Gifts for a male friend

A closer look: First to 200 points wins, but each extra card risks flipping a number already in front of you, which busts you out of the round. The deck holds twelve 12s but far fewer low cards, so big numbers score well yet bust players more often. Freeze, Flip Three and Second Chance cards add twists, and the box says ages 8 and up.

Why we picked it: A fast push-your-luck game that gets louder with every round. Teenagers and adults get equally hooked.

• 3+ players
• Quick rounds
• Easy rules
• Pocket size

What owners say: Brilliant fun for all ages, easy to learn and perfect for trips and holidays.

A closer look: Up to 24 hours of play from its 5,200mAh battery means days of bedroom listening between charges. Two drivers give a proper stereo spread, which suits a desk or bedside shelf. After a session in the shower or a soaking at the park, dry it off and let the charging port dry out before plugging it in.

Why we picked it: Waterproof, so it’s as happy in the shower as it is at the park, with big bass for its size.

• 12W with BassUp
• Waterproof (IPX7)
• Bluetooth

What owners say: Excellent sound and more than loud enough for its size, with a solid Bluetooth range.

A closer look: Two to five can play, and the first to lay down three complete property sets in different colours wins, so it works for a couple on the sofa as well as a table of colleagues. Reference cards remind everyone what they can do on their turn, which stops first-timers slowing the game down. The box says 8 and up.

Why we picked it: All the scheming, stealing and gloating of Monopoly, in about 15 minutes. Office lunch breaks will never be the same.

• Swap, steal and scheme
• 15-minute games
• Easy to learn
• Pocket size

What owners say: A great take on Monopoly: quick, easy to pick up and hours of fun.

A closer look: Pump as soon as the last glass is poured rather than at the end of the evening, as the less time the wine spends open, the better it keeps. Only one stopper comes with it, but extra Vacu Vin stoppers work with the same pump, which helps with a red and a white on the go. Skip it for fizz: a vacuum draws the bubbles out.

Why we picked it: The original wine saver: it pumps the air out so an open bottle stays fresh for days. For those rare occasions a bottle isn’t finished.

• Vacuum pump + stopper
• Clicks when sealed
• No batteries
• Fits most bottles

What owners say: Easy to use and keeps wine fresh for several days.

A closer look: It’s small enough for a kit bag or hand luggage, so it tends to get used after every run or gym session rather than living in a cupboard. It switches itself off after 10 minutes, and a USB-C charger you already own does the charging (there’s no plug in the box). Very bony or sensitive spots are better left to the softer heads.

Why we picked it: Phone-sized at 0.43kg and quiet, with five heads, five speeds and a case to carry it in.

• Phone-sized, 0.43kg
• 5 speeds, 5 heads
• USB-C charging
• Under 40dB
• Travel case

What owners say: Owners are surprised by how much power there is in something so small. It’s easy to hold, the battery lasts, and it’s a favourite after a run.

A closer look: One USB-C port works in both directions, so the cable that charges the phone also refills the power bank, and a USB-A socket covers older leads. A small digital display shows how much charge is left at a glance. Plugging it in every Sunday night is a good habit, so it’s full whenever the school bag needs it.

Why we picked it: Slim enough for a blazer pocket, fast-charging, and backed by a three-year warranty. The end of the “my phone died” excuse.

• 10,000mAh
• 22.5W fast charging
• USB-C
• Slim and pocketable
• 3-year warranty

What owners say: Charges fast, fits in a jacket pocket and can fill a phone about twice.

A closer look: Ground spices lose their punch over time, so they’re for cooking with now rather than saving for a special occasion. Keep the bottles away from the hob and out of direct sunlight, as heat and light fade flavour fastest. Paired with a simple curry or barbecue cookbook, it makes a warm housewarming present for someone setting up their first kitchen.

Why we picked it: Twenty-four spices and blends in a smart box, from smoky BBQ rubs to curry staples. Plenty to experiment with.

• 24 spices and seasonings
• Gift box
• Rubs, herbs and blends
• Great for curries and BBQ

What owners say: A lovely variety and great value. The little bottles look beautiful on the shelf.

Heads up: The jars are tasting size, so it’s about variety rather than volume.

A closer look: The sizing covers women’s UK 5 to 11 and men’s UK 4 to 10, a safe bet when you don’t know someone’s shoe size. The reading socks hide a message on the sole, which only shows when feet go up on the sofa. They’re machine washable, and turning them inside out first helps keep the pattern crisp.

Why we picked it: Lots of designs, from book lovers to dog people, in a gift box. Pick the one that fits the person.

• Gift boxed
• Soft cotton blend
• Lots of designs
• One size fits most

What owners say: Cute, comfortable and soft, and they always get a laugh.

A closer look: Everything comes ready ground, so it won’t suit a bean-to-cup machine that grinds its own beans; check how they brew before buying. Brew each origin the same way, one at a time, and the differences between, say, Brazil and Ethiopia really stand out. Once a pack is open, fold it tight, clip it and keep it in a cool cupboard.

Why we picked it: Six single-origin coffees from around the world, so he can work out whether he’s a Colombia man or an Ethiopia man.

• 6 single origins
• Ground, ready to brew
• Vacuum-packed
• Gift box

What owners say: Great variety and lovely fresh taste, and it looks smart enough to give as it is.

Heads up: The bags are tasting size (50g each), so it’s a sampler rather than a month’s supply.

A closer look: With noise cancelling on, expect up to 8 hours per charge and 40 in total with the case, and a 10-minute top-up before leaving the house buys up to 3 hours. Six microphones help calls cut through wind and traffic, and a two-way translation feature covering 100 languages could earn its keep on a school trip abroad.

Why we picked it: Proper adaptive noise cancelling and hi-res sound for far less than AirPods, from Anker’s audio brand. Great for the bus, the gym and revision.

• Adaptive noise cancelling
• Hi-res sound (LDAC)
• Secure fit
• Long battery life

What owners say: Phenomenal sound for the money, with a secure fit that stays put at the gym.