Gifts for him in the UK

Shop his week, not his gender

Most things sold as gifts for men get used once. Find something he does every week and improve it. If he runs with his phone strapped to his arm, the Forerunner 165 is the step up. If he commutes, the Marshall Major V headphones rarely need charging. If he already mixes drinks at home, the Urban Bar tins are what bartenders use. If he loves a takeaway, a day at School of Wok teaches him to make it.

If he has never shown interest in fragrance, the Captain Fawcett minis let him find a scent without you guessing at a full bottle.

What to spend

At £50 or less, the Finisterre beanie, the AirTag, the fragrance minis and an Apple gift card suit coworkers, brothers and Secret Santa. From £50 to £200, the shaker, headphones, the speaker, the turntable, the Forerunner and School of Wok are things he will use often.

Over £250 should buy one item that lasts, like the Atom Hoody or a Monos carry-on for a man who flies often.

Add-ons and timing

The shaker needs a separate strainer and is hand wash only. The turntable needs powered speakers. The AirTag needs an iPhone. School of Wok vouchers last only six months, so pick a likely date together when you give it. Order clothing two to three weeks ahead in December, since Royal Mail slows down and exchanges take time.

If he says he wants nothing

Replace something he uses every day that is wearing out: a beanie, headphones with a dead battery, a cabin bag with a broken wheel. He will not see it as clutter. If even that feels like too much, the School of Wok day gives him an evening of cooking with nothing to store afterwards, and an Apple gift card sent by email is the fallback when time runs out. Add a line in the card about what you had in mind.

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.