Words by Thomas Arthur
‘Why Are Men So Difficult to Buy Gifts For?’ That’s the title of an article published a few years ago in Psychology Today. And it rings as true as ever. Men, it says, are more likely to buy what they want for themselves, are less comfortable accepting gifts – or simply don’t know what they want. So to steer you through the impossible, we’ve compiled a list of top-tier gifts for him, whether he’s partial to fine watches, whisky or designer sweatshirts.
Given Tudor’s imminent 100th anniversary in 2026, it might surprise you to learn that its most emblematic fine watch family, the Black Bay, was only introduced in 2012. The Black Bay Pro came a decade later and can be considered an evolution of the original – you’ll still find the signature snowflake hands and screw-down crown, but the graduated fixed bezel in satin-brushed steel points to a more vintage inspiration than its bi-colour counterparts. Behind that black domed dial lies the same MT5652 movement as the Black Bay GMT, with its full flyer function allowing its wearers to independently adjust the local hour hand when crossing time zones.
A well-crafted wallet is a man’s best friend. It’s one that frequently tops ‘gifts for him’ lists due to its sheer practicality. Slim enough to slip into pockets, yet boasting a full array of card slots and compartments, this Harrods wallet is a contemporary take on the classic bifold. We’ve used Saffiano leather for durability, with geometric corners adding to its modern, sophisticated feel. Look to the bottom right and you’ll spot an Art Deco-inspired rendition of the Harrods ‘H’ in antique silver-tone hardware. Bonus points if his initial marries up.
What if his bookshelf is already overflowing? Try a different approach. Brunello Cucinelli bottles poetry with its Vento Ardente parfum. Part of the Incanti Poetici collection – a line of six fragrances that each draw inspiration from poetic verse – it serves as master perfumer Jordi Fernández’s love letter to Il Cinque Maggio by 19th-century writer and philosopher Alessandro Manzoni. Its opening line is one of spicy saffron, with stanzas of Turkish rose and woody cypriol and an underlying subtext of rich leather. Its finish, meanwhile, is one that will stay with you – much like the most powerful poems. Crafted with all the savoir-faire you’d expect from Brunello Cucinelli, Vento Ardente is among our favourite fragrances for men.
Ralph Lauren started collecting cars in the ’70s and has since amassed one of the world’s finest collections of rare automobiles. It’s no secret that the designer’s enthusiasm has influenced his eponymous Polo Ralph Lauren line. A bold update to his sweatshirt collection, this Ralph’s Garage piece is embroidered with a racing flag motif introduced at Ralph Lauren’s personal Westchester County garage in 2017. If a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO is outside your gifting budget, consider this an appropriate alternative for the car-lover in your life.
LEGO has been a household name since 1932, so it’s no surprise that many of us have fond memories of snapping bricks together as children. What you may not know is that the Danish brand creates building sets for adults, too – good news if he’s never fully grown up. The Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Set from its Technic range provides a satisfying challenge, with 1,643 pieces coming together in a faithful reproduction of the car driven by Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Mick Schumacher. F1® fans can build everything from the six-cylinder engine to the steering and suspension, making the completed model a prize he’ll want to proudly display.
Audio often plays second fiddle to visual when choosing a gift for the cinephile in your life, but in the immortal words of director David Lynch, “Films are 50% visual and 50% sound.” Devialet – a brand on the cutting edge of acoustic engineering – has created the Dione sound bar with 17 autonomous drivers and patented SPACE technology to upscale mono and stereo signals into multi-layered audio. In layman’s terms, it provides one of the most impressive all-in-one listening experiences for music, dialogue and sound effects without the need for multiple speakers or a separate subwoofer.
Manscaped started out with products for below the waist – but the brand’s expansion into shavers and beard trimmers proves it can handle a man’s facial grooming routine just as well. Continuing its irreverent naming convention, the Beard Hedger features a titanium-coated stainless steel T-blade that’s powerful enough to glide through the densest face fuzz in minimal strokes. It’s waterproof, runs on battery for 60 minutes and can cut to 20 lengths by rotating the ‘zoom wheel’ from between 0.5mm to 10mm. With a beard comb, scissors, shampoo and conditioner bundled into the Beard Hedger Essentials Kit, it’s a gift that will be appreciated on a daily basis.
The third release of The Macallan’s A Night on Earth series coincided with the producer’s 200-year anniversary, so we weren’t surprised when it unveiled an exceptional whisky to mark the year’s end. A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera is a celebration of New Year’s Eve – or Nochevieja – in the Spanish city where The Macallan seasons its oak casks in sherry wine. On the palate, sweet pastry, white grapes and glazed almonds are balanced with fresh rosemary and spices, while the nose is defined by honey-coated Pestiños. As with any gift, presentation is key. The box, created by artist María Melero, depicts a nighttime vineyard and opens to reveal Jerez’s traditional azulejo wall tiles and luminous golden grapes.
How many golf brands can say they debuted at New York Fashion Week? Since the ’90s, J.Lindeberg has been fusing the worlds of golf and designer men’s clothing through functional, aesthetically led sportswear and accessories. For the golfer whose style credentials are as important as his scorecard, the Play Golf stand bag is a hole in one – designed in monochrome faux leather with signature logo embroidery. Two carbon fibre legs and a six-way top keeper allow clubs to rest easy, while multiple zipped compartments provide ample room for golf balls, tees and any other essentials required for a day on the green.
There are plenty of choices when it comes to coffee machines at Harrods, but for an authentic hands-on experience that saves on counter space, you’ll want to opt for a barista-style machine with an integrated grinder. Delonghi’s La Specialista Maestro caters to the coffee aficionado with eight grind settings and five infusion temperature profiles, plus a choice of automatic or manual milk frothing for those who like to be in full control of their beverages. It can create cold brews in less than five minutes and features clever technology like dynamic infusion, which automatically adapts to the density of the grind for better coffee extraction.