Treat your friends, brothers and fathers with the respect and love they deserve this holiday season with these man-tastic gift ideas.
Tiz the season, so they say, to show the guys in your life how important they are to you. Sure, many men suck at expressing their feelings in words – some of us consider it part of our charm – but this Christmas, why don’t you let your gift do all the talking? From that trusty wingman to your office bromance, these are the guys that make the weeks short and the weekends worth living and this year, we’ve compiled a list of he-centric gifts we think every modern gent will love.
Sound Thinking
Ensure your mates play those Christmas classics with the right sound system with the new Bose Home Speaker 500. Small but powerful, this cutting-edge speaker not only plays crystal clear tunes but also uses the proprietary mic technology found in Bose headsets (and you know how good they are!), as well as a custom-designed eight-microphone array precisely positioned for accurate near-field and far-field voice pickup, to hear your commands, even when you’re cracking the Michael Bublé commercial carols at full tilt. It’s also compact, Bluetooth synced and in the right territories, Alexa and Google Assistant-ready.
Boutique Bubbles
Champagne goes hand-in-hand with celebrating, so help your mates start the year in style by popping open the good stuff with the new Armand de Brignac “Deux Bouteilles” gift box, which features two of Armand de Brignac most iconic Champagnes – Armand de Brignac Gold Brut, and Armand de Brignac Rose, which earned the title of “Best Rose Champagne of the World”. These two eye-catching bottles come nested in a highly-elegant black lacquered box.
Upcycled Couture
Help keep your chums warm while doing your part for the planet with the Re-Wool Scarf from Fjall Raven. Made from spill left over by the luxury Italian textile industry (those bastards!), this super-fine, three-hued scarf is as soft as a new-born lamb against the skin and is produced using timeless techniques that ensure it’s made to last.
Kiwi Hooch
For an insightful spirit that not only bridges the cultures of east and west but also brings your mates good luck, Jiu Jiu Vodka is produced by the Golden Bay Distillery of New Zealand’s South Island. Available as both a Blue Label, bottled at 40%ABV, and a Supreme, bottled at 50%ABV (above), this multi-award-winning vodka is made using water from Golden Bay’s crystal-clear aquifer, possibly the best water on the planet, and is triple distilled and charcoal filtered to create a pure, super-smooth premium spirit.
You’ll reach for this chic drop for the ultimate martini (the distillery recommends three olives), but also for its eye-catching triangular bottle, which is wreathed in golden ferns, the unofficial symbol of New Zealand, and Monarch butterfly motifs (the Blue Label even has gold shavings in 8 and 9 shapes to bring an extra touch of prosperity to your next cocktail).
The Perfect Backpack
Ensure your amigos have everything they need when they strike out on their next adventure with the new Alpha Bravo Matte Black Nellis Backpack from TUMI. Versatile and modern, this sturdy backpack is as perfect for everyday office commutes as it is for weekend escapes. There are numerous organizer pockets and a dedicated space for a laptop and tablet, as well as D-rings on the straps for additional attachments, while the luxurious pebbled leather gives a sophisitcated edge.
The Art of Living
In celebration of the holiday season, Moët & Chandon has created a new limited-edition bottle to ring in the end-of-year festivities. The bottle, titled Tribute to French Art-de-Vivre (“Art of Living”), arrives dressed in festive finery and style, complete with a label bearing the Orangerie, the symbol of the champagne house’s hosting heritage, and the champagne pyramid, a signature motif representing Moët & Chandon’s unparalleled know-how in the art of celebration. Available in 75cl bottles, Moët & Chandon’s Tribute to French Art-de-Vivre is the perfect ice-breaker for festive invites.
Blaze a Pair
Ensure your wingman looks top notch with the new Blazer Royal White Outs by Nike. A modern rendition of the first basketball show to carry the iconic swoosh, and named for Portland’s first NBA franchise, the Blazer Royal White Outs now come replete in premium leather with a triple white colourway for a retro look that’s also on form for today’s savvy gents.
Silent but Effective
No matter where they roam, your mates will stay snug in the Silent Down Jacket by Patagonia, a light-weight, weather-resistant travel essential. Whether they’re climbing peaks or trying their hands at extreme barbequing, your pal will resist the chills thanks to 100 percent recycled goose and duck down, a zip-through stand-up collar and side-entry handwarmer pockets with zip closures.
Wafer Thin Wonder
Keep your he-friend connected with the new MacBook Air from Apple. Ten percent thinner and a quarter pound lighter than its predecessor, the latest MacBook Air incarnation features a higher-resolution Retina display with a significantly smaller bezel (if that’s something they’re looking for), and boasts an upgraded keyboard and a larger Force Track trackpad, and is powered by Intel’s 8th generation dual-core processor.
Mud For Your Eye
Your lads will thank you if you give the gift of a fresh face this festive season. Using Irish moor mud – that’s right, mud from the moors – this purifying, decongesting and hydrating mask from Peter Thomas Roth helps draw out dirt, oil and grime as it infuses skin with moisture, vitamins, essential minerals and potent anti-oxidant benefits.
A Charging Valet
Guys just love walking in the door and dumping the contents of their pockets on the first available surface. Be a great friend and ensure that when they scoop up their phone it’s fully charged thanks to this novel Block Wireless Charger from Native Union, which combines a wireless charging station with a carved aluminium valet tray for all those essential pocket items. The tray is compatible with iPhone 8, X, 8+, Xs, Xs Max, XR and all Qi compatible devices up to 10W.
Defy Time
No guy likes to age, but you can lend a helping hand with the savvy Anti-Ageing Kit from Hims. The company’s ground-breaking anti-ageing products, which smooth out wrinkles and preemptively reduce the effects of ageing, make great gifts and help steer mates onto the path of self-regeneration.
Mightier Than the Sword
Give your man-date the last ballpoint pen he will every need with The Benton, a design-savvy pen from The James Brand that’s encased in 304 stainless steel. There’s a lanyard connected to the pusher to help him fish it out of his pocket or bag, a laser-etched grip, and a PVD-coated steel clip to secure the pen to shirts, pads and pocket cuffs.
Military Meets the Street
Ensure the lad is never late (or at least has to think up a creative excuse) with the Weiss 42mm Limited American Issue Field Watch. Dressed in blue on a brown horween leather strap, this simple yet elegant timepiece is hand-crafted by master watchmaker Cameron Weiss and even comes with an engraving option so you can make the gift extra special.
Your New He-Scent
You’ll have your man picking up ladies like raindrops in a monsoon with Eleventh Hour, a new fragrance by Byredo that’s laced with touches of juicy citrus, sweet, spicy clove and exotic Ban Timmur, a Nepalese plant known for its intense spice and clean finish. Themed on the end of the world (when we just might end up living in the Himalayas if oceans continue to rise) this modern fragrance is bound to draw in the right kind of attention – he’ll thank you later.
Iceman’s Shades
Lightweight yet timelessly stylish, the ROKA Phantom Sunglasses are the perfect style addition to sunnier days ahead. Guaranteed to cling to his face no matter what he finds himself up to this holiday season, the Phantoms feature silver frames and eye-catching Arctic mirror lenses and are inspired by the iconic pilot’s design.
Finding Seclusion
If your he-buddy is making tracks this season, get in early with a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35IIs, quite possibly the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Whether they’re travelling or simply trying to find a little respite, these cutting-edge headphones offer world-class noise cancelling, as well as Alexa and Google Assistant functionality.
Short Game Restoration
Help your mate reach ace status on the links with the Toulon Design Portland Putter. A classic toe-hang mallet with a compact profile, the Portland has a classic #7 head and a branded Super Stroke grip, and offer the stability many of us could do with in our short game.
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