15 Novelty Gifts for Men That Are Actually Worth Buying

Let’s be honest. Buying for a bloke can be a proper faff.

Ask him what he wants and you’ll probably get, “I don’t mind,” “I’ve got everything,” or the classic, “Just get me a bottle of something.” Helpful, isn’t it?

The good news is that novelty gifts don’t have to be useless drawer-fillers. The best ones combine a decent laugh with something he’ll actually wear, use or show off to his mates. Think funny mugs for the morning brew, cheeky T-shirts for the weekend and BBQ aprons for the self-appointed grill sergeant.

We’ve rounded up 15 novelty gift ideas for men that are practical, memorable and guaranteed to raise a smile. You can also browse the full range of Novelty Gifts for Men at Blokey for even more bloke-approved inspiration.

What makes a novelty gift worth buying?

A good novelty gift should do more than get a five-second chuckle before disappearing behind the spare towels.

It should match his personality. It should be useful in some way. And ideally, it should give him an excuse to tell everyone where he got it (even if he pretends he doesn’t like attention).

Research into useful novelty presents often highlights the same winning combination: humour, everyday practicality and a design that starts a conversation. That’s why products such as oversized mugs, funny clothing and hobby-themed gifts remain so popular.

Here’s our proper list.

1. A funny mug for his morning brew

A novelty mug is a classic for a reason. Every bloke needs something to drink tea or coffee from, and a funny design turns an everyday essential into a gift with personality.

Choose a mug based on his sense of humour or favourite hobby. Football, golf, fishing, darts, music and cheeky insults are all solid options. It’s the sort of present he’ll use before he’s fully awake, which is when most men are at their most grateful.

Browse the Funny Mugs collection for designs that’ll make him grin over his first brew.

2. A hobby-themed mug he’ll actually claim as his own

Somehow, mugs become family property the moment they enter a kitchen. Not this one.

A golf mug for the bloke who spends every Saturday hunting for his ball. A football mug for the supporter who analyses every referee’s decision. A darts mug for the man who thinks every pub visit is serious training.

Hobby-themed gifts feel more personal because they show you’ve paid attention. Even if he does spend most weekends talking about his hobby rather than doing it.

3. A funny T-shirt for weekends and holidays

A good novelty T-shirt gives him something comfortable to wear and a chance to make strangers laugh in the supermarket queue.

Look for bold designs based on his interests, age, favourite sayings or questionable life choices. Funny T-shirts are brilliant birthday presents because they feel more exciting than a standard top, but they’re still practical enough for regular wear.

Blokey’s range includes designs inspired by sport, music, films, food, BBQs and classic British humour. In short, there’s something for most blokes who enjoy wearing their personality.

4. A milestone birthday T-shirt

Turning 30, 40, 50 or 60 deserves more than a polite card and a slightly panicked phone call.

A milestone birthday T-shirt can make the guest of honour stand out for all the right reasons. It’s particularly good for parties, pub celebrations and family gatherings where everyone needs reminding that he’s getting on a bit.

Choose a design that celebrates the year without taking things too seriously. After all, getting older is easier when you can laugh about it.

For more age-specific ideas, take a look at the milestone birthday gifts at Blokey.

5. A sports-themed T-shirt

Does he support a football team with the emotional intensity of a national emergency? Is he always talking about golf, rugby, darts or cricket?

A sports-themed T-shirt is an easy win. It can celebrate his team, his favourite pastime or his ability to blame absolutely everything on the conditions.

The best designs are wearable beyond match day, too. That means he can sport it at the pub, in the garden or while pretending to do DIY.

6. A funny Christmas T-shirt

Not everyone wants to wear a traditional Christmas jumper. Some blokes find them too warm, too loud or too dangerously festive.

A funny Christmas T-shirt is the cheeky alternative. It works for Christmas jumper day, office parties, pub gatherings and lounging on the sofa while claiming he’s “just resting his eyes”.

Have a look at the Christmas T-shirts for festive designs that don’t take Christmas too seriously.

7. A novelty Christmas jumper

For the bloke who enjoys making an entrance, a funny Christmas jumper is hard to beat.

You’ve got movie references, football jokes, rude festive slogans and designs that are gloriously over the top. It’s a practical piece of clothing with built-in conversation value. Handy when the office party chat has already reached the weather.

A novelty jumper also makes a great group gift idea. Imagine the family photo. Imagine the embarrassment. Brilliant.

8. A film or TV-inspired gift

Every family has one bloke who can quote an entire film but can’t remember where he left his keys.

For him, choose a film or TV-inspired mug, T-shirt or Christmas jumper. Familiar references make gifts feel instantly personal, especially when they’re linked to a favourite comedy, film or TV character.

Blokey’s range includes nostalgic designs inspired by popular entertainment, so you can find something better than another generic black T-shirt.

9. A football fan mug

Football gifts don’t need to be expensive or complicated. A proper mug in his team’s colours can become part of his matchday routine.

He can use it for tea before kick-off, coffee during half-time or something stronger after a particularly painful result. We’re not judging.

Choose a club-themed design that suits him and you’ve got an affordable present for birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day or a last-minute “I forgot to buy something” emergency.

10. A funny beach towel

A beach towel is practical. A funny beach towel is practical with attitude.

It’s ideal for holidays, camping trips, staycations, festivals or lying in the garden while insisting he’s “just having five minutes”. Bold designs inspired by football, food and British humour are guaranteed to stand out beside the pool.

If you’re shopping for summer birthdays, explore the fun beach towels for men for something a little more entertaining than plain stripes.

11. A BBQ apron for the self-appointed grill expert

He may burn the sausages, but he’ll still insist he’s in charge.

A funny BBQ apron is made for the bloke who treats the barbecue like a professional kitchen. It protects his clothes while giving him the authority he clearly believes he already has.

This is a particularly good Father’s Day gift, birthday present or summer surprise. Pair it with a funny mug or BBQ-themed T-shirt and you’ve nailed the gift bundle.

Browse the BBQ Gifts for Men for designs made for grill commanders everywhere.

12. A beer glass with a cheeky message

For the man who enjoys a pint, a funny beer glass can be both useful and entertaining.

It’s the sort of present that goes straight into rotation rather than sitting untouched on a shelf. Add a witty slogan and it becomes a talking point at the next barbecue, football match or lads’ night in.

You’ll find more ideas in Blokey’s funny beer gifts collection.

13. A rude or cheeky gift

Know the recipient well? A mildly rude gift can be absolutely spot-on.

A cheeky mug, T-shirt or Christmas jumper works brilliantly for a mate, brother, partner or dad with a broad sense of humour. The trick is to match the level of naughtiness to the person. You want a laugh, not a family meeting.

For more grown-up gift ideas, browse the rude and funny gifts and choose something that’ll get the right sort of reaction.

14. A retirement or leaving gift

Retirement gifts shouldn’t be another boring plaque that ends up in the loft.

A funny mug or T-shirt can mark the occasion while giving him something he’ll use afterwards. Designs about early finishes, no alarms and avoiding the boss are particularly fitting. Naturally.

A practical joke gift is also a good way for colleagues to send someone off with a smile, especially if they’ve spent years making tea, fixing printers or pretending to understand spreadsheets.

Take a look at the retirement gifts for ideas with a bit more character.

15. A gift matched to his personality

When in doubt, go personal rather than predictable.

Is he football mad? Choose a football mug or T-shirt. Is he always at the BBQ? Pick an apron. Is he impossible to buy for? Go for something funny, practical and slightly unexpected.

Menkind’s guide to funny gifts also shows how broad the novelty gift market has become, from humorous clothing to games and everyday accessories. Meanwhile, gift guides such as Find Me A Gift’s useful novelty ideas make the same important point: the best novelty gifts are the ones people can use after the laugh.

How to choose a novelty gift he won’t hide in a drawer

Before you click “add to basket”, ask yourself three quick questions:

1. Will he actually use it? A mug, T-shirt, apron or towel has a better chance than a random plastic gadget.
2. Does it suit his humour? Cheeky is good. Completely inappropriate at the family dinner may be less good.
3. Does it match his interests? Football, golf, fishing, darts, BBQs and beer are all strong starting points.

Think about it. A gift that makes him laugh and becomes part of his routine is far more memorable than something expensive but forgettable.

The final verdict

Novelty gifts are worth buying when they’ve got a bit of thought behind them.

A funny mug becomes part of his morning. A T-shirt becomes a weekend favourite. A Christmas jumper gets worn to the pub. A BBQ apron becomes official uniform. That’s the sweet spot: useful enough to enjoy, funny enough to remember.

So, whether you’re shopping for your dad, mate, partner, brother, grandad or the bloke at work who’s impossible to buy for, browse Blokey’s Novelty Gifts for Men and find something that’s proper funny without being completely pointless.