If you’re wondering what do I want for Christmas this year, you’ve come to the right place. Every product listed is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

What do I want for Christmas?

A Christmas list by and for a 40 something year old man (2023)

What do I want for Christmas? A win for Southampton FC would be amazing but I shouldn’t really ask for things that are impossible to buy.

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Gin gifts | Beer gifts | Whisky gifts | Cigar gifts | Chocolate gifts | Sport gifts

Hobbies and bad habits

Hobbies and bad habits are a great place to start when thinking about the things I’d like for Christmas. Whilst I don’t especially “need” anything, I am always very happy to receive gifts relating to gin, beer, whisky, cigars, chocolate, and sports.

As a family, we always try to be quite sensible with budgets, usually between £20 and £50, mainly because there are so many of us, but also because Christmas isn’t especially about the gifts for us. It’s as much about getting together, playing silly games, and eating all of the food – oh, and celebrating the birth of Christ – we do love a good Midnight Mass and Carols by Candlelight service to belt out the old classics.

Gin gifts

I’ve been enjoying gin for a good few years now. About 6 or 7 years ago my partner bought me a gin advent calendar which was a complete luxury, and a lot of fun. And whilst this present would be over budget for a usual Christmas for us, I couldn’t recommend this gift more highly.
If you and your loved one both enjoy gin then this is a great pre-Christmas present to enjoy together.

Gin Advent Calendar – Premium 2022 Edition

Within the snazzy walls of this Advent Calendar you’ll find 24 different 30ml wax-sealed drams of juniper-based brilliance, made by some of the most excellent gin producers around the globe

We tried 25 different gins and made a few notes so we now really know what we both like. I particularly like Old Tom gins.

Langley’s Old Tom 70 cl

GIN. AS IT SHOULD BE: No gimmicks and no pink. Award winning, quintessentially English gin.

I also really enjoy Monkey 47. I got a bottle of this a couple of years ago from my in-laws and it is delicious. 

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, 50 cl

47 hand-picked botanicals, blended with extremely soft spring water, give Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin its unrivaled complexity and quality.

If you are a gin drinker then you will know that the tonic can make or break a good G&T. And personally, I’ve not found any tonic that I enjoy half as much as Fever-Tree tonic.

Fever Tree Tonic Water Mixed Selection Pack (24 x 200ml)

Award winning products which taste clean, subtle and balanced with authentic flavours and perfect carbonation, so just as good as the spirits you’re pairing them with.

The ideal gin and tonic should be 3 parts tonic to 1 part gin so having a good amount of tonic is always a good present.

Another great gin related present for a gin lover is this gin making kit.

The Ultimate Gin Making Kit- Create 10 Bottles of Classic, Colour-Changing & Pink Gin. The Perfect Gin Gift Set. Includes 13 Botanicals, Recipe Book & Rose Gold Accessories!

Vemacity specialises in only Gin Gift Items. We truly are obsessed with Gin! This is the best of Gin Gifts for any Gin Lover. Each Gin Kit is beautifully presented in a stunning Gift Box.

The final gin related gift for my list is a pair of gin glasses. Having the right glasses to drink out of does make a difference. I don’t want to drink a warm gin and this longer stem keeps my ice from melting so quickly.

Beer gifts

Is there anything better than a cold beer on a hot summers day? or after a long week at work? or on any day ending in y?

OK i’ll admit it. I love beer and I don’t care who knows it. So here are some beer related gift ideas that i’d be delighted to recieve in my stocking this year.

To start off I’ve gone for a craft ale selection pack. Since craft ale became a big thing a few years ago I’ve been working my way through a lot of them and there are some new ones here that i’d be very happy to try.

Beer Hawk Traditional Ales Selection, Case of 6 x 500ml Beers 

6 Exceptional Traditional Ales Handpicked by Our Inhouse Experts.

My father-in-law got this next gift for Christmas last year and I have to admit to being a little jealous. The Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser is a thing of beauty. Not only does it look great but it pours a fantastic pint. And whilst we don’t have loads of room in the house I’d be more than happy for this to live in my garden office.

Salter Professional EK4919 Chilled Beer Dispenser

Bring the bar home with the draught beer dispenser from Salter Professional. This draught beer tap is compatible with any universal pre and non-carbonated 5-litre kegs; available online and in supermarkets.

Sometimes you can get a gift that ticks more than one box, and this awesome Star Wars Stormtrooper Christmas Thirst Aid Beer Kit does just that. Beer and Star Wars – What a great gift.

Star Wars Stormtrooper Christmas Thirst Aid Beer Kit

This is an out-of-this-galaxy craft beer gift set!

Officially licensed Star Wars merchandise

Comes with 5 beers, 4 coasters, pitta chips, and a pint glass

Whisky gifts

When I was 18 I got horribly drunk on beer and Bells whisky. Drunk enough not to want to touch whisky again for many, many years. However, more recently i’ve tried a couple and I seem to be truly over my phobia. What I have discovered is that good quality whisky is nothing like Bells (sorry to those who enjoy it). So hear are some that I’d like to try and some whisky related gifts that I think are pretty cool.

Mini Whiskey Barrel by Sharper Image

Made from high-quality wood this cool little whisky barrel holds up to 800 ml of whiskey.

This would make an awesome present and decanter for any whisky fan.

Now this is a whisky I’ve had my eye on for a little while. It was voted whisky of the year for 2022 and I’ve only read good things. It’s not the cheapest bottle you will find but it is something a bit special to savour.

Deanston 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70 cl

A sweet and spicy Highland whisky, with notes of barley sugar, gingerbread and a dry, warming finish.

Aged in second fill traditional oak whisky casks for a minimum of 16yrs and finished in first fill Bourbon casks for 2 years.

If the man in your life likes the idea of Whisky but doesn’t yet know what he likes then this next gift could be just the job.

Whisky Tasting Set – Regions of Scotland – 5 x 30ml Malt Whiskies, plus a Whisky Tasting Glass in Presentation Box

This Whisky Gift Set features Malt Whiskies from the five Whisky producing regions of Scotland: Speyside, Highland, Island, Lowland, and Islay. Taste them all for a truly authentic drinking tour through Caledonia.

Cigar gifts

If you enjoy smoking cigars, there are countless varieties available, not to mention the associated parafinala that you’ll probably be converting and would be delighted to receive as a Christmas gift. Whether you like strong flavours, mild flavours, or something inbetween, there is always something new to try.

The Famous Smoke Shop ship world wide and have a fantastic range of cigars at very reasonable prices. Purchasing cigars online for import into the UK is perfectly legal. It is important to note though that it is possible that cigars coming into the country may be taxed by customs (Though it is often still a lot cheaper than buying from a shop in the UK).

ALEC BRADLEY 9 CIGAR SAMPLER

When it comes to creamy-smooth, rich-tasting and complex cigars, no one does it like Alec Bradley Cigars. This very affordable flavorfest gets you 4 pairs of their outstanding Occidental Reserve Connecticut & Double Maduro, Medalist, and MAXX cigars, plus one of their new Maxx Traditional cigars.

These next cigars are something else and are probably my favourites if I had to choose just one type of cigar. And at a little less than $100 for a box they are great value.

OLIVA SERIE V MELANIO ROBUSTO

The Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto is a top-honored cigar. It scored #8 in cigar Aficionado in 2018. The cigars flavors are true of Nicaraguan tobacco, and well-aged Jalapa valley ligero takes the stick to new heights. It’s full-bodied smoke delivers pepper with hints of chocolate and cream in a natural wrapper. It doesn’t get any better than this!

If you’re looking for some great, sustainable Christmas wrapping options, you’ve come to the right place. Every product listed is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

Eco Christmas wrapping paper

Wrapping up Christmas 2022

Looking for something specific, skip to the right section:

Brown Paper | Colour Paper | Children’s Paper | Gift Tags | Reuseable – Furoshiki | Beeswax Wraps

Classic brown paper

These days, our gifts can be quite understated. For a truly recycled, recyclable option, you can’t beat plain brown paper and paper tape.

Brown Kraft paper roll 

500mm x 25M Classic brown paper, ideal for wrapping presents.

100% recycled and 100% biodegradable
Unwaxed and uncoated, giving it a truly rustic feel.

Made in the UK, British assured quality

Brown paper self-adhesive paper tapes

3 25mm x 50m

Vegan friendly, fully recyclable and eco-friendly.

Easily customisable with string or jute and a sprig of holly or evergreen, or even with a cinnamon stick and slice of dried orange, this timeless classic looks great clustered under the tree.

Colour and print

Trying to avoid glitters, coatings, and other plastics / inks does not mean we have to sacrifice all colour or print.
I re-started knitting in earnest last year. I even hand knitted gifts for nieces and nephews as my skill improved over the course of the year. I’m not at fairisle level yet, but this knit inspired print really takes my fancy for wrapping in 2022.

Recycled Christmas wrapping paperby LittleGreen®

8 Sheets of UK made paper and 16 tags with traditional festive knit print.

100% Recycled, 100% Recyclable Giftwrap.

Otherwise, I’m tempted by this woodland print. I am such a sucker for woodland print fabrics and regularly have to stop myself buying dresses with gorgeous prints. I have succumbed to a pretty skirt with hares and deer hidden in the florals, and I also have a sweatshirt with some very cool fungi printed on it. It’s not hard to see why this festive wrap might have caught my eye.

I might use some leftover cotton yarn to wrap a few times around each gift, in place of ribbon. Because of the colours I used in last years’ Christmas knits, this will work beautifully with both the knit print and the woodland print.

I used to tie little extras on all of the presents. These days I save those touches for the adults who might use the wooden decoration on their tree, or stick it to a homemade card or tag for the following year. If I decide they aren’t too wasteful, these stag heads could be perfect for my Christmas jumper or the woodland inspired wrapping this year.

Wooden deer head decorations

30 wooden stag heads by Lifreer. Perfect as Christmas tree hanging ornaments, DIY crafts, and Christmas gift wrapping.

For the little ones

We have loads of kids in the family. I’m one of 4 ‘children’ and my other half is one of 5. All of us have between 1 and 4 children, so there are many gifts for little ones that need wrapping.

I tend to wrap the children’s gifts in something brighter than the classic brown paper. This year I’m looking at the reindeer and robins. Or possibly the fun Santas with this pretty paper tape.

LittleGreen 100% recycled Christmas wrapping

Set of 8 sheets and 16 tags. 50cm x 70cm. Tags 70mm diameter (all sizes approximate).

Luxury children’s giftwrap, crafted with ultra premium thick 100% recycled and 100% recyclable paper.

Recycled Christmas wrapping paper roll 

44cm x 30m (17in x 100ft), eco-friendly recycled 100gsm wrapping paper.

ECO BOY Polka dot paper tape

UK made. Self-adhesive polka dot design tape. 24mm x 50m. Fully recyclable.

Gift tags

With such a large family, we do need to tag our gifts. Going the extra mile, I’m looking at plantable gift tags. Seeded paper that’s impregnated with British wildflower seeds.

There are hearts, stars, and standard tag shapes. And they feel like a bonus gift, especially for the bug loving children in the family.

Plantable seed gift tags

British wildflower seed eco-friendly gift tags.

An alternative and frugal favourite, especially handy in the current economic climate, is to chop up and use old Christmas cards for tags. If you haven’t got any old cards saved from last year then it might be worth a look on ebay or Etsy. You could pick up a job lot for just a couple of £s that could last you years.

Vintage used Christmas cards for crafting.

Vintage used Christmas cards for crafting.
Selection of pre signed cards for display or craft projects.

Reuseable Wrapping – Furoshiki 

What is Furoshiki?

In the bathhouses of Kyoto people used to carry their garments wrapped in fabric bearing their family crest. This meant that even in a busy changing room, you could quickly identify your things. This fabric doubled as a bathmat while getting dressed. Japanese for bath is “furo,” while the verb “stretch out” is “shiki.” From this, Furoshiki developed, and for hundreds of years, square cloths have been used in Japan to wrap and transport objects.

Furoshiki has had a recent resurgence in popularity as a sustainable alternative to plastic bags and single-use wrapping paper (yes, a huge furoshiki can double as a bag!) and I recently was bought a gift wrapped in this way. And I loved it.

Cat Furoshiki, Reusable Gift Wrapping, Neko, 50 cm x 50cm

This cute & beautiful winter Furoshiki would make a great gift for cat lovers!

This blue whale furoshiki is amazing. Our kids loved watching the blue planet, the British nature documentary series created and produced by the BBC, and would love getting a Christmas present wrapped in this. 

Blue Whale Furoshiki by kata kata 50 x 50 cm

This fun furoshiki is perfect for sea lovers and wrapping kids’ gifts. The fabric is lightweight.

It is designed by Japanese textile designers, Chie Takai and Takeshi Matsunaga. The duo, are known by the artistic name “kata kata” and use traditional Japanese dying techniques in their work.

Each of our 12 top (budget) stocking filler ideas for 2022 part 2 has been carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

12 Top (Budget) Stocking Filler Ideas for 2022 part 2

Part 2

With 4 children we recognise the need to stick to a sensible budget. So these are our top 12 ideas, 7 – 12

The presents

The first two items into the stocking each year are always the same.

Gift 7 – Something to do

This year we bought the kids games and puzzles we knew they’d like.
We enjoy games as a family and as adults have played the adult version of cards against humanity with friends. It’s very rude and very funny game so we decide to try the family version with the kids.

Gift 8 – A calendar

Gift 8 on our list is a calendar. Our youngest loves Minecraft still so we went for that for him. But all of kids like their calendars. We encourage them to write on them the things they are looking forward to for the coming year, birthdays, friends parties etc.

Gift 9 – Something to eat

Sweets, popcorn, pork scratchings, nuts, pretty much anything sweet or salty and our kids will love it.
This year pork scratchings and American sweets have featured heavily on the Christmas lists.

Gift 10 – Something to wear

Any parent of boys will know keeping them in clean socks and pants is vital if you want to survive the stench or ever invite visitors to your home. How they can run around all day playing football, walking to and from school, and then attempt to keep their socks on in bed is beyond grim. But that doesn’t stop them from trying.

Our teenage daughter seems to have entirely avoided this affliction. She likes things that are pretty, and cool.

This year she wants new shoes, and not just any shoes. 

Gift 11 – Something you need

The number 11 spot in the kids stockings is filled with something they need. Often this comes in the form of other (personal) cleaning products, underwear, or socks. Our eldest loves the Penguin brand so we often try to get him some Penguin underwear.

Gift 12 – Something unusual

The final stocking filler spot is filled with something unusual that we have spotted in the lead up to Christmas and that we think the recipient will enjoy. In previous years this has included cookery books, ingredients, stationary, musical gifts and games. This year we have clearly lost our minds. One of the boys has shown interest in learning the harmonica so Santa has taken the plunge. Wish us luck, it could be a very long year.

Well that concludes our 12 top (Budget) stocking filler ideas for 2022. We hope that you have enjoyed it and have found some inspiration.

Merry Christmas!

Each of our 12 top (budget) stocking filler ideas has been carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

12 Top (Budget) Stocking Filler Ideas for 2022

Part 1

With 4 children we recognise the need to stick to a sensible budget. So these are our top 12 ideas.

The presents

The first two items into the stocking each year are always the same.

Gift 1 – A Satsuma

Firstly Santa includes a Satsuma. An ideal Christmas morning snack to start the day with a tiny bit of goodness before the feasting begins.

Satsumas peeling

Gift 2 – Chocolate Coins

Followed swiftly by gift number 2. Some slightly less healthy Divine fairtrade chocolate coins. These taste great but more importantly, help to change the world a little for the better. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. And especially at Christmas, it feels right to buy fairtrade.

Gift 3 – Something to read

Gift number 3 tends to be a book of some description. I personally love getting the Beano Annual every year. The kids like all sorts of books, but of course this year will be getting a copy of Twelve Feasts of Christmas. I might even sign them for them if they’re really lucky.

You can always buy a copy too – just click the button.

Gift 4 – Something to make them smell nice

4th on our list of 12 top (budget) stocking filler ideas for 2019 is as much for us parents as it is for the kids. Santa likes the kids to have something that will stop them smelling quite so bad. And at times they can smell pretty B.A.D! So a nice shower gel or deodorant set goes down well. With kids who all love sport this is a must.

Our teenage son is always stealing my Man Cave shower gel (Set available for £35.00). I think he’s trying to impress someone.

Gift 5 – Something they will really love

The 5th present into the sack tends to be the main treat gift. Watching the kids open something that is a big surprise and will make them squeal with delight is what Christmas morning is all about. In the past this has been gifts such as new football boots, that computer game they’ve wanted for ages, and designer jeans. This year, with two teenagers and two teenage wannabes, it’s likely that Santa will be focusing more on designer clothes again than toys and games. Pokemon and sports equipment however may still make the cut. Until the kids’ letters to Santa are written then anything is still possible.

Gift 6 – Something to drink

Present number 6 is often the kids’ favourite tipple. This varies from child to child. Curiosity Cola is loved by some but hated by another.

We all fell about the place when the tale was relayed to us so Santa will probably get him a bottle every year, until he learns to be more grateful.

So that concludes the first half of our list.

Want to read part two of our 12 top (Budget) stocking filler ideas for 2022? Then you can find it here – 12 top (Budget) stocking filler ideas for teens.