Buying Christmas gifts for people who know exactly what they like and have the means to acquire it is a fool’s errand. The usual solution is to check a gift guide or two, which is great until you realise most of them are longer than a piece of classic Russian literature and twice as confusing. By the time you've scrolled through all 200 items, you’ve forgotten who you were even shopping for.
So here is something kinder. Smaller. A guide you can actually get through before Christmas Day. We’ve picked things that feel universal enough to please most, but not so obvious that it looks like something you picked up in the queue at the petrol station. Think of it as a gentle shortcut to a gift they might have actually bought for themself.
From Italian outerwear to SAD-busting supplements, here's a tightly curated edit of things we think he or she will love.
Table of Contents
Our top picks
NORTVI Front Pocket Carry-On Case
Even some of the best dressers out there treat luggage as an afterthought. If he won't buy himself a proper suitcase, why don't you step in? This one from NORTVI is the perfect option. It's made from baggage handler-proof German polycarbonate, and it features a handy front pocket to eliminate laptop faff at the security desk.
Corneliani Melange Wool Shirt
When the temperature takes a nosedive, it's time to dial the texture up. This wool and cashmere shirt from Italian menswear master Corneliani is smooth to the touch with a subtle melange knit that will bring some understated visual interest to all sorts of winter outfits. It's the type of piece you come back to year after year, decade after decade – not just for Christmas.
ISTO. Barn Jacket
Water repellent, cut for easy layering and immune to the ebb and flow of fashion, this classic barn jacket from ISTO. might just be the most versatile piece of winter outerwear there is. The best part? If you bought a garment like this anywhere else, it would probably cost you somewhere in the region of £800, but thanks to ISTO.'s pricing transparency and direct-to-consumer model, it'll only set you back £315. Bargain.
Dagsmejan NATTWARM Pyjama Set
The best way to explain Dagsmejan's NATTWARM fabric tech is with some numbers. Compared to cotton, it's six times more breathable, four times better at drawing night sweat away from the skin, and two times softer. It's also an excellent temperature regulator, so whether he runs hot or cold, these premium pyjamas will give him a more comfortable sleep.
DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Socks
It's easy to let the training slide when the Christmas period starts, but you've got to run through the beer and turkey if you want to come out of the other end in reasonable shape. These merino socks from Danish Endurance will keep his feet warm on those wintry long-run days.
Something to wear
CHÉ Studios Cotton Cashmere Pyjama Shirt
If he's not the running type, perhaps he's the lounging-around-all-day-in-pyjamas type. In which case, this cashmere pyjama shirt from CHÉ Studios will be right up his street.
LESTRANGE London 24 Trouser
Give him the gift of an easy life with these do-it-all trousers from LESTRANGE. They're the sort of bottoms he can throw on in the morning without any real thought, safe in the knowledge that they'll work with whatever he decides to pull out of the wardrobe.
Drake’s Flamé Cotton Rugby Shirt
Drake's has a knack for bringing a playful touch to menswear's classics, but not at the expense of quality. This striped rugby shirt is so good it'll have him pop passing the Christmas turkey and crash tackling younger siblings with joy.
KEEN Jasper Zionic Shoes
Sick of Salomons? Here's a solid alternative. These outdoorsy sneakers from KEEN occupy that comfortable middle ground between style and function. Grippy enough to tackle muddy trails with ease, but not out of sorts with a pair of jeans in a city pub either.
Something small
OAKYWOOD Magnetic Cable Organiser
As technology evolves, so too does the ratking of cables tangled on his desk and under his bedside table. This handy tool will keep things sleek and streamlined with a clever magnetic design for easy organisation.
Beams Tote Bag
Fold it up and pop it in a pocket or backpack for all unforeseen carrying needs. OK, so he probably already has a tote bag or two...but does he have a Beams one?
KA_YO_Prototype x Nalgene Bottle
Christmas is the unofficial season of dehydration. Salty snacks and booze aplenty create a perfect storm for losing liquids. But it's nothing that a big Nalgene water bottle with some weird cave paintings on it can't fix.
Forma Collective Carmo Stool
Small in size, though admittedly not in price, this sculptural stool from Forma Collective can instantly shift the vibe in a room. It's interesting, colourful (if you want it to be) and slots in seamlessly with both classic and contemporary decor thanks to its off-beat design and use of natural materials.
Something for the body
Happy Mammoth Complete Gut Repair
It's Christmas, which means food. Lots of it, and not always the healthiest kind. With that in mind, it's a dicey time for gut health, but the right supplements can take the edge off. Happy Mammoth's Complete Gut Repair is designed to get to the root cause of bloating, gas, uncontrollable weight gain and erratic bowel movements. In other words, exactly what you need after subsisting on cream liqueur, chocolate and cheese boards for a week.
Aesop Cedar & Citrus Lip Salve
Winter weather can be harsh on the face. Maybe he moisturises, but chances are he's not putting anything on those dusty old lips of his. Do him a favour with this lip salve from purveyor of all things nice smelling, Aesop.
MALIN+GOETZ Leather Eau De Parfum
Lighter fragrances lose their power under the weight of cold weather. Something deep and rich, like this leathery eau de parfum will cut through the chill and cling to clothes for longer.
Something for her
Missoma x Lucy Williams Square Malachite Necklace
Missoma is always a safe bet for reasonably priced yet stylish jewellery, and this necklace is further proof of that.
Ina Seifart Phone Rope
Handmade in Berlin, this colourful beaded rope turns a phone into a wearable accessory. Simply fit it and she can throw her phone over her shoulder like a cross-body bag or wear it around her neck like a massive rectangular pendant.
Yeti Rambler Straw Bottle
Save her from Stanley Cup mania with this alternative (and way cooler) option from Yeti.
Hidden White Aura Chelsea Boots
A pair of winter-proof boots is a must. Even better if they're slip-on and feature high rubber foxing around the outside to defend against muddy puddles.
Next up: The best Christmas gifts under £50.
