10 best 30th birthday gifts for him: From watches to decanters

Know a man who’s teetering on the brink of the big 3-0? Why not get him something extra special to cushion the blow when he finally lands in adulthood proper?

Thirty – it’s the unglamorous gateway to a world of mortgages, boring life-insurance policies and potential parenthood. It’s the age at which, for want of a better phrase, things get real.

It’s also an age by which likes and dislikes are etched in stone. People tend to know what makes them tick by now, which can make gift buying a painstaking and risky business.

But fear not, some things transcend taste. We’re talking timeless, functional, luxurious and thoughtful items. The sort of things he might not think to buy for himself, but that he’ll find himself using every day.

That’s what makes the perfect 30th birthday gift for him. And that’s exactly what we had in mind when we compiled the following selection.

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From quality clothing to future family heirlooms, we thought long and hard about what we’d like to have received on our 30th and scoured the shops for the best deals.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Seiko 5 automatic sports watch

Proper automatic timepieces can easily fetch into the thousands and even the tens of thousands, but you don’t have to pay a premium to get a solid self-winding watch. Japanese brand Seiko’s SKX line of watches was that rarest of things: a line of affordable tickers that even horological connoisseurs crooned over. The line has sadly been discontinued now, but the Seiko 5 is its replacement, and with a more accurate movement and refined looks, it’s arguably even better.

It’s inexpensive by “proper” watch standards, but its durability, versatility and timeless appeal go above and beyond its modest price tag. A perfect gift that is likely to outlast any man who wears it.

Buy now £279.00, Endclothing.com

A.P.C. urban mac

Every man should have a good overcoat hanging up in his wardrobe. It’s a magical garment that has the power to make almost anything look stylish and intentional. Hoodie and joggers? No problem, throw a beige car coat like this one from A.P.C. on and you could happily blend in at Paris Fashion Week.

This coat is the sort of thing that fashion journos mean when they talk about “investment pieces”. Is £400 a lot for a coat? By most people’s standards, yes. But will he still be reaching for it 30, 40 or even 50 years from now? Again, the answer is a resounding yes.

Buy now £385.00, Apcstore.co.uk

Admiral Sporting Goods sweatshirt

Simple staples like T-shirts and crew neck sweats form the backbone of the casual wardrobe. They’re fundamental to dressing well, and yet so many men let them fall by the wayside. That’s why some high-quality basics make such a great gift; it’s something he might not think to treat himself to, but it’ll transform his wardrobe from the ground up.

We really love what the guys at Admiral Sporting Goods are doing when it comes to tees and sweats in particular. This is well-made gear that fits like a proverbial glove and just smacks of quality.

Take this classic crewneck for example. It’s spun from heavyweight, pre-shrunk cotton (no nasty surprises after the first wash) and bears all the hallmarks of premium construction. It’s the sort of thing your grandparents are getting misty eyed about when they say, “they don’t make them like they used to”. Except they do, and here’s the proof.

Buy now £80.00, Admiralsportinggoods.com

Comme des Garcons wonderoud, 100ml

Statistically speaking, men are far less likely to buy a fragrance for themselves than women. But that doesn’t mean they don’t like receiving them as gifts. A luxury scent is something special that he probably wouldn’t shell out on of his own accord but that he’ll appreciate nonetheless.

Comme des Garcons’ wonderoud is one of our favourite premium men’s fragrances. It’s a smokey, woody, earthy blend that lends itself perfectly to evenings and special occasions. This is a fragrance he can call on when he wants something more refined than his day-to-day cologne, and with some serious silage and longevity going for it, it might even last him until 31 or 32.

Buy now £95.00, Libertylondon.com

Red Wing moc-toe boots

At 30 years old, he’s officially an adult. No grey areas about that. With that in mind, isn’t it about time he had a pair of boots befitting his age? The sort of boots that he can grow old with? We’d say so.

American heritage leather-goods label Red Wing has been making some of the sturdiest boots in the game for well over a century. These particular moc-toe ones have become something of a hero piece from the brand. They’re hardwearing and stylish in equal measures, which has endeared them to everyone from grease-stained mechanics in the American Midwest to coffee-shop hipsters in Peckham. Plus, they really do get better with age. Maybe you can make a little joke about that in his card? You can have that one for free.

Buy now £269.00, Peggsandson.com

Ray-Ban original wayfarer

Interesting fact: did you know that Ray-Ban wayfarers suit everyone? No, really. The mix of hard and soft lines with circular and square edges means this frame will work whether his face is round, oval, heart-shaped, hexagonal or otherwise. We defy you to find anyone who doesn’t suit a pair of these mid-century classics.

That’s part of what makes a pair of wayfarers such a great gift. Sure, they’re timeless and well-made, but there’s also the peace of mind that comes with knowing they’ll look great on their intended recipient.

Buy now £104.80, Ray-ban.com

Miansai silver and cord bracelet

Men are finally beginning to look beyond wedding bands and watches when it comes to jewellery. Why not get the man in your life involved by giving him something special from one of the most talked about brands for men’s jewellery around?

This simple cord bracelet from Miansai is perfect whether he’s a nervous newcomer to the world of male jewellery or a decorated (literally) veteran. It’s super subtle, tasteful and comes finished with a sterling-silver fastening for a little glint of luxury.

Buy now £50.00, Mrporter.com

Waterford stacking tumbler and decanter set

There comes a point in every man’s life when he must stop drinking cheap lager out of cans and start drinking real liquor out of proper glasses. Well, not really, but it’s nice to have the option to do both.

This three-piece set has everything a man needs to drink single-malt scotch like a member of the landed gentry, including two intricately detailed crystal tumblers and a matching decanter to hold his poison of choice, be it Ardbeg or Ribena.

Buy now £140.00, Selfridges.com

Kai wasabi black knife set

A good set of Japanese knives is the sort of thing he’ll always talk about getting but never actually get around to investing in. Why not take matters into your own hands and treat him to this set of three Japanese chef’s knives which has everything he needs to take his culinary chops to the next level.

Included in the set is a 10cm utility knife, a 15cm utility knife and a 20cm chef’s knife. The blades are made from high-carbon stainless steel and they’re hardened to 58 degrees on the Rockwell scale (that’s a scale that measures the toughness of steel and 58 is pretty damn tough). The perfect gift for any amatuer food enthusiast.

Buy now £109.95, Knivesfromjapan.co.uk

Stack Magazines subscription

Everything is available online now, including magazines, but there’s still something special about a good old print. Give his eyes a break from the smartphone screen and help to keep the print industry afloat by treating him to a physical subscription instead.

Don’t know what magazines he likes? Don’t worry, this cool little service from Stack Magazines will supply him with a different independent magazine every month for a not unreasonable £70. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Well, for 12 months anyway.

Buy now £70.00, Stackmagazines.com

The verdict: 30th birthday gifts for him

A good watch is a guaranteed winner when it comes to 30th birthday presents and the Seiko 5 is so timeless and versatile that he’s bound to adore it. We love the way it can be dressed up or down with ease by swapping a bracelet band for a NATO strap, and at well under £300 it’s an absolute steal for an automatic timepiece.

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