When it comes to presents and luxury experiences, there are far more options out there for the ladies. Here, we’re tipping the scales in favour of boys. They deserve fun too – and some of these experiences could make a great last-minute Christmas treat.

Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea

Tiny scones and cucumber sandwiches are delicious. But if you want something equally miniature but more macho, establishments like Chapters brasserie in Blackheath have come up with a hearty alternative to the traditional afternoon tea. They have replaced the cakes and tea with Greenwich Meantime beer, salt beef on toasted rye bread, mini-burgers and champagne-glazed oysters. More meat-focused, but no less indulgent. The tea isn’t available in December but will be back in January.

Men-only Spa Day

We all like a bit of self-maintenance, and Nickel Spa in Westminster caters only to men. Gents can choose a male or female therapist for treatments including massage, body treatments, facials and microdermabrasion. If you’re a first-timer to a spa and aren’t quite sure how to act, they offer a handy etiquette guide.

The Perfect Steak

London is blessed with many excellent steak restaurants. Hawksmoor and Gaucho are solid choices, but the newly-opened MASH would be my top pick (the name stands for modern American steak house). MASH has an elegant art deco interior, fantastic wine list and an owner who can advise on your carnivorous choices if you need some help.

Go Karting

Adventurous types will love zooming round the track at one of Team Sport’s two London go karting tracks. Each centre at Tower Bridge and Enfield boasts a 400m track and karts that can reach 40mph. At the end of a session, drivers are given a full race report detailing track times and where they ranked against other competitors.

A Trip to the Barber

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about an old-fashioned barber’s shop. Murdock has branches in Shoreditch, Soho, Covent Garden, Spitalfields and Mayfair, and you can come away with some beautiful shaving accessories that could make stylish presents.

Know of any other pampering activities for men in London? Or have you tried some of these out? Let us know below.

It’s Christmas week and here at VL Towers, we’re feeling pretty festive.

Nearly all our Christmas shopping is done (although there are some nervous eyes watching the post-room for last-minute deliveries), the decorations are up, and we’re looking forward to an exciting couple of days’ off towards the end of the week.

This week’s big question: what are you hoping Santa will bring you on Friday?

Now that we know we’re not getting one of Harrods’ famous Meerkats, what is it that you really, really want for Christmas this year?