That guy. The impossible-to-buy-for, already-has-everything-he-needs guy. Do you know him? Are you him? A real pain-in-the-dick kind of guy, and yet here we are, year after year, scrambling for Christmas gifts for him to match to his unattainable expectations.
There are two directions you can take here; you can treat him like a child and get him something new and shiny that he likes for a few weeks and then forgets about, or you can go down the path of hard-to-find and/or useful. Because we don’t know him (or you), we’ll go with both.
The first stop: Alcohol. The man who has everything often has a penchant for the finer things on the drinks spectrum, and he’s at a stage where a quality drink can be appreciated rather than just sunk with disregard around a glass table at kick-ons.
Two-hatted chef Michael Ryan is the man behind arguably the best Amari this side of the Italian coastline, Beechworth Bitters. Ryan has released 100 limited-edition 5-packs of his range ($230) and is the perfect set to school that guy who says ‘aperitivo’ with an accent.
Amaro pairs extremely well when poured into a gin spritz, and the Never Never Dark Series Olive & Beeswax Gin ($79) (made in collaboration with Sydney’s best bar Maybe Sammy) makes for a fitting partner in crime. When you want to keep in the boss-man’s good books, drop a bottle of a Morris’ Sherry Barrel Single Malt ($145) on his desk, and for the self-proclaimed traditionalist, a bottle of Macallan Rare Cask 2021 Release Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($499) ought to do the trick.
The fact it’s bottled in a decanter is an additional touch of class, but if you’re looking to blow their socks off, it’s hard to go past a Yamazaki 18-Year-Old Single Malt Japanese Whisky ($1,950) for a 101 lesson in high-end brown liquor. And if all else fails, you’ll find yourself in safe, successful territory with a bottle (or even better – a case) or Reposado Patron ($105) for summer-long Tommy’s margs with aged kick. On the topic of surefire quality drops that don’t break the bank, a bottle of Longbranch Bourbon ($65.99) – the creative brainchild of Wild Turkey’s master distillers and Matthew McConaughey – or Buffalo Trace’s award-winning whiskey ($52.90) are easy back bar heroes that can do no wrong.
For the bloke who watches every game, and knows all the stats and every player (but can’t actually catch a ball for shit), a yearly Kayo subscription ($100) will no doubt break any pre-set benchmarks of ‘cost-per-use’ gifts. Tuning in to the footy while ‘working’ remotely will come in extra handy when you pair the subscription with a voucher for Airbnb that can be used anywhere in the world (check out their host awards for travel inspo) or blow the top off with one of Hilton Hotel’s gift stay packages and let him live out his greatest ‘The Hangover’ fantasies.
If he’s the kind of guy that likes to play host rather than guest, likes to kick on rather than kick back, a JBL Partybox Encore ($299.99) comes with a built-in light show and splash-proof 100w speaker. Perfect for the corner of an entertaining deck, by the pool, or for a group weekend away. Make the after-party cleanup a hell of a lot easier with a Roborock S7 Robot Vacuum Cleaner & Mop ($1,199) that will tidy all manner of dusty sin.
Or, if he has a slightly more mature approach to hosting at home, tune up his utensils with a Kai Shun Japanese Chef’s Knife ($227.50) or a Gozney Roccbox ($639.20) that will legitimately have him turning out restaurant-quality steak and pizza like Nonna used to make.
If he’s not quite ready to cook for a crowd, a Fix Dining voucher will put him in good stead for his already-sorted birthday gift of a Roccbox and Chef’s knife. And, for the guy who loves to reminisce on those big party days but is a little past his party prime, a framed print from Rennie Ellis Archive will serve as a constant reminder (in a good way) of the glory days.
The one redeeming feature about shopping for the man who has it all? He’s usually happy with multiple of his core essentials. He can never have too many wardrobe staples, and a Maggie Marilyn Men’s Classic Tee ($95), a Rodd & Gunn Crew Knit ($149), and a five-pack of CDLP Bamboo Socks ($90) are a solid place to start.
Likewise, you can never have too many Board Shorts from P. Johnson ($235), Venroy Linen Lounge Pants ($130), or Worktones Dad Caps ($40).
Looking to help someone take their style to the next level this Christmas? You’ll want that easy-to-wear fragrance that can truly complete the look and lead anyone into the new year with confidence. The new Montblanc Legend Red EDP 100m ($148) embodies that idea, refining Montblanc’s iconic series with an irresistible scent filled with seamless layers of full-bodied juicy citrus, with blood orange and zesty grapefruit rolling into cardamom and herbaceous notes like juniper berry, cedarwood and clary sage.
This article features some sponsored inclusions from brands who have supported Boss Hunting throughout 2022.
