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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to bet you cannot help me think of gifts for the most impossible person in the world?

63 replies

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:03

NCed for this as it’s outing

my DH is the hardest person in the world to buy gifts for!! But it’s his birthday coming up and I need to think of something

So - he is vegan, tee total, doesn’t eat sugar or high fat foods, doesn’t drink caffeine, doesn’t like cars, cycling or sports, doesn’t read books, doesn’t listen to music. Doesn’t like gardening, not into fashion, would never let me buy any tech for him, not into ‘self care’ or ‘pampering’ of any kind. Doesn’t do DIY. Doesn’t collect anything.

His interests are fitness and cinema - but he has all relevant subscriptions and equipment already.

To add insult to injury, I’m immobile temporarily but it means we can’t go out together: no meals, events, holidays, etc. He doesn’t like doing things on his own. I’ve tentatively suggested buying him tickets to things with friends but his mates are mostly gym buddies and they don’t socialise otherwise.

WHAT can I get him?!?! Aibu to think nobody can think of anything and it’s completely impossible?

OP posts:
CrackingOn50 · 23/05/2025 21:06

Would he listen to books about fitness etc? An audible subscription?
Does he have one of those rings that monitor health like Oura?

TigerRag · 23/05/2025 21:07

Experience day?

ilovepixie · 23/05/2025 21:08

Cinema voucher?

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:08

CrackingOn50 · 23/05/2025 21:06

Would he listen to books about fitness etc? An audible subscription?
Does he have one of those rings that monitor health like Oura?

Good suggestions, but no he wouldn’t listen to audio books and yes he has all the monitoring devices you can imagine!

OP posts:
whatisgoingonwithmycareer · 23/05/2025 21:08

Gym gear needs replacing quite a lot so there might be something that could do with an upgrade or a posh version of? Even a kit bag. I’d maybe ask a gym friend of his what’s the cool thing at the moment.

Cinema: books! Who are his favourite directors? Big monograph book about one of them? Vintage movie poster framed?

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:08

TigerRag · 23/05/2025 21:07

Experience day?

I’ve tried but I can find any experiences I think he would like - good shout though, I’ll have another look

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 23/05/2025 21:09

Can you book for something when your better?

WhiskyandWater · 23/05/2025 21:09

There’s some great Japanese puzzles you can get, maybe he’d like one of those?

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:09

whatisgoingonwithmycareer · 23/05/2025 21:08

Gym gear needs replacing quite a lot so there might be something that could do with an upgrade or a posh version of? Even a kit bag. I’d maybe ask a gym friend of his what’s the cool thing at the moment.

Cinema: books! Who are his favourite directors? Big monograph book about one of them? Vintage movie poster framed?

Oooh that’s a good idea! I could ask one of his gym buddies about replacing old equipment!!

OP posts:
DappledThings · 23/05/2025 21:10

Does he actually want something or do you just think you have to get something for tradition? Nobody could ever pick anything for me because I don't want anything. Not everyone does.

FuzzyPuffling · 23/05/2025 21:10

A year's supply of interesting socks.

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:11

DappledThings · 23/05/2025 21:10

Does he actually want something or do you just think you have to get something for tradition? Nobody could ever pick anything for me because I don't want anything. Not everyone does.

He definitely likes a fuss.

interesting that you don’t like gifts though - what do you like to do on your birthday?

OP posts:
CrackingOn50 · 23/05/2025 21:11

How about one of those rings that you can use as contactless payment?

Sports massage or chiropractor voucher for any aches and pains?

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:12

CrackingOn50 · 23/05/2025 21:11

How about one of those rings that you can use as contactless payment?

Sports massage or chiropractor voucher for any aches and pains?

Oh wow these are actually amazing ideas - do you have a similarly difficult dh?!

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 23/05/2025 21:12

What sort of cinema?

BFI do stuff.

outerspacepotato · 23/05/2025 21:13

Name a star after him.

www.nameastar.com/

DappledThings · 23/05/2025 21:13

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:11

He definitely likes a fuss.

interesting that you don’t like gifts though - what do you like to do on your birthday?

Pretend it doesn’t exist. Which makes me unusual I admit but with these kinds of threads I always think it's worth checking. Sounds like you do need to find something, I have no ideas sorry!

One of the reasons I hate presents is that I hate the idea of anyone I care about having to stress themselves out trying to come up with ideas just for the sake of it.

Rozbos · 23/05/2025 21:13

What sort of gym does he go to? If he does something like CrossFit then there are lots of gift options!

TomatoSandwiches · 23/05/2025 21:13

I've been to a few orchestra film nights at the RAH, the James Bond one was fantastically electric, you could look for one that plays later in the year so he has something to look forward to and hopefully you can attend.

Kittkats · 23/05/2025 21:14

Can I hijack?
DH is harder. He’s currently immobile, can’t leave the house without significant pain. Has an audible subscription. Can’t wear socks. On a diet. Doesn’t read. Can’t stand for long.
Need inspiration for Father’s Day and birthday.
likes online chess and Pokemon go as he can’t do much else atm.

MCCN · 23/05/2025 21:14

Replacement gym wear.
New trainers
Good quality vegan snacks - nuts, dried fruit etc
Alcohol-free wine or beer
Good quality soft drinks/cordials/alcohol-free cocktails
Vegan cooking course
Does he have any clothes or belongings he loves which are getting shabby and you could update?

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:15

outerspacepotato · 23/05/2025 21:13

Name a star after him.

www.nameastar.com/

Wow! I love this

OP posts:
ThinWomansBrain · 23/05/2025 21:15

If you're in or near London, there's a walking guide who does several tours of 'lost' cinemas.

CrackingOn50 · 23/05/2025 21:15

Extremegiftgame · 23/05/2025 21:12

Oh wow these are actually amazing ideas - do you have a similarly difficult dh?!

Nah, I'm just good at daydreaming about gifts whilst procrastinating 😂

Any film studio tours? There are some really cool themed maps of the UK etc that have film locations on to visit, like fold out OS maps.

Also, if you live near a city, there's maps/interactive treasure hunts that you can get.

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