HomeLEISUREReviews10 gifts for men they’ll actually use (and love)  

10 gifts for men they’ll actually use (and love)  

Yup, it’s that time again! Christmas shopping and wondering what to get that special man in your life? Look no further, we’re coming to the rescue!  

Boyfriends, dads, best guy friends, even new dads – shopping for men can be tough. But before you start stressin’, know this: Choosing the best gifts for men can be straightforward. Don’t overthink it.

But first, don’t think for a second that we included any ugly tie that he’ll just be throwing in the back of his closet. No, these are thoughtful gift ideas that he’ll actually, gladly use.

Below, you’ll find items for the active dad, the fun boyfriend, the homebody FIL, and the friend who always has the music on full blast! We’ve thought of it all with these 10 must-have Christmas wishlist items for your special someone.

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Kecks – For the bold outdoorsy man

Who said underwear had to be boring? Kecks are designed for anyone who loves getting active. From outdoor lovers to gym junkies. Kecks is a range of proudly South African men underwear and women’s bikinis. They boast many amazing properties such as quick-dry; anti-chafe; stretchy; and comfortable making them suitable for anyone who loves living an active lifestyle! With their snug fit and zero chafe, you won’t want to wear anything else! The Kecks fabric is resistant to chlorine, sun, and sea salt! Yes, you heard it right here! All the Kecks designs come in a variety of sizes from Small to XXLarge. Kecks are designed to be stretchy, and to and retain both their shape and colour – that is the Kecks promise to you! Plus, where they can, they use recycled fabrics as they are committed to helping the environment and reducing their carbon footprint. Details: kecks.co.za

Karu cosy brown sheepskin and wool Slippers – For the at-home kinda man

These are not any old slippers, these are Karu slippers. Karu Cosy sheepskin and wool slippers that have luxurious soft wool inners, suede leather outers, sheepskin collars and rubber soles. This style has a fully enclosed heel, perfect for those lazy days at home. They also come in black, charcoal grey, chocolate brown, light grey and sand colours. Spoil that special man in your life to these beauties!

Pesky Hobbit Gin – For the gin-lovin’ man

Because who doesn’t like a good Gin! Distilled and bottled in Woodstock, Cape Town, this gin brings a proudly South African flair to the beverage industry with its local roots, its local ingredients, and its local founders. New to hit our shelves, this drink is making waves in only a short time for its zesty flavour which is sure to get those tastebuds talking. Pesky Hobbit Craft Gin was born as the result of surviving a difficult COVID-19 shutdown period, not only for themselves but for South Africa as a whole – which is a testament to their business ethic and brand image. They define the roots of their brand, as being crafted during a time when we as a nation longed for togetherness and the spirit of Ubuntu was needed more than ever. A celebration of 15 locally sourced botanicals each contributing to an unrivalled and memorable taste. The flavour profile presents strong evidence of rose geranium, passion fruit and zesty citrus particular lemon and orange. The herbaceous contributions come from a delicate amount of wild rosemary, buchu and cinnamon sticks. Details: phgin.co.za/our-gin

Hyperice hypervolt plus percussion massager – For the fitness fundi man

Recovery is key! If a foam roller still doesn’t manage to bring tension and relief to someone’s aching and sore muscles, the Hypervolt by Hyperice is the next step in pain relief. Essentially percussion massaging, the Hypervolt is lightweight, making it easy to move around your body to relieve pressure wherever it may linger. Furthermore, a set of swappable heads makes for a customised experience that’s easy to tailor to an individual’s needs. Trusted by all kinds of sports professionals, from Tennis player Naomi Osaka to Golfing legend, Rory McIlroy, it’s a professional-grade relief right in the comfort of your own home. Going away this festive season? Not to worry, the Hypervolt’s compact, ergonomic design helps it fit easily in your bag so you can bring serious muscle-massaging relief with you anytime, anywhere.

Rogue cooler – For the adventurous man

For a man that loves the outdoors. This compact, grab ‘n go cooler, has all the serious insulation features of the Rogue brand. Based upon a 1940’s classic cooler design – the lid seals closed with a clip-over stainless steel handle and is guaranteed to last a lifetime. Some of the features include: the most solid and indestructible cooler on the market; UV treated rotomoulded plastic icebox, single-piece mould with no joins or weak points, virtually indestructible; filled with eco-foam for the best insulation possible; rubber gaskets lid closure for a tight seal; rubber non-slip feet on the underside to prevent sliding; stainless steel handle clips onto the lid for a tight lock and comfy carrying, and a bottle opener underside of the lid. Details: rogueicecoolers.com  

JBL Charge 2+ Speaker – For the music lovin’ man

The renewed JBL Charge 2+ is an ultra-powerful, ultra-big-battery portable Bluetooth speaker with high-quality stereo sound. Revamped with fresh styles and a splashproof design, the Charge 2+ takes the party everywhere – be it poolside or dancing in the rain – and amplifies the excitement with JBL Bass Radiators. The speaker is powered by a 6000mAh battery that provides an incredible 12 hours (max) of playtime and can charge all your devices, like your smartphone or tablet, via USB. Charge 2+ also comes with a built-in noise and echo-cancelling speakerphone so you make crystal clear calls with the press of a button. Trade-off as DJs with your friends to share everyone’s favourite tunes with Social Mode by connecting up to 3 music sources to the speaker and taking turns playing music.

Core silicone rings – For the committed man

Show how much you love someone with a Core Silicone Ring. Crafted to fit your lifestyle, wear them to work, the gym, on the sports field, or wherever life’s adventures may take you. Shop from their Lean or Bulk range, or simply purchase a gift card for them to use at their own discretion. And for those couples who share Facebook accounts, you can wear matching rings too (haha). Details: coresiliconerings.com

Keto Nutrition – For the healthy man

Be your best self! Keto Nutrition is everything you need to improve your performance every day. They make products for athletes and people who want to eat and perform better.

Their products use the least possible number of ingredients and are as close to whole foods as possible, while always ensuring they taste great. All products are made to the WADA regulations and contain no banned or regulated substances. We love their Keto Sport Enduro Plus for long rides, racing and high-intensity sessions. A perfect balance of carbohydrates and electrolytes will allow for maximum output with l-glutamine and BCAA’s to assist with recovery while in activity. Keto hydration powders are made to support athletes’ requirements at a Marco and micronutrient level. The overwhelming feedback is that people who have struggled with cramps and muscle fatigue in training and racing have had excellent results when switching to Keto HydroPlus or EnduroPlus. Details: ketonutrition.co.za

Rise – by Siya Kolisi – For the man who likes to read

His truth. His story. In his words. Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, and the first black man to lead his country in over 128 years of South African rugby share his story in Rise. In an extraordinarily intimate memoir, Kolisi charts his story from being born into the impoverished Zwide township, to leading his proud nation to an astonishing victory at the Rugby World Cup in 2019. However, Rise is not simply a chronology of matches played and games won; it is an exploration of a man’s race and his faith, a masterclass in attaining a positive mindset, and an inspirational reminder that it is possible to defy the odds, no matter how they are stacked against you. The title, Rise, is inspired by Siya’s mother – Phakama – which translates to the book’s name, as well as a celebration of his Xhosa heritage. Available at Exclusive Books.

Pepe Jeans Celebrate for him – For the man who likes to smell goodWhy not spoil that special man with their favourite cologne or try out something new like Pepe Jeans Celebrate for Him by Bacher and Co? Launched in 2019, the nose behind this fragrance is Jerome Di Marino. The top notes are Black Currant and Lime; middle notes are Cacao, Cinnamon, Tonka Bean, Clary Sage and Juniper; base notes are Amberwood, Patchouli and Birch. He’s bound to love it and smell good whilst doing so.

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