Ask Bruno | Christmas Edition 2024
Welcome to the Christmas event of the year - Bruno's definitive guide to what teen boys want for Christmas!
*Please note, this gift guide contains some affiliate links - so, if you choose to buy using the links, it costs you no more, but a very very small fraction of the purchase goes to Bruno, as a thank you for his time.*
Welcome to our one and only Christmas tradition - ‘cos Casper losing his shit over Deck Heads does not count as a tradition - Ask Bruno | Christmas Edition 2024. Now in it’s 4th year, this has become the definitive guide to what teen boys really want for Christmas, from one of their own.
Earlier this month Bruno and I sat down to chat through the questions posed by my insta community - it was eye-opening, funny, heart-warming and infinitely insightful. You can listen to the whole podcast, with all the questions and answers (sorry, I just couldn’t fit them all in on this post) right here…
Before we get stuck in though I’m really mindful that this is A LOT! Buying for teens is bloody expensive - even just the pants and sock bits. Bruno was also conscious of this, so has done his best to give a broad range. Additionally, as he’s gotten older he mentions more luxury items, and when I’ve bought these for my boys in the past they’s usually been pre-loved - thus saving the pennies and the planet. So always worth having a scour on Vinted, but maybe have a read of the below post first as well…
And without further ado, cos you’re all only really here for the questions and answers…
Q. What are things that you use on a day-to-day basis that you couldn't live without?
“A good portable charger is always needed. Headphones, whether it's AirPods or any brand is good. I have the AirPod Max. Yes, they're expensive, but they're the best thing I've ever bought. I’ve used them every day of my life for the last year.
I use things like lint rollers and fabric shavers, to keep my clothes looking good.
I use a card holder a lot. That's a nice gift. You can buy expensive ones and cheaper ones. If you're in the higher budget, like Gucci, Louis Vuitton. Like an heirloom gift. But then you can also get a cheaper one, maybe the Lord's Club. They do nice leather cardholders.”
The Essentials
From stocking fillers to aftershave, from skincare to the things he can’t live without…
Almost everything Bruno lists as ‘essentials’ can be found on one link HERE or you can tap the image above.
Q. Do you still accept cash for Christmas or do you prefer to open presents?
“No teenager my age will ever be disappointed to open a present of cash!
Now, as boring as cash is and as underwhelming as it may seem, just to hand cash over, I think it is always a solid one. But I'd rather have it in my bank account than actual cash.”
Q. What would you like to receive for around £50 from your girlfriend's mum?
“I'd go for things like bracelets. I'm really into like leather or rope bracelets. I think they're cool. Most boys love them, especially my age. Or you can do maybe an aftershave.”
Q. I want to buy my son a ‘high ticket’ item, that's going to last a long time, what should I get?
“Those are my favorite gifts!
A nice leather wash bag.
A card holder.
A nice piece of jewellery - I really like the leather/rope style bracelets at the moment (I know I’ve mentioned that already!).
A quality phone case.
I’d always rather have one of these, then lots of little ones. Quality over Quantity.”
Almost everything on Bruno’s Luxe List can be found by tapping the image above or heading HERE.
Q. Is an experience or activity acceptable?
“Yeah, I fucking love experiences! Things like city breaks or driving experiences - bloody love em!”
The boys have previously really loved the Young Driver experiences and there are lots of centres around the country - it’s like a driving lesson but for under 17s. You can find it HERE.
And because what teen doesn’t want to drive a Lamborghini (if you can spell that without checking it, you’re a much better person than me!), I’ve linked this one too - HERE.
You can also see our 40 hours in Rome from last New Year HERE for some inspo.
Q. Stocking fillers please!
“Cos she’s asked it simple, I’ll give it to her simple…
Socks, aftershave, boxers - tons of boxers! I recommend Calvin's and Ralph Lauren. Socks stick to Nike because nobody wants anything else! Actually saying that I'm into my ankle socks actually, so cheap ankle socks work, like the Primark ones or Uniqlo ones. Always white!”
Q. What skincare would Bruno recommend?
“In terms of my skincare, it's on the higher end of things because my skin is very sensitive so I have to be careful with what I use. I fell in love with using Kiehl's cleanser and one of their serums; but I also rate CeraVe, The Ordinary and I like Skin 47.”
Q. What aftershave is Bruno recommending this year?
“The aftershaves I have vary in price, so I’ll give a good variation of prices…”
Noted Aromas dupe of LV Ombre Nomade
You can find all his other suggestions right here.
Q. A great book recommendation, please.
“Normally I'm not the greatest of book readers, but I'd recommend:
I think they’re great ones for discipline and getting into a good routines. I’m not one for fiction, not my thing not my style.”
Clothes…
If you just wanna get straight to it - HERE’s the link for all the clothes Bruno chats about. But to make me happy, I’ve also created a pretty picture - even though, with most teen boy clothes it’s VERY grey/black/navy and white!
Q. What brands are out in 2024?
“I’m going to shame Trapstar and Hoodrich - they’re just a no for me these days. I’m into subtle and minimalist branding going into 2025!”
Q. What’s a nice/luxury tracksuit?
“You definitely can't miss with Ralph Lauren. I own a double-knit tracksuit, which is expensive, but it's very good and the comfiest thing I wear.
I also love the Arne tracksuits - they have a real quality feel to them.”
I’ll link ALL the tracksuit suggestions HERE.
Q. What are your must-have trainers for Christmas 2024?
Q. A good hoodie?
“In terms of hoodies, I'd always invest more so you don't have to buy more because hoodies tend to shrink and change size or fade very quickly. Buy less, buy well.” Here’s some he mentioned…
Q. Are replica items a big no-no?
“For me, it's a definite no-no, but I do understand that people may not be able to afford what they would like to wear. And yes, I think it's a good idea in some senses, but... I think there's boundaries. I think if you're buying minimal branding maybe nobody will notice. But if you're wearing like a massive fuck off Louis Vuitton top, I think everyone knows you bought it from Turkey. I'm not a fan of it.
I think a good solution to this would be to have one pre-loved designer item than maybe a few knockoffs. I always think of the resale value. And I think you're never going to get anything back for a fake so it can be a false economy.”
Q. Are Yeezy sliders worth the money?
“They’re probably a bit controversial now, but they haven't gone out of fashion. People still wear them and love them. I owned a pair. I don't own a pair anymore, but they are some of the comfiest sliders I've ever worn.
I now own a pair of Hoka recovery sliders, which I'm sure they're going to be linked below, even though I don't recommend them for looks or for fashion. But I personally love them. They're comfortable. They've really helped since my surgery. And in a weird sense, I think they look cool.”
Q. What are your coat suggestions?
Q. Good t-shirts please?
“I like them simple, good quality and to wash well…” (Yes, this makes me proud, that he’s considering the wash!)
Plus, Bruno shared a bit on the podcast about his t-shirt brand launching soon!
Sports
Perhaps Bruno’s specialist subject as he spends 90% of his time in a football club and the other 10% at the golf course! HERE’s his top picks this Christmas…
Q. What is the best gift for a football mad lad?
“I think definitely this time of year, focus on buying thermals, gloves, snoods, all sorts like that from Nike, ProDirect do good stuff. And then just in general, football accessories like GPS vests, shin pads, football players love that stuff.”
Q. Best gifts for a preteen that wants to improve their fitness for football, please?
“Things like gps vests; watches, like maybe an Apple watch or Fitbit those kind of things but they don't obviously make you go for a run but they encourage it.
You can buy things like cones, rebounders, even goals. Things like that are all good for making you a better player.”
Q. Suggestions for GPS tracker for football?
“I own a Statsport one. I think that's the best ones you can get. You can get some good Black Friday deals on those and even get them preloved!”
Q. My son is 15 and he's just getting into golf. Any must-have gift ideas, please?
“Can't go wrong with just golf clothing: polos, trousers, golf gloves are always a good one. But if your budget's a bit higher, then maybe some clubs, like maybe a new putter, some new wedges. A Titleist wedge would be nice! A putter. I'd be grateful for any putter. Anything that'll make my putting better!
I'm always grateful to receive golf balls. You can get club cleaners or a nice towel to clean all your clubs.
I think the best one you could get though is a putting mat. They're always fun to have in the house!”
Q. What sportswear brands will be a hit this Christmas?
“Can't go wrong with Nike. I like Under Armour. Saying that New Balance also do good sports clothes. And funny enough, I actually like the look of some Lululemon stuff!”
WOW - that my lovely lot, it your lot! If you’ve found any of this helpful, in any way, it would mean the world if you’d leave a comment below letting us know your favourite bit or the nugget that you took away from this.
And most importantly, hit the subscribe button below if you’ve enjoyed this, as there’s plenty more to come over here on Substack… it’s fun, exciting and a little more cosy than insta.
And finally, in the words of Bruno (if you’ve listened to the PODCAST)…
I love Ask Bruno Christmas. It's defintely worth upgrading to paid subscription to get it as the podcast. It's brilliant 🤣