So we’re all here for the same reason: the men in our lives are notoriously tricky to buy for.
Until now, I’ve always believed I was the only one who struggled to buy gifts for men. And, look, I’m a lesbian and the only child of a single mum, so it’s not exactly something I have to think about often.
But of course, I take my role as a shopping writer extremely seriously, so I decided to ask our readers who of the people they know is the hardest person to buy for.
Every. Single. Person. said a man: their dad, husband, partner, brother, or grandad.
This was something to work with, I thought. All I needed to do was ask men what it is they really wanted, and what the best gift they’ve ever received was.
Oh, how wrong I was. After literal months of asking all the men I knew and all the women I knew to ask their male relations and companions about the best gift they’d ever received, I managed to extract answers from a whopping 18 men.
And those were the answers that didn’t involve something they got when they were seven. (What’s up with that, fellas?)
The entire process was, truly, like extracting blood from a stone. But eventually I figured out what exactly makes a great present for men. And, on top of finding 18 dream-worthy gifts, I also found another 32 to shop for every budget.
There are options in there for all age groups, and gifts range between £11 and £430, from handy little tools to coffee machines, backpacks, headphones, wallets, LEGO sets, and of course, trusty socks. You can thank me later.
18 men on the best gift they’ve ever received
32 more gift ideas for men Christmas 2026
You might have heard that we’re expecting a small and unassuming thing called the Godzilla El Niño.
If you’re bored of hearing him excuse the millions of holes in his 30-year-old jacket, you might want to treat him to a waterproof and insulated rain coat like this one from Regatta to avoid hearing complaints of an impending man flu for the foreseeable.
Budding and michelin-level chefs alike will always appreciate the opportunity to master a cooking technique. Borough Kitchen offers a whole range of cooking classes, from knife techniques to Chinese dumpling making, but you’ll be thankful for this steak knowledge class come date night. Or birthdays. Or Friday night.
If he needs a new wallet, let it be with this one from Aspinal of London. As well as being made from luxury leather, it can be engraved with initials or a special message, and it has room for up to eight cards or banknotes.
Forget having to give him a massage yourself (or pay for vouchers every Christmas): this massage gun will keep him pain-free year-round.
Loaded with three intensities, it’ll knead even the toughest of knots from shoulders, arms, and backs, and comes with three attachments so you can get into the deep spots, too.
Had enough of him stealing a sip of your drink? There’ll be no more arguing in your life ever again once you have a Velvetiser to share, as it’ll take even your darkest days and turn your memory of them into a gooey, syrupy cup of hot choccy.
You won’t have to give up your new habit in hot weather though, because latest version makes both hot and cold chocolate, and comes with 10 sachets of chocolate to play with, but you’ll undoubtedly want to stock up on more immediately.
Now here’s a gift you can benefit from: a mat that’s loaded with five massage modes, including one that kneads your shoulders (or focuses on any area of the body you like) along with the ability to heat up to help soothe aches and pains. Or simply keep you warm of a winter’s night.
You better give him this gift before Christmas lunch, because it’s a smart thermometer that’ll let him check on his meat from anywhere in the house.
The probes connect to an app, so all he has to do is open his phone to see how Sunday roast is getting on, and they can withstand up to 550°C, meaning they’re great for everything from frying chicken to outdoor barbecues.
Even better, there’ll be less clean up for everyone as, once everything is well and truly cooked, you can chuck it in the dishwasher.
If he’s desperate to get off his phone, a Brick will be just the nudge he needs. All he needs to do is put it somewhere convenient, and tap his phone on it to lock up his most distracting apps, and unlock productivity.
The weather can never make up its mind, so rather than splashing out on a big coat that he might only get a couple of weeks’ wear out of, this packable puffer jacket can slot under or over a number of layers, making it an ideal piece of outerwear for any weather.
Sadly for you (not) most LED face masks don’t fit men’s faces, but this one has been designed specifically with male skin concerns (and anatomy) in mind.
With four functions to choose from, the mask can be worn to combat ageing, improve skin tone, reduce breakouts and leave his skin looking as glowy and healthy as yours. Winner.
There’s not a man in the world who doesn’t need a practical bag, and this one from Stubble & Co is just as functional for work or studying as it is for a weekend away.
The outer is fully waterproof, and so he doesn’t have to fiddle around with undoing all of the zips and closures, there’s an external padded laptop pocket that can fit up to 17 inches. Meanwhile, the inside offers expandable volume and plenty of pockets and compartments to keep all of his essentials safe.
If you’re as tight on ideas as you are on budget, this beanie is a failsafe gift for any man in your life. It’s made of 100% extrafine merino, meaning it’s breathable and comfortable at once, and it also comes in a range of colours that we’ll leave to you to match to his personality.
Is there anything worse than discovering your days-old forgotten used gym kit in your bag? Gross. To avoid any nasty forgotten laundry surprises, this sleek sweat bag will keep the rest of his belongings stink-free.
Its main pouch is anti-microbial and odour-controlled, so it can house sweaty gym clothes without giving everyone that comes within five metres a waft of underarm stench, while the exterior pocket is great for storing essentials like shower products, locker keys, and headphones.
Runners will know the stress of trying to keep earbuds in, but this pair of headphones from Shokz eliminates that annoyance.
Looking at them, you wouldn’t think they’d stay clung to an ear, but actually, they’re designed to loop securely over the back of your cartilage and send unbeatable sound into your ears whether you’re running, cycling, or jumping.
Thanks to their advanced noise control, they adjust the volume and noise cancellation according to your environment, which is great for safety when exercising outside, and even for using them at work or while travelling.
I’ve been on a mission to find the comfiest and softest pants, and I’m pleased to say Stripe & Stare has made its way into my firm favourites. As well as their candy box assortment of women’s pants, the brand has ventured into men’s underwear, with this four pack of the softest boxers he will have ever worn. Seriously, there’s no going back after this.
At this point, On has probably been on his wishlist for the last few years running (pun not intended). There are only so many pairs of running shoes a man can get through, but this pair of lifestyle shoes will add a welcome retro touch to any wardrobe.
It doesn’t take a genius to know they’re inspired by the designs of tennis past, but naturally, On has added some extras on in the form of a layer of CloudTec® for extra comfort that lasts all day.
When there are no more records, no more (affordable) equipment or concert tickets to buy the music junkie in your life, let them take a walk down memory lane with this book of the 1,000 most iconic record sleeves from the 60s to the 90s.
You might have to stay and listen to them chat for a couple of hours, but consider that part of the price of your present.
There’s never been a great chef without an excellent chef’s knife (don’t quote me on that) and this one from Hexclad has the ability to level up even the most rookie cook’s kitchen prowess.
Its green Pakkawood Handle guides 67 layers of ultra-sharp Japanese Damascus Steel, which make the crunchiest of carrots feel like you’re slicing through a warm pat of butter.
That’s probably why it’s Gordon Ramsay-approved. Oh that, and the fact it comes with a lifetime warranty on the off chance its promises of durability don’t live up.
Say it with me: socks are a great gift. Especially if they’re this pair of Alpaca wool ones, which come in this festive red along with a range of much more subtle colours.
What man doesn’t need help in the shower? Whether he’s ready to board his next flight, or is out at his daily gym sesh, this shower kit will be ready to chuck in his bag no matter what’s on the agenda.
With exfoliating bristles, it can be used for face, body, or hair washes, and comes with a mount so it won’t take up space in the shower. Most importantly, though, it’s refillable, so you can chose between four scents (peppermint and lime; sandalwood and geranium; almond and tonka bean; and lime and patchouli) to load it up with.
Any coffee snob will appreciate the engineering of an AeroPress. It not only results in a delightfully full-bodied cup of Joe, but this coffee system is travel-friendly, lightweight, and is made of entirely BPA-free plastics. Plus, it’s so easy even his mum will be able to use it.
You might have grand plans to spend the whole of winter holed up together at home, but a massage for two at one of the 10 LUSH Spas around the country is the perfect excuse to get outside (ish).
If you know he’d rather have a solo experience, there are 150 massage locations to choose from on Virgin Experiences, so you can send him away to come back a new and refreshed person.
When the weather doesn’t permit for actual fishing, this puzzle will encourage him to brush up on his fish identifying abilities.
Should fish not be his bait, there are also tons of other 1,000-piece puzzles to choose from, including British birds, American cars, and guitars.
Whether they’re throwing it over a t-shirt in warm weather, or layering it up with knits and baselayers come winter, a blue chore jacket will quickly become the most versatile item in their wardrobe.
If he’s working too much, don’t tell him. Instead, buy him this Plaud notetaker for Christmas. In case you’re not familiar (get to know): it’s a credit card-sized device that transcribes calls and in-person meetings, and then summarises them into notes and action points.
I’ve been using mine for months, and it’s remarkably good at picking up different accents, can recognise up to five voices at a time, and could make the difference between a task forgotten and an easy breezy work week.
I would put a lot of money on a bet that spies are second to the Roman Empire on men’s minds. Let them delve further into their fantasy of nonchalance and hopes of being inconspicuous with this book about portrayals of spies on screen, from Bond to Hitchcock.
When a great idea strikes, you shouldn’t have to wait for the privacy of your own home to hear it out loud. Luckily, this mini Stylophone synthesiser keyring means he’ll be able to play wherever he is in the world, as it’s a fully functioning instrument that’s loaded with a speaker to let the whole world know of his genius.
Unless they spend most of their time up a mountain or hiking, most modern men won’t get much use out of a classic pocket knife.
But this handy tool means he’ll still have all the essentials attached to his phone for all eventualities, including a utility knife, screwdriver, saw blade, and SIM ejector pin.
The whole thing doubles as a phone stand, grip, and even a protractor, meaning he’ll be able to claim helpfulness in any given situation.
Why have a boring mini fridge when you can see Han Solo’s face on it every day? As well as putting a smile on the face of any Star Wars fan, this fridge can hold up to eight drinks cans, making it an ideal addition to any uni or games room.
What does a great song smell like? I’d personally never thought about it, but this candle created in collaboration with Fender poses that it’s ginger tonic, cardamom, worn leather and ‘trails of incense’.
He might’ve passed his touring days, but at least he’ll be able to light this and imagine he’s surrounded by groupies from home.
We’ve all had enough of our phones. But you shouldn’t have to go on to Spotify to listen to music. Bringing the portable cassette player back is We Are Rewind, which reminds us that listening to music was once screen-free.
This model is a step up on the original, as it’s Bluetooth-powered, so you can connect it to a modern pair of headphones, speakers, or your car radio, and it even has up to 12 hours of playtime, meaning he won’t have to replace the battery (or, recharge) it every time it runs out of juice.
Created by none other than Seth Rogan, this nifty home fragrance system is just the vibe-setter for his man den.
It might look like a sculpture, but actually it sends wafts of woody, floral, and spice scent into their space. Doubled with the flickering of candle light, it’s totally mesmerising.
