Christmas gifts for him: ideas for partners, brothers and mates
Our best overall Christmas gift for him is a leather wash bag, the sort of upgrade men rarely buy themselves and use for years. The best budget pick is a credit-card multi-tool at around £3–£5, which lives in his wallet and gets used all year. For something unusual, a campfire toastie maker turns any fire pit or camping trip into a cheese toastie session.
Men are often described as hard to buy for. Usually that just means nobody has asked what they do at the weekend. Start with his hobbies and work back from there.
Fixed budget? Guides picked for it: Gifts under £30
Upgrades to things he already uses
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Leather wash bag
A roomy zipped toiletry bag in leather or waxed canvas.
If his toiletries still travel in a carrier bag or a freebie from a hotel, this is the present. It lasts years and gets used on every weekend away.
Not for: Anyone who never goes away overnight.
See it on Amazon for Leather wash bag, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Slim leather wallet with RFID lining
A slim leather wallet with card slots and a lining that blocks contactless skimming.
Most men carry the same bulging wallet for a decade. A slim one with contactless protection is a quiet improvement he will notice daily.
Not for: Anyone who only pays with their phone.
See options on Amazon for Slim leather wallet with RFID lining, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Credit-card multi-tool
A flat steel card with a bottle opener, ruler, spanner slots and screwdriver edge that lives in a wallet.
For the man who always wishes he had a penknife on him. It slips into his wallet and deals with parcel tape, bottle tops and loose screws all year.
Not for: Frequent flyers: it will be confiscated at airport security.
See options on Amazon for Credit-card multi-tool, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Leather touchscreen gloves
Lined leather gloves with fingertips that work on a phone screen.
For the man who takes his gloves off every time he checks a train time. Proper leather looks smart on the commute too.
Not for: Vegans, and anyone who loses gloves within a week.
See options on Amazon for Leather touchscreen gloves, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Grooming upgrades he’ll actually use
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Safety razor gift set
A double-edge razor with blades, brush and shaving soap.
Shaving with a safety razor is cheaper in the long run and a bit of a ritual. A good pick for the man who likes doing things the traditional way.
Not for: Anyone with a beard he has no intention of losing.
See options on Amazon for Safety razor gift set, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Beard care kit
Beard oil, balm and a comb or brush.
If his beard arrived during lockdown and never left, oil and a proper comb make it look deliberate.
Not for: Clean-shaven men, obviously.
See options on Amazon for Beard care kit, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
For the man with a hobby
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Manual burr coffee grinder
A hand-cranked grinder with ceramic burrs for fresh grounds.
For the man who already talks about coffee beans at length. Fresh-ground coffee is a real step up, and grinding by hand suits slow weekend mornings.
Not for: Anyone who uses pods and is happy with them.
See options on Amazon for Manual burr coffee grinder, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Campfire toastie maker
A long-handled cast iron press for making toasted sandwiches over a fire.
Hand it over with a note promising cheese and a fire pit in spring. It suits the camper, the barbecue king and the man with a chiminea he never uses.
Not for: Anyone who never has a fire pit or campfire to cook on.
See options on Amazon for Campfire toastie maker, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Illustrated Formula 1 history book
A large illustrated book covering the cars, drivers and great races of F1.
If he got into Formula 1 through the Netflix series, this fills in the decades before he started watching.
Not for: Lifelong fans who already have a shelf of motorsport books.
See options on Amazon for Illustrated Formula 1 history book, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Rechargeable bike light set
Front and rear LED lights that charge by USB.
For the commuter cyclist heading home in the dark at half four. Rechargeable lights save him buying batteries every month.
Not for: Riders who already have bright dynamo lights.
See options on Amazon for Rechargeable bike light set, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Treats and experiences
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Cocktail smoker kit
A wooden lid with a small chimney that fills a glass with wood smoke.
Makes him the centre of attention at New Year’s Eve drinks. Smoke a glass, pour an old fashioned, accept compliments.
Not for: Households with very sensitive smoke alarms.
See options on Amazon for Cocktail smoker kit, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Mini hot sauce gift set
A box of small bottles from mild to eye-watering.
For the man who puts sriracha on his cornflakes. Small bottles from mild to ridiculous add a contest to Boxing Day leftovers.
Not for: Anyone with a sensitive stomach.
See options on Amazon for Mini hot sauce gift set, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Make-your-own hot sauce kit
Dried chillies, bottles, spices and a recipe to make several hot sauces.
If shop-bought sauce no longer impresses him, this lets him make his own and bore everyone about the fermentation.
Not for: Anyone who thinks black pepper is spicy.
See options on Amazon for Make-your-own hot sauce kit, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Camping hammock with tree straps
A lightweight parachute-nylon hammock that packs into its own pouch.
For the younger man who would rather spend Saturday outdoors. It packs into a pouch and goes up in minutes between two trees.
Not for: Anyone without trees, or with a bad back.
See options on Amazon for Camping hammock with tree straps, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
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Supercar driving experience voucher
A voucher for a few laps in a sports car at a UK track.
A day out with a story attached, which is worth more to most men than another jumper.
Not for: Anyone who gets nervous at speed.
See options on Amazon for Supercar driving experience voucher, paid link, opens in a new tab Ad
Nothing matches those filters. Try a bigger budget or another vibe.
Price bands are our own estimates, not live shop prices, so check the price before you buy. Buy buttons are paid links: if you buy, GiftPuffin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we pick. How our links work.
Questions people ask
What do you buy a man who says he doesn’t want anything?
Buy something that improves an object he already uses daily, like his wallet, wash bag or gloves. He will not ask for it because he does not think about it, but he will notice it every day. Consumables, like coffee or hot sauce, are a safe second choice.
What is a good Christmas present for a boyfriend?
Something tied to a shared plan or his hobby. A campfire toastie maker with a promise of a camping trip, or a cocktail smoker for your New Year’s Eve, says more than an expensive gadget. Our for-him list above has ideas from about £3 to £100.
How much should I spend on my partner at Christmas?
There is no right figure: agree a rough range together if you are not sure. Many couples set a limit to avoid one person feeling out-spent. A thoughtful £25 present beats an expensive one that misses.
When is the last day to order Christmas presents online?
It depends on the retailer and delivery option, so check each order. If anything is going by post, our Christmas last posting dates page lists the Royal Mail and courier deadlines with sources.