Christmas Grooming Gifts for Men That Actually Get Used

The grooming gifts men actually use are the ones that replace something they already use, only better: a good beard trimmer to replace a tired one, a refill-size version of the product already on his shelf, a decent comb, or an experience such as a hot towel shave. The gifts that end up unopened are the boxed sets of five scents he did not choose. The trick is to look at his bathroom before you shop, match the gift to his hair and beard, and favour one excellent item over a bundle of average ones.

Why most grooming gifts get left in the drawer

From behind the chair, we hear the same story every January. A man arrives with a gift set he has not opened, asks what the clay is for, and admits he has gone back to whatever he used before. The reasons are predictable:

• Wrong hair type. A heavy pomade given to someone with fine hair that falls flat under weight.
• Wrong beard length. Beard balm for a man with three days of stubble.
• Fragrance he did not pick. Scent is personal, and most men stick to one or two.
• Too many steps. A seven-piece routine for someone who currently uses soap and a towel.

Avoid those four traps and you are most of the way there.

Do some quiet research first

Before you buy, spend two minutes looking at what is already in his bathroom. You are checking for:

1. What he uses in his hair, if anything. A tin or tub tells you the finish he likes: matte, natural or shiny.
2. How he shaves. Electric, cartridge, safety razor, or a beard trimmer and no razor at all.
3. What is nearly empty. A better version of a product he is about to run out of is almost guaranteed to be used.
4. What is visibly worn out. A trimmer with a blunt blade or a comb missing teeth.

That short audit will steer you away from most mistakes.

Gifts that get used, by type of man

For the clean-shaven

• A good shaving brush and cream. A brush lifts the hair and spreads lather evenly, which is one of the most reliable ways to a more comfortable shave. A synthetic brush is a safe choice: soft, quick to dry and easy to look after. We cover the options in our guide to shaving brush types.
• A safety razor, but only if he is curious. For a man who already gets razor burn, it can be a real improvement. For someone happy with his cartridge razor, it is a hobby he did not ask for.
• A plain, unscented aftershave balm. Gentler than an alcohol splash and suits more skin types.

For the bearded

• A quality beard trimmer with a range of guard lengths. This is the one gift most bearded men will use every week. Look for a sharp blade, good battery life and fine length adjustments.
• Beard oil or balm matched to length. Oil for short beards and the skin beneath, balm for longer beards that need some hold.
• A wooden comb or a boar-bristle brush. Inexpensive, durable and genuinely useful.

For the man who styles his hair

• A larger size of what he already uses. Unglamorous, but it will not be wasted.
• A good comb. A saw-cut comb glides through hair rather than snagging it.
• A hairdryer with a nozzle, if he has thick or unruly hair. Most men who try blow-drying with a little product are surprised at the control it gives.

If you are not sure which product suits his hair, our guide to clay, wax, pomade and paste explains the differences.

For the man who says he wants nothing

This is where an experience beats an object. A hot towel shave is a classic present for exactly this person: around 20 to 30 minutes of being looked after, hot towels, lather, a straight razor and a cool finish. Nothing to unwrap and add to the drawer. A haircut and beard tidy before a big event, booked for him, works on the same principle. If you would like to arrange a visit at our barbers on Archway Road as a present, email us and we will tell you what we can do.

A quick buying checklist

• Have I seen what he uses now?
• Does it suit his hair type and beard length?
• Is it one well-made thing rather than five average ones?
• Is it unscented, or a scent I know he likes?
• Can he use it without learning a new routine?
• If it is electrical, does it come with a UK plug or USB charging?

Four ticks and you are probably fine. Six and you have done better than most of what is on sale.

What to avoid

• Multi-piece gift sets in elaborate packaging. You are often paying for the box. Individual products from a decent range are usually better value.
• Strong fragrances in everything. If the shampoo, beard oil and moisturiser all smell different, he will smell of none of them in particular. Unscented or lightly scented is safer.
• Novelty kits. Moustache-shaped soap and the like get a laugh on the day and a place in the bin by February.
• Anything requiring a skill he does not have. A cut-throat razor makes a lovely object, but shaving with one takes patience and practice.
• Skin products if he has sensitive skin unless you know the ingredients agree with him. The NHS advice on contact dermatitis explains why fragrance and certain preservatives can cause reactions in some people.

Timing a grooming gift

If the present is a cut or shave, think about when he will want it. Late December is the most crowded period in any barbershop, and most men want a cut a few days before Christmas parties and family gatherings, not after. Our guide to timing your Christmas haircut covers why booking early matters. A gift that gives him a slot in the quieter January weeks can be more useful than it sounds, especially once the party season has left his hair overgrown.

If you would like to give a cut or shave as a present, the Highgate Cuts barber menu lists what we offer, and we can suggest a sensible time to book. For products, order early in December. Popular trimmers sell out, and returns in late December are a hassle for everyone.

Questions we get asked

What is a good grooming gift for a man who has everything?

An experience rather than an object: a hot towel shave or a haircut and beard tidy. Or a higher-quality version of something he uses every day, such as a better trimmer.

Are grooming gift sets worth buying?

Sometimes, if the set comes from a range he already uses. Otherwise, one carefully chosen product usually gets more use.

Is beard oil a good gift?

Yes, for a man with a beard of a few weeks or more. For stubble, a good trimmer is the more useful present.

What grooming gift suits a teenager?

A simple, light hair product and a decent comb. If he has started shaving, a basic routine with a gentle cream works better than complicated kit.

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