to ask what you buy your husband for birthday?

My DH has got to an age where he says he doesn't want 'things' but prefers to have experiences - theatre or restaurant vouchers, tickets for a show etc. He's happy with a Miller and Carter voucher for instance. I also like to get him something to open - a book and his favourite Hotel Chocolat chocolates or a polo shirt, of which he has a huge collection!

His 70th was in 2023 and we were on a cruise a couple of months before. He chose a watch in the shop onboard (not hugely expensive, around £150) and he was well pleased.

I'm the same. I really don't need any more clothes or bags for instance. I like to go to the theatre - tickets for the opera or ballet would be my absolute ideal - or have dinner out at a nice restaurant. My mum likes to buy me something physical however. I was telling her that I will need new ballet shoes before my weekly ballet class starts again in September, so she has said she will buy them for my birthday which is in August. DH has suggested that he gets me tickets for a show, that we go up to London to get my shoes, we have a nice late lunch/early dinner and then see the show of my choice. A lovely birthday treat.

Choosing a gift for my husband has always been quite a challenge. We’ve been together for over 10 years, and I’ve already tried most gift ideas. Luckily, for some time now, my husband has become interested in survival gear, which makes me really happy — at least I have a better idea of what to get him and what will truly make him happy.

We don't buy each other "things", only experiences. Could be a night or weekend away, afternoon tea in a fancy hotel, a spa day, concerts, theatre tickets, festivals...whatever. The option is always there to attend the event or whatever with somoene else, but for the most part we go together, so its win win.

Also buy from Amazon rather than retailer!

re watches, you could get him one by Orient.
range from £100-150
japanese mechanical movement. Nice looking if he likes a sports watch.

I've given up unless he specifically asks for something. He's not grateful for the 'thought' if it's something he doesn't want or need.
He's had Lego recently but it's not worth trying to surprise him as he can be a miserable git about it which sours the mood.

No he isn't 5 , did you mean to be rude?

It works for us - we each get what we need and want and don't get excessive amounts of stuff which we both dislike , especially if it's stuff you have to pretend to like , and we get a feeling of excitement that comes from delayed gratification.

And if something is needed before birthday/ Christmas it can come out early but often you just get a couple more months use of something which again fits with our values

We buy each other holidays for our Birthdays.

My DH said what about a watch cleaning kit or winder?

Coffee machine
watch
a coat

that sort of thing

This year, a family sized pack of frazzles. He loved it.

My DH would want to choose anything “big” like a watch/golf club/bike himself.

For his birthday I usually just get him small things - books, beer, clothes, foodie things etc. I’ve booked somewhere for dinner and arranged a babysitter as a surprise.

The older we get, the less we want "stuff".
And altho he has several hobbies, the equipment etc is quite specific & I know he'll just buy whatever he wants/needs anyway.
So we tend to buy each other trips/activities.... tickets for sports event/comedy gig/play. Maybe a night or two in a good hotel.
Or an "experience" like rally driving, archery or falconry.

I am now kicking myself for not thinking of this!! What a fab idea!

Why? Is he 5?

If he's bought himself something, then that's just him buying himself something. Taking it away to commandeer as a birthday gift is a bit weird.

Lego or other toys (he’s a big kid), aftershave, clothes, books, gig tickets, gadgets. I got him a PS5 last year as he can’t get near ds’s.

I probably wouldn’t buy him a watch unless he’d pointed out one that he liked as I’d be worried that I chose the wrong one. We have shared finances and both buy the things we want anyway so gifts are more about the thought than the money spent for us.

A nice bottle of whiskey.

I've bought him an individual bee home for Father's day from the kids and I renew his Bird's Trust membership every year from me.

Sorry, always always chocolate!

DH birthday is this week. I've bought him fancy, new mountain biking shoes, a new biking top, special sports pants a BAM bamboo tshirt (he loves the one I bought for Xmas) and bits for our new camper van (key-ring, stickers, travel log notebook).

He's into biking and cars so it's always easy.

Past presents include: a new roof (convertible!), special, coffee posh pyjamas, nice creams/ grooming stuff, hoody, personalised tshirts (car/ bike related), tickets, artwork, weekend away and always, always coffee! Men aren't any harder to buy for than women, I don't think.

I buy my husband things I think he'll like as I see them year round, I don't get anything for occasions like birthdays or Christmas. I will try to make an effort for Fathers Day this year though since its his first one.

This is lovely. 😊 I've bought mine a PS5 as a joint birthday/Xmas present. He doesn't know yet!

My DH is a cookery enthusiast, so I buy either good quality utensils or cookery books.

Whatever he buys himself is taken off him until his birthday

Dh birthday is soon.
I’ve got him a new amp, a nice shirt, chocolates and we are going away for the night.
Don’t overthink it and don’t get into debt.

Leave the watch, it’s such a personal thing.