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10 best Valentine's Day gifts for him under £50

Go the extra mile to find the perfect present for your man

Thursday 21 January 2016 13:56 GMT

Stuck for ideas on what to get your man for Valentine's Day? We've rounded up a range of gifts, from gift sets to far quirkier options that are sure to delight him when 14 February arrives.

We've tried to steer clear of the typically heart-shaped fare which dominates the shelves at this time of year, and instead have gone for gifts that you might not ordinarily pick - and what's more, none of them will cost you more than £50.

1. Herschel Supply Co Chapter Washbag in Navy: £25, Asos

Everyone needs something to store their toiletries in on weekends away and we love this box-style design from Herschel. The blue wash bag comes with a white zip opening, red lining and holds a significant amount of stuff (five litres' worth to be precise). There’s also a handy zip opening on the front for anything that needs to be kept separate. At £25 it’s very reasonably priced too.

2. Barbour Scarf and Gloves Gift Box: £47.95, Barbour

Buying this set from British brand Barbour is a safe bet if he’s hard to buy for. The 100 per cent lambswool scarf and gloves will keep him warm on chilly nights while the classic tartan design is a timeless option that will see him through many winters. There are three tartan styles available – red, grey and green – all with matching plain-coloured gloves. Coming in a branded gift box, it makes for a practical and stylish Valentine’s Day present.

3. Ralph Lauren Pebble Leather Card Case: £49, Ralph Lauren

Available in black and brown, this card holder is made of leather and has a cotton lining, giving it a luxurious feel. It’s a great alternative to a chunky wallet, with six card slots to make use of. The easily recognisable Ralph Lauren logo is embossed on the front while the brand name is printed on the back. It’s the ideal gift if he’s into designer labels.

4. ST&G’s Marvellous Map of Great British Place Names: £28, Ordnance Survey

Map fiends will appreciate a carefully chosen bit of wall art from the masters of British cartography, Ordnance Survey. There are lots of options to choose from, depending on where his interests lie. From 3D maps of the Alps for planning outdoor adventures, to our favourite, this vintage-style map of funny place names. You might find your next road trip is to Golden Balls in Oxfordshire or Beer in Devon (there are lots of ruder ones, too). It’s A1 size, printed on quality, thick 150gsm paper.

5. Jimbob Art Eat My Cake In My Pants: £22.50, Etsy

Not only are Jimbob’s animal-themed illustrations witty, there will probably be one that rings true about the man in your life. This “I eat my cake in my pants” plate featuring a louche-looking badger caught our eye. If that doesn’t fit, there are others including “Biscuit Bandit” and “The Cheese Sloth”. The plates themselves are quality bone china and 20cm in diameter, so side plate size, but there are also mug stacks and prints in the collection.

6. George Jensen Corkscrew: £49, Selfridges

Is he a wine lover that scoffs in the face of a screw top? Then get him a swanky designer corkscrew to go with his posh bottles. This one is designed by a Swedish architect, made from polished stainless steel and is reassuringly weighty and makes light work of opening a premier cru. If you’re feeling flash, get a bottle of the good stuff to go with it.

7. Roullier White 5 Pairs Men’s Silk Socks: £35, Trouva

Seriously upgrade his sock collection with this luxurious pack. Coming courtesy of Roullier White, which specialises in high-end perfumes but also has an extensive lifestyle range, it comprises five pairs of 100 per cent silk socks, coming in black, grey, beige, dark grey and dark blue. The comfort they give is supreme, and you won’t see his big toe poking through after a couple of wears and washes.

8. Calvin Klein Pack of Three: £41, John Lewis

Boxers are a classic Valentine’s Day gift, so if you’re going to do it, make sure you do it right. You can’t go wrong with this pack of three from Calvin Klein, in black, white and grey (no novelty designs here). They might be on the pricey side, but they’ll last for ages, such is the quality of materials and design.

9. Flying Vinyl subscription: £20 per month or £216 per year, Flying Vinyl

If you both share a love of vinyl, you’re not alone – sales of music on wax have skyrocketed in recent years. It’s what gave rise to subscription services such as Flying Vinyl, which will bestow upon your loved one five exclusively pressed 7-inch records, an artist info booklet and more every month. It focuses on music discovery, mixing up-and-comers alongside more established acts like James Vincent McMorrow and Swim Deep. It’s £20 per month, which you can cancel any time, or you can opt for a full year’s subscription for £216. Music lovers, rejoice.

10. Eden Mill Love Gin, 42%: £35, John Lewis

Our favourite booze bloggers, Two Thirsty Gardeners, picked out this Scottish gin as one of their best boozy gifts for Valentine’s Day – you can read their other suggestions here. The drink itself is a romantic pink colour, and they praised it as “an easy drinking choice that will impress even the most hard to please gin lover”. We’ll drink to that.

The Verdict: Valentine's Day gifts for him under £50

Our top choice is the Herschel wash bag, which he'll use all year round, but which also makes a nice gift if you're planning a romantic trip away. If you're after something that both of you will enjoy, we'd recommend the Eden Mill Love Gin.