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Original poster

I’ve got myself into a present situation

32 replies

AmyFarrafowler · 04/03/2022 21:11

It’s someone I’ve been friends with for about 5 years, fwb on and off for some of that time.

I saw him yesterday, it’s his birthday coming up and I said to him yesterday ‘are you doing anything for your birthday?’ He heard me say ‘do you want anything for your birthday?’ He started saying it’s lovely that I’ve thought about his birthday etc, so now I have to think of a present for him!

I wouldn’t mind but he’s the most awkward person to think of anything to get Hmm he doesn’t have any hobbies, works long hours so doesn’t get much free time, has some food type issues so getting food/restaurant type gifts is a no go.

We’ve never done presents for each other so I’m not sure where to start! I don’t want to get too much so it looks like it’s straying into boyfriend territory, but don’t want to look mean either. I was thinking maybe a box of the Japanese or American sweets and maybe a cinema gift card, but then I don’t know if that would look like I’m expecting him to ask me to go with him?!

Can anyone give me any suggestions of what I could look at please?

OP posts:
Lollypop701 · 04/03/2022 21:14

A bloody amazing takeaway or meal our next time you have him over?

TottersBlankly · 05/03/2022 08:09

Easy!

Take your pick of newly published books.

He doesn’t have to be a ‘reader’. A book is neutral, not intimate. And you decide how much to spend.

It’s that or whisky - which is inevitably more expensive. (If he can drink?)

Anything else indicates a level of thought and effort that you may not wish to convey.

TracyMosby · 05/03/2022 08:10

A book. And dont overthink it.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General shopping
Chocomelon · 05/03/2022 08:14

So he thought you said does he want anything for his birthday and did he say yes or say what?

Doesn't make sense but maybe I'm being strange.

I agree a takeaway or meal out or is that date like?

Like the book idea.

Some beers or something edible.

TottersBlankly · 05/03/2022 08:17

Of course, you could just text him and say he misheard you!

But a billion years of female conditioning suggests you won’t do that …

AlisonDonut · 05/03/2022 08:18

A hearing aid?

Whatterywhat · 05/03/2022 08:39

Ge him a some retro sweets or something

billy1966 · 05/03/2022 09:20

How convenient!

Something small and edible.

Unless it is someone I really care about, I'm never bothered if people like gifts.

Give him something small and forget about it.

Original poster
AmyFarrafowler · 05/03/2022 10:20

@Chocomelon

So he thought you said does he want anything for his birthday and did he say yes or say what?

Doesn't make sense but maybe I'm being strange.

I agree a takeaway or meal out or is that date like?

Like the book idea.

Some beers or something edible.

I said ‘are you doing anything for your birthday?’ And he replied aww you don’t have to do that, so I was quiet because I couldn’t work out what that meant as it wasn’t a reply to what I’d asked. Then he started saying it was lovely I’d thought of his birthday and I felt too awkward to say actually I wasn’t going to get you anything Grin

A book would be easy but I’ve known him to read any books so wouldn’t know what to get. The only good item I’d be comfortable getting for him is sweets so might just get some retro sweets.

He only drinks cider so can’t go for whisky or anything like that, can I get away with a four pack of cider???

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/03/2022 10:25

Sweets. Sorted.

JaneExotic · 05/03/2022 10:29

Retro sweet box from the decade he was born.

NoSquirrels · 05/03/2022 10:35

I said ‘are you doing anything for your birthday?’ And he replied aww you don’t have to do that, so I was quiet because I couldn’t work out what that meant as it wasn’t a reply to what I’d asked. Then he started saying it was lovely I’d thought of his birthday and I felt too awkward to say actually I wasn’t going to get you anything

Sounds to me like he’s expecting you to arrange something to do on his birthday, rather than a present…

BlueSummerBaby · 05/03/2022 10:37

He's a FWB why on earth would you get him a birthday present?! That's boyfriend stuff. Who cares what he heard, he didn't even bother to listen while you were speaking! He doesn't deserve a present from the woman he CBA to date.

frazzledasarock · 05/03/2022 10:43

If you insist on getting him something I reckon a six pack of cider is fine.

Altho I’d not get anything. Are you expecting him to get you something for your birthday? If not why are you doing more?

Alyssasbackrolls · 05/03/2022 10:48

You could get a couple of bottles of posh cider. Tesco's or any big supermarket have a dizzying (no pun intended) range of fancy bottled booze off the back of the craft beer trend.

caringcarer · 05/03/2022 11:04

Bottle of wine.

Chocomelon · 05/03/2022 11:05

Sounds to me like he’s expecting you to arrange something to do on his birthday, rather than a present…

Yes I thought this too like you're asking if he's doing anything so you could arrange something...

Kittykat93 · 05/03/2022 11:08

Just get him a bag of sweets. You're really over thinking this for someone who is just someone you shag and aren't actually dating.

CorsicaDreaming · 05/03/2022 11:12

@Alyssasbackrolls

You could get a couple of bottles of posh cider. Tesco's or any big supermarket have a dizzying (no pun intended) range of fancy bottled booze off the back of the craft beer trend.

Yes I'd do this - some bottles of interesting cider.

Lennybenny · 05/03/2022 11:26

@AmyFarrafowler

It’s someone I’ve been friends with for about 5 years, fwb on and off for some of that time.

I saw him yesterday, it’s his birthday coming up and I said to him yesterday ‘are you doing anything for your birthday?’ He heard me say ‘do you want anything for your birthday?’ He started saying it’s lovely that I’ve thought about his birthday etc, so now I have to think of a present for him!

I wouldn’t mind but he’s the most awkward person to think of anything to get Hmm he doesn’t have any hobbies, works long hours so doesn’t get much free time, has some food type issues so getting food/restaurant type gifts is a no go.

We’ve never done presents for each other so I’m not sure where to start! I don’t want to get too much so it looks like it’s straying into boyfriend territory, but don’t want to look mean either. I was thinking maybe a box of the Japanese or American sweets and maybe a cinema gift card, but then I don’t know if that would look like I’m expecting him to ask me to go with him?!

Can anyone give me any suggestions of what I could look at please?

He said it was lovely that you'd thought about it. How did that mean what are you getting me?
Itchylegs · 05/03/2022 11:32

A really good Normandy cider. Maybe Aldi do it.

AlisonDonut · 05/03/2022 16:16

Just because he expects something doesn't mean he gets it.

Why is everyone running around with suggestions? He is a cheeky fucker and doesn't need to be pandered to.

Chocomelon · 05/03/2022 16:19

Why is everyone running around with suggestions? He is a cheeky fucker and doesn't need to be pandered to.

Are you ok hun?

We are giving suggestions because OP asked for suggestions.

And also I don't think he's a CF for misunderstanding.

SilverHairedCat · 05/03/2022 16:20

Six bottles of Rattler cider would be a good gift for a cider lover. Mix the flavours if you know he likes fruits one, or stick to the apple if he doesn't.

Eloise666 · 05/03/2022 16:21

A flagon of Old Rosie, or a few bottles of Henry Weston vintage cider.