The best Christmas gifts for dads
Treat the most important man in your life to something special this festive season
Words: Zoe Dickens
The hopes of anything resembling a normal Christmas may be faint this year – there probably won’t be any big family get togethers and the chances of an office Christmas party taking place are slim to none – but that only make the gifts you give that much more important. And, if there’s one man you want to impress with your gift-giving prowess, it’s your dad.
The trouble with fathers is they tend to have everything they need. If he’s a fan of golf, he’s already got a great set of clubs. Big reader? He already has a library full of books. And, if tech is his thing, he’s probably got every gadget under the sun. The key is to think not about what he needs – but what he wants and would never buy for himself. Elegant leather goods, timeless accessories, fine knitwear. In essence, everyday essentials taken to the next level. Here’s our edit of the best Christmas gifts for dads in 2020…
Smelling sweet: Acqua di Parma Colonia Edizione Speciale
Colonia is Acqua di Parma’s most iconic scent and few and far between are the men who don’t find much to love in its sophisticated, lightly floral fragrance. This Christmas, the Italian grooming brand has created a limited edition version of its Colonia scent housed in keepsake bottles made by the master glassblowers of Murano, Venice. Hand-etched with stars and finished with flakes of 12 carat white gold leaf, each one of this 300 numbered edition makes a truly special gift.
Game time: Smythson Grosvenor Triple Game Box
When it comes to objects your father is unlikely to buy for himself, Smythson’s Grosvenor game box ticks all the, well, boxes. Undeniably luxurious, it features a printed French calf leather exterior and a Nile blue and navy nubuck interior with matching pouches to keep the finely crafted dominoes, checkers and chess pieces in order. We can’t think of anything that will pair better with a roaring fire and a bottle of fine single malt.
Fully charged: Oakywood Triple Charging Dock
Even for the most traditional of fathers, modern technology is a necessity – but that doesn’t mean his home needs to be blighted by unsightly cables and offensive plastic chargers. Founded by Mateusz Haberny in Podhale, Poland, Oakywood takes these electrical nuisances and turns them into objects of true beauty. Cut from pure walnut, and with charging docks for an iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, this is a truly useful gift he’ll be proud to display on his desk.
Morning glory: Joy Resolve Barisieur Coffee Alarm Clock
What’s better than great cup of fresh coffee first thing in the morning? A great cup of coffee that you haven’t had to make yourself. Give your dad the gift that keeps on giving with Joy Resolve’s sophisticated Barisieur alarm clock. Reminiscent of the teasmade he probably owned a few decades ago – but far chicer – simply fill with ground coffee and fresh milk and allow the aroma of the perfect cup to wake him each morning.
Rain or shine: Church’s Whangee Handle Telescopic Umbrella
Church’s may be best known for its shoes (and with good reason) but buying anything as personal as a pair of Oxfords as a gift is a risky gamble. Instead allow us to point you towards another Church’s signature this festive season: its umbrellas. Reliably keeping the best dressed men dry for decades, this telescopic design features a handle made of natural whangee – or bamboo root – and packs away for easy portability.
Sleep easy: Turnbull & Asser Piped Pyjamas
There’s no greater gift than a good night’s sleep and, while that may not be within your power to grant, everyday luxuries don’t come much more exquisite than a pair of pyjamas tailored to Jermyn Street standards – which is probably the next best thing. Woven from breathable Egyptian cotton and finished with mother-of-pearl buttons, this traditional navy piped set from Turnbull & Asser is as luxurious as sleepwear gets.
Natty knits: Luca Faloni Cashmere Polo Sweater
Sure, your dad probably has dozens of sweaters already – but does he have a Luca Faloni sweater? The Italian brand specialises in knitwear taken to the highest levels and, when it comes to classics he’ll want to wear season after season, this cashmere polo sweater is hard to beat. Knitted from 100% two-ply pure cashmere sourced from the prestigious Cariaggi Fine Yarns Collection, it’s available in a range of rich autumnal hues, but we’re particular fans of this versatile camel shade.
Finely Aged: The Macallan Edition 6
If all else fails you can’t go wrong with a bottle of great Scotch. The sixth – and final – release in The Macallan’s Edition series, for this latest bottling the Speyside distillery’s whisky maker Steven Bremner took inspiration from the scenic River Spey scenery. Aged in American and European oak casks, Edition 6 is characterised by a nose of caramelised dates, a palate of toffee, dried fruit and fresh orange with a rich finish of chocolate, citrus, apricot and allspice.
Bag it up: Hackett No. 14 Document Bag
Retired or not, every man needs a great briefcase. Named for its recently opened flagship on No.14 Savile Row, this document bag from Hackett is crafted from 100% cow leather and features an unadorned, minimalist design that just gets better with age. Primed to pair with a sharply tailored suit, it will also look great with chinos and knitwear on more casual days. We guarantee he’ll love it.
Paul Smith shares his autumn essentials…
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