My Christmas gifting mantra (if I had one) would be to find
something that the recipient could never forget that it was me who
gave it to them. That implies that the gift is thoughtful, poignant
and has longevity, which is easier said than done. That said, your
father/brother/son/uncle have probably received enough duds from
you over the years that there's still hope for you yet! Ultimately,
the best gift is the one which creates an emotional bond between
the giver and the receiver so I have curated a gifting edit that
will do exactly that, by selecting items that create good tidings
of comfort and joy (hat tip to God rest ye merry gentlemen) every
time they are worn or put to use. So without further ado, here's
the selection, perfect for any male member of your family or
cherished friends.
Fragrances
There's a reason why fragrances are always top of everyone's
gifting lists: sense of smell is closely linked with memory.
University of Toronto neurobiologists recently identified a
mechanism that allows the brain to recreate vivid sensory
experiences from memory, shedding light on how sensory-rich
memories are created and stored in our brains. Using smell as a
model, the findings offer a novel perspective on how the senses are
represented in memory, and could explain why the loss of the
ability to smell has become recognized as an early symptom of
Alzheimer's disease.
Jewellery
Items of jewellery make for great Christmas gifting ideas
because they are always on show, leading to questions on how the
wearer came about them and what their significance is. It's why a
lady will deliberate over the design of a wedding ring like her
life is dependent on it - because it partly is. Every time she
looks at that ring, she will be reminded of her husband, so if the
marriage doesn't work out, it better be a damn good ring to put up
with the memories! Buying jewellery for men is, thankfully, a
damn sight easier. For petrolheads, The Mechanists' subtle driving
wheel bracelets are an excellent choice, while
for the bolder gentleman, I would not hesitate to introduce him to
Marco dal Maso's
stunning silver creations which are rugged
and masculine and not at all dainty. Finally, there is Nialaya,
whose fine beaded bracelets would better befit the well-travelled
soul who likes to display a sense of adventure and worldliness on
his wrist.
Knitwear
A great jumper is a win/win because not only is it an integral
part of a chic winter wardrobe, it also acts much like a comfort
blanket, hence why I would always opt to gift a chunky knit style
rather than a plain fine gauge. For this, I have one brand in mind:
Inis Meain (who
you can read about here). Beautifully made with
the warmest, most comfortable yarns, these are fisherman's knits
that will last for years and years if cared for properly.
Comfort-givers
These are the gifts that keep on giving, especially during this
time of the year when the weather is cold, wet and as dull as
dishwater. When the heavens open, or the air is so cold that your
bones literally shake, the recipient of your gift will be forever
thankful for your considered choice. First up, an umbrella, but no
ordinary umbrella. Fox Umbrellas are
an absolute must for distinguished types with a
sartorial leaning. Reassuringly solid in build, the scorched maple
frame feels great to hand and the expansive 100% polyester canopy
will make you impervious to even the most violent deluge. With the
rain held at bay, it's onto the chill next. When it comes to
gloves, my choice has to be Udeshi's
espresso brown suede shearling models, which look as warm as they
feel, then to wrap it all up, I would choose a sumptuous scarf by Begg
& Co. Woven in Scotland from supersoft
cashmere, Begg create a unique ripple finish, the result of gentle
brushing using specially grown teasels.
