15 Elegant Gift Ideas For Gentlemen This Christmas
Discover some sartorial splendour, elegant home finds, and self-care essentials to make his or your season full of stylish merriment and joy.
I debated compiling this list or not, we’re certainly not short on Gift Guides this year, but we do genuinely need them. Not least because I too have bookmarked a wish list of gifts I’d happily buy myself sooner or later.
Whether you are buying for yourself, father, father-in-law, son, brother, friend, or nephew. Here are my top fifteen gift ideas for gentlemen this year. Pricing may vary, some items are aspirational, some very affordable, some useful, and some outrageously desirable. If it’s not these items, hopefully, it will give you some inspiration nonetheless.
NOTE:
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1. Ralph Lauren Home Griffith Throw Pillow
After some mild bedroom renovations this winter, I realised that the style I was going for was a kind of ‘new traditional’, like much of the Ralph Lauren Home collection. Some polo action in the bedroom never hurt anyone, a navy throw pillow (cushion) will add that sophisticated masculine touch to a gentleman’s bedding.
2. Cad & The Dandy Cutaway Collar Shirt in Journey Denim
Essentially, the one shirt every man should own because it’s the shirt that can be worn in most situations and look perfectly suitable. This one I can vouch for as I commissioned one myself (as seen on YouTube) bespoke, but it is also available as a ready-to-wear item.
3. Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky 70cl
Some men are whiskey men, I cannot say that I am. However, I love a whiskey cocktail, as do most of discerning nature. It’s quite likely you’ll know someone who loves a whiskey cocktail as much as I do, Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and so on. Henceforth, I commend a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, that will see any budding home mixologist right.
4. Colhay’s Superfine Lambswool Shawl Collar Cardigan
You’re never too short on dense snuggly knitwear in the colder seasons, but that comes at a certain price and scarcity, two factors you will find reasonably combined at Colhay’s. Guaranteeing style, quality, and longevity, a chunky shawl collar cardigan weighing in at a colossal 1.2kg could be the perfect bit of wool cosiness for Christmas and every winter thereafter.
5. Rampley & Co 28th Regiment At Quatre Bras Pocket Square
Rampley & Co is an incredible brand that beautifully curates a historical crossover (in both senses) of some of the most treasured and admired artworks from The National Gallery with sartorial pieces we can make a statement with as we go about our business, such as pocket squares or even jacket linings. Particularly desirable for proud Englishmen who never forget our smiting of the French in battles past.
6. Dior Homme Eau de Toilette 100ml
Every male, man and boy, has to smell good. It’s non-negotiable. One nice way to gift is by going with trends but also to go against them by going back to the ‘old’ classics. You can’t get walk down any high street without smelling those really smokey, oudy, woody fragrances, which are all very nice, but brands like Chanel, Dior, and Creed still have some genuinely timeless scents that have stood the test of time, such as Dior Homme. And don’t fall for the myth that Intense versions are the same but just stronger and longer-lasting. They can be, but they won’t smell exactly the same in their notes.
7. Cordings Cream Solid Cashmere Scarf
It’s giving winter white for a New Year’s black tie date night at the opera. This year is the first time I have bookmarked a folder called ‘Wishlist’, and the first item on there is this Cream Solid Cashmere Scarf from Cordings. The idea of winter white, Christmas, and cashmere scream festive luxury in the most subtle way for me, hence why I’d be beside myself with joy if the big man thinks I’m nice enough for it.
8. Rituals The Ritual Of Jing Reed Diffuser 250ml
This diffuser is more than a mere olfactory delight – it's a statement piece, seamlessly blending into any decor while imbuing the room with a calming fragrance experience. Perfect for the man who's all about simple, low-key living. Trust me, it's the kind of gift that says, "I know you appreciate the little good things in life and at home."
9. Spier & Mackay Heathered Brown Ulster Coat
Nothing says winter is like a big, loose overcoat. Ready-to-wear overcoats that are heavy enough with all the classic styling details are very hard to find (at an affordable price). Most resort to vintage shops to dig out such treasures that clock in at anywhere near the 800gsm this Spier & Mackay Ulster coat is. It’s no surprise then that this item is just about the most expensive on the list, but worth every penny – rather every cent.
10. London Sock Company Simply Traditional 15-Pair Box
Men. Christmas. Socks. It doesn’t get much more typical than that, but we all need them! Men tend to hold off on buying good-quality socks for themselves because they don’t see the value when Christmas is soon enough; when all the female relatives resort to the same gift year in, year out. I say a gentleman should have more pairs than he thinks he needs, in quality materials, and colours aplenty.
11. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 250ml
The boy doesn’t do skincare. The man has supermarket skincare. The gentleman has tailored skincare. There is a limit though. Nobody needs a 7-step skincare routine, least of all a man, but we do need a good cleanser with active ingredients as a foundation. Not all skin types are the same, but this special cleansing gel from Dermalogica will work wonders for most male skin types. This purchase is perhaps one for the wives and partners of gentlemen.
12. Adidas Originals Gazelle Navy
A gentleman spends a modicum of some weekends in a pub, if not a lunch and long walk with his girlfriend and their dog. Sometimes you need some classic trainers that aren’t too expensive to throw on with a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. I commend to you the Adidas gazelle in navy.
13. Reiss Elmont Woven Belt
Is the belt dead? Probably not. I personally try not to wear them because I’m of a certain stature and don’t like to break up the vertical silhouette. However, belts are still necessary sometimes. If you’re going for one in any colour, it must surely be brown. This Reiss Woven belt fits the bill because it’s not restricted to wherever the holes have been punched in, thus making it easier to tighten or loosen to the exact girth a gentleman may have post-executive lunch. On top of that, the texture of a woven belt adds a subtle dimension to the outfit. Smart leather belts don’t cut it anymore.
14. Fortnum & Mason Wine Connoisseur Hamper
You can score major points with the wine aficionados with this one. Packed to the brim with a lineup of whites, reds, and champagne, Fortnum & Mason hampers are second to none, especially when they contain what is effectively a little journey through the finest wine regions of Europe. It's the kind of gift that'll have people toasting in utter delight and jealousy.
15. Dressing The Man by Alan Flusser
Tom Ford coffee table books should stay far away from any table in the home. What’s better than a book that you will read many times, is densely populated with scrumptious vocabulary and terminology, and is a near-timeless encyclopaedia?
