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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask what you buy your husband for birthday?

93 replies

butimjayigetaway · 26/05/2022 20:13

Buying gifts for men is difficult. What do they want? My husband likes things like expensive watches, am I meant to save up and get him one? He earns all the money, it would take me a few months to save for a watch for a few hundred pounds... is that worth it or would you need to spend thousands? I know nothing about expensive accessories.

What other types of things do you get your husbands?

OP posts:

Puffalicious · 28/05/2022 11:15

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.

bakewellbride · 28/05/2022 11:16

A nice bottle of whiskey.

LuaDipa · 28/05/2022 11:25

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.

BarbaraofSeville · 28/05/2022 11:35

mudgetastic · 28/05/2022 10:54

Whatever he buys himself is taken off him until his birthday

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.

Robinni · 28/05/2022 11:38

frostedfruit · 26/05/2022 20:16

I got my partner a flying lesson last year, it was £180, he loved it and I was so excited to see his face

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

Hbh17 · 28/05/2022 11:45

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.

BluebellCockleshell123 · 28/05/2022 11:51

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.

JennyForeigner · 28/05/2022 12:13

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

Whatsonmymindgrapes · 28/05/2022 12:51

Coffee machine
watch
a coat

that sort of thing

Brogues · 28/05/2022 12:52

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

KermitlovesKeyLimePie · 28/05/2022 12:54

We buy each other holidays for our Birthdays.

mudgetastic · 28/05/2022 12:57

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

Gatehouse77 · 28/05/2022 12:57

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.

Wherearemymarbles · 28/05/2022 13:01

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

Wherearemymarbles · 28/05/2022 13:12

Also buy from Amazon rather than retailer!

CupidStunt22 · 28/05/2022 13:59

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.

zuziix · 01/06/2025 09:20

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.

NeedWineNow · 01/06/2025 09:51

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.

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