Frugal Christmas: Budget gifts for men

by Chiara Cavaglieri on 13 December 2011  |  4 comments
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Highlights today include a Molton Brown gift set for £8.50, smartphone gloves for £10.50, cool travelcard holders for £3, cashmere socks for £6 at M&S and a double egg cup holder for only £4.43!

Gifts for £30 or less

Grooming  

If you’re buying for a so-called metrosexual who prefers luxury brands for his grooming products, make sure you buy online – even with sales and special offers the high street just can’t beat online retailers when it comes to designer-brand beauty. I saw Clarins for Men Super Moisture Balm for £21 (RRP £26.50), Neal’s Yard Remedies Purifying Face Wash for £12.50 (RRP £14), both on JustusMen, and Tweezerman for Him Ingrown Hair/Splintertweeze on Amazon for £11.04 (RRP £14).

Gadgets and electricals

For wine buffs a wine aerator is a great gift. Now, I’m a two bottles for a fiver kind of girl, so this isn’t much use to me, but apparently these are designed to speed up the aeration process so that your wine can breathe instantly. The Vinturi is at the top end of the range and usually retails at £39.95 but you can get it for £24.95 (plus £3.55 p&p) on eBay. Or if that’s beyond your budget, this Classico aerator is half-price at £17.99 (RRP £34.99), on Amazon.

Fashion and accessories

If you’re buying for an outdoorsy type you’ll find plenty of inspiration at shops like Cotswoldoutdoor and Millets. Half-price deals at Cotswoldoutdoor include this two-pack of Merino wool hiker socks (now £7) and this Craghoppers Whistler Microfleece (now £17.50).

Then at Millets you can buy this rather creepy looking Trekmates silk balaclava and matching silk gloves for £10 each (RRP £19.99) and this Peter Storm waterproof skip hat for £7 (RRP £17.99). What's more, as Millets is currently offering an extra 25% off marked prices online and in-store (check for excluded brands) you could buy all three for only £20.25!

Something a bit different 

If you’re looking for an iPhone or Blackberry case, but can’t find one you like the look of, you can design your own with Mooskins. All you have to do is upload any image you like (your own face, the family pet, artwork) and you can create your own cover for £19.99 (free delivery). The cases are scratchproof and shatter resistant, and because the ink is injected into the plastic covers you don’t have to worry about the image fading, chipping or peeling off.

Gifts for £15 or less

Grooming

If you’re looking for something a bit special Molton Brown is a top brand, but of course that means a matching high-end price tag. You can save money though. First up, look for any online discount codes (online at Molton Brown use the code TEN for 10% off until 18th December), or head to eBay and scan for bargains. I saw this three–piece gift set for just £8.49 and with no p&p to pay.

Fashion and accessories

If you’re going to buy socks, buy some good ones! You could go funky with a seven-pack of centre stripe socks for £10 at BHS. Or practical with thermal socks like these 2.3 Tog long black Heat Holders to keep their (hairy) toes warm this winter for £6.40 on Amazon. Or, treat your man to a bit of luxury with these Autograph cashmere socks, available in blue, red and black at M&S, which are £6. 

Gadgets and electricals

If he has a smartphone get him an equally smart pair of gloves so that he can use his handset in the biting Christmas weather. You can buy gloves with special conductive material sewn into the thumb and index finger on each hand so that they can still use the touchscreen without having to take their gloves off. I saw these Isotoner Smartouch knitted men’s gloves for £10.50 (RRP £15) on both Amazon and Debenhams.

Gifts for £5 or less

If he loves his eggs, get him this double egg cup so he can have two eggs in the morning – it costs only £4.43 (RRP £4.50) on Amazon.

If he has to commute to work, brighten up his journey with a cool travelcard holder. I like this Urban print wallet and this Bus print wallet, both from Bouf and only £3 each. 

Bulldog – a natural skincare brand just for men – is a great option if you’re looking for value for money. Keep an eye out in your supermarket and on the high street as right now various Bulldog products are on offer in Waitrose with prices starting from £2.10 (was £3.16) for the shower gel.