People are always telling me that the men in their lives are difficult to buy for. Well not any more! I have put together a comprehensive list of gift ideas for men, with something to suit any budget. And the best bit? Most of them support small businesses, some are handmade, and they're all eco-friendly! (By the way, I haven't received any incentive or payment to recommend these products; they're all things I have bought/tried myself and think they would make lovely gifts. We stock some of them at Simply Bee Eco.)
Grooming
Perhaps an obvious choice, but most men require some level of grooming, and many will appreciate a Razor and Shaving Soap Gift Set or some natural shower, hair or beard care products. These plastic free, paraben free, palm oil free, colourant and preservative free, alcohol free, formaldehyde free Rugged Nature products are made using only natural ingredients and are suitable for even the most sensitive skin! You can buy them as a set, or individually to make up your own gift box. (Just so you know, some of these products contain beeswax so may not be suitable for vegans.)
Clothes
Buying preloved is a great way to buy designer brands for a more affordable price, and to give an extra life to clothes that would otherwise be destined for landfill. They're usually great quality, and some items have never even been worn! Vinted or Depop are a good starting point, or if you enjoy wandering around a shop for inspiration, charity shops have plenty on offer, with the bonus of knowing that your money will go to a good cause.
If you'd rather buy new, Eco Threads specialise in turning landfill and ocean waste into fashion; their jumpers and original cut t-shirts are created from 100% recycled waste, and they're certified Climate Neutral, Organic, PETA Certified and Fair Wear (no slave or child labour, safe working conditions, contracts etc).
Accessories
Who doesn't need a personalised travel mug? Or a personalised water bottle, pen, or notebook? Etsy have all of these and more, all from independent businesses, plus they offset 100% of the delivery and packaging emissions.
If you're looking for something extra special, you can't go wrong with an new rucksack or wallet from Lost in Samsara, like the one in this picture which was made from recycled tyres and empty cement bags! Lost in Samsara is a fair trade social enterprise that creates job opportunities for disadvantaged artisans and guarantees fair wages.
Grow Your Own
Is the man in your life a keen gardener? Or perhaps you'd like him to be... break him in gently with a Grow Your Own Kit! Etsy have herb gardens, bonsai trees, curry gardens and even cocktails and roast dinners, so there's bound to be something to suit! There's also plenty of gardening books, so you could pair one up with some vegetable seeds and have him grow your food for the year! If you're lucky and there's some availability, you could even look at renting an allotment to grow them in.
Books
If he loves to read, you can't go wrong with a new book. World of Books is my go-to for great quality pre-loved books, and they even buy back when you're finished!
If he'd like to learn more about living sustainably, The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide is a great starting point, with stacks of practical, down to earth ideas to slot into daily life, alongside a gentle kick up the butt to put his newfound knowledge into action!
No Cost Gifts
Of course, not all gifts need to cost money, and they don't even need to be physical products (who wants more things to tidy up anyway, right?) Most men enjoy spending time with their families, so perhaps you could arrange a day trip to that place you've been putting off going to! (Don't forget your Bamboo Cutlery for the picnic though!)
Geocaching is a fun and free activity for the whole family. It's basically a scavenger hunt using the GPS on your phone! You can download the free app and get started straight away - all you need is a pen to sign the log book (and I would definitely recommend some tweezers!). There is a premium subscription available, which allows you to find more and different kinds of caches, but the free app is more than sufficient for a beginner.
Another option is to make some vouchers for a special treat, like a lie in or breakfast in bed. You could even get some speciality tea for an extra treat. Nuditea have an amazing range of high quality, ethical and sustainable loose leaf teas (just don't forget your reusable tea bag!)
I hope that's of some help. There's bound to be something here that will suit the man you're shopping for, whether it's for a birthday, Father's day, Christmas, or any other event. What's your go-to gift for men? Something in this list, or something else? Let me know in the comments 💚