suggest gifting a pair of Grenson’s Sneaker 1.
The distinguished shoe company has created a tennis-style trainer sporting calfskin leather, an Italian rubber outsole and an ultra-clean white body.
HAY Sonos One Limited Edition, £229, Sonos
If you know a music lover who’s big on design then they will be over the moon unwrapping this state-of-the-art speaker on Christmas morning.
Created in collaboration with Danish designers Hay, this limited-edition collection of Sonos speakers celebrate the two brands’ shared values of accessible design, innovative manufacturing techniques, and the transformative power of products in the home.
The new version maintains the same clean, minimalist aesthetic of Sonos, however this time they come in a wide range of colours including red, pink and yellow, but we suggest you opt for green.
Boiled Wool Jacket, £99, Cos Stores
If the man in your life refuses to invest in warm winter wear then this cosy jacket from Cos will make for a great gift.
Crafted from a soft, boiled wool blend with a smooth jersey lining, it features front press studs and side-seam pockets, and is cut with a clean straight shape.
While it’s not the heaviest of outwear, it’s a piece perfect for layering over T-shirts and knitwear, or under bulky coats. Available in both dark olive and midnight brown, you can’t go wrong with this classic style.
Aesop Sway Grooming Kit, £75, Mr Porter
Has someone on your gift list got you stumped? Then a seriously luxe grooming set is the way to go.
For a collection of hand and body care products that not only work well but also look great in your bathroom, we suggest investing in the Aesop Sway Grooming kit, which includes two revitalising cleansers and two rich moisturisers housed in the brand’s signature brown bottles.
Tank Decanter Set, £130, Tom Dixon
Luxury alcohol is a timeless festive treat but that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to bottles of whiskey or premium gin.
If you’re unsure about your recipient’s favourite tipple, or simply want to offer something a little different, look to the accompanying frivolities instead – like glasses and decanters.
Our favourite is this glass set from Tom Dixon, which includes a decanter and two short glasses designed in black and smoky silhouettes.
Playstation Classic, £89.99, Game (Released on 3 December)
The classic gaming experience has been rearing its head, and now Sony has joined the retro miniconsole craze with the Playstation Classic.
A musthave for any avid gamer, this tiny gadget comes in the form of a small box that looks just like the traditional console and is pre-loaded with 20 of the most popular games from the original Playstation, including Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid and Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee.
A.P.C., Walter Leather Zipped Cardholder, £155, Mr Porter
This sleek leather cardholder promises to be a welcome addition to any well-dressed man’s pocket.
Designed by A.P.C., it closely mirrors the brand’s ready-to-wear collection with clean and simple lines. It’s also super practical and features six card slots, as well as receipt and zipped compartments to keep cash in check.
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