If you’ve ever opened a bad present on Christmas Day from your loved one, you are probably familiar with this sequence of events; A pang of disappointment (quickly usurped with annoyance - how did he not see your carefully curated ‘Gifts I love’ Pinterest board?), assuring family members you aren’t dating a stingy prick with blasé phrases like 'we don’t really do presents', a WTF? iMessage to whereever they are celebrating, and lastly uploading it to eBay - all this happens before the turkey is served. Merry Christmas!
While most men won’t consider the exchange of Christmas gifts in quite the same form of public validation of how perfectly in tune and loved-up you are (just me?), they also recognize a poorly-executed, last-minute present when they receive one. And while they might not have the Pinterest boards, - well, they do like nice shit.
Read More: Cool Places To Buy Your Mates Stuff If You're Avoiding The High Street
Sadly the pitfalls of shopping for guys are rife: anything useful for their day-to-day needs –a bike helmet or work diary, for example - is deemed boring and a passion-killer. And those shoes he keeps mentioning he likes? If your BF has actually negotiated the world of retail to find something he likes, he probably bought them himself on Black Friday.
Unless you are in the throes of the honeymoon period - where all financial rationality goes out the window in favor of season tickets and being the best girlfriend ever - the average person spends £49.00 on their partner, so we’ve compiled a list of under-£50 purchases guaranteed to evoke appreciation in the most tricky of recipients:
The Wannabe Debonair
There is a general consensus that if a man even glances at mrporter.com, he is immediately hotter, cooler and way more desirable. Choose between The Manual For A Stylish Life (a win-win for you both) or Paul Smith’s debonair silk pocket square.
**The Beckham/Drapper Impersonator **
Never mind the John Lewis penguin. The only Christmas advertisement I’m interested in is the one with David Beckham looking dapper in a velvet tuxedo. It’s in the name of his new whisky – the Haig Club – and there’s no better present for a man of refined taste, or one that wishes they were Don Draper. Two things: 1) Girls who drink whisky have more fun. FACT. 2) The blue bottle will make an excellent candleholder once you’ve polished off the booze.
**The Practical Feller **
Michael McIntyre’s man drawer? It’s a genuine thing, as are his superfluous belongings that are starting to encroach on your carefully curated shelves. With this in mind, buy him a decent-sized bag – remember cross-body is our trend, not his - so go for a classic, manly rucksack. Having him lug around his things on a daily basis will also work in your favor when negotiating who should stay at whose house.
The Bearded Bloke
Love them or hate them, beards are officially mainstream which means your other half is probably attempting to sprout some form of facial hair. Help him along the way, and jazz up his bathroom shelf, with some seriously sleek Murdock beard products. Aside from softer stubble for you to snuggle into, it will also ensure he doesn’t fall victim to the “Homeless or Handsome?” office game.
If All Else Fails...
Fed up with your man’s endless Instagram scrolling? Buy him an actual real-life camera. There's loads of vintage Leicas on ebayyou still have time to bid on. NB: This will cost more than £49, but you will definitely be the best girlfriend ever.
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**Jane is the **Deputy Fashion Features Editor at Net-a-Porter. Follow her on Twitter: @JaneMcFarland
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.