Token gifts for men that you don't know well

[OxfordDog]

I have a couple of men that I need to buy for, in their 40s. I don't know them very well (I'm friends with their wives) but will be spending time with them as families over Christmas so need to buy something. Just a small present to unwrap in the £10-20 price range, different to chocolate or booze. Any ideas? Both are very blokey-blokes, into fitness, cinema, silliness.

running socks
electrician's gloves (thin gloves that you can wear when doing sport)
a book about some blokey adventure like climbing Everest
A frisbee
that game where you put velcro helmets on and chuck sponge balls at eachother's heads?
a sports towel

Jeff Banks note book /diary from Home Bargains!.

Something nice- not tat
For £20 you could get an ok bottle of wine (I know you said no booze but anything else non edible will most likely be tat)

I'm assuming that you're saying 'different to chocolate and booze' because you want something more original rather than they don't like booze or chocolate? If that's the case, how about some lager or pint glasses?

A small hamper that you've made yourself with some nice food. I'm sure they would prefer that than random tat?

This looks like a nice relatively inexpensive gift.

An escape room game. Lots of fun and implies you think they are intelligent.

block desk calendar on a theme i.e. life hacks, one for each day of the year. Or any other theme/subject.

Cocktail shaker and accessories.

Guinness World Records or Books regarding historic adventures or survival against the odds.

Haynes Manual for the Millenium Falcon

Grown up Ladybird books

Grown up Mister Men books

Grown up Colouring books

Fancy pen/pencil set

Speaking as a guy with that description:

Sports towel, light, fast-drying
Sports bottles
Cinema vouchers
Any multi tool
Sports nutrition voucher
Axe throwing, crossbow, paintballing etc...

I don't really know bil so he gets beer and snacks.

Nice teabags or coffee, if you want to avoid booze, etc? I find that generic consumables are best, if you don’t know soneone

avoid humour or games if you dont know them

a genuine chilly bottle?

I’d maybe question ‘needing’ to buy them a present at all. Generally no body wants a random piece of tat which will sit in a drawer for years before getting sent to the charity shop.
if you must, consumables only.

My last years surprise hit gift was a small magnetic/hooking torch thing I put out as table gifts. All the chaps were delighted with them. Very practical, DH keeps his in the car.

Aldi/Lidl often have something very similar.

Thanks for the idea! I was struggling to find something my brother would love but the Haynes manual is a great idea!

I just wouldn't bother to be honest. Will they be getting you something (separate from what their wives will get you?)
If you have to then go for something consumable or which can be easily regifted/given to a raffle. It's difficult enough to buy meaningful decent gifts for people you do know!

I think the reason booze/chocolate is often given is it is always useable/regiftable. No one wants yet more tat. I'd go for something consumable.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. In terms of the 'needing' to, we will meet up as two families and they will give us all individual presents (i.e. they will give my husband a present as part of that) so I do feel I need to reciprocate otherwise it's a bit mean/awkward for 7 people to get a present and 1 not. But maybe I am over thinking it and just need to go with wine or chocolates. Feels boring though.....

Honestly OP I would much rather have a bottle of wine than something I wouldn't use and never find wine boring !!

Pocket knife/Swiss army knife