We’re coming up to what many call the most wonderful time of year. Days get shorter, weather gets colder and the aroma of pumpkin spice lattes fills the air. The holidays are approaching, and while many look forward to gift shopping, it can also be a huge source of stress. And if you’re hunting for the perfect gift for a boyfriend or husband, it can feel like you’re on a wild goose chase. You don’t want to buy him anything generic, but at the same time something too out of the ordinary can backfire. You want to get him something classic and high-quality. But at the same time, you don’t want your gift to be a cliché. Read on for 10 ideas for unique gifts that the men in your life are sure to enjoy. (And this goes for brothers, dads, and granddads too!)
1. Beard Oil Gift Set
Sporting a fine set of whiskers has been fashionable for the past decade. And although everyone keeps claiming that we’ve hit ‘peak beard’ the age of hipster facial hair lives on. Help your man look and feel his best with a top-quality beard oil gift set. Beard oil and balm are both excellent products for hydrating and styling beards and moustaches… with a comb and moustache wax thrown in if he’s feeling adventurous. Good grooming can keep a beard full, healthy, and attractive. And, let’s face it, there are few things worse than nuzzling up against a coarse, bristly stubble.
2. Shaving Set
The less hirsute man may prefer to start the day feeling like he’s visited an old-timey barber shop. To make him feel truly pampered, buy him a plastic-free, zero-waste shaving set. With a double-edged safety razor, wood-handled shaving brush, and bar of shaving soap, he’ll have that smooth, fresh-from-the-barber’s feeling every morning. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being good for the environment, with no plastic used and double-edged razorblade refills included. Everybody wins!
3. VideoBook of Your Romantic Highlights
VideoBook is the perfect romantic gift to get for the man who has everything. Upload phots and videos and have them printed together! Show your creative side by adding different filters, themes, and soundtracks. Once you have all your video content arranged on your Storyboard, VideoBook will print them in that order. Where you upload a video you have the option to assign a photo which will be printed with its own QR code. Then simply open the camera on your smartphone to bring that photo to life and play videos right off the page. Include videos from romantic getaways, music festivals, birthdays, or even just personalised messages of why you love him. Think of it as a digital scrapbook, mapping out your love story. Perfect for a stay-at-home date night as you snuggle up with some candles and relive your most heart-warming moments!
4. Photo Puzzle of the Two of You
This gift is on the quirkier side, but if your guy enjoys games and puzzles he’ll get a lot of mileage out of a Photo Puzzle. Upload a photo of the two of you to the website, then add some personalised text if you wish. Select how you want your puzzle formatted. Then how many pieces you want. (1,000 is a solid number – not too easy, not too difficult.) This gift has an added bonus in that it’s a fun activity for a comfy night in. Crack open a bottle of wine, put on your favourite music, and get cosy on the couch as you work on piecing together your puzzle portrait!
5. A Bottle of Good Whiskey
Well, perhaps this one is a bit of a cliché… but you can never go wrong with a good whiskey. If he likes something smooth and straightforward, try a bottle of Writers’ Tears, with sweet floral and honey notes. If he prefers a smoky whiskey, try a Connemara Peated Single Malt, or a bracing bottle of Laphroaig. Plus, if you give him whiskey as a gift, that means he has to share a few glasses with you. (I don’t make the rules.)
6. Brew Box Coffee Subscription
Is your partner more of a morning person than a night owl? Does he need two or three cups of coffee to get him going in the morning? Expand his horizons by signing him up to a monthly coffee subscription box. Every month he’ll get a hand-selected package of fresh-roasted coffee. Choose between filter or espresso ground for the perfect brew. Plus, if you order a Brew Box subscription, you get free access to online artisan coffeemaking courses. So he’ll get a monthly gift of top-tier coffee, as well as learn how to make the perfect flat white!
7. Leather Satchel
Few accessories manage to be as functional and simultaneously stylish as the classic leather satchel. They are versatile and timeless, and can adapt to any style, whether vintage or modern. Your man can carry his as a briefcase for a professional look, or as a messenger bag for a more alternative vibe. A satchel is perfect for carrying laptops, papers, and other important documents. Give it a personalised flare by getting his initials monogrammed on the front.
8. Multi Tool
Is your guy handy around the house? Give him the gift of being prepared for any scenario with a multi tool – perfect for outdoorsy men. These can range from the standard pen knife, corkscrew, and bottle opener. Or you can take it one step further: Farrar & Tanner offers a deluxe, stainless steel multi tool that offers wire cutters, folding pliers, screwdriver, and more.
9. Cooking Knife Set
A quality knife set is a must-have for any foodie. If your partner really knows his way around the kitchen, buy him his own professional-grade knife set. Depending on how adventurous he is, you’ll want to include a standard chef’s knife, a serrated bread knife, and a paring knife. Include the more specialty santoku knife, boning knife, and cleaver for the true gourmand.
10. Portable Speaker
If your fella is a music lover, buying him a speaker is always a safe bet. Sonos offers a wide range of hand-held smart speakers, perfect for indoor and outdoor use. They offer high-quality sound, durable batteries, and multi-room features so you can blast your tunes with you wherever you go. Prices range from €179 for the basic Roam speaker, to €1,298 for the full Multi-Room Entertainment Set.