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40 unique birthday gift ideas for men, starting from £9
Bet you didn't know half of these things existed
Is it just me, or does it not get any easier buying presents for your S.O. year after year? You’d think that as the years went by, it would eventually feel like second nature. But knowing exactly what they already own/don’t like takes most of the generic gift ideas (Aftershave! A sweater! Beef jerky!) off the table.
Don't freak out, though – instead of putting a ton of pressure on yourself to find the most thoughtful, sentimental, unique birthday gift for him (which takes forever and sounds like a lot of work), why not get a professional to help with your situation?
Hi, remember us, your friendly neighbourhood Cosmo shopping experts? Whether you’ve been together for five years and already used up all your good gift ideas on previous anniversaries or are only two weeks into a new relationship and don't know their favourite colour yet, you’ll find something that makes you go, “Wait, this is genius” in our list of 40 unique birthday gifts for him.
Best unique gifts for him, at a glance
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Or maybe you’re not shopping for a S.O. at all: it could be a father, brother or father-in-law. Fortunately, I’ve have covered the lot as below you’ll find presents from him no matter their age, interests or relationship to you.
I have also included gifts that fit a wide variety of budgets, whether you’re trying to go all-out with a luxury gift or trying to find a gift idea this year (without him noticing lol). Basically, I thought of it all so you don’t have to.
Shop for your boyfriend/husband/brother/dad/situationship now, thank me later!
I’ve recently introduced a Brick into my home and it has transformed mine and my boyfriend’s productivity. Simply connect the apps you’d like to the Brick (I’d highly suggest any doom-scrollers, like TikTok and Instagram) and once you tap your phone against the device, it will lock you out of those apps.
To reactivate the apps, tap on the device again. The best part is, you don’t need to log out of anything to use the Brick – it really is so simple to use and the productivity payoffs are 10/10.
Marvis is the toothpaste for the fashionable. You’ve probably spotted this tube on a carefully curated Instagram feed – but it’s way more than just good looks. Formulated with fluoride and xylitol, the creamy, non-gritty paste controls oral bacteria, protects against cavities and enhances your pearly-white smile.
IDC what you think. A high-quality toothbrush is such a cool present to receive – especially when it looks as chic as a SURI.
Shelf appeal aside, this has to be one of the smartest toothbrushes I have used. Complete with a timer, a pressure sensor and a travel case that features a built-in UV-C LED light to kill 99.9% of bacteria – I mean, what’s not to love? It also has a long battery life, with one charge lasting four weeks.
If you don’t know Duke + Dexter, get to know. This is one of my favourite shoe brands RN. And it’s not just me who loves its modern twist on the traditional loafer – celebs including Matthew McConaughey, Eddie Redmayne and Nick Jonas have all been spotted wearing the brand’s penny loafers. The one caveat? They come at a price point of around £250. If that’s not your level, I’m equally as obsessed with the card holders – and so is my boyfriend.
If he’s a fan of matcha (who isn’t?) this Earl of East matcha Café Candle is a non-negotiable gift – and, if you live with the receiver, you’ll get to benefit from it too. The scent has that same fresh, creamy aroma as matcha and the candle is housed in a mug so you can then reuse the votive once the candle has burnt through.
Is he coffee obsessed? Bialetti is one of the best brands if you’re shopping for a stovetop coffee maker – specifically those designed for espressos. The price point is affordable and there’s something about this that would look very cool displayed on a kitchen cabinet.
I’ve gifted a fun LEGO set to every man in my life – boyfriend, brother, father, boyfriend’s father, literally everyone – and they have all been chuffed to receive one. The best part is, this is an easily personalised gift as LEGO pretty much has a set for all kinds of hobbies and interests, whether that’s Star Wars, animals, F1 or Harry Potter.
With that awkward in-between weather upon us, this American Vintage fleece gilet is not only a sensible present to gift someone but also a very stylish one. Perfect to throw over a long-sleeved T-shirt, this will provide an additional layer of warmth without having to go full-on coat. I’m also obsessed with the variety of colours it comes in, so you’ll find the right one no matter who you are shopping for.
Even the man who has everything probably doesn't have this. This beer dispenser can takes nearly any can or bottle of beer and gives it some serious froth. Pretty cool, right?
The vibrating gifts we recommend are usually of a different type but hear me out! This textured foam roller helps take care of their muscles and can lessen the risk of injury (whether they're weightlifting, training for a marathon, or just in need of some pain relief after sitting at a desk all day).
A fidget pen they can keep by their office desk? Sounds like the perfect we’ve-only-been-dating-for-a-month-but-I-wanted-to-get-you-something-chill-but-useful b-day gift to me. Just don’t place the magnets directly onto a laptop!
If movie nights are your favourite thing to do together, take them to the next level with this projector. It works both indoors and outdoors and will instantly upgrade your usual laptop (or, God forbid, smartphone) movie sitch.
Trick out your favourite grill master’s kitchen with this smart meat thermometer. It connects to an app and displays temperatures from a distance, so hovering over the hot grill for an hour can be a thing of the past.
Messy desk? He needs this organiser that literally does it all. It'll charge and display his phone while storing his headphones, watch, tablet, glasses, and any other knick-knacks that end up on this catch-all tray.
SOMA Double Wall Glass Tea and Coffee Cold Brew Bottle
This sleek double-walled bottle is sure to keep their coffee or tea at their preferred temperature for hours. They can make cold brew in this bottle overnight so it's ready to go for their morning commute, or steep their cup of tea while getting ready.
Birthdays are great for reminding you of (1) how old you are and (2) all the experiences on your bucket list that are yet to be had. This book is the perfect gift for the adventurer who’s constantly looking to plan his next trip.
This one is for the man who is constantly misplacing his wallet. Get this: It’s a wallet with a built-in holder for an AirTag that’ll allow him to easily track it. You’ll be saving his life with this gift, my friend!
HOSHANHO Magnetic Knife Block 14 x 10 Inches
If the guy's practically a chef, he'll love displaying his expensive knives on this cool magnetic block.
Are they a frequent traveler? High-quality noise-canceling headphones make a huge difference on long-haul flights when it comes to tuning out the drone of the engine. These Beats Studio Pro headphones come in a variety of cool, neutral shades that anyone is sure to love.
A Himalayan salt plate will change his world. He can use it to flavour his favourite meats or as a platter to serve cheeses and appetisers. And despite what you may be thinking, it is actually really easy to clean.
Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
Daisy Maldonado is an editor who covers everything from the latest fashion news to deeper looks at beauty culture and the internet’s most talked-about pop culture moments. She’s especially interested in the intersection of style and digital culture, and loves exploring what the trends we follow say about us. When she’s not writing, she’s probably four pages deep on The RealReal searching for vintage designer pieces or planning her next trip abroad (she lived in Paris for a year and hasn’t stopped talking about it since). Her work has appeared in Vogue, Bustle, Allure, and many more.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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