Spreading good tidings and cheer comes a bit more naturally at this time of year. You might suddenly find yourself buying mince pies for the office or happily picking up the drinks tab. ’Tis the season of generosity, after all. Exactly how generous you decide to be depends not just on how nice a person you are, but the state of your bank balance. To that end, we’ve put together a guide of classic men’s gifts – think scarves, socks and wallets – with options for all budgets. Whether you want to save or splurge this festive season, you’re sure to find something he’ll like.

We may have dreaded the sight of them when we were young – a time when we’d much rather have an Xbox than a pair of socks – but they’re a well-received gift now that we’re all grown up. First, they’re useful. Second, we rarely get around to replacing them ourselves. Come to think of it, when was the last time you refreshed your own sock drawer?

Novelty socks – and we can’t stress this enough – are unlike novelty ties for several reasons, the most notable being that they are still capable of bringing joy, not scorn, on Christmas morning. Give this wolfish pair from Welsh sock-maker Corgi to wild-at-heart friends and family or those with a deep appreciation for ironic 1990s trends.

We’re not sure precisely when we all clubbed together and decided Fair Isle was a suitably Christmassy pattern, but it is, which is why every shop you stroll into at this time of year looks like an explosion in a Scottish knitting factory. Anonymous Ism’s patchwork pair is less twee festive novelty, more Japanese craftsmanship at its finest.

No one needs cashmere, silk and wool-blend socks, which is precisely what makes them an excellent gift, especially for those with judicious taste. Crafted by Charvet, the Parisian label that’s been keeping men in fine shirts since 1838, this emerald-green pair will win over even the most discerning gent.

A wallet is an ostensibly practical item, but the need to carry cash or, indeed, cards, however, is quickly disappearing. A well-made wallet or cardholder, then, is the sort of thing that will appeal to traditionalists. And that includes anyone who has experienced the supreme humiliation of unceremoniously waving their phone at a waiter’s card machine with little effect when trying to settle a bill in style.

Small but perfectly formed, this compact cardholder is the handiwork of lauded Italian leathermaker Il Bussetto, which uses time-honoured techniques to craft its wares. Plus, the discreet shape will fit neatly inside a stocking.

WANT Les Essentiels is, as its moniker implies, a purveyor of classic, timeless designs, things that don’t really age and, indeed, get better as time goes on. Which is precisely what a wallet, an item that will get considerable use, needs to be. This deep navy example, made from the brand’s hard-wearing Caviar full-grain leather, fits the bill.

Discretion is at the heart of Bottega Veneta, a brand made for the man with cash to splash but no desire to shout about it. Crafted in Italy using a supersized version of its signature intrecciato woven leather – one of the OG no-logo logos – this billfold wallet is a keeper.

The MR PORTER team have become seasoned fragrance experts of late, thanks to a certain colleague’s tendency to stockpile scents and our habit of surreptitiously spritzing them when he’s not at his desk. These are the tried-and-tested scents that have won our approval.

Proving that smelling great needn’t break the bank (or Mother Earth), sustainably minded perfume brand Laboratory Perfumes makes intoxicating eau de toilettes based on a single concept. Its citrusy Samphire scent, for example, is inspired by a freshly plucked verbena leaf. Get a whiff and you’ll have spring in your step, despite the frosty weather.

A fragrance that makes you feel like you’re surrounded by leather-bound books, wrapped in a cashmere blanket and sitting before a roaring fires? That’ll do the trick on cold winter mornings. Byredo’s Bibliothèque is a musky, heady eau de parfum laced with lingering notes of peony and patchouli. “One spray is enough to bathe the neck in the atmosphere of a world suspended in time,” claims the brand.

As a general rule, what determines a perfume’s strength is its concentration: eau de parfum is stronger than eau de toilette. An extrait de parfum (or simply parfum), such as Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s spicy Baccarat Rouge 540, is the most intense formulation. The higher price tag is justified by its staying power, which is considerable compared to its diluted brethren.

Much like socks, scarves are a gift with a specific and seasonal purpose. While socks require some vague sizing guesswork, a scarf is one-size-fits-all. Plus, it’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with something warm and fluffy on a winter’s day. These are the stylish and snug options we hope to find nestled under the tree come 25 December.

Of all the items in our wardrobes capable of attaining so-called cult status, the humble scarf seems an unlikely candidate, but Acne Studios has managed it. The brand’s Canada scarf has a long list of admirers who cite its generous length, timeless design and superior warmth as reason enough to invest a modest sum in the style.

The most wonderful time of year it might be but, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the holidays also bring less favourable tidings: cold weather. No stranger to brisk conditions, Johnstons of Elgin was founded on the banks of the River Lossie in the Scottish Highlands in 1797 and is responsible for this relatively affordable cashmere scarf. The tartan check (what else?) is especially festive.

It’s not every day you come across a scarf with a price tag to rival a small second-hand car, but then it’s not every day you come across a scarf as precious as this one from Loro Piana. The Kirkwall specimen is woven on a handloom from fine cashmere and the versatile houndstooth check will get plenty of use as chilly-weather protection on your work commute or, teamed with more casual ensembles, at the weekend.

There are only certain kinds of men who need to carry a briefcase with them to work and they’re usually the sort of men who never have a hair out of place. As a result of their spick-and-span approach to office attire, they’re often more exacting than fellow gift recipients. You can’t go wrong with this trio.

If you haven’t heard of Herschel Supply Co, you’ve probably seen one of its products in action. It’s hard to miss the hipster brand of choice’s double-strapped Little America backpack these days. MR PORTER’s edit is more varied, with a multitude of street and work-appropriate options. The label’s smart Trail Britannia briefcase, for example, triples up as both a backpack and shoulder bag. How’s that for bang for your buck?

Founded by Ms Rachel Mansur and Ms Floriana Gavriel in 2012, Mansur Gavriel is responsible for something of a minimalist turn in the accessory design department. When it launched, shoppers lined up to bag its collection, much as they did for so-called “It” bags back in the day. The duo’s more recent menswear range is just as covetable and includes this clean-lined briefcase.

Like a pair of bench-made Oxfords or a Savile Row suit, a finely crafted briefcase is designed to last you a lifetime of commutes. The thing that marks Berluti’s out from the City’s sea of similarly sized and shaped pieces is the brand’s masterful approach to leather. Each hide is hand-lacquered with a rich and unique patina, a secretive technique that means no two are the same.

As classic holiday gifts go, it doesn’t get more timeless than a timepiece. Choosing a watch that will make him tick within your budget, however, is a more complex conundrum. Here are three to save or splurge on.

Affordability is a relative term when applied to luxury watches. That said, if your budget can’t quite stretch to five figures (or even six), MR PORTER’s selection includes an array of timepieces situated at the more affordable end of scale. Nomos Glasshütte’s minimalist models fall neatly into this category and are still crafted in-house at the brand’s atelier in Germany’s historic watchmaking centre.

If you find yourself with some spare change, then IWC Schaffhausen is another excellent choice at a slightly elevated price point. The Portugieser collection is based on a shipment first made in 1939 to cater to the pocket watch market, hence its classic good looks – not to mention its size (the original case was designed to accommodate a pocket watch movement). The blue dial, which is enjoying a renaissance among collectors, will win you vigorous nods of approval from connoisseurs.

This is not just a watch. This is a Roger Dubuis flying tourbillon watch that, as part of the package, includes a five-star trip to the French Alps. Seriously. The lucky recipient of this one-of-a-kind timepiece will be presented with his gift by the brand’s CEO, Mr Nicola Andreatta, before test-driving Lamborghini’s supercar fleet on a frozen ice track. Only for those who have been extra nice this year.