What to get your man for Christmas

He's not just Fitzy and Wippa's newsreader or a panelist for The Morning Show, FOX Sports, and the ABC – Matt de Groot is also Be's newest columnist. He'll be taking us on a deep dive into the world of dating and relationships... from a guy's perspective.

They say the hardest people to buy gifts for are those closest to you; especially boyfriends, sons or husbands. But men are simple beasts; we either buy what we want as the year rolls along, or are just flattered someone went to the effort to get us a gift at all.

Despite that, let me give you a list of Christmas gift ideas that may help you get something he’d want, but wouldn’t really think to tell you. There are no ads or plugs here, these are just things I’ve have or have used that I truly recommend.

GENTS WATCHES THAT DON’T BREAK THE BANK – APPROX COST: $100-400

Men love watches; it’s a statement piece. In the same way girls admire shoes on other girls, men admire watches on other men. The good news is, you don’t need to spend upwards of a grand to buy something that looks the part.

My preferred brands are ‘Fossil’, if you think he’d want something with more weight and bulk.

DW (Daniel Wellington) if he prefers a simpler design, and a great array of bands.

‘The Horse’ is a popular entry level option, but I’d suggest it’s a bit too basic for a nice gift.

When it comes to smart watches, tread carefully. I wouldn’t get him an ‘Apple Watch’ or similar unless you know he’s keen for it. I had an Apple Watch, and sold it as I wanted a traditional, more stylish watch that wasn’t so intrusive and would then just use my phone for all the, you know, phone things.

DESIGNER MENS FRAGRANCES – APPROX COST: $80-150

Guys like smelling nice, but we have little idea what actually smells good on us which is why we rarely buy fragrances on our own.

I promise you if you buy him a fragrance he will wear it, and like it, without question. He is safe in the knowledge that at least you like it, and often that is all that really matters. So, pick whatever YOU like the smell of.

If you’re at a loss, my personal faves are the ‘Hugo Boss No. 6 Eau de toilette’ and ‘Bvlgari Pour Homme Eau de toilette spray.’

If you want to spend less than $100, the ‘Gucci Guilty Pour Homme’ and Giorgio Armani ‘Acqua Di Gio’ a good’ns.

ACTIVE WEAR – APPROX COST: $80-200

Don’t for a second think that active wear is the domain of stay-at-home mums, in exclusive suburbs, drinking coffee and doing yoga. Oh no, guys like active wear too.

Skins (long or short), for example, are the kind of luxury most wouldn’t bother spending on themselves, but is a great surprise when you get given them.

TOP QUALITY HEADPHONES – APPROX COST: $250-450

We all have the headphones that come with our phones, so this is often overlooked as a gift, but they’re great.

Go one of two ways, Bluetooth-wireless or noise-cancelling.

I have weird ears that could never hold wireless ear-buds while running or working out, until I came across the ‘Jaybird Run’ headphones.
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They’ll set you back $250, come in a strong, portable self-charging capsule so you don’t lose them, they have great sound and don’t fall out during exercise.

Noise cancelling headphones are game changer for travel; you will forever look and laugh at anyone who accepts the airline provided rubbish ones if you have these. I’ve been using ‘Bose’ for years, and I can’t fault their ‘QC 35 II’. At $435 it’s a great present if you’re both travelling soon.

They’re even better if you can guilt him into letting you wear them while on the plane. Don’t return them. I have fallen for this. It sucks.

WHISKY – APPROX COST: $100-300

Whisky makes a great gift, it really does. The bottles looks great, options are easy to source, all budgets are catered for and whisky is very much the ‘it’ drink for the modern gentleman.

Let me give you a couple of really basic tips that will get you through if you have no idea what to get.

Rule one – Scotch and Whiskey is the same thing, Scotch is just whisky made in Scotland.

Rule two – If you can’t pronounce its name, it’s probably good. This means all things Lagavulin, Glendalough and Glenlivit are a go, while Johnny Walker is not.

Rule three – Whisky comes in ages, generally starting at 10yrs, and going through to 21yrs (Anything above that are big $$$). This is the amount of time it’s been sitting in the barrels, the longer the better but more expensive.

Compromise is good, and anything 16-18 years will always win you a nod of approval.

If you want an absolute recommendation – The Balvenie, 21-years-old, single malt is just superb. But will cost you $260.

THE ULTIMATE BOYS TOY - PLAYSTATION 4 VR & GRAN TURISMO GT SPORT – APPROX COST: $650

It may not be the cheapest gift, but you will win his love, and lose his attention for the next 12 months.

The Playstation VR headsets are the future of the tech world, and while they may look a bit goofy, the experience once they’re on your head is truly mind-bending.

Add to that a copy of the new Gran Turismo racing game ‘GT Sport’, which is hugely popular and this is ‘boys and their toys’ at the highest level.

I’ve played it with VR, it’s amazing. Trust me.

EXPERIENCES – APPROX COST: Varies

If you’re buying for someone who truly has it all, then a ‘money-I-wouldn’t-have-thought-to-buy’ experience is a good way to go.

I’ve found the best experiences are the ones in your own backyard; it’s a new way of seeing your city, you feel like you’re on a holiday but you don’t have the hassle of travelling.

Glamping: Cockatoo Island in Sydney is brilliant. It’s eerily silent camping on a giant, abandoned shipping yard in the heart of Australia’s biggest city. You drink wine, in a warm comfy pre-made tent, looking back over the city as the sun sets. It’s romantic, private and truly special.

So is the ‘Notel’ on Flinders Lane in Melbourne. 70’s style caravans, on a rooftop in the heart of the city. Spectacular.

Canyoning: I was given this as a gift despite being more ‘indoorsy’, yet I couldn’t have loved it more. There are different options in every state. You traverse down beautiful canyons, see incredible scenery, challenge yourself, and it caters to all fitness levels.

Race driver for a day: All boys wished they were a racecar driver at one stage in their life. Let him live that fantasy with one of the many ‘V8 racing’ experiences around the country. It’s a day out he will never forget.

Sky diving: Always yes.

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