Gifts for him

Shop his routine, not his gender

Gift shops for men are full of whisky stones, novelty socks and gadgets with too many functions. Most of it gets used once. A better rule: find something he does at least once a week and improve it.

If he makes coffee every morning, a grinder like the Hario Skerton or Delter gives him fresher coffee for years. If he commutes, the KeepCup or the Marshall Major V headphones solve a daily problem. If he runs with his phone strapped to his arm, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the obvious step up. If he cooks, the School of Wok course or the Ichigo Ichie knife go further than another apron.

Hobby gifts need care. A cyclist or guitarist often already owns good gear and has opinions about brands. Pick accessories that fill a gap, like the Crankbrothers M17 for road repairs or the BOSS Katana Mini for practice, rather than replacing his main kit.

If you truly cannot tell what he does with his week, ask someone who sees him more often. A partner, sibling or close friend will know whether he runs, cooks or travels, and that one fact narrows the list from twenty-four ideas to three.

Sensible budgets

Under $25 covers a beanie, a hot sauce pack or a dopp kit. These work for coworkers, brothers-in-law and Secret Santa.

Between $50 and $150 you can buy something he will use daily: a hand grinder, a travel wallet, a sweater or good headphones. This range suits most birthday gifts for a close friend, brother or partner.

Over $300 should buy one item that lasts a decade. The Vaer A4 field watch and the Arc'teryx Atom Hoody fit that rule. Do not split a large budget across five small things. One good thing beats a basket of filler.

Common mistakes

Buying for an imagined version of him. If he has never mentioned cocktails, a shaker set will sit in a cupboard. Look at what is worn out in his house instead: a bag with a broken zip, a mug with a chipped lid.

Getting sizes wrong. The Atom Hoody is a men's cut and the Frank And Oak sweater runs roomy. Check a jacket he already wears, and keep the gift receipt.

Ignoring upkeep. The Ichigo Ichie nakiri rusts if left wet, the Tanner Goods cardholder darkens fast and the Urban Bar shaker is not dishwasher safe. Some men like that kind of care. Others will resent it.

What to pair it with

A grinder needs beans. Add a bag from a local roaster so he can use it on day one. The AeroPress Go Plus and KeepCup also go well with coffee.

The shaker set needs a strainer and something to shake, so include both. The Katana Mini runs on six AA batteries, so add a pack or the adapter. A watch looks better with a spare strap, though Vaer charges more for some options.

For experiences, print the voucher and pick a likely date together. A class with no date attached is easy to forget until it expires, and the School of Wok voucher only lasts six months.

Shipping and timing

Several of these come from one country only. The Ichigo Ichie knife, Delter grinder and Knog mug ship from Australian shops, the Finisterre beanie and Captain Fawcett set from the UK, and the Hario and BOSS amp from Canadian shops. Buy locally where you can to avoid duties and delays.

One-off items such as the handmade knife can sell out, so order early. If you are short on time, the Airbnb gift card arrives by email.

Order physical gifts two to three weeks ahead in December, when parcels slow down everywhere. Clothing needs extra time in case it has to be exchanged for another size.

Questions people ask

What do you get a man who says he does not want anything?

Replace something he uses every day that is wearing out: a wallet, a travel mug, a winter hat. He will not see it as clutter because it takes the place of something old. If even that feels like too much, an experience such as a cooking class gives him an evening out with nothing to store afterwards.

How much should I spend on a gift for him?

Under $25 is fine for coworkers and casual friends. Between $50 and $150 covers most birthday and holiday gifts for a brother, close friend or partner. Spend over $300 only on a single item built to last, such as a good automatic watch or a technical jacket, and only if you know his taste well.

Are gadgets a good gift for men?

Only if the gadget solves a problem he already has. A GPS watch makes sense for someone who runs several times a week. Headphones with very long battery life suit someone who always forgets to charge. Gadgets bought to impress tend to end up in a drawer within a month.

What is a good last-minute gift for him?

A digital gift card or voucher that arrives by email. An Airbnb card works for someone who travels, and some cooking schools sell e-vouchers. Add a short note about what you think he should use it for, so it reads as a plan rather than something grabbed in a hurry.