What are your best gifts for a man who wants nothing for his birthday...

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Man in question is in his late 20 and I'm pretty sure I've exhausted all of the gifts I can possibly think of or that I've seen on Mumsnet over the years that he would either enjoy or use.

He isn't into sport and doesn't enjoy trips/experience day type activities. He has plenty of tech, books and clothes. When I ask what he would like his answer is nothing and since I cannot very well buy him nothing I'm left drawing a huge blank.

I'm looking for something which wouldn't get shoved in a draw or on a shelf and forgotten about. Please help me with any ideas you have had which proved to be a hit.

The trouble is he is saying nothing because he cannot think of something he would like, he doesn't mean don't actually get me a gift

Are you sure? I say I want nothing for birthday/Christmas because I want nothing. Are you saying her wants a present for the sake of a present? Of so surely it doesn't matter what it is. Or if he does actually want something he should say.

I had the same problem with dh. I booked us both on an art workshop day with a local artist and we drew a babbling brook running through mountains. 10 am - 4 pm, we just had to bring lunch/drinks and an apron. It was £40 each, neither of us are particularly arty, but it was a lovely day and our pictures aren't too bad, we're going to frame and hang them.

Does he read? Maybe a kindle with a few books already stored for him that he would read? Or if he's more into tv perhaps a subscription for netflix or the like - that's something you can both enjoy :)
Maybe something personalised from websites like notonthehighstreet or similar. Hope you find something for him.

A really nice version of something he uses a lot - watch, wallet. Cashmere scarf, proper Panama hat, handmade brogues...

Sorry, posted too soon. Alternatively, if all else fails perhaps a night away to a nice hotel/spa break for the both of you - if he's not into spas maybe just a nice hotel and a meal?

Maybe not for the real present but this may be a funny joke present for him?

That's pretty funny

Are you saying her wants a present for the sake of a present?

I'm saying he wants a gift because I know he would like being brought something. He just isn't great at thinking what he would like when put on the spot, I doubt he's uncommon in that regard. I know myself once my birthday is over I inevitably think of or find something that I would have liked as a gift but when asked prior to the day my mind draws a blank and I often cannot think of things I wouldhave wanted.

My dp is the same. Hits recently have been a really good kitchen knife, some silk socks, a dark red velvet scarf and a monogrammed screwdriver!

National trust membership?

Helicopter lesson? I got husband one one year and he loved it.

A posh keep cup.

I'd buy him what he's asked for - nothing. You'll soon find out what he actually does want...

Aftershave? Wallet/work bag?

My dp didn't want anything so I got a small basket and filled it with sweets and chocolates for him.
He loved it and you can spend as much or as little as you want.
I know it's not very exciting but when you have no ideas my thoughts were at least he's having a present to open.

Night away for both of you in a hotel. Or day out with nice lunch.

My partner always says the same thing. So I normally just buy some sort of random experience day. It's fun learning about something completely different to what you do day to day. In the past we've done a wild foraging course, a glass blowing course, pottery making, beer brewing course, coffee roasting course. Escape rooms are also really fun to do as a couple/family!

Wallet, really nice pen, laptop bag, kindle, painting of your pets?

Oops just saw that he doesn't like experience days. Sorry OP, I clearly can't read correctly!

I'd buy him what he's asked for - nothing. You'll soon find out what he actually does want...

I don't get this mentality at all. Why would I want to deliberately spoil his birthday as some sort of points scoring exercise just because he couldn't think of anything he wanted as a gift.

Aftershave? Wallet/work bag?

Ironically that's exactly what he got for Christmas along with a new dressing gown.

Theatre trip , concert?
I am single but if i ever have a partner again I would like from the off to agree that he will never buy me a present, and I won't get him one - just maybe go out for a nice meal or theatre together to celebrate a birthday or xmas. I honestly never want anything at all, and no one ever believes that!

Is your boyfriend, my boyfriend?

Literally had no interest in anything except his car (hes a mechanic and built his car) so he wont let me buy anything for it as its either thousands and thousands of pounds worth.. (£10k engine bought last month)
Or it wont be good enough so I cant but for his only hobby.

Buying clothes seems boring and a bit of a contour after 5 years of endless clothes presents.

Everything I have bought him that he could actually use (travel shaver, wash bag ect) has been put back in the gift bag and put into storage never to see daylight again!

But again, whenever I ask him what he wants.. "nothing, dont get me anything"

This year.. I'm getting him nothing and seeing how he reacts.

Oops just saw that he doesn't like experience days. Sorry OP, I clearly can't read correctly!

That's ok it would be easier if he enjoyed that sort of thing but I have to accept such things aren't for everyone although wild foraging sounds pretty random and obscure. I bet it was an interesting day.

We have done a few escape the room games though in the past and he did enjoy them but they tend to be better with more people and it can be difficult to get his friends together as they live quite spread out.

Hot air balloon ride!! Night away? Get dressed up in a saucey outfit? Some 10 vouchers from you to him so you can do things he would like to do? As a bit of a laugh/fun? Get him some reeeeaaaaally nice aftershave like Tom Ford or sauvage? Even people who say they don’t like luxuries enjoy having them now and again!

My husband is like this. Drives me batshit. Just say what you want! I can always come up with a list of things
I've given him book gift cards, days out, clothes, fancy pens, photo books with pictures of us and kids, tech, and a massage.

I honestly never want anything at all, and no one ever believes that!

It's so annoying when people don't believe you. Or worse, do believe you but think their adherence to tradition of buying something, anything, is more important than your wants.

I put my foot down this year as it was a "big" birthday and I had had enough of being ignored and patronised and received exactly what I wanted - nothing. It was the most relaxed birthday I've had in years.

Sounds like my other half. I tend to buy him tickets to see a band he likes, it gives us an evening out together.
On the other hand he usually takes me out for the day to just wander around places and explore.