Valentine's Day: Top gifts for him - tried and tested
After something for the man in your life this Valentine's Day?
We've tried and tested the below, to give you the best of options when it comes to gifts for your other half.
No matter the man's age, there's bound to be something for him below:
Ted Baker Copper EDP - £40 (100ml) - http://www.tedbaker.com/uk/Mens/Accessories/Fragrances/COPHUN-Copper-Cu-mens-fragrance-Assorted/p/139933-ASSORTED
5 out of 5
From the Ted Baker Tonics range is Copper, with a stunning blend of grapefruit, fresh aquatic, warm pepper and cedarwood.
Though marketed as 'bright and intense', this cologne is suave and moreish - ideal for men of a range of ages and suitable for an array of events.
A gorgeous, long-lasting scent presented in a very attractive matt black bottle, with a removable textured jacket bearing the metals section of the periodic table.
Other fragrances in this range are Gold and Silver.
Peaky Blinder spirits: spiced rum, Irish whisky and spiced gin (over 18s only) - £24.99 per bottle - https://www.31dover.com/
4.5 out of 5
Made at Sadler's in Lye, Stourbridge, each in this wonderful trio of spirits offer an excellent gift for a Peaky Blinders fan this Valentine's Day. Each of the bottles are 70cl and beautifully presented with a wax-dipped top. All of these are 40 per cent ABV.
The whisky is strong, but smooth - and though lovely on its own with ice, really excellent with a mixer.
The gin, meanwhile, is dry but bursting with juniper and other botanicals and spices. Delicious with tonic.
The spiced rum was without doubt our favourite, however - boasting a rich, dark rum flavour, with fruity notes of orange, nutmeg, vanilla and raisin. Delicious on its own, or with a mixer.
The Bluebeards Revevnge Cut-throat Razor Kit - £34.99 - https://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/product/the-bluebeards-revenge-cut-throat-razor-kit/
5/5
This four-piece kit is a great gift for the man in your life - and ideal for a wide range of ages (just as long as they're old enough to use the razor safely!).
Though putting together and properly using the razor is a little tricky at first, once mastered this cut-throat razor gives a wonderfully close shave.
Blades must be bought separately, however.
Also included in the set is the traditional shaving cream and 'Doubloon Bristle' shaving brush - both of which are superb to use and very effective.
Post-shave balm is also included - and this is very nice, with a lovely scent and great results in terms of reducing redness and irritation.
Zippo wallet - £14.90 - https://www.zippo.co.uk/home/3344-brown-leather-zippo-money-clip-wallet-4045233021664.html
5 out of 5
This wallet is the ideal gift for the man in your life, made from a lovely, soft leather and with a slim, convenient design.
The bi-fold wallet from Zippo can hold up to six cards, with space for notes at the back.
It also has a money clip, to keep notes securely in place.
The wallet bears the famous Zippo logo and comes in its own giftbox.
Great value for money and ideal for a range of ages.
Metaxa 12 Stars - £30 - over 18s only - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/metaxa-12-stars/442253-585443-585444
5 out of 5
This divine spirit hails from Greece and is a blend of brandy and muscat.
The smooth, rich drink is 40 per cent ABV - and the ideal gift for any brandy lovers or fans of sweet, sipping spirits.
Though very strong and reminiscent of a few Mediterranean brandies, this spirit has added depth, with notes of toffee to round off the taste with every sip.
A beautiful drink made with Muscat wines exclusively from the Aegean island of Samos.
Hot Rocks Massage Stones gift set - £12.99 - https://www.findmeagift.co.uk/gifts/hot-rocks-massage-stones-gift-set.html
4 out of 5
Turn your very own home into a relaxed spa getaway with this hot rocks set.
The set comes in a bamboo case with everything you need to create a relaxing, zen spa - including a set of rocks in a velvet bag, soothing candle and vanilla-scented incense sticks with a small holder.
For those who are not familiar with rock treatments, a small booklet is also included with the set that outlines the benefits of rock treatments, and how to safely use the rocks to relieve tensions in different areas of the body.
As someone who has never had a spa treatment, I found the set incredibly easy to use with the detailed yet small booklet and simple set. I suffer from upper back pain fairly regularly, and have found that this hot rocks set has helped alleviate the tensions that make me so uncomfortable.
The booklet details some oil treatments that can be done with the rocks, yet the set doesn’t come with any oils or suggestions of oils to use if you wanted to give this a try. Despite this, I found the incense sticks in the set a nice touch to entice all of the senses and create a real spa atmosphere.
Andrew James Cast Iron Fondue Set - £27.99 - https://www.andrewjamesworldwide.com/kitchen-c1/dining-entertainment-c10/social-dining-c93/andrew-james-cast-iron-fondue-set-p285
4 out of 5
Treat your Valentine to a romantic meal or sweet treat for two, with a fondue of your choosing - cheese, flavoured oil or chocolate.
This set is quaint and attractive, made from a lovely red cast iron, with a delightfully-shaped top which has resting places for eight colour-coded forks; also ideal for parties.
It works with a gel fuel burner - the gel for which must be bought separately.
The set also includes a plate to protect surfaces and non-scratch feet on the pot stand.
Our only complaint with this set is the instructions are not very clear and could have done with pictures to illustrate which parts are what.
A great tool for a very reasonable price, however.
Cointreau and Night Time Walks book set - £32 - https://www.harveynichols.com/brand/cointreau/2567401-cointreau-with-night-time-walks-book/p3003891/
4.5 out of 5
This set is ideal for those who love indulgent, sweet liqueurs. Cointreau is absolutely delicious served on its own, over ice, in a cocktail, in coffee - and even over ice cream or pancakes.
Cointreau is a unique blend of sweet and bitter orange peels distilled in Angers - making for a beautifully rich and luxurious treat for lovers of triple sec fans.
This package also comes with a limited edition book penned by Alfred Cointreau, the sixth generation of the Cointreau family, discussing his adventures as heritage manager. Part of this role sees Alfred travel and meet bartenders and cocktail lovers, mixing cocktails until dawn. From partying in the craziest cocktail bars to visiting centuries-old distilleries, this book is a selection of Alfred’s most memorable experiences and some of his favourite spots around the globe. It also includes some cocktail recipes.
Vita Nuova book - £36.95 - http://www.foliosociety.com/book/VNA/vita-nuova
5 out of 5
Dante Alighieri’s classic meditation on love, beauty and spiritual awakening has been lovingly re-worked by The Folio Society to create an exquisite Valentine’s day gift.
Written between 1292 and 1294, it is the first of Dante’s major writings and the essential precursor to his Divine Comedy.
The Italian work of art has been translated by Mark Musa for an English audience, with the original words laid out alongside the translations for readers to appreciate the original work.
The book is littered with a series of beautifully detailed illustrations, and introduced by Daniel Egnéus to add new life to the already captivating book
The beauty of Alighieri’s words have been encapsulated in the way this book is presented, with both it’s beautiful illustrations and presentation, bounded in cloth with its very own protective sleeve to prevent damage.
750 years after the author’s birth, the Vita Nuova still sings today, and the Folio Society have once again created a stunning gift for the book lover in your life this Valentine’s Day.
Romantic Valentines Cake Selection - £14.99 - www.blackberrycottagefayre.co.uk
5 out of 5
With vegetables used as the main ingredient, this unique and alternative romantic gift will make you fall in love with sweet treats all over again.
The cakes are all hand made in small batches using the brand’s own vegetables and eggs where possible - giving this selection a unique and personal feel.
Each cake is decorated beautifully with rich icing in pinks, purples and creams, as well as with vibrant flower petals that make these cakes stand out from your average confections.
There are five different flavours within the box for you to choose from - including rose and courgette, violet and pumpkin, orange and butternut squash, carrot cake with vanilla frost and fruit loaf with parsnip and lemon icing.
The fruit loaf and carrot cake were both packed full of fruit and vegetables with a thin and sweet layer of icing on top. The rose and violet cakes were both bursting with a flowery and sweet flavour, while the orange and butternut squash cake - my firm favourite - was sharp and tangy.
The cakes boasted wildly contrasting flavours, which made working through the box an even more enjoyable task.
All of the cakes were moist and decadent, and kept very well. The cakes were eaten two to three days after delivery, and could easily have been baked and served right in front of me.
Boasting big portions, amazing flavours and beautiful presentation - the Romantic Valentines Cake Selection from Blackberry Cottage Fayre is the perfect gift for your lover with a sweet tooth.
Alien: Augmented Reality Survival Guide - £25 - https://www.carltonbooks.co.uk/alien-augumented-reality-survival-manual.html
3/5
Fans of the sci-fi film series Alien can enjoy this book with a twist this Valentine's Day.
Presented as an interactive survival manual, the augmented reality animations bring your favourite Xenomorph to life, via a smartphone, or tablet.
Readers can study a Xenomorph autopsy, witness an alien egg hatch and see the attack of a face-hugger.
Though this is a great idea - and a super gift for older children - we found it a little underwhelming and, as such, rather pricey at £25.