Esquire’s ultimate Christmas gift guide for him
The editors of Esquire have merged their Christmas wish lists together, to compile the best ever festive gift guide for men in 2024
By 
YES, CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT around the corner (again!). Unbelievable? Truly. But with plans to prepare and gifts to buy, there’s no use in procrastinating the inevitable. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t accept a little assistance in the ideas department, and that’s exactly what the editors of Esquire are here to help you with. It’s our job to keep up with what’s cool in the fashion, grooming, wellness, food and drinks space, so while we can’t lay claim to having finished our own Christmas shopping quite yet, we can most certainly provide you with a few quality suggestions.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been busy browsing our favourite brands to collate a list of products we’d be genuinely jazzed to find under the Christmas tree. From clothing to gadgets, watches to experiences, scroll on to find a curated list of gifts fit for your brother, father, grandfather, friends and everyone in between.
Read more of Esquire’s Christmas gift guides:
The Esquire editors pick the best Burberry Christmas gifts for him
Esquire’s ultimate Christmas gift guide for her
The best Christmas gifts for Australian men in 2024
Best fashion Christmas gifts for him in 2024
Ralph Lauren Australian Open Packable Jacket
For fans of tennis, we have two Christmases: the Australian Open is just around the corner! Be ahead of the curve by getting something from the AO’s official outfitter.
Puma Speedcat
An Adidas Samba may have been on his wish list, but we instead recommend a pivot to the Puma Speedcat. You heard it from us first: it’s the hottest sneaker of Q4 2024. He’ll be lucky (and thanking you for it) to get a pair of these aerodynamic puppies before everyone else has them.
Orlebar Brown geometric swim shorts in ‘California Blue’
Similar to gifting socks or underwear, swim shorts are another wardrobe essential that’s an afterthought. Raise his print game with a fresh pair of Terrazzo-inspired swim shorts from Orlebar Brown.
Calibre Double-Strap Sandal in ‘Stone’
Sandals can be worn for ‘cocktail’ occasions, it’s just all about the material. A refined suede sandal will look effortless in wide-leg shorts or trousers when dressing for such occasions this summer.
Loewe Puzzle bumbag
The man-bag-ification of the Spanish brand’s iconic leather design. In supple calfskin, the khaki green will pair exceptionally well with just about any fit.
Zegna brown suede and leather Triple Stitch™ Monte sneakers
A luxe edition to the brand’s staple Triple Stitch range: made with leather and suede uppers and fixed with a Vibram sole for the trails.
Dior Crystals and ‘CD’ Icon ring
If he’s trying to (or you simply want him to) level up his jewellery game, rings are a no-brainer but symbolic place to start. This iced out ring, featuring the French houses ‘CD’ icon flanked with crystals, is sure to especially mark your first Christmas together.
BOSS Leather Trainers
Oddly, classic white leather trainers can be hard to come by. BOSS has remedied this with their all-white design that transitions from the office to the weekend. And with enough thickness in the rubber outsole, this will make him feel substantially well-footed.
Rimowa The Original Bag in silver aluminium
It’s like a pocket-sized Rimowa suitcase, but for all your daily essentials. The German luggage maker released this It bag a couple of months ago, and Lewis Hamilton is already a fan.
Etymology Yasiin Tassel Loafer in brown suede
From up and coming Aussie shoemaker Etymology. With an offering consisting of playful yet elegant options for everyday wear, their tassel loafer in brown suede is stylish yet easy to wear.
Celine CL40248I black sunglasses
A pair of big, black shades are mandatory for the summer. And a pair from Celine will also cover him in style.
R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman boots
For a lot of Australian men, a pair of Chelsea boots from R.M. Williams remains high on his wish list. Gift him a pair and he’ll be extra thankful this Christmas.
Best home and lifestyle gifts for him in 2024
Archie Rose Distilling Co. Tailored Spirits
Personalise a bottle of gin, vodka, or whisky from one of the biggest names in the Australian distillery industry. From the ability to select what malts you’d like included, to finishing it off with a customised label, this bottle will sit proudly on the shelf.
Emporio Armani Tumbled-leather card holder with zip pocket
Update the wallet with a multifunctional one from Armani. Sleek in fit (holds four cards plus a zip pocket) and supple to the touch, this leather wallet will age well.
Baya Haywood Lichen Floor Rug
A beautifully made rug will last a lifetime. Made of 100 per cent NZ wool, Baya’s Haywood Lichen rug features subtle tonal graduations of earthy shades.
Montblanc Meisterstück pen
If you’re stuck on what to get him for your first Christmas together, mark the occasion with an exquisite writing instrument. Made for its centenary anniversary, Montblanc also has something to celebrate with this release of this rollerball.
Charvet suede slippers
Walk like a king in these slippers crafted in Charvet’s storied Parisian worksop on Place Vendome. With a light cushioned sole and an all leather and suede construction, these balance plush with lush.
Nonna’s Grocer Anjou Pear Candle
You’d feel compelled to take a bite out of it, but you’re better off lighting the stem-cum-wick. In a collaboration between Kowtow and Wollongong-based brand Nonna’s Grocer, the natural soy wax will diffuse the sweet scent of the fruit of its likeness.
Studio Henry Wilson Incense
Made out of Japanese cedar-leaf powder and tabunoki powder (a plant powder as the binding agent), kneaded with water, before being cast and dried to become incense sticks, manufactured in Fukuoka, Japan.
Maison Balzac The Pebble Incense Holder
Pair the incense above with this eccentric little glass incense holder, modelled after a pebble – one of Maison Balzac’s classics.
St Hugo Vetus Purum 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
Made for the wine connoisseur who can appreciate the very best the industry can produce, this St Hugo offering is no ordinary cab sav. Only one per cent of the grapes grown at the vast St Hugo estate in South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region make the cut for this exceptional expression known as Vetus Purum. On the nose or the palette, Vetus Purum is vibrant, with a tomatoey, green pepper crispness coupled with herbs and dark fruit. It’s worth every dollar of its price point.
Best travel Christmas gifts for him in 2024
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 Infinite
The Beoplay H100 offers an escape with its immersive sound and luxurious design that bodes well wherever you wear them.
Apple AirTag fine-woven key ring
Travelling with an Apple AirTag is only sensible these days. But of course, you need something to clip your tag into, and Apple’s fine-woven key rings are the perfect solution for anyone preparing to trot around the globe.
Louis Vuitton Toiletry Bag
We’ve all been asked to take out our toiletry bags in the middle of the airport security queue because we’re carrying a bottle over 100ml. While an inconvenient request, a suave LV bag turns it into a flex.
Coach Hall Tote 33
Made for doing it all, Coach has crafted its Hall Tote from soft, pliable leather, an ideal carry-on companion to hold your laptop and all other things. Designed with shoulder and hand carry straps, it’s a versatile piece for the well-rounded traveller.
Trtl Neck Pillow
If lugging a piece of thick foam around the airport is disrupting your vibe, the slim Trtl neck pillow will compliment what you’re wearing. Built like a scarf with an internal support system, the Trtl neck pillow ensures better neck and spine alignment during long haul flights.
July Carry On Suitcase
Built with an ejectable battery with USB-C, the July Carry on suitcase makes for a little home, with enough space to hold a weekend’s worth for a getaway.
Best grooming Christmas gifts for him in 2024
Aesop Sun Protection Duo
Although we can’t stress enough that SPF is an all year thing, giving it as a Christmas gift works as a gentle reminder for those who often forget. And there’s no better paint-by-numbers pack than Aesop’s Sun Protection Duo, which features the Aussie brand’s SPF50 Facial Lotion and SPF30 Lip Balm. The former is made with Sage Leaf, so it doesn’t have that overwhelming Zinc scent of sunscreens of our childhood.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
As our pick for the best overall summer facial moisturiser for men, this gel textured cream will see his skin care level up: it’s lightweight and cooling on the skin.
Malin+Goetz Hair Pomade
Perfect for all hair types, this hair pomade from the New York-based brand leaves a matte finish without the added weight.
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF50+ Sunscreen Cracker
Imagine the delight of opening a Christmas cracker, but other than the usual plastic baubles it’s something he actually needs. Indeed, there’s no clearer message than to start using an SPF50+ sunscreen.
Best fragrance Christmas gifts for him in 2024
Parfums de Marly Perseus EDP
Fresh scented perfumes for summer usually stick to verdant profiles. Switch up his rotation with Perseus’ citrus essence, a grapefruit starter which will evolve into dry woods and ambergris base notes as the day progresses.
Acqua di Parma Luce di Rosa EDP
Vibrant, clean and bright notes inform Luce di Rosa’s floral profile. Don’t let that turn him off, because citrus and bergamot notes give spicy nuances that will have people asking what he’s wearing.
Montblanc Legend Blue EDP
A pleasant option for warmer conditions, the woody notes in Montblanc’s Legend Blue aren’t too heady, offset with fresh lavender and mint.
Saint Laurent MYSLF EDP
It’s as if the noses (industry parlance for perfumers) at Saint Laurent bottled up masculinity in its most modern form. Dominant notes of wood and floral make up the overall profile, softened with bergamot and patchouli.
Le Labo Another 13 EDP
For most people, Le Labo is their first foray into the world of niche fragrances. But unlike most people, Another 13 has remained an even more niche favourite in the range. Described as a “dirty potion”, its scent profile consists of animal musk blended with jasmine and moss. Trust us: it works
Dior Sauvage Eau Forte
In perfume terminology (you’d be forgiven, it is mostly in French), ‘eau forte’ sounds like a new one. In a recreation of their iconic masculine scent, Dior Sauvage Eau Forte uses water that’s as fresh as an eau de toilette, but as intense as a parfum. Other than the innovation, nothing has changed in its olfactory profile: cool spices of resin, aromatic bleached lavender, finished with a breeze of musk notes.
Chanel ‘Bleau de Chanel’ EDP
From the iconic link up of the Martin Scorsese-directed Chanel ad starring Timothée Chalamet, Bleau de Chanel takes the stage for what masculine scents should be in 2024. A dominant woody scent, you’re met with opulent herbs in the middle, as well as fresh notes of lemon, mint, and grapefruit at the top.
What should I get him for our first Christmas together?
Whether it’s a product or an experience – no matter the price – the gift should should demonstrate that you know him. If he mentioned, say, how much he fancied a fresh pair of Puma Speedcats to replace his Sambas in passing, you have your gift.
Something symbolic (i.e. jewellery) or too personal might be heavy handed. Use your judgement to get him something he would enjoy using, or, even better, enjoy using together.
Another route to mark your first Christmas together would be to elevate something he already has. If it’s a favourite fragrance, get him something within that same scent profile but one that’s more refined. If he’s a stylish person, peeking at his wish list (which, I’m sure, includes a handful from this list) is an easy safe card.
How much should I spend on our first Christmas together?
An “acceptable budget” remains subjective across the board for how much to spend for your first Christmas gift.
If you’ve been seeing each other for under a little under a year, something extravagant yet meaningful is like a gong sounding the end of a blissful year together and onto the next (ball park, we’d say $350 and up).
Now if you’ve been seeing each other a few months, or even a few weeks leading up to Christmas, a gift that deepens your relationship to go further but doesn’t cost too much is ideal (consider $100 an up).
How do I make our first Christmas together special?
First, you should communicate your expectations. Will you be spending the holiday together? Will you be spending your first Christmas together with his family, or the other way around? Or will you be spending Christmas separately with your families? Talking through what the day will entail ensures one isn’t left out of the loop, as well. as what you expect from the other. If you’re dividing up the day, a leisurely brunch is an easy few hours to mark your first Christmas together. Instead of thinking about how many bells and whistles you can throw to make it “special”, you could consider your first Christmas as fun and light in contents.
Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Related:
The Esquire editors pick the best Burberry Christmas gifts for her
10 of the freshest New Balance sneakers on the market right now
