IF YOUR BIRTHDAY FALLS IN AUTUMN, THEN YOU PROBABLY WON’T BE THINKING OF A PAIR OF SWIMMING SHORTS OR OTHER WARM WEATHER GEAR. THE SEASONS CONTINUE TO CHANGE AND SO MUST THE GIFTS TO MATCH THEM – OTHERWISE THEY ARE OF LITTLE USE UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

Getting the right gifts for men is hard enough at times, but the simplest tip is this – the best gifts are things they can use and enjoy right away and for the next few months rather than something that gathers dust before it becomes usable. Seasonality in gifting is important, and these little tips for the autumn birthdays will hopefully help point you in the right direction…

1. Clothing

So of course we all know that clothing should match the weather, and as autumn draws in, it gets less warm, the days are shorter, and the sunshine (remember that) a little less common. So, whilst we are not wrapping up for a winter expedition, we are now thinking about layers. Building up a great wardrobe of single layers can add diversity and style to a tired collection and one or two of the right kind of accessories etc. can be ideal as gifts for men.

Think hats, and if the man is both stylish and tech friendly, why not combine the two – a nice beanie with built in Bluetooth headphones for example.

Think scarfs, worn with a jaunty knot, a great scarf can change the whole look of an outfit and can be paired with several different ones meaning that you actually need very few of them to complete your wardrobe.

Think cosy, not necessarily for out and about, but for down time at home – the right “leisure-wear” can ensure that he is both stylish and comfortable at the same time. A decent and none scraggy dressing gown will ensure that weekend mornings are both warm and smart.

Socks – we all wear them, so buy some quality woollen socks to complement his suits for work and his outfits for the free time.

Think coats, jackets both for the office and for the match or the pub later on…and given that the football season is in full swing, think of the new kit for their beloved team – whilst sports replica kits are not statements of high fashion, they are popular and will be used.

2. The rest of the best

If he has enough clothes, then buying more will only fill the wardrobes and there is a chance that things may never get worn – hence you do need a one in one out policy – but try and steer away from clothes from time to time, some men like what they have and are uncertain about change…

Tech – there is so much of it that it simply cannot be all referred to in a brief review. However, think indoor tech (seasonality) so think wireless speakers, Virtual Reality headsets or gaming gifts – whilst you may not want to “encourage” him to spend more time in another world, if he loves it, he’ll love the gift and that is what gifts for men should be about – the men.

Aside from tech, he may consider himself a chef/baker, so kit for the kitchen; or a green figured so and so, perhaps therefore a bonsai tree to look after indoors, or if he likes the great outdoors, then some wet weather kit and perhaps a nice engraved hip flask to perk him up when he is getting wet out on a walk or on the golf course.

Think books, a possible subscription service or something to complement his artistic side.

Gifts are for the individual and the best gifts for men are those that have been properly thought through, combining both the knowledge of that individual and about the seasonality and timing of the gift. Engraved hip flasks speak more of wet or foggy days than they do of beaches, just as scarves speak of cool autumnal air and not the dizzy heights of summer. Applying this little logic can improve chances of getting the right gifts for men, for any man, for the man that matters to you or even just as a treat for yourself.

And if all else fails, remember we all wear socks…