The Best Birthday Gift Ideas for Him

When it's your partner, the stakes feel higher. You want birthday gift ideas for your husband or boyfriend that show you actually know him, not just a last-minute grab from the nearest shop.

Start with what makes him feel good. A stylish watch he'll wear every day (you could also get it engraved at a jewellers for that extra personal touch), a luxury dressing gown for those slower weekend mornings or a fresh bottle of his favourite aftershave are easy wins. Thoughtful, useful and guaranteed not to end up in the “nice but when would I use this?” drawer.

And if you really want to make his day, pair it with something you can enjoy together. A proper home-cooked meal with a great bottle of something says more than any big gesture.

Whether he's the brother who "doesn't really want anything" or the one who's already ordered his own gift by the time you ask, buying for brothers is never straightforward. Don't overthink it.

If he's a foodie, a gourmet hamper full of things he'd never pick up on a weekly shop does the work for you. If he's more of a "just get me something useful" type, put together a curated gift box – think designer boxers, his favourite aftershave and a pair of Mr Men socks that'll take him right back to childhood – it gives it that perfect balance of thoughtful and no-nonsense.

And if all else fails, there's no shame in the ultimate backup plan: an M&S gift card. It's not giving up, it's giving him exactly what he wants. He just doesn't know what that is yet.