Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Christmas Gift Guide - 9 Ideas for the Hard to Buy for Man!

 {Many of the items in this post have been gifted to me in exchange for inclusion in my gift guide. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, any affiliate links will be marked with #ad}

If you have a man in your life who is hard to buy for I've put this gift guide together with you in mind. Both my husband and dad are hard to buy for, the main reason being that neither is really interested in presents. They are both quite content in life with what they have and of course, that's wonderful but it's a bit tricky for me, as I'm someone who likes to give gifts. So I hope you find these nine ideas useful -

A Trip to Hogwarts in the Snow

If you've never been to the Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros Studio Tour in Watford, Herts then I'd definitely recommend it. We've had a couple of wonderful visits in the last few years and you're normally there for around four hours, although you're free to stay longer if you wish. Over the Christmas period (from 18th November 2017 - 28th January 2018) the whole experience is dressed up for the winter season and it really is a beautiful sight to see. If the man you're buying for has enjoyed the Harry Potter films then he is sure to love this gift. Or look on Amazon for Harry Potter gifts (*ad). 

For more photos check out my review from last year and you can book over here.


Armani Slippers

I think everyone enjoys a bit of comfort and what better than some cosy slippers for a cold day. Slippers of course are a bit of a cliche though and are something you might buy for your Granddad but instead of shopping at Clarks or M&S why not have a look at a more exclusive online shop like Mainline Menswear and shop for some really special slippers, like these gorgeous ones from Armani that I'll be giving to my husband. They are super soft to the touch, come in a drawstring bag and retail for £55 with free delivery. Armani slippers (*ad) are sure to be a hit!


National Trust Membership

If the man you're buying for loves the outdoors, history or maybe photography, then a membership for the National trust might be a good bet. The man who has everything will still want to enjoy days out and this membership will give a whole year of free visits to some of the most stunning sites in the UK. We've been members as a family for a few years and always enjoy exploring new places as each National Trust site is different and can offer a new experience like meeting the deer, watching conservation in action or taking a days photography course. Individual membership starts at just £5.40 a month or £64.80 for the year or there are a range of other membership options and don't forget to check online for deals or to use a cashback site.


The Book of Psalms

Now obviously this gift is only good for the Christian or Jewish man, or perhaps one who adores poetry and can appreciate this beautiful book of 150 Psalms that were penned more than 2,500 years ago. Whilst I love more modern translations of the bible I think the Psalms are best read in the original King James version which captures the essence of the original Hebrew text in a poetic manner.

This fabulous compact book is hardbound in blue with a contrasting orange box sleeve. You can see that the pages are really clear to read, the cream pages are high quality and there is a ribbon marker to keep your place. You can buy The Book of Psalms (*ad) from The Folio Society for £29.95.


Quality Leather Gloves
As the weather turns and Winter really makes an entrance it's so important to be able to keep warm on the way to work, walking the dog or spending time outdoors with the kids. I discovered these great value genuine leather gloves (*ad) from Dobell (which is a great online men's and boys shop for all things smart, so it is the perfect place to pick up a suit, cuff-links or dress shoes.)

These leather gloves retail for £24.99 and have a gorgeous soft fluffy grey lining.


A Night Away Somewhere Truly Sensational

I think a night away with a loved one is always a gift that goes down well and there are some wonderful places you can choose from but perhaps nowhere more unique in the UK than a stay amongst the animals at Port Lympne in Kent. I can't recommend Giraffe Lodge highly enough for a romantic break away, you can read my recent review over here. You'll receive a drink on arrival, a ranger-guided safari, a magnificent 4-course dinner, a stay in a luxury tent, a beautifully cooked breakfast, giraffe feeding experience and entrance to both Port Lympne and Howlett's animal park.


A Practical Rucksack 

When my husband was commuting to London each day he took his heavy laptop backwards and forwards with him and often ended up with shoulder ache, so what I should have bought him was a stylish rucksack that would have spread the weight across both shoulders, especially when stuck standing up on a crowded train or tube.

This fabulous 25-litre navy TwentyFourSeven rucksack from Berghaus (*ad) is available for £30 (on special at the moment) from Millets and it is versatile to be used for work, sports, hiking or just as a daypack. It has all the features and comfort you'd expect from Berghaus with a padded flow back system, laptop sleeve, internal and external pockets for storing water bottles and other small items and an adjustable chest strap. There are a whole variety of rucksacks {#ad} on Amazon and you're bound to find something to suit.


A Stylish Pen by Cross

Everyone knows the name Cross when it comes to pens, it really does signify luxury and reliability. But it doesn't have to mean old-fashioned or particularly delicate. My husband loves a chunky pen as it fits into his large hands better and this capless rollerball pen comes in a variety of modern finishes, including some funky ones styled like Spiderman and the Hulk but I think my favourite is the classic graphite grey. Retailing at £50 I think the new Cross X (*ad) range of pens are a thoughtful gift for the man who likes to write. You can also buy it as a set with a refillable jotter pad.


A Gift that Keeps on Giving

I love charity gifts like those from Oxfam or World Vision but that is because fighting extreme poverty is my passion. When buying a gift for someone else you have to, of course, buy them something they are interested in. My husband is a great animal lover so a gift from somewhere like Born Free would be good for him. Just look at this gorgeous penguins print that is £85.00.


I hope you've found at least one gift idea for the hard to buy for man in your life. If you have any fabulous ideas to share with the rest of us, do please leave a comment. Happy shopping! Mich x


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Disclosure: I received some of these items for the purpose of writing this gift guide. I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest.