Christmas gifts for a gentleman, from £59 to the unforgettable

A good gift says you have been paying attention. It is something the person would never quite buy for himself, made well enough that he will still be using it in ten years. It does not have to be expensive, and it should never be a novelty.

Here are the gifts we would be pleased to give or receive this Christmas, from £59 to the truly unforgettable. Most come from makers who have been doing one thing very well for a very long time. Every price is the maker’s own UK price.

Under £100

Riedel Vinum Single Malt Whisky glasses, set of two, £59

Most men drink good whisky from the wrong glass. These are designed for the job, and they make any bottle taste as though more thought has gone into it. Give them with a bottle you know he likes, and the gift is complete.

Smythson Panama Notebook, £60

Smythson has been making stationery on Bond Street since 1887, and its pale blue featherweight paper is one of those quiet luxuries you notice every time you open it. This is a gift for the man who still writes things down, and a gentle encouragement for the man who doesn’t.

Ettinger Bridle Hide Round Key Fob, £70

A small thing, used every day. Bridle hide is the kind of leather that gets better with handling, so this will look more handsome each year. It is an easy way to give real quality at a modest price.

£100 to £300

Fox Umbrellas GT1, £157

Nobody buys himself a really good umbrella, and everyone is delighted to own one. Fox has been making them in England since 1868. The GT1 comes with a choice of four handles in hardwood. It is the rare gift that is both a luxury and, in a British winter, a necessity.

Johnstons of Elgin cashmere scarf, £185

Johnstons has been milling cashmere and fine wool in Elgin, in the north of Scotland, since 1797. A plain dark navy or light grey cashmere scarf goes with everything he owns, and you can have it personalised. If you are unsure of his taste, this is the safest excellent gift on the list.

Sonos Era 100, £199

For the man whose music still comes out of his phone. It is a small speaker that makes a room better, and handsome enough to leave out. We explain why in our tech kit guide.

Ettinger Bridle Hide billfold wallet, £245

A wallet is carried every day and seen at every bill. This one has room for six cards in bridle hide. Ettinger has been making leather goods in England since 1934, and it comes in five colours; if in doubt, choose the darkest.

Lock & Co flat cap, £245

Lock & Co has been making hats in London since 1676. The Grosvenor flat cap in brown check is the easiest hat for a man who doesn’t think he wears hats, and it is a far better answer to an English winter than a bobble hat. Check his size first: Lock’s staff will help, and the fit is the whole point.

£300 to £1,000

Montblanc Meisterstück ballpoint, from £415

The pen that sits in the breast pockets of people who sign things. It is a classic for a reason: it has been in production for generations and looks exactly as a fine pen should. Good for a new job, a promotion or a significant birthday, and worth asking Montblanc about personalising it.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones, £629

Nappa leather and die-cast aluminium, with 30 hours of listening on a charge. For the frequent flyer, or the man who sits down to hear a whole album. They look as good as they are made.

Ettinger Cotswold weekend bag, £825

For the man whose weekend bag has seen better days. It is the kind of thing you carry for twenty years and then hand on, and it makes a train to the country feel like an occasion.

The unforgettable

Globe-Trotter Centenary Carry-On, £1,895

Globe-Trotter has been making luggage since 1897, and few objects make arriving feel better than this. With four wheels and a choice of colours, it is a gift for a milestone: a wedding, a fiftieth, a long-overdue thank you. It will outlast most of the places he takes it.

A serious watch, from £4,160

If you are giving a gift for life, this is it. Have it engraved, and it becomes the object that gets handed down. Read our guide to choosing a first serious watch before you buy: the Tudor Black Bay 58 at £4,160 and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute at £10,200 are the two we would most like to unwrap.

How to give well

• Pay attention all year. The best gifts come from something he mentioned in passing in June. Keep a note on your phone.
• Buy one good thing, not three adequate ones. Nobody ever treasured a bundle.
• Keep the receipt, and offer it. Include a gift receipt with anything that has a size.
• Wrap it properly. Good paper and a real ribbon cost very little and tell him you took trouble.
• Write a card. Say why you chose it. That is often what he will keep the longest.
• Order early. Personalised and made-to-order things take time, so check each maker’s last order dates for Christmas.

Questions people ask

What do you buy a man who has everything?

A better version of something he uses every day: a finer wallet, a real umbrella, a cashmere scarf. Men rarely replace what still works, which is why this kind of upgrade is so welcome.

What is a good gift for a boss or client?

Keep it modest and impersonal: a Smythson notebook or a good bottle, if you know he drinks. Check whether his company has rules on gifts first, and avoid anything that could feel like an obligation.

Is it all right to give alcohol?

Only if you know he drinks and enjoys it. If you’re not certain, or he has stopped, choose something else: it is an easy mistake to avoid.

How we chose: these picks are based on each maker’s own descriptions, and the products were not handled for this guide. Prices are UK prices from each maker’s own website, checked on 1 November 2026, and may change. Nobody paid to appear here, and there are no affiliate links.