Buying for the men in your life can be one of the most challenging parts of Christmas. At some point, males are pre-programmed to switch from issuing yard-long itemised lists of desired gifts (including prices, battery requirements, delivery options, terms and conditions of credit arrangements etc) and instead simply issuing a monosyllabic ‘nothing really.’ This would be fine if they were happy to sit out the entire festive season, giftless and cheer-free, but you know that they’re not. So how to crack the Christmas shopping for the man who’s got most things and great taste, but won’t give you any pointers? Here’s the cheat code. 

Where you can have a break from the norm is being a bit more ambitious than a man might be if he was shopping for himself. If he’s a fan of knitwear, go for a Fairisle pattern, pink Shetland or a lightweight lilac; if he likes a pocket square in a solid colour, experiment with a purple paisley or a wine foulard; add a flash of colour and stripe to his socks. Subtle switch-ups but they’ll be noticed. 

Worried that socks might seem a bit dull? Not a bit of it. Stocking staples like this are popular for a reason: an essential item getting an upgrade, a chance to clear out the wardrobe for the new year and start over, and the timeless joy of fresh fabric on your feet. Invest in better ones than a man would typically buy for himself and you’re onto a winner (see also: coffee, shaving cream, crew neck t-shirts, woven cotton boxer shorts). 

Don’t buy anything that has a shelf life of a week. The aim should be to dress better while owning less, and stylish items that can be loved year round are a much better gift. A flannel wool cap looks just as good at Easter as it does on Boxing Day, while a lounge set works every weekend for the next 12 months. Plan ahead for what’s coming up in 2026 and what will be required – maybe some smart new ties for a spate of summer weddings or a significant birthday. 

Christmas isn’t just about big showstopper purchases. Select wisely and you can have a selection of small-but-beautiful essentials that all coordinate, to unwrap over the course of the day. As well as socks, look at scarfs, belts, pocket squares, leather card holders, beanie hats and the like – wrapped individually and bundled together for an entire accessories upgrade. 

There’s no need to generate unnecessary work at Christmas. Pick up one of our gift sets and the boxing and wrapping is already done for you. From socks and lounge wear to shirt and tie combos and hats and scarves, they’ll all come perfectly gift wrapped meaning you’ve got less work to do and the packaging will look as smart as what’s inside (all other products can be gift wrapped as well – just tick the box at checkout). 

 And if all else fails… 

If you really are dealing with a fussy dresser, get him a gift card. There’s e-cards and a physical version to choose from, in denominations from £10 to £100. The perfect solution for a man who has almost everything and knows what he likes - but won’t give much guidance.