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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you are a man, what do you really want?

60 replies

WheresTheBear · 10/01/2022 21:38

BF's birthday coming up soon, I've no idea what to get him, If you are a man, what do you really want for your birthday?....or definitely not want?

OP posts:
JaceLancs · 10/01/2022 21:45

My DP always wants tools! Good wine or chocolates
Never says no to a meal out or night away as a birthday treat
We always buy each other little things as well - it’s his birthday this week and he will v be e getting a cactus growing kit, a model kit and a couple of books to do with his hobbies
Apparently his favourite Xmas present from me was a Victorinox sharpening tool

Xiaoxiong · 10/01/2022 21:47

Why don't you tell us what he's into and we can give you suggestions instead?

To demonstrate that not all men are the same here's what was a hit with DH recently:

  • Airpods
  • Digital soprano saxophone
  • 5kg weights
  • Heated eye mask
  • Electric blanket
  • Salt pig made out of a tree root
  • Book of sea shanties and other classics for the accordion

Things he definitely wouldn't want:

  • magazine subscription (no time)
  • rugby tickets (ditto)
  • cologne (makes him sneeze)
  • shaving kit (no need)
Xiaoxiong · 10/01/2022 21:49

Oh you can add tools to things my DH would never ever want. He is abjectly terrified of all DIY, model making, kits, etc. Give him an accordion and he's happy.

Simonjt · 10/01/2022 21:49

What sort of things does he like?
What brands is he into?
What hobbies does he have?

MamaWeasel · 10/01/2022 21:52

I just asked my dh. Definitely doesn't want toiletries or socks.

The6thSanta · 10/01/2022 21:53

My DH loves anything to do with cooking. Hit presents have been a set of Wusthof Knives, boxes of 100’s of herbs and spices, The Curry Bible book, this breakfast kit that we cooked together (store.dishoom.com/bacon-naan-roll-kit/). He also fancies proper Asian food lessons, but wants to wait a while first (he’s a bit funny about people 🤣).
He also loves his Echo Pods (they’ve been a hit with me too - no more arguing over Alexa volume).

He’s pretty happy with whatever he gets to be honest, but the above he loves and chats about fondly.

Original poster
WheresTheBear · 10/01/2022 21:56

I'm not getting him anything to do with his hobby as I wouldn't know where to start and he would probably have it anyway.

He likes gadgets and gaming. Not keen on reading, or DIY

I'd like to get him something quirky

I see tools for men the same as a woman getting saucepans! 😆

OP posts:
Original poster
WheresTheBear · 10/01/2022 21:58

He always seems dead chuffed with what he gets, so I'm not looking for something connected to anything in particular

OP posts:
MrsPotatoHead22 · 10/01/2022 21:59

Mega boom speaker.

Original poster
WheresTheBear · 10/01/2022 22:00

@MrsPotatoHead22

Mega boom speaker.
Ooh, I'm gunna have to have a look at what one of those are
OP posts:
100daysandBeyond · 10/01/2022 22:01

It's my brothers 30th birthday soon and I'm really stuck for ideas.

So I'm going to slink in here and have a gander at these ideas....

Vapeyvapevape · 10/01/2022 22:04

A drone

WhyYesYABU · 10/01/2022 22:05

My husband is into cycling. Wait - sorry - is that too outing? I mean he has a mysterious hobby. Anyway. Over Christmas I got him a belt and wallet made from recycled inner tubes from an Etsy seller called Velo Culture, and over the weekend I ordered a Peloton.

He's really into coffee so will be getting a new coffee machine for his birthday in Mat

Carolwithane · 10/01/2022 22:05

Not my OH but my DB who is torture to buy for loved his shower radio he got for Xmas - less than £25 from Amazon

BadLad · 10/01/2022 22:06

I definitely don't want experience gifts, like driving a McLaren a lap around Silverstone, or anything like that.

Alcohol gifts always go down well with me. A box full of different beers, preferably local ales.

One of my quirky Christmas presents was a pen whose ink smells (very strongly) of tea. Love using it and seeing people's reactions when they have a sniff of the ink.

Momicrone · 10/01/2022 22:07

Tickets for something? Concert? Zipwire? Escape room?

Nc123 · 10/01/2022 22:08

I had a huge hit over Christmas with a smart watch for DH and a beanie with inbuilt Bluetooth so that he can listen to music. Neither were expensive but he was thrilled.

Momicrone · 10/01/2022 22:08

Haha badlad, cross post!

JealousOfDDsOodie · 10/01/2022 22:10

I got my DH a really cool painting (fun, characature style) of us as a family done by a local artist. It's fab, now on the wall of our hallway and goes down as one of his all time favourite presents as it was personal to him. It's a big talking point with friends and visitors to the house too.

JaceLancs · 10/01/2022 22:16

Adult Lego goes down well here as well as escape room games
DP would hate clothes or toiletries as a present ditto socks

BadLad · 10/01/2022 22:24

@Momicrone

Haha badlad, cross post!
They're great gifts for some people - they just aren't the kind of things I want to use.
ThurstonArmbrister · 10/01/2022 22:28

Why don't you ask him? Even us guys can't read his mind.

WorstXmasEver · 10/01/2022 22:35

The best present I got from my Mrs was some little vouchers which she wrote that say things like "i will put the kids to bed for the night" & "You can have a private dinner ( a takeaway without having to buy one for the whole family)...plenty of variety on them. Definitely no aftershave & whenever the new buys stuff for my hobby she always ends up overpaying badly.

Original poster
WheresTheBear · 10/01/2022 22:39

@ThurstonArmbrister

Why don't you ask him? Even us guys can't read his mind.
I have, as it's so close to Christmas he doesn't have any ideas
OP posts:
musicalfrog · 10/01/2022 22:42

Bamboo boxers.
Posh coffee.

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