Christmas Gifts for Your Boyfriend: A Handmade London Umbrella
Choosing a Christmas gift for a boyfriend is rarely simple. It should feel personal without being too much, considered without being extravagant, and, ideally, it should be a gift he will actually use. Many of the best gifts meet that last test quietly: they are carried every day, and each time they are, the giver comes to mind.
A handmade umbrella is one of them. This guide explains why it makes a fitting Christmas gift for a partner, which Bucklesbury umbrella suits which man, and how to have it ready in time.
Why an Umbrella Makes a Thoughtful Gift
Most men own an umbrella; few own a good one. The typical umbrella is bought in a hurry, left on a train and replaced the following week. A well-made umbrella is different: it is chosen, looked after and kept, and it goes with him to work, to dinner and on weekends away.
That is what makes it a good gift for a partner. It is practical enough that he will use it all winter, yet made with enough care that it never feels ordinary. It also suits almost any stage of a relationship: thoughtful for a first Christmas together, and just as welcome for a tenth.
The Bucklesbury London Umbrella: One Length of English Chestnut
For a boyfriend who appreciates craftsmanship, the Bucklesbury London Umbrella is the most special choice. Its handle and shaft are one continuous length of English chestnut, from sustainable forests, with no joint between them, which is the most traditional way an umbrella can be made. The canopy is made from Japanese-engineered fabric, and each umbrella is individually finished by a craftsman.
Black is the natural choice for a man who wears tailoring. The London Umbrella in French Navy is a quieter alternative, and a good choice if he already owns a black umbrella.
The Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella: For Every Day
The Bucklesbury Classic Umbrella is built on a shaft of solid English beechwood, with a canopy 106 cm across. It is about 91 cm long and weighs about 0.5 kg, so it is light enough to carry over the arm on the way to the office or to a dinner in town. It is made in a wide range of colours: black and navy blue sit with almost any coat, while green and burgundy add a little more character.
For the Boyfriend Who Commutes or Travels
If he takes the train to work or travels often, an umbrella that lives in his bag may be more use than one carried on the arm. The Bucklesbury Telescopic Umbrella folds to 45 cm, opens automatically and has a canopy 102 cm across, so it fits a briefcase or a weekend bag. Our guide to compact umbrellas explains what to look for in one.
Choosing the Right Umbrella for Him
- How he dresses. If he wears a suit or an overcoat, a full-length umbrella in black or navy will suit him best; for a more relaxed wardrobe, the Classic Umbrella in green is a good alternative.
- How he travels. A full-length umbrella for walking in town; the Telescopic Umbrella for the bag, the commute or a weekend away.
- What he already owns. If he has a black umbrella, choose navy or green, so the gift feels new rather than a replacement.
- The occasion. For a first Christmas together, the Classic Umbrella is a considered gift; for a gift with a little more meaning, the London Umbrella in a single length of chestnut.
Presented and Ready to Give
Each umbrella is dispatched within 2–3 working days in a cotton cover and a Bucklesbury presentation box, so it arrives ready to place under the tree. You can add an optional gift note when you order, and if you are spending Christmas apart, it can be sent straight to him: delivery is free in the UK, and DHL Express delivers to Europe, the USA and the rest of the world.
When to Order for Christmas
For delivery before Christmas, please order by:
- 16 December for the UK
- 11 December for Europe
- 10 December for the USA and Canada
- 3 December for the rest of the world
Looking After It
A good umbrella asks very little. After rain, leave it open to dry naturally, away from radiators, and furl it only once it is dry. Clean the canopy with plain water only. Our Umbrella Care page has the full notes, and they are worth passing on with the gift.
Made in London
Every Bucklesbury umbrella is constructed by hand in London, in small batches, using traditional techniques, in a workshop with umbrella-making heritage dating back to 1805. Whichever umbrella you choose, it is a gift he will carry for many years. For more ideas, see our gift guides The Ideal Christmas Gift for Your Husband and The Gift for a Man Who Has Everything, and our guide to a gift for every occasion.
