The long-awaited yearend is here - a time for gift-giving, celebrations and some well-deserved recharging. With special holidays marking the coming weeks, you're probably scanning for items that a loved one might need or like. Don't worry - to help you jog your memory and streamline your shopping spree, we came up with a series of holiday gift guides. Each listicle in our series can be catered to a spouse, dear friend, parent or child.
Kick off the holiday season with this gift guide for the special man in your life. Here, you'll find expert-picked watches, phablets and the coolest smartphones, followed by the best-rated noise-cancelling earbuds, perfumes and more.
Most of the treats in our curated list are practical for work or daily use, with a few items thrown in to pamper your partner. Get some of them on discount, and use Amazon Prime for free, one-day delivery and get it ahead of time!
1. Best Viral Phone: Nothing Phone (2), 12GB RAM + 256GB
Pros
- Interesting design with glyph interface
- Excellent AMOLED display quality
- Fully charges in 55 minutes
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
Cons
- Camera quality could be better
Looking for the ultimate wow factor? Start off strong by gifting your partner a phone that's still turning heads, after it went viral on social media in 2022. The latest version of the Nothing Phone (1), which made it to our list of smartphones worth buying in 2022, is an affordable 5G smartphone that makes for an eye-catching gift. Our phone expert called it "similar to the iPhone 12 in terms of design", except it lights up at the back with every call, notification and battery alert. This is an LED glyph interface under a see-through back, where unique customisable patterns indicate incoming calls, texts and emails, so your partner can quickly decide whether to answer or not in a work meeting. At under Dh2,000, you’re getting a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, dual 50MP cameras and 4K video recording. It keeps a 5G-enabled chipset by employing the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, making it faster and more battery-efficient than the Phone (1).
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh166.58 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh114, and a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh190.
2. Best Watch: Fossil Men's Quartz Watch
Pros
- Ultra-thin profile for lightweight, daily wear
- Vintage colour combination
- Easy-to-read face due to the contrast
- Authentic leather strap
- Water resistant in up to 50 metres
Cons
- Crown can be sharp, some reviewers report
Minimalist watches are trending this year, which is why Fossil's quartz watch is sure to be a winning gift. It caters to no-frills design in playful ways. This slim, three-hand piece brings colours to the table while still retaining its overall vintage inspiration. Brown leather, a blue watchface and stainless steel dial shift the conversation from 'bland' to an accessory that actually adds character. The 44mm black casing is slimmed down to a lightweight profile, allowing the dial to sit flush against the wrist, which reviewers find comfortable to wear day after day. It's accompanied by a genuine leather strap. Buyers call their purchase simple but tasteful, just the watch for casual occasions. It's water-resistant at up to 50 metres of depth.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh23 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh44.
3. Best Phablet: Microsoft Surface Duo, 265GB
Pros
- Dual-screen display for multitasking
- Large 8.1-inch merged screen
- Lightweight at 250 grams
- Optimised for Microsoft productivity apps
Cons
- One 11MP camera, for both rear and selfies
A practical gadget for work meetings, especially if your partner travels often, is a two-in-one phablet. More screen real estate means they'll be able to clear tasks faster, thanks to two 5.6-inch screens that fit in the palm of a hand. We're referring to the all-new Microsoft Surface Duo, a phablet that experts say is one of the best foldables out there. This productivity device folds inwards and outwards, each with the ability to run different applications at the same time. Plus, according to our mobile tech pro, the separate screens have a visible hinge in the centre, "so there's less likelihood of damage", such as a cracked display. It's surprisingly light at 250g, and folds into a smartphone for calls and texting, too. Without a doubt, the Microsoft Surface Duo is going to be your spouse's go-to work phone.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh209.92 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh171, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh285, and a two-year damage protection plus a one-year extended warranty for Dh363.
4. Best Grooming Kit: Philips Multigroom Series 9000, 12-in-1
Pros
- 12 attachments for face and body grooming
- 120-minute battery life
- Comes with skin guards, combs, nose trimmer and more
- Blades don't need oiling for maintenance
Cons
- Clippers are narrow. say reviewers
Perhaps it's time for a grooming kit upgrade? Surprise your partner with a premium trimming set by Philips, on the bathroom counter. It's a multi-styling kit, consisting of 12 attachments for a full-body session, from nose and ear trimming to hair grooming. The cordless unit runs for up to 120 minutes after a single one-hour charge, designed to be water-resistant so that it can even be used in the shower. Reviewers say the blade cuts through thick hair well, without tugging on strands. And Philips promises no rusting and no oiling is needed for its blades. The entire kit can be stored in an included pouch. Check out electric shavers here.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh18 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh25.
5. Best Earbuds: Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
Pros
- Active noise cancellation feature
- Six mics for calls
- Punchy, warm bass
- Connects to two Bluetooth devices
Cons
- Battery might run out faster than stated
An all-rounder pair of earbuds to attend to calls, listen to tunes and exercise with - the Liberty 3 Pro by Anker is a solid gift choice for an audiophile. The active noise cancellation feature works so well that reviewers say they don't have to turn the volume all the way up. It comes with six mics for superb audio clarity over work calls and connects to up to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, letting you switch between your phone and laptop seamlessly. With the charging case, the battery life can be stretched to 32 hours of wireless playtime. The buds come with four ear tips and ear wings of various sizes to fit the wearer the best. Check out more options for earbuds here.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh47.
6. Best Beard Grooming Kit: King C. Gillette Beard Grooming Kit
A grooming kit is like a makeover in a bag. This versatile kit includes a beard and face wash, a beard balm that nourishes and conditions, and a premium beard comb in a stylish toiletry bag. Infused with natural ingredients, like coconut water and argan and avocado oils, it leaves the skin feeling fresh, clean and soft. Snag it for your partner and watch him glow.
7. Best Wallet: Levis Men's Wallet, Card Case and Money Organiser
Simple and rugged, this Levis wallet features nine credit card slots, three slip pockets and one flip-out ID window. Made with 100 per cent coated leather, the wallet has an RFID (radio-frequency identification) blocker to prevent card theft. Buyers praise the high-quality material that'll last them years and find it the perfect size for everyday use.
8. Best Perfume: Hugo Boss Bottled Night Eau de Toilette
As one of the best rated men's perfumes on Amazon - which over 16,000 4-start reviews will attest to - Hugo Boss' Bottled Night is going to be a surefire hit. The eau de toilette features top notes of lavender and birch, middle notes of African violet and base notes of musk. The striking bottle, in midnight blue, is a favourite for reviewers, since it doesn't just smell great, but looks great on the vanity, too. Suitable for men of all ages, it makes for an excellent gift this holiday season.
9. Best Briefcase: Polare Leather Briefcase
Get him a trusty leather briefcase that will see him through the years, for work. Polare's premium bag is handcrafted with 100 per cent full-grain Italian leather, with cotton interior lining. Its padded laptop compartment can hold a laptop up to 15.6 inches in size, while the main pocket can accommodate a larger device of up to 16 inches. Five-star reviewers are impressed with the heavy-duty craftsmanship and charming design that has gotten them compliments from coworkers. Check out other laptop bags here.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
