A pair of glasses or sunglasses under the Christmas tree is a gift people pick up every day. A few thoughts on fit and style help it land well. Here you will find Christmas gift ideas for glasses wearers and everyone else, tips for when you do not know the size or prescription, and small gifts that suit any pair.
Key points at a glance
- Sunglasses without a prescription are easy to give. For glasses with a prescription you need the values of the person you are buying for.
- Sunglasses make sense in winter too: the sun is low and snow reflects a lot of light.
- Gift ideas by type: Wayfarer and aviator for classic fans, Oakley for the active, Gucci, Prada or Saint Laurent for style fans.
- Not sure about the size? Give a glasses chain, a case and a microfibre cloth.
Glasses as a Christmas gift: sunglasses or prescription glasses?
Prescription glasses are personal: they need the values of the person you are buying for, plus an adjustment. If you want to give glasses at Christmas without knowing the prescription, choose sunglasses without one.
You find the size on the inside of the arm of a pair the person likes to wear: lens width, bridge width and arm length in millimetres. Compare them with the details in the shop.
Sunglasses for Christmas: a good idea in winter too
Sunglasses under the tree are not only for ski holidays. In winter the sun is low, the light often comes straight into your line of sight and snow reflects a large part of it. UV400 and the CE mark matter. Category 3 suits most sunny winter days.
Christmas gift ideas by type
For classic fans: aviator and Wayfarer
If they like timeless shapes, an aviator or a Wayfarer will go down well. Among the current sunglasses you will find, for example, the Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer (RB4105), which folds up, and the Ray-Ban Mega Wayfarer (RB0840S). Where the Wayfarer comes from and who it suits is covered in Ray-Ban Wayfarer: History, Style and Who It Suits.
For the active: sports glasses and sporty sunglasses
For cyclists, runners and winter sports fans, sporty models are a gift they will use. In the shop you will find, for example, the Oakley Sutro Lite and the Oakley Eyejacket Redux as well as sunglasses from Nike. What matters for lens colour, fit and ventilation is covered in our cycling glasses guide. If the person wears glasses, an optician can advise on sports glasses with a prescription, prescription inserts or contact lenses.
For style fans: luxury sunglasses
Sunglasses from designer and luxury brands make a special gift, for example Gucci (GG2200S), Saint Laurent (SL 905), Prada (PR D20SU) or Burberry (BE4478). Saint Laurent stands for understated Parisian elegance, Prada for clean, often architectural shapes. How to recognise quality in expensive eyewear is explained in Luxury Eyewear: Brands, Materials and What You Pay For.
Ray-Ban BILL (RB2198 129251)£95.86Ray-Ban CATS 5000 (RB4125 710/51)£95.86Ray-Ban BILL (RB2198 901/R6)£91.69Ray-Ban RB3928 001/S2£113.67Ray-Ban JUSTIN (RB4165 622/T3)£99.19 PRay-Ban RB3774D 001/73£92.94Ray-Ban ZURI (RB4455 135987)£78.34Ray-Ban WAYFARER (RB2140 901)£91.69Small gifts for glasses wearers
Not every gift has to be a pair of glasses. These small things suit any pair and need no size:
- Glasses chain or strap: keeps reading glasses or sunglasses within reach and doubles as an accessory. Types and lengths are covered in Glasses Chains: Types, Length and How to Wear Them.
- Case: A sturdy case keeps scratches and pressure in a bag at bay.
- Microfibre cloth: cleans lenses more gently than a T-shirt.
- Sports strap: For active types there are straps that secure glasses around the back of the head.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas gifts with glasses
What should I give if I do not know the prescription?
Sunglasses without a prescription, or accessories such as a glasses chain and a case. For glasses with a prescription you need the values measured by an optician or eye doctor.
Are sunglasses a sensible gift in winter?
Yes, if they have UV400 and the CE mark. Low sun and snow cause glare, and sunglasses reduce it.
What if the sunglasses do not fit?
The right of return applies. The conditions are in the shop.
Is a glasses chain a gift for men too?
Yes, many styles are unisex. Plain straps in leather, neoprene or cork in muted colours are a common choice.
