Christmas gifts for men: warm ideas for winter mornings

The best Christmas gifts for men are the ones he wears on Christmas morning and is still reaching for when spring arrives. A dressing gown for dark mornings, flannel pyjamas for cold nights or a pair of slippers for the holidays all suit the season – and the hours he actually spends at home. Here is how to choose, and what to check before you wrap it.

Christmas gifts for men: start with December

December brings long evenings, slow mornings and more days at home than any other month. That makes it sensible to choose gifts for men around the moments he will have over the holidays, rather than only around what he likes in general. Ask yourself three questions:

• What does his morning look like over Christmas – coffee by the window, the papers in an armchair or a long, hot bath?
• Does he feel the cold in the evening, or does he prefer light fabrics even in winter?
• Will he spend the days between Christmas and New Year at home, at a holiday cottage or visiting family?

The answers usually point clearly towards one of four gifts: a dressing gown, pyjamas, a bathrobe or slippers. Work through them below and choose the one that fits his December.

For dark mornings: a warm dressing gown

If he is up early and puts the kettle on before the rest of the house stirs, a dressing gown is an obvious choice. It is worn as an extra layer over nightwear and belongs to the quiet hours before the day properly begins.

The Glencove Black Watch dressing gown is made from an exclusive blend of wool and cotton that is light to wear yet keeps the warmth in during winter. It comes in the classic Black Watch tartan, with a shawl collar, two side pockets, a chest pocket, a tie belt and turn-up cuffs – and a slightly closer fit than our bathrobes, while still generous in room and length.

If he prefers pure cotton, the Oslo dressing gown is a good alternative. It is made from twill-woven, brushed flannel in 100% organic cotton, with classic checks, a shawl collar and satin piping. Browse all our men's dressing gowns, where you will also find Megeve in organic cotton sateen and Davos in a stretch velour.

For cold nights: flannel pyjamas

For the man who always pulls the duvet right up to his ears, flannel pyjamas are a gift with a clear purpose. Flannel has a brushed surface that feels soft and warm against the skin – exactly what you want on a January night.

Oslo pyjamas are made from twill-woven, brushed flannel in 100% organic cotton. Classic checks and plain satin piping give a calm, well-dressed look, and the trousers have an elasticated waist, a drawstring and buttons. The set comes in a black box. Bergen is another flannel set in 100% organic cotton, with a pyjama collar, a chest pocket and drawstring trousers.

If he sleeps warm, consider a lighter fabric instead, such as Rome in light cotton sateen or Innsbruck in cotton poplin. A Christmas gift does not have to be warm to suit winter – above all, it has to suit him.

For long holiday baths: a bathrobe

Some men use the Christmas break for the long baths they never find time for during the week. Here a bathrobe makes more sense than a dressing gown, because the inside needs to suit damp skin. Kattegat and Skagerak both have soft velour on the outside and terry towelling on the inside, and both are made from 100% organic cotton. They are long and generously cut, with a 20–25 cm overlap at the front, and both have a shawl collar, side pockets and a tie belt.

The difference is in the look: Kattegat is plain and simple, while Skagerak is jacquard-woven with a contrasting shawl collar. You will find both among our men's bathrobes.

For the cottage and visits to family: slippers

Slippers are a small gift with real everyday value in December, when floors are cold and more time is spent indoors. Both our models are hand-stitched with fine cross-stitching, have a discreet rubber sole and an open heel, so he can step straight into them.

• Siena is made from navy Italian suede with a matt, understated surface.
• Modena is made from Italian calfskin for a smoother, slightly crisper look.

Slippers take up little room in a suitcase, which makes them a good gift for the man who spends Christmas and New Year at a cottage or with family.

Wrapping, sizing and delivery

A few practical details make the gift easier to give:

• Packaging: This varies from model to model. Several of the pyjama sets come in a black box, while the bathrobes and Glencove Black Watch come in a clear bag. Check the product details so you know whether you need wrapping paper.
• Size: Our products run large. Check the size guide and consider a size down if you are unsure.
• Delivery and returns: Delivery within the EU usually takes 3–5 working days, and there is a 14-day return period from receipt. Note that it runs from the day the parcel arrives – not from Christmas Day – so it pays to check the size carefully before you order.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Christmas gift for a man who says he wants nothing?

Choose something he already uses, in a better version: a dressing gown, pyjamas or a pair of slippers. These are gifts he will put to use straight away, without filling a cupboard with things he does not need.

Dressing gown or bathrobe – which should I choose?

If it is for after a bath or shower, choose a bathrobe with towelling on the inside. If he will wear it over his pyjamas with the morning coffee, a dressing gown is the right choice.

How do I find his size without giving the gift away?

Measure a pair of pyjamas or a gown he already likes and compare it with the size guide. Compare garment measurements with garment measurements – not with body measurements.

For more on choosing nightwear around his habits, read our guide to nightwear as a gift. Happy Christmas shopping.