Lots of ideas here, rather than what I'm actually buying! They are organised into 'Man Stereotypes' to help, but I do feel that many of these are great for women too (Indeed a good few of these are things I have or are on my wish list).
I have included Amazon Links (I hope they work!) to help too. If you look at the link and go down to 'what other people who looked at this bought' it should give you a pile more ideas (which is why I've used Amazon for links).
Some of these I suggested last year or similar ideas at least and they were very popular, so I hope they can help inspire a few people.
I personally find buying for men a lot easier than women as this thread will no doubt testify to!
For Top Gear Fans
Seeing as there won't be the Top Gear Special this year why not think about some Guy Martin Stuff instead as an alternative.
He has a new book out:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guy-Martin-When-You-Dead/dp/0753556669/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&coliid=I3BUWNZ0U85ROH&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&qid=&sr=
BOOK - Guy Martin: When You Dead, You Dead]]
There are several DVDs such as:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guy-Martin-Complete-Speed-DVD/dp/B00TIOEW4E/ref=pd_sim_14_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1663BE1SQ207VSPK1WFK&dpID=61KaVua8cnL&dpSrc=sims&preST=AC_UL160_SR113%2C160
DVD - Guy Martin - Complete Speed!]]
and
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/TT-Closer-Edge-Single-Disc/dp/B008EUZNP0/ref=pd_sim_14_27?ie=UTF8&refRID=1663BE1SQ207VSPK1WFK
DVD - TT: Closer to the Edge]]
Also look out for:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aussie-Grit-Formula-One-Journey/dp/1509813535/ref=pd_ys_nr_all_27
BOOK - Aussie Grit: My Formula One Journey by Mark Webber]]
Everest Inspired
'Everest' is currently showing at the cinema. Inspired by that:
The book written about events in 1996 the film is based on:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-Thin-Air-Jon-Krakauer/dp/1447200187/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443446341&sr=8-1&keywords=into+thin+air
BOOK - Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer]]
Another book about Everest based on events from the 2006 disaster:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Summit-Extraordinary-Everests-Controversial/dp/0753515709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1443445811&sr=8-7
BOOK - Dark Summit: The Extraordinary True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season by Nick Heil]]
A little less miserable is Kenton Cool's new biography:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1848094485/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ATPCWRO2HVPL&coliid=I222D6P65FVTXH
BOOK - One Man's Everest: The Autobiography of Kenton Cool]]
Kenton is one of the best climbers of the current generation and has summitted Everest 11 times, including several attempts in particularly impressive style
There there is:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0099519526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443445856&sr=8-1&keywords=andy+kirkpatrick
BOOK - Psychovertical by Andy Kirkpatrick]]
Kirkpatrick is something of a maverick, who writes and speaks about climbing in general combining it with humour and his battle against depression.
You don't have to be outsdoorsy to enjoy some of these (but it might help) as they are simply inspirational and interesting in their story.
Also:
Given the Nepal Earthquake this year, if you want to give back as well as giving then you could get something from:
[[http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com/shop
STORE RECOMMENDATION - Sherpa Adventure Gear.]] Their clothing is made in Nepal, thus providing jobs. They also give money from every purchase to their Paldorje Education Fund (which predates the Earthquake). It gives education scholarships to less fortunate Sherpa children, which obviously will be even more important given this year's tragedy.
For the Photographer
For the budding Hipster or instagrammer, Kickstarter have a venture by Holga Camera to create a Digital Version of a Lomo Camera. I have a traditional lomo which is great, but I have found that having to get photos developed the old fashioned way has limited its use. The venture has enough backers so is going ahead. Delivery has been put as a conservative Jan delivery to avoid disappointment but they are hoping to deliver before then if possible. Also be aware its in Canadian not USA dollars.
IDEA - Holga Kickstarter Digital Lomo
For the Mini Dragon from the Den
If you know someone difficult to buy for then crowdsourcing websites like www.kickstarter.com are actually quite interesting places to look for ideas. There are a number of different sites, with people looking for investment in all kinds of things. There is an element of risk involved here - there is no guarantee an idea will get enough backers and there is a bit of a risk that a venture might not be quite what it seems (fraud basically). However there are lots of reputable people using and if you fancy a gamble it could be worthwhile. Holga cameras above are one example. I know bands that have released crowd sourced albums and climber Andy Kirkpatrick (mentioned above) currently is crowdsourcing for a speaking event. Details of that here:
[[https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cold-mountain-show-at-the-royal-institute#/story
ACTIVITY IDEA - 'Cold Mountain' show at the Royal Institute]]
Creating Mini Adventures for Big Kids and Little Kids
If you think that all the Everest talk might inspire smaller adventures for families or grown ups there are a number of good books and guides available:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0857831836/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=P5W65KWF8C4T&coliid=I2URAMQBNZ3HGU
BOOK - 101 Things For Kids To Do Outside by Dawn Isaac]]
Currently also available with TheBookPeople
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0711236615/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=ATPCWRO2HVPL&coliid=I3GN8A6PTDVU1T
BOOK - 100 Family Adventures]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microadventures-Local-Discoveries-Great-Escapes/dp/0007548036/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FSZWX7CDPA3459GRW4H
BOOK - Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1472900340/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&coliid=IWKMSRIVH5PDJ
BOOK - Wild Camping by Stephen Neale]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/184162912X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&coliid=I1QHXIG0HXQWE2
BOOK - Wilderness Weekends: Wild adventures in Britain's rugged corners (Bradt Travel Guide) by Phoebe Smith]]
For would be Bear Grylls, er sorry he's shit - Andy Kirkpatricks
Check out:
STORE RECOMMENDATION Alpkit
Great for dry bag ruck sacks, bivvy bags for sleeping under the stars, lightweight camping cookwear, headtorches and camping lanterns
Alpkit are a British company, and they have recently set up the Alpkit Foundation to help people get outdoors who might not otherwise. It is funded through profits from the company, so you can buy and give back at the same time.
For the Middle Aged Man in Lycra
Also check out Alpkit (link above) if you are interested in bike bags. They do custom made as well as standard sized bags for bikes. These are made in the UK so you are supporting British Industry as well as charity if you by their bike bags! Great little company.
If thats out of your price range or far too active then theres also:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-Cycling-According-G/dp/1784296368/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
BOOK - The World of Cycling According to G]]
Book By Geraint Thomas
[[http://bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=6738&vid=1&pid=000675087RF15-18917
T- SHIRT - Bicycle Parts Graphic Tshirt]]
[[http://bananarepublic.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=6738&vid=1&pid=000675061RF15-18887
T - SHIRT Bike Graphic Tee]]
For the Beer Lover
If you want something a bit different from the normal beer bottle gift sets, it might be worth checking out Thornbridge Brewery. They are best known for Jaipur (which can be found on tap at Manchester Airport at one of its terminals, and is stock in Booths and some M & S food halls), but they also do some other harder to come by brews. STORE RECOMMENDATION - Their brewery shop can be found here
It stocks a range of brewery branded products (including cycling gear!) as well as their most recent speciality brews. One of their current one is named 'I Love You Will You Marry Me' which may appeal to someone to drop a hint or two!
ACTIVITY IDEA - If you are up in the Bakewell area they also do tours(usually midweek I'm afraid) at an affordable price
Of course there are other local breweries that do similar so its might be worth checking out what's available more locally to you.
For the Political Animal
How about American Political drama starring Kevin Spacey?
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00J7ZJI7U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&coliid=I3Q0SBBPBV5FEQ
DVD - House of Cards Box Set]]
Or anti-establishment reading:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Establishment-how-they-get-away/dp/0141974990/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443446795&sr=1-11&keywords=jon+ronson
BOOK - The Establishment: And how they get away with it by Owen Jones]]
For Comic Book Chic
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingsman-The-Secret-Service-DVD/dp/B00S1IT4KA/ref=pd_sim_74_28?ie=UTF8&refRID=1TZS50GPB92KWV4ANPAJ
DVD - Kingsman: The Secret Service]]
Based on comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X Men First Class)
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvels-Agent-Carter-Season-DVD/dp/B0156QIQ30/ref=pd_sim_74_60?ie=UTF8&refRID=0CN4R78P0EP13YBDY7PC
DVD - Marvel's Agent Carter - Season 1]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WEFSCSQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&coliid=I3LTZ8OBIYMRFT
DVD - Avengers: Age of Ultron]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H2FPY20/ref=s9_wish_gw_d8_g74_i30?ie=UTF8&colid=2LD56Q6R58H2N&coliid=I1SXTNNG214UWJ&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=01K734PDN0HXDKP7FG94&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048407&pf_rd_i=desktop
DVD - The Amazing Spider-Man 2]]
For The Sci-Fi Nerd
The New Star Wars Film is out in mid December. Might be worth looking into cinema or IMAX bookings early to avoid disappointment
Action Man!
How about some horrendously cliche action films:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terminator-Genisys-DVD-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B010TWGHFK/ref=zg_bsnr_dvd_12
DVD - Terminator Genisys - Arnie]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/San-Andreas-DVD-Dwayne-Johnson/dp/B00QKS255E/ref=zg_bsnr_dvd_11
DVD - San Andreas - Disaster Movie]]
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jurassic-World-DVD-Chris-Pratt/dp/B00YH0CQNS/ref=zg_bsnr_dvd_1
DVD - Jurassic World - Dinosaurs]]
And slightly more sobering:
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fury-DVD-Brad-Pitt/dp/B00M0GM4V0/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1443446857&sr=1-1&keywords=fury
DVD - Fury - Brad Pitt WWII film]]
From Comedy...
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00XY6WCXK/ref=s9_wish_gw_d7_g74_i3?ie=UTF8&colid=P5W65KWF8C4T&coliid=I3L0SWF4G09SH6&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=01K734PDN0HXDKP7FG94&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048407&pf_rd_i=desktop
DVD - Waking Ned]]
Irish comedy about winning the lottery
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CBRDJ94/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=P5W65KWF8C4T&coliid=I3F5FRMJHUYQGN
DVD - Adam Hills Happyism Live]]
...To the Downright Offensive
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01080QX2K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1RWWZXP33CIBS&coliid=I2C25LWOWZ2WMH
DVD - Ted 2]] Story about a teddy bear
[[http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782111581/ref=s9_wish_gw_d3_g14_i12?ie=UTF8&colid=P5W65KWF8C4T&coliid=IGXTNRW077YNI&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=01K734PDN0HXDKP7FG94&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048407&pf_rd_i=desktop
BOOK - Lolito by Ben Brooks]] Fiction based around the influence of the internet on young people's lives. WARNING: May disturb parents
Part 2 to follow shortly...