Festive Gifts by Men....

The hectic helter skelter of the festive season is upon us, but alongside excessively regular after work drinks, god awful Christmas jumpers (guilty!) and sugar loaded dessert binges every man is cringing at the thought of what their Christmas shopping list (should) will entail. But which gender really can identify with the Grinch’s morals the most – and do we gentlemen deserve our bad rep of poor present provision?

Unfortunately, and I’m sure you are surprised by this, I cannot solve your Christmas shopping woes’ singlehandedly as, let’s be honest, each and every woman out there is both unique and deserving, maybe they’re a little difficult to buy for but why not take this challenge in your stride? If you get it right, you will be lauded and everyone will know about it – until Christmas next year of course!!

Please note this is merely a guide to help the chronic (male) failures out there, hopefully with Christmas a few weeks away this will give you both time and ideas to be considered in higher regard than Father Christmas himself in your loved one’s books!

Men are, and I think at times rightfully, given a terrifically awful rep at Christmas time (I think back to gifts like the microwave my friends’ Father bought Mum when I was 5 for example?) to realise that being thoughtful when it comes to selection is not high up on many male lists. Males allegedly spend around £200 per year on their better halves and this is trounced by the £400 plus most women dedicate to us lot. If you are going to spend less though, at least make it memorable!

So, as if to prove most men’s lack of thought, guys, I read a post by The NY Post recently stating that popular gift choices from men to women at Christmas time included:

•      ‘Sexy Santa lingerie’ (I can’t even begin with this one…)
•      Chocolates and Teddy Bears (it’s not valentine’s day chaps)
•       Cheap jewellery (if you’re not going to do it right, just don’t do it!)
•       Tool kits (Why and what?)

Sort it out! I don’t believe anybody I know would actually be so careless to give their better half any of the aforementioned items, however there are definitely some rare, and seriously unhappy, cases (excuse the pun) in your friendship circle.

It’s fair enough that men should feel slightly hard done by here – but as much as it should be an equal playing field, what is wrong with treating her for just one day? Exactly, and it doesn’t have to be overly expensive - https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/ has some excellent handmade affordable ideas that combine romance with the festive season (surely a stocking filler, oo-err) and their swift delivery service means it can, almost but be careful, be done a week prior*.

Aside from that why not indulge in a romantic weekend away or treat your loved one to something you can both enjoy? But be warned, it’s always essential to dedicate one gift solely to your partner, lest you fancy being one of the pigs on blankets come Christmas day.

For some incredible, original, sure to make her gasp in awe, get away ideas look no further than Host Unusual: https://hostunusual.com/.

From converted lighthouses to prison cells (yup you read that right), and dainty cottages you’ll be sure to find something both festive and fun to treat both of you to, and it’s UK Wide too so it won’t mean you’ll be stuck in the jarring Winter motorway standstill. Plus there’s a winter wonderland section now to really give her a Christmas experience she’ll never forget – easy now.

Following this, and because natural is all the rage due to well - saving the planet and that, it’s worth having a look through Aesop Cosmetics:  https://www.aesop.com/uk/. I’d recommend getting the gift sets as they contain a variety of real fancy smelling, sure to be good for skin products at a reasonable price (but without being too cheap they come across tacky). They really have done all the work for you here as they have a preset‘Gift Guide’ which you can tailor by price and type. I’d recommend a set like Concord or Proximity which is described as “Observing necessary interaction required in relationships, with a tight-knit trio of facial care” [Obviously make sure that’s in clear view when gift is presented]. Although it seems a bit on the pricey side it’s also real environmentally friendly meaning you won’t annoy David Attenborough when you make a purchase, brilliant.

Unless really special, or for a good reason, I’d probably steer clear of the trinkets and jewels at Christmas – it’s likely there may be quite a lot of disappointment unless you’re presenting it on one knee.. Yes it’s true, a surprise jewellery item can go down about as well as a piece of coal – and for goodness sake do not overload her with 5 Tiffany & Co items or a Michael Kors watch thinking you’ll get an Instagram with ‘the boy done good’ the next day….

#TheBoyDoneGood 

No, this is a chance to prove your thoughtful side as well as showing you (maybe sometimes?) listen to her likes and dislikes (she loves FIFA, right?) and act on them.

The point here is, don’t get her something she can buy herself – because it’ll be ordinary. There’s plenty of gifts out there that at least make it look like you went the extra mile, something personalised for example or something even more outrageous like a holiday (you never know!)

Do not fear, it really doesn’t need to be a desperate run around Boots’ perfume isle on the 23^rd of December! Men of the world – do yourselves a favour, but be subtle!  Drop a hint a few months prior, ease off being, well a ‘man’, for a few weeks and really give it some thought, you know it’s the right thing to do to make sure you’re not being asked for the receipt come Boxing Day.

Happy hunting,

Kuzzy

*not recommended