So. Really good presents for men that are NOT...

[monkeymamma]

Hip flasks (why do magazines think men want endless hip flasks?)
Books about gin (look, gin is all very well, but who wants to READ about it?!!)
Scarves, gloves, hats (as I've done these items many times over)
Toiletry sets they won't use
Novelty games, puzzles etc.

I have some very lovely men in my life (BILs, boyfriends of much-loved nieces) and I don't want to burden them with stuff they don't need or want, but I don't know them well enough to say, choose a book for them.

What presents in the £15-20 range can you get for men that are genuinely useful and not gimmicky or purely decorative (as I don't know many men who genuinely want decorative stuff...)?

All ideas received with interest and thanks!

A voucher for the local Turkish barber went down a treat with DP last year - a proper cut throat razor, hot towel and ear trim job!

I heard Chris evans last year talking about men and presents. He said (and I will say I usually think he talks rubbish but this time not) that men mostly want a 'new' whatever is their fave thing... So if they like navy roundneck M&S lambswool sweaters.. They just want a new one thanks, ditto socks, shaving kit, pants, diaries, run kit, leather wallet or whatever. Men usually do not like variety or trying new things.. So he said... They like what they like so all the time women spend trying to think up new unusual never done before presents is a waste.
I did this last year and bought new versions of everyone's fave socks and jumpers and magazines subscriptions... Job done no angst.... All men delighted

Might not be the most exciting but a cinema gift card has always gone down well. Then they can choose when they go and what they see and they last a year so no pressure to use them by a set time and no clutter either.

Dh is a practical person who doesn't like novelty gifts and doesn't drink much.

His ideal gift is an exact replica of a thing he already has but is starting to wear out. I once bought him a watch that was identical to his existing one that was getting a bit tatty and he was ECSTATIC!

I would LOVE a beer and pork scratchings hamper 😍

Buying men a new something of what they already have is going to be my new buying guide. That's brilliant and so true!

Haha Dubious put it on your Christmas list!

I have a hard to buy teen boy but find that sites like []www.firebox.com ]]www.iwantoneofthose.com]] good for inspiration.

Lego! No matter the age I've had great success with Lego Technics. You won't get much for £20 though.

I rather like the range of bushcraft knives, there are plenty that you can carry about in public and are legal.
My ex was glued to his.

Greenman bushcraft knives are a good price and you can get legal carry folding knives too. I want one :-)

Also clothes, videos, shoes, champagne all go down well.

www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/folding-knives/

Things that have gone down well with my DS (27)

Steam Voucher. Tshirt from Red Molotov or Plain Lazy . Cake . Hobgoblin beer and glass. Mulitool (with beer opener). A furry 'Russian' type hat with ear flaps (?) . Beard oil

It’s already mentioned on another thread, but this brand of fake Lego gets excellent reviews (other MNers also said it was v good) and you can get for example, a £300 Lego set for £50.

https://brickfantasy.myshopify.com/products/lepin-05062-imperial-star-destroyer-starwars?utmsource=shopping+feeder&utmmmedium=shopping+feeder+uk&utmcampaign=google+shopping+uk&ref=SFDRR79454821&variant=1295134294045&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Ynp3KWo1wIV77ftCh0UdA1CEAQYASABEgJBvDD_BwE

His ideal gift is an exact replica of a thing he already has but is starting to wear out.

Gulp. That could be life-changing news. And explains why FIL is always genuinely delighted with a new photo mug (of his GC).

Come to think of it, DH's belt (plain leather, worn daily) is looking a bit tired.

I second the aeropress. DH was bought one last year and he hasn't bothered with his cafetière since. He says the coffee is nicer, it's quicker and easier to clean.

Other presents he has liked are whisky, whisky glasses, chopping board, kitchen knives, a knife sharpener (!) (he is into cooking though), t shirts, hoodies, aftershave and stuff for bbqing.

This thread is a revelation!

I might also have added a Gridit organiser to MY wish list now!

Have just bought a gridit for my dad. I can see him enjoying it when he goes on holidays when he has everything in a zip plastic wallet. He can use that instead. Makes a change from socks. Mind you, he is always delighted with socks and hankies.

Forgot to say DH was given some bamboo socks one year. Very useful when he's working in hot countries (e.g. central America) as they are smart but very breathable/cool.

I got the tip from mumsnet- a grid-it - it’s a sort of folio with lots of elastics inside for keeping chargers, techy bits etc in - about £15 on Amazon

Ordnance survey do customised maps for about £20. You can put something meaningful at the centre, upload a personal photo and give it a relevant title for the cover. Was my exH 's favourite present one year.

FIL loves his red wine aerator (a gadget that means you don't have to have opened the bottle in advance for it to breathe)

I am totally trying the something I already like but new/nicer this year!

My Dad is getting a Baby Driver DVD. BIL is getting cinema vouchers.

Hapinezz I very much recommend the Stanley flasks, I bought DP one and he loves it. Keeps his tea piping hot for hours. Very good buy.

Hands down the very best present I've given my DH was a Swiss army knife. It's too bad it is so well made, as I wish I could give him another one!

While we are sharing ideas, I'm planning a boot bag for my father: sounds rubbish but he's a keen runner and hill climber so often has his hiking boots in the boot of his car. A smart proper bag for them (that odd shape) will help.

I've previously given him an official Parkrun barcode thing - he ran his 100th last December and a permanent, waterproof, portable barcode is far more useful than flimsy printouts. I think that fits into "nicer version of everyday thing" category.