What makes a good gift great? Is it merely a matter of quality and selection, or is the answer more nuanced, and as much a matter of who the man on the receiving end of the gift is, rather than the gift itself? Whilst it cannot be argued that most men value gifts of quality, many of them have a sentimental side, and as such, a gift need not be an individual item, but can be tailored to their own experience a little more personally.
Stereotypes abound when it comes to buying Christmas presents for men. Fine spirits, a set of new irons to take a swing with, petrol-head days out on the track – gifts such as these are well-tried and tested, but they don’t really push the envelope. Quieter men may not openly communicate their preference when it comes to gifts, and finding this out becomes more of a character study than your average shopping experience. With that being said, the following gift ideas will go a long way toward finding a present that’s perfectly tailored to its recipient and that caters to men whose interests may be more nuanced.
A timepiece fit for any Ace
For many men who grew up during the 80s, Top Gun remains a decade-defining film, and its appeal has held out well into the current decade, thanks to the arrival of the long-awaited sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, in 2022. The film, much like the 80s as a decade itself, defines what friendship, thrill-seeking adventure, and the pursuit of excellence meant for an entire generation of men, punctuated by a soundtrack whose legacy has, like the film itself, refused to turn in its wings.
IWC’s commemorative Top Gun Chronograph is designed for the real-life pilots behind the Hollywood heroics of both films. It’s a seamless construct of horology, with its monochrome aesthetic contrasting against the dark green colouring of the piece – a tribute to the same shade of uniform worn by the Navy Flight School’s aviators in real life. Designed to perform under the most strenuous of conditions, this is a gift tailor-made for a man of the 80s who values performance above panache and has the same level of confidence in his step as a pilot flying the latest combat jets.
For Alpine Adventures on and off Piste
For powder hounds that can’t wait to make fresh tracks after fresh snowfall, the Black Crows Atris is a set of skis with a cult following among true off-piste and out-of-bounds enthusiasts. The Atris are built to deliver strong float whilst in deeper snow, with a progressive shape that encourages fluid turns and allows for reliable speed. Their design reflects years of careful optimisation through feedback from professional riders who have tested the set across the most demanding of alpine conditions.
For those more concerned with messing around in the snow park or showing off on-piste, Faction’s Prodigy 2.0 embodies this playful, but technically refined approach. Built for all-mountain exploration with the added versatility of a twin-tip design, their poplar core gives the ski energy without compromising stability, making it a favourite for skiers who want to move between piste, park, and backcountry terrain with ease.
But for those who really like to wander through the mountains at their own pace, with more than 90 years of ski manufacturing heritage, Fischer is a cornerstone of Nordic skiing. The Twin Skin Pro benefits from this legacy of cross-country innovation, offering a reliable grip through its twin-skin technology and an efficient glide for long distances. This set offers an uncompromising quality that will deliver in even the most arduous conditions, perfect for a true alpine explorer who’s unbothered about hitting the slopes and looks to conquer the whole mountain instead.
A Scent that’s Unique to Them
The House of Creed, with roots dating back to 1760, has long been associated with bespoke fragrance creation for European royalty. Its Fragrance Discovery Set captures that lineage in miniature, offering the recipient a curated assortment of the brand’s signature scents, defined over centuries of exploring the most delicate of senses. Aventus, Green Irish Tweed, and Silver Mountain Water are but a few of the accents to discover, crafted from ingredients sourced with meticulous care and blended using techniques preserved over generations.
For any well-established man who's made more than a few trips around the world, their scent will be something they have taken with them along the way, an acquired trait that’s unique to them. With this gesture, courtesy of The House of Creed, one is gifting a man the rarest of opportunities – to define a part of himself entirely from scratch, on his terms, and to his tastes.
Flying in one of the World’s Most Famous Fighter Aircraft
Created by the Boultbee Flight Academy, the world’s first Spitfire-approved school, this experience offers a rare opportunity to climb into the cockpit of Britain’s most iconic fighter aircraft that helped shape the course of the Second World War. Each aircraft has its own history, often involved in grand restoration projects that blend original components with painstaking craftsmanship to ensure these machines remain operable. The flight begins from Goodwood Aerodrome, a former wartime base of the Spitfire itself, adding another level of historical immersion to this already deeply nostalgic journey into the past.
Taking the seat behind a certified Spitfire pilot, flight options include a true Battle of Britain experience, soaring out over the channel and circling the Isle of Wight or, gliding over the white cliffs of The Seven Sisters up to Eastbourne. Ascending over the Sussex coastline, the roar of the Merlin engine punctuates the sweeping views, serving as a testimony to the adventure, courage, and endurance of the British people during one of the darkest periods of the country’s history.
Fresh Threads Tailored to Fit
Suits in Savile Row carry their weight in gold for some. Tracing its roots to 1771, Gieves & Hawkes is one of the oldest continuous tailoring houses in the world. Its history is bound to British naval and military dress, framing silhouettes that shaped history, such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. A bespoke two-piece from its No.1 Savile Row premises involves a process of detailed measurement, fittings, and choices of cloth sourced from the finest mills in the country.
Every stitch reflects hours of handwork by skilled cutters and tailors, producing a garment made entirely around the individual. For any man, a suit tailored precisely to their measurements is always an occasion to savour, and Gieves & Hawkes is well established in making this experience feel like a formal occasion through their Made to Measure service. Giving the gift of acquiring such fine garb is something that every man can appreciate for its sincerity and generosity.
