Christmas shopping for men is allegedly hard. In reality, it’s just about knowing which version of him you’re actually buying for. Is he a design tragic? A weekend warrior? The kind of bloke who can tell you the difference between Highland single malt and a blend with a single sniff?
Most blokes, in the eternal words of Walt Whitman, “contain multitudes” – meaning Christmas shopping should be less about finding the perfect gift and more about finding something a version of him will appreciate. To make life a little easier, we’ve broken down this year’s B.H. Christmas gift guide to buying for him into a few classic archetypes.
Happy hunting and merry Christmas!
When it comes to the design lover, form leading function is often the whole point. If that sounds like who you’re shopping for, the Louis Poulsen Rumee 220 Portable Lamp ($222) brings a sculptural focal point to any space thanks to Gabriel Tan’s broad-brimmed, asymmetric shade.
If lighting isn’t the move, the Georg Jensen KOPPEL Pitcher 03 ($475) is an excellent alternative. Resurrected from a 1962 Henning Koppel design, its mirror-polished stainless steel curves are pure Scandinavian svelteness – and deployable on a bar cart or dining table.
For the man who appreciates life’s finer things, the Chopard Ice Cube Table Clock ($2,940) promises form and function in equal measure, resembling a polished steel Rubik’s Cube from across the room, before revealing its perfectly machined detail up close.
Another timepiece that’s guaranteed to impress is the Tissot PRX Titanium 38mm ($1,435), which is the first time we’ve seen the PRX silhouette executed in the comfortable, lightweight material. Its 38mm diameter is also a new case size for the PRX, making it more wearable than ever. This bad boy is powered by a reliable automatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve.
For the man who’s the most well-dressed bloke in his friendship group, you’ll do your best shopping in the margins – belt, frames, and just the stuff that quietly carries outfits.
The Our Legacy Belt ($410) in Italian hair-on cowhide sits right in that sweet spot between minimal and interesting, finished with solid hardware throughout, while up top, the Canada Goose Rodes Sunglasses ($255) serve up a lightweight, rectangular frame with Sideris lenses that sharpen colour and rubber nose pads that keep everything comfy.
The good folks over at Carl Friedrik recently debuted the Foley Cardholder ($175), which makes for a perfect level-up in the wallet department. Vertically oriented with room for up to eight cards, there’s even a hidden side-opening compartment and contrasted full-grain leathers that feel significantly more premium than a tattered, swollen billfold.
You also cannot ever go wrong with a stylish number from Rodd & Gunn: The Gunn Polo ($79) for the warmer seasons, and perhaps a Foresters Peak Sweat ($139) for the frostier days.
The frequent flyer in your life probably already owns endlessly reliable long-haul luggage… but he could always use some more quality carry-on options?
For an elevated experience during those brief weekend sojourns, the Antler Carry-On Heritage Stripe ($288) presents a trunk-style silhouette, aluminium frame, and 39L capacity, all in a cabin-friendly package.
Another great gift for any traveller (specifically one who dabbles in shooting film), the Leica Monopan 50 – 5 Pack of 35mm Film ($110) is the legendary German camera maker’s own black-and-white stock, promising rich tonal range at ISO 50.
For the drinks connoisseur who really knows their stuff, Pantalones Organic Tequila (from $70) – the 100% Blue Weber agave project co-founded by Matthew and Camila McConaughey – is a great bottle that combines organic craft and a sense of fun.
For the bourbon-lover, Wild Turkey have recently announced the Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon ($390) bottling within its Collector Series. A meticulously crafted blend of 10-year-old and 16-year-old bourbons, both have been distilled and aged by the father-and-son team of Eddie and Bruce Russell.
Another excellent selection for the dram enthusiast who prefers his dark spirits from Scotland, the Talisker 30 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($2,000) is a genuine powerhouse that articulately expresses why Talisker is one of the very finest distillers in the world. Inspired by the rugged coastal landscape that rings the Isle of Skye, this 30-year-old expression presents with softer, more complex notes of pepper and smoke that have become hallmarks of Talisker’s craft.
For the man in your life who enjoys his gin more than other ABV heavyweights, the Archie Rose x Saint Peter Gin ($84) is a local collaboration with chef Josh Niland, crafted from ethically caught John Dory bones along with native botanicals into an umami-rich, zero-waste spirit.
Any self-respecting wine lover understands the difference between a good bottle opener and a bad one, making the Craighill Best Wine Key ($230) a certifiable winner. Satisfyingly weighty with a serrated foil cutter and stainless-steel corkscrew + ratcheting arm, it’s a practical tool that’ll turn any uncorking into a moment of ergonomic design appreciation.
For the outdoorsman who believes good coffee is a human right, there’s only one way to maintain a ritual of caffeination when you’re surrounded by the sound of birdsong, not cafe chatter: the Bialetti x The North Face Moka Set ($250). It combines a three-cup Moka Express, metal cups, matching spoons, and a tin of Italian ground coffee – all finished in TNF’s Summit Gold livery.
Throw in a pair of Good Citizens sunglasses (from $117), whose modular frames are made from a single recycled plastic bottle, and he’ll be well-equipped from the bush to the beach.
Speaking of sandy shores and exploration, the Rado Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic Chronograph ($10,450) is an offering that’s as rare as it is complex.
In a truly rare combination, it flaunts an entirely ceramic construction of both the bracelet and case, a chronograph movement with a Nivachron hairspring, as well as an impressive 300 metres worth of water resistance, so you won’t have to fret every time you take a dip.
Back onto the subject of timepieces, we’ve been writing about Grand Seiko for a long time here at B.H. – and we can safely say the Grand Seiko “White Birch” SLGH005 ($14,000) is one of our all-time favourite releases from the Japanese watchmaker.
Representing the dawn of a new era for Grand Seiko, it features the sharp case lines of the Evolution 9 collection, a spectacular dial inspired by the white birch trees near the brand’s workshop in Shizukuishi, in addition to one of Grand Seiko’s most attractive movements to date: the 9SA5 calibre (80-hour power reserve).
Lastly, our colleague James’ pizza obsession has gotten mildly out of hand these past six months, so if you’re shopping for a man who loves to cook, opt for the Ooni Koda 2 Pro ($1,099), which runs dual patented flames for magical crust char.
Fuelled by gas and capable of hitting scorching temperatures of 500°C, it’s capable of cooking a pizza in a single minute, or delivering restaurant-quality sear to your favourite cut of beef. Access real-time ambient temperature and food probe readings directly to your smartphone via the Ooni Connect app. And for something that every kind of man could do with, there’s always the latest edition of B.H. Magazine ($20).
