Essential tips for finding the ideal gift for the men in your life

Men are notoriously difficult to buy for. Faced with an impending birthday, anniversary or family Christmas, it’s tempting to play it safe with tried and tested staples like ties, socks and their favourite tipple. While some of the men in our lives might appreciate these familiar favourites, others will be quietly hoping for a little variety. Do you still have a long list of people to buy for this Christmas? Perhaps you’re dreading a fast-approaching birthday. We’ve put together some handy tips to help you find the perfect gifts for dads, brothers, boyfriends, best friends, and more.

Your Other Half

Let’s start with the most daunting of all gift for him challenges. On paper, finding the perfect gift for a husband or boyfriend seems easy enough. After all, you have a direct line to them and should have a solid understanding of their tastes, including any no-gos. Are you shopping for a fashion-conscious partner? It’s natural to want to spend over the odds on designer pieces but if they don’t go down well, they’ll only end up gathering dust in a wardrobe. Try to avoid off-the-rail apparel in general and consider bespoke accessories instead.

Whether it’s an embossed tie clip to enhance his tailoring or a monogrammed pocket square, personalised accessories always go down well. However, bear in mind that quality comes at a premium.

Fantastic Gifts for Father’s Day

You’ve probably been buying your dad the same bundle of gifts every year. However, try to mix things up a little when Father’s Day rolls around again. Parents in general tend to favour nostalgic gifts, so you shouldn’t feel cheap about framed photographs or scrapbook albums. It’s tempting to send a batch of images off to a printing company and have an album printed off for you, but it’s going to mean a lot more if you put things together yourself.

Looking for something more practical? If your dad still has room in his collection for another wallet, spend a little more on something special. Genuine leather is the obvious option, but it’s not your only choice. Wood and resin wallets are becoming increasingly popular and he’s sure not to have one of these beauties already.

Buying for Brothers

You probably know your sibling better than anyone else in the world. As such, you shouldn’t have too much trouble selecting a unique gift they’ll love. Think back to your childhood for inspiration. Were they crazy about Star Wars or passionate about Power Rangers? Raise a smile by filling a gift bag with action figures, sticker books and other branded merchandise.

If your brother’s notoriously frugal, he’s probably running low on the essentials. High-quality grooming products from popular brands like Gillette will always be welcome.

Perfect Presents for Best Friends

A Pew Research Center survey found that the average American has five or more close friends. If your social circle continues to expand, keeping on top of gift-giving can prove an expensive venture. Rather than spend freely on everyone, try and whittle things down to best friends only. If those BFFs are of the male persuasion, you’ll need to think creatively when buying for them.

The trick here is to keep it personal. Pick something that encapsulates your friendship in one neat package. Did the two of you enjoy a fine meal at a particular restaurant? Find out whether the venue in question offers gift vouchers. Did you enjoy a memorable trip away together? Pull together photos and mementoes of your trip and assemble a one-of-a-kind keepsake box.

You Don’t Need To Spend a Fortune

One final thing to remember is that you don’t need to spend much on gifts to make someone happy. Provided you’ve put a little consideration into what you’re gifting, they’ll never be disappointed when it comes to unwrapping those thoughtful buys. If you struggle to stick to a budget when looking for gifts, make your next shopping trip a challenge. Decide the maximum amount you’re willing to pay and don’t stray from that number. You’d be amazed at how much more creative you’ll be when it comes to selecting something special.