CHRISTMAS GIFTS: FOR HIM

When it comes to writing up gift guides, the 'For Him' is usually the ones I find the easiest. Purely as the choice is limited to aftershave, XBox games, beer making kits and PS4 games. Give a man 4 hours of uninterrupted game playing and he's bright eyed and bushy tailed.

However, I also know that men do love a Christmas Stocking pun intended (he really will love those too), and so it's nice to show your appreciation of his support by wrapping up some extras under the tree for him.  It's also a great and subtle way to nudge him in the right direction of a skincare regime and and introducing him to something that will make him smell rather pleasant for a change.

Here's my pick this year!

Clinique For Men Kit Voyage £39 www.clinique.co.uk

This great little kit contains everything for a complete skin care regime, without him having to 'try too hard'.  It contains a face wash, face stub, moisturising lotion and anti-age eye cream in travel sizes so ideal for his gym bag, travel holdall or to try before splashing out on the full size.

The products are formulated for normal to dry skins and each work together to make skin look and feel smoother and brighter.

Clinique For Men anti-fatigue eye gel £24

I have a friend who likes his skincare products and uses this religiously.  It's 100% fragrance free, ophthalmologist and allergy tested so suitable for everyone.  The cooling roll-on gel instantly revives and refreshes tired eyes and is perfect for anyone who has to stare at a computer screen all day.  The best part is the discreetness of the easy roller-ball style, and that the product sinks in quickly so can be used throughout the day.

Label.Men 3-Step Grooming Kit £23.75 www.labelm.com

Including 2 award winners this mens grooming kit is all he needs to create a variety of hair-styles and textures.  It contains a 250ml Scalp Purifying Shampoo to rid of any excess build-up and dandruff; 100ml Grooming Cream, which can be used as a pre-styling product and to create definition and thickness and finally a 50ml Deconstructor, a paste based creme for more hold and root lift. The products are formulated with ingredients to help promote hair health and prevent scalp irritation. All this encased in a black travel bag, makes it a good all-rounder gift.

Ben Cohen Grooming Tools Facial Styling Kit £19.95 www.eleganttouch.com

Make sure he doesn't develop a Father Christmas beard this year with this great moustache and beard grooming kit.  It contains a specialised comb and pair of scissors that give detailed precision to keeping his tache just how he likes it and comes in a handy wipe-clean charcoal toiletry bag. It also contains a 5 year guarantee, so should any of the tools lose their usability they will be replaced!

Pall Mall Barbers Cologne Sandalwood & Clove £40 www.pallmallbarbers.com

A masculine and fresh scent for men, that's perfect for winter with top notes of spicy cloves, smooth almond, earthy cardamon and base notes of comforting vanilla, sensual tobacco and calming sandalwood.  Ideal for day or night, the smell gently lingers without being over-powering and is suited to the dependable, confident man.

Scuderia Ferrari Black £30 www.boots.com

A fragrance for the sporty, zesty and fast-paced living man. This fragrance is sleek and sure to set pulses racing, with essences of sparkling apple, bittersweet plum and spicy warming notes of cardamom and cinnamon.  A blend of woody notes reveal the final layer of this fragrance with cedar wood and amyris wood making it a scent you'll just want to nuzzle up to.

Parlay The Ultra Black Rum 50cl £28 www.parlayrum.co.uk

Launched only in July 2016 in the UK, this rum is infused with only the highest quality ingredients.  Let him sit back in his favourite chair and take a glug of this triple distilled rum, containing raisin, tangerine, cherry and vanilla.  The result is a mellow, fruity flavour that will send a ripple of warmth through his entire body.  The bottle is classy in black and gold and the drink itself can be partnered for a cocktail or simply on it's own.

Rituals Maharaja D'Or Oriental Essence £39 www.rituals.com

Take a journey into the orient with this spicy, warming eau de parfum exclusively launched for winter.  The sleek design mimics the very wearer of this scent, someone who is masculine, confident and has that air of mystery.  With notes of cardamom, pine and patchouli it mimics the aromatic essence of royalty and the utter luxury found within the golden palaces of India.

Corkcicle Air £20 www.root7.com

This has to be the ideal present for any wine lover and for men who have everything! Simply use this cork to keep white wine chilled and cool down room-temperature reds to cellar temperature! Not only does it keep wine the perfect temperature but this ingenious product aerates by creating oxygen bubbles as you pour out the drink. This in turn enhances the flavour of all wines! A unique and excellent gift for both men and women!

Men's Heaven by Deborah Mitchell prices from £5.50 www.heavenskincare.com

A little while back I introduced the boyfriend to some Heaven Skincare and I didn't really expect him to have much of an opinion, as he isn't 'into his skincare' (golf and it's a different story). Well how wrong was I - he absolutely loved it to the point when I asked him for some hints for Christmas he said 'that Heaven cleanse stuff '.  Well luckily for him he's definitely on Ms Claus's good list this Christmas as I'm introducing him to some more products, and yes the Heaven Shave Shower Shampoo Step 1 £37 will be included.  FYI this is a fabulous product that can be used all over the body in the shower as well as a cleanser on the face pre-shave!

Most of you will know I'm personally a huge fan of Deborah Mitchell's range, and this is evident from how many times I've put the brand in the press and online. Quite simply it makes my skin look and feel incredible.  Well if you have a man to buy for who likes the creme de la creme, then this is definitely the brand to go for.  Each product contains  organic, luxury ingredients that soothe the skin, help create a perfect shave and treat the most sensitive of skins.  Go online, browse and I promise you - he will be delighted.