Care of Carl's Definitive Guide to Gifting

The best presents are not always the most expensive, but those with a personal touch. A thoughtful gift that seems tailored to the recipient shows not only that you have put time and effort into your choice, but also that you know and understand the recipient well. Gifts can also feel personal by way of tradition, for example those same socks you always give to your dad on Father’s Day. To help you find presents with a personal touch, we suggest some of our favourite choices, categorised according to budget, occasion, and the recipient’s personality and interests.

For the Italophile

For many men, there is just something special about Italy, not least when it comes to style. Once bitten by the Italy bug, it’s easy to find oneself obsessing about the country, its culture, and artisanal traditions. For the Italophile, presents displaying the magic words ‘Made in Italy’ are a sure-fire winner. Here, we have chosen iconic Italian apparel such as sunglasses from Persol, a rollneck jumper from Zanone and an elegant shirt from Finamore Napoli. For the novice Italophile, a book such as The Italian Gentleman is an excellent alternative.

Size isn't Everything

Sometimes you just want to give something small that feels like a safe bet. If the recipient has just moved to a new home, candlesticks and candle holders are often well-received. A fascinating book, atmospheric scented candle, or elegant wallet are often highly appreciated gifts that most can find a use for.

For the Man who Has It All

We all have that one man in our lives whose wardrobe and game room are already overflowing with enough clothing and gadgets to last a lifetime – the question ‘is there anything you would like?’ often goes unanswered. As he already has an overfull wardrobe, an additional piece of clothing seems somewhat superfluous. For him, it’s time for us to ‘think outside the box’ and look at slightly leftfield gifts that he will both appreciate and use. If he owns a lot of knitwear, a clothing brush is a useful gift; if he loves beautiful and fascinating reads, a bookstand is an interesting and elegant addition to his home décor; if he is a writer, an exquisite writing instrument from Montblanc makes for a trusty, life-long companion.

For the Anglophile

British Style and the United Kingdom’s rich tailoring tradition have, to varying degrees, had an influence on all style connoisseurs. Even today, the British Isles are home to some of the most illustrious names in menswear men’s accessories. For the man who appreciates true craftsmanship, we suggest a necktie or dress scarf from Drake’s. A waxed jacket from Belstaff or a duffle coat from Gloverall are about as British as it gets. A handmade umbrella from Fox Umbrellas is an unexpected gift that will also be a useful companion for much of the year.

Care of Carl Classics

For this final selection, we have picked a few items that embody the Care of Carl philosophy, and that we consider to be our classic gift choices. With timeless elegance in mind, we suggest a jacket from Baracuta and Boglioli’s classic K Jacket. A denim shirt from Ralph Lauren, a pair of brogues from Crockett & Jones or a pair of socks from Falke are just a few of the gifts that we feel are sure to be appreciated by any stylish man.