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Original poster

Crapping hell - DH has done all of Christmas and I don't even have a present for him

108 replies

CanoeingInCocoPop · 15/12/2018 14:58

I've had a stressy December and Christmas has pretty much slipped my mind Shock

Been opening the door to parcels today - and the penny's dropped that DH has taken the initiative got Christmas lists for the kids & ordered the necessary stuff. He then turns up with a car boot full of christmassy snacks & has now pootled off to a Christmas tree farm.

I've expressed appreciation - and been told that that's what partnership is about - but crapping hell I don't have a present for him! Correction - I have a multipack of socks laid aside for him - which is somehow so much worse than even nothing.

Last delivery dates hurtling towards me - and I'm proper panicking I'm an awful person here! If the genders were reversed - this'd be so judged!

MN gift guide for men has been no help because:

  • he doesn't drink
  • he's very particular about his gadgets, and there's no point getting something in that vein without specific instructions
  • he won't want clothes because he's been talking about losing weight in new year, so I'll get it wrong either by having it fit wrong or by having the size he doesn't want

Edibles not needed - he's got a lot already. Possibly like house stuff.. or something for the office ...- though that feels a bit odd for a Christmas present... or nice toiletries (though nice ones are pricey and cheaper ones feel like you didn't put much thought in).

Please hive mind - hit me with something awesome...

OP posts:
Original poster
CanoeingInCocoPop · 15/12/2018 15:37

OK - wallets - I'm browsing Aspinalls - what are the other nice brands?

He likes classic styles & space for coins.

OP posts:
BabySharkAteMyHamster · 15/12/2018 15:41

If the.house is a state what about hiring someone to.come innand get things clean and orderley for Christmas ??

Other than that id go for a weekend away or something. I too am rubbish at gift buying Grin

AdoraBell · 15/12/2018 15:42

Osprey of London do good wallets.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Events & celebrations
mummmy2017 · 15/12/2018 15:46

Buy him 3 hours of a carpenter for him to hang doors and things...
Lush bath bombs.
Some nice beer.
A weekend away.
Or sports event for him and a friend.

HashTagLil · 15/12/2018 15:48

TKMaxx are great for wallets.

BriefChangeofUserName · 15/12/2018 15:50

Pickett lovely for wallets if budget allows.

AnotherEmma · 15/12/2018 15:51

I got DH a Fossil wallet last year, it's a good'un and he's happy with it.

HolgerLowCarbingLoser · 15/12/2018 15:52

Mulberry does nice wallets, but you do pay for them.

Valasca · 15/12/2018 15:52

I’d get him a voucher at the clothing shop he likes a write him a lovely gushing note about how he can spend it on new clothes once he reaches whatever goal he is setting for himself in the new year.

It will show him you’ve put thought into your gift and it’s easy for you:-)

DigitalGhost · 15/12/2018 15:52

Slippers? My husband has some Simba slippers and never takes them off.

Original poster
CanoeingInCocoPop · 15/12/2018 15:53

I got the DISCO shirt! They're nearly tasteful and definitely show that I've thought! Thank you for the tip!

OK - back to wallet hunting...

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 15/12/2018 15:53

Torro do lovely wallets. If he likes outdoors a subscription to Trail magazine. Decent coffee. Not on the High Street has some lovely personalised items and Trouva is good too. He sounds lovely.

TamiTayorismyparentingguru · 15/12/2018 15:58

What about a DVD boxset? I bought DH West Wing a few years ago - he’d watched most of it when it was originally on, but not the full 7 seasons and I had only ever seen the odd episode. It was a great gift - have us loads of time together and if your DH likes left-wing politics it might be right up his street.

This year I have bought DH a pair of Allbirds shoes. They are apparently super comfortable and very cool. (We have several friends in the US who rave about them.) They have just launched in the UK about a month or so ago so very new here. Returns available until end of Jan so if they don’t fit/he doesn’t like them they can always go back

HolgerLowCarbingLoser · 15/12/2018 15:59

I haven’t looked in ages but I think Mulberry is probably dearest, Aspinal being slightly cheaper (or broadly equivalent perhaps), Osprey is a step down but you can usually find a fair bit of Osprey at TK Maxx as well, so you will save a bit if that appeals. Or you could do Barbour for the country thing, which is another step down in terms of price and then maybe get a hat and scarf or a new pair of leather gloves as well.

Should be some good discounts around (I do like a bargain).

Xmas Smile
Missingstreetlife · 15/12/2018 16:00

Lamp for his desk?
Have a look at housemans bookshop catalogue

dippledorus · 15/12/2018 16:01

what about one of the wooden bath things for putting your tablet/wine on?

www.amazon.co.uk/Wooden-Bath-Tablet-Mobile-Holder/dp/B078P292PM?tag=mumsnetforum-21

diddl · 15/12/2018 16:01

Has he got a beard that needs a grooming kit?

Original poster
CanoeingInCocoPop · 15/12/2018 16:01

Tami - a HMV bag was part of his 'Santa Haul' - so I don't want to risk getting something he already got. (But again - on the right track - since that was one of his picks for nice Christmas!)

Wallets - is there something 'off' about men carrying coins? 9 out of 10 are just card and notes...

OP posts:
Blueskywhy · 15/12/2018 16:02

op, if he is in to hi-fi then you could get some a google chromecast audio ... it's not hi-fi at all ... but allows a person to stream music to their high end audio system.

my dh is hi-fi hobbyist, and finds chromecast very useful. you'll find it in currys, very good price too.

something in the bedroom area never goes far wrong in our house too Blush

TheOnlyPink · 15/12/2018 16:04

I saw advice on here a few years ago, that men tend to appreciate better versions of things they already have. It's worked out brilliantly for my very diificult dad, brother, husband and father in law!

boringlyboring · 15/12/2018 16:05

If he likes baths, can you get it looking fancy and cosy for Christmas night after all the craziness, as a suprise? New soft towels, bath pillow, ambient lighting, scented candles for the ‘cosy’ look. Not sure if you’d be able to do it secretly though. Maybe whilst he’s putting kids to bed?

Obviously something to open on the day too, what about a watch?

Original poster
CanoeingInCocoPop · 15/12/2018 16:05

Oooh dippledorous - that's genius!

OP posts:
YahBasic · 15/12/2018 16:05

If you don't have Netflix, Star Trek Discovery is out on DVD. Nokia also do a great watch/fitness tracker hybrid.

Will the health kick include the gym?
Bag for gym kit? New trainers? Sessions for personal trainer? Personalised towel & water bottle - Chillys seem to be everywhere at the moment!

I've got DH an Ancestry DNA kit, new work shoes, electric toothbrush with a few other bits this year.

AnotherEmma · 15/12/2018 16:05

This is the one I got for DH, it has a coin pocket
www.fossil.com/uk/en/products/ryan-rfid-large-coin-pocket-bifold-sku-ml3736001c.html

Jent13c · 15/12/2018 16:05

If he loves home comforts what about a nice set of high thread count bed sheets from home sense? And some new amazing pillows. Go whole hog and get one of those eve or Simba cool mattresses.

I have the exact same predicament, my husband's love language is definitely gift giving. Mine is definitely not. Mine hates clothes (overweight), has an aspinal wallet, we are selling up and moving abroad in new year so cant buy any house stuff. REALLY STRUGGLING!