Every year the women in my life say the same thing, (disclaimer : I’m no Hugh Hefner), ‘men are so difficult to buy for’. Are we!? Whether you’re drawing up your own Christmas wish list or looking to buy for someone else, some inspiration always comes in handy. Here at TinMan London, we’ve compiled our annual Christmas Gift Guide – hopefully something below will tickle your Christmas fancy and make it onto your shopping or personal wishlist.
#1. CREED Aventus Eau De Parfum, 30ml, £99.00 (selfridges.com)
A man doesn’t get anywhere by being shy. So when it comes to selecting the right scent, Olivier Creed’s masterful selection is a great place to start. Even after all these years, the French perfumier is still going strong and that’s why we champion Creed’s “Aventus”. Top notes include Blackcurrant from Corsica, Bergamot from Italy and lastly royal pineapple. Despite the fragrance smelling fresh and new, it still manages to ooze a historic class that money really can’t buy. The black leather-bound flask-shaped bottle is also a great sleek and distinguished design that will look great on the shelf.
#2. Drakes knitted tie, £95 (Drakes.com)
Crafted from quality raw silk, spun, dyed, and finished in Switzerland, these knitted ties from Drakes are finished on 100-year-old frames, which are slower than modern machinery, adding panache to each tie. While you cannot go wrong with any of Drakes ties, this little navy option is sure to become a seasonal favourite.
#3. Albam marl socks, £12 (AlbamClothing.com)
Marl socks are great, but Albam’s marl socks are even greater! Perfect for bridging the gap between the ordinary formal black sock and sporty whites, these snug winter warmers add a minimal touch of style to any man’s sock drawer.
#4. Oliver Sweeney suede brogues, £195 (OliverSweeney.com)
As versality goes, brogues are up there with the best of them. And while casual sneakers are always the most comfortable option, there’s a time when a man must dress smartly. An everyday wardrobe staple, these classic suedes work for anything from a business meeting to a casual first date. Wear them with pride.
#5. Lyle & Scott tartan scarf, £35 (lyleandscott.com)
The winter chill is here to stay, for the next few months at least, and with it, comes the need to wrap up and stay warm. Sure, a coat always works well in harsh conditions, but theres no better time to mix up your look and crack out that old favourite: the winter scarf. This little tartan number is made from 100% Lambswool at Lyle and Scott’s birth place in Hawick, Scotland. Trust us: keeping warm and looking good are equally important.
#6. Japanese cocktail set, £180 (AlexanderandJames.com)
When it comes to perfecting the skill of cocktail making, a good place to start is by purchasing the right tools. You wouldn’t expect to dig up the road with your bare hands would you, so why expect to make great cocktails straight from the bottles? Fusing fashion with function, this Japanese copper cocktail set is a solid purchase and includes all the necessary tools to create everything from an Old-Fashioned to a Margarita. Open up a home bar and impress every guest that comes through the door this Christmas and beyond.
#7. Carlo Pazolini Leather Rucksack (carlopazolini.com) 
There was once a time when man bags were frowned upon. But a leather briefcase or a bag for life just won’t cut it for you. A leather rucksack is therefore a practical accessory, ideal for gym gear, after work ‘could you get some milk luv?’ requests and solves the simple conundrum of how to carry books and lunch to work each day. This distinct selection from Carlo Pazolini provides ample storage space, looks smart and ensures you carry your belongings in comfort with the old-school double strap rucksack design that remains as effective as ever.
#8. Jawbone UP24 Wireless Activity and Sleep tracking wristband – £99.95 (JohnLewis.com)
The latest activity tracking wristband from Jawbone is the UP24, which provides the wearer with a data service designed to track how you sleep, move and eat. Doubling up as a fashion accessory, this smart gadget then transmits wirelessly to your iOS or Android device via the app. His new years resolution just got a helping hand!
#9. Cornerstone Shaving Kit, £30 (cornerstone.co.uk)
With many a male sporting more facial hair than usual this year, the value of a traditional wet shave has been slightly sidelined. Why? we ask. As the good ol’ saying goes, what goes up, must come down, and we’re anticipating a resurgence in smoothness someday soon. So in a bid to ensure every man stays one step ahead, we’ve hunted down our favourite shaving kit.
Cornerstone is a new, luxury subscription service that delivers high quality razors and shaving accessories to men nationwide. Designed and made in the UK, this Cornerstone shaving kit includes a gel, balm and face scrub, developed by dermatologists to ensure a competitivley close shave. The sleek, aluminium razor can also be personalised with initials, making it a well and truly sharp Christmas gift choice.
#10. Tumi Alpha 2 travel bag, £345 (tumi.com)
A new year: a time to organise travel. Lots of travel. So whether plans include a winter break or tackling the M1 & M6 for a trip up North, chances are a bag like this will come in handy. We say buy one and be done. And while you might be asking for this back should you break up with the other half, don’t let the price put you off. Think of this Tumi Alpha 2 satchel as a solid investment, the type that will be proudly carried through airports and will see you through many more holidays.
#11. Birch & Brook Fireside Scented Candle, £36 (birchandbrook.co.uk) 
Fragrance houses are now so confident in your masculinity, they think you’ll love what was once upon a time, a typically girly gift. The scary part is, they might be right. This smokey scented candle from Birch & Brook boasts woody, cedar, musk and moss notes, providing the scents of a roaring (manly) fire, minus the chopping down trees part. The cosy replacement if your recipients flat doesn’t boast a log fire!
#12. Adidas ZX Flux men’s trainer, £70 (JDSports.com)
Off to the gym in January? Hmm, thought so! For those who look to stick with the gym beyond January, chances are a new pair of trainers will be welcomed. Adidas’ most recent take on the classic ZX FLUX offers an essential understated style that commands huge respect. And while there’s a wide assortment of colour options to choose from, some crazy and bold designs, less is sometimes more. Proving that simple is best, this plain navy option works well for the gym and with other casual ensemble.
#13. Braun Cooltec Shaver, £146.17 (Amazon.co.uk)
The general consensus has always been, the more you spend, the better the motor. Like to give and receive practical gifts? This Braun electric shaver works with all facial hair needs and with styling all the rage, no irritation, no pinching or snags, this handy Cooltec gadget is sure to be a winner this Christmas!
#14. Daniel Wellington Classic Leather Watch, £179.00 (DanielWellington.com)
“Classic” in name and style, this Daniel Wellington silver watch is the perfect choice when it comes to picking the write timepiece to buy this Christmas. It’s clean, minimalist, and we guarantee it’ll never go out of fashion.
#15. Common Projects suede slip-on trainer, £270 (MrPorter.com)
A style that was originally conceived by American shoe brand Vans, the slip on sneaker is set to be essential SS15 style. Crafted in Italy these suede slip-ons by Common Projects we believe are quite possibly the best we’ve seen this year. Characterised by a chunky rubber sole, a neatly finished rounded toe and subtle elasticated panels either side of the tongue, the basic look gets a premium look this Christmas.
#16. PMX 685I sports headphones, £44.99 (Sennheiser.com)
Choosing suitable headphones can be hard. But if you’re anything like us, understanding the importance of owning multiple pairs, to meet the demands of differing lifestyle activities, split between work and play is paramount. Choosing the right sports headphones can be tricky though, with your options depending on the sport of choice. These PMX 685i headphones from Sennheiser are a great all-rounder, so whether you run, bike or are simply training in the gym, this versatile set will make all the difference. Featuring an ultra-light neckband and moisture resistance they’ll give you one less thing to concern yourself with while pursuing fitness goals.
#17. Aramis Adverturer Eau De Toilette, 60ml, £38.50 (TheFragranceShop.co.uk)
‘Adventurer’ by Aramis is one of the label’s most recent signature scents. Launched earlier this year, Adventurer is a bright and bold fragrance with spicy and citrus notes that are well suited for the winter months that lay in wait.
Aramis has traditionally served us gents with a safe and classic approach, it’s newest fragrance demonstrates a new generation for the Aramis gentlemen, with a lasting sporty freshness that is sure to be winning formula. A classic for Grandad to Grandson.
#18. Triumph & Disaster stash box, £110 (selfridges.com)
Kiwi brand Triumph & Disaster keep things simple and classy: with a skincare range for men that centres around shaving, moisturising and cleansing. This neat ‘Stash box’ makes the perfect gift, with a tube of Old Fashioned shaving cream, a Badger hair shave brush, Rock & Roll suicide face scrub and Gameface moisturiser, all of which is delivered in stylish, vintage packaging. We enjoyed trialing this for ourselves at TinMan HQ.
So there you have it, let us know your favourites by using the hashtag #TMLCHRISTMAS. Enjoy giving and receiving your favourites from this delightful selection & have yourselves a very Merry Christmas.