presents for non-english speakers that don't include food or alcohol?

[Kveta]

HELP!

DH is being next-to-useless regarding his brother (30 year old) and father (65 year old unemployed widower and general recluse), and we need to get them both a birthday and christmas present before the middle of next week, so we can post them on time.

neither drinks, neither likes any food except stuff they are used to (I gave BIL a bar of dairy milk 6 years ago, and he still hasn't opened it, as he doesn't want to try non-czech chocolate), and FIL is spherical, so clothes are difficult too.

I'm tempted to get BIL this because it amuses me, and DH has mentioned t-shirts as a present option for BIL. We have already bought out Twinings for SIL, as she is tea-crazy, but BIL and FIL have no interests at all.

to give an example, we got FIL a subscription to czech National Geographic last year, as he used to be an environmental campaigner. DH asked if he liked it, and FIL said 'oh no, I only read the newspaper these days'. B+SIL got him a subscription to a recipe magazine (czech version of Olive) and same response. So magazine subscriptions are apparently out. No DVD players between them.

I have run out of coffee table picture books about the UK to send to them, and am getting v. frustrated. Don't want to do the usual of nagging DH into a fury and then him getting them some tat at the last minute.

Any ideas for random but cool gifts I can send them?!

A pair of nice shoes ? Pyjamas and slippers, set of dishes, im sure there are loads of thimgs, failing that why not judt ask them what sort of things they like.

Past times has nice things. I bought my dad a magnifying glass and my uncle playing cards. Both were in a wooden box.
My uncle also likes cigars but I refuse to buy those, yuk. So maybe a Zippo.
A torch.
A painting or historical picture of the area where they live.
A wallet.
A watch.

If BIL is into gadgets: e-tip gloves. They work with ipod touch etc.

ooh, thanks for ideas. we have asked what they would like and both shrug and say 'nothing'. which is helpful

will look at past-times, sounds like a plan.

my wee sis has just suggested a framed pic of DS (who's 2) with a picture he's drawn for his grandfather, so that's 1 gift down, 3 to go!!!

BIL not even slightly into gadgets, which is annoying!!!

binoculars
aftershave
a scarf

Czech chocolate? His paper delivered every day for the year? Get onto the local shop and arrange it, or if there are other relatives living locally, get onto them to help. Or get BiL to arrange it for FiL.

Pom the only time FIL leaves the house is to buy his paper, should have said. I am not removing that sole contact with the outside world from him!! but thanks for the idea :)

I think we might get BIL some dominoes from past times (he quite likes playing games with his friends, so dominoes seem like a plan), and get FIL a pen holder from there. They are such an impossible family to buy for!! (DH included!) and FIL always gets a scottish calendar from my parents and and english one from my grandmother, and he sends them czech calendars in return. It is all very sweet, but a bit odd :o

the problem is, SIL is a bit demanding, so will ask for the moon on a stick from FIL,who then feels obliged to spend the same amount on everyone, so we end up getting HUGE gifts from him, which we can't reciprocate because he won't tell us what, if anything, he needs/wants. We have asked for a hamper of czech goodies this year, as there are only so many day-glo blu shirts DH can hide in the wardrobe, and I now have the world's largest collection of cookie cutters, so we are going for edible gifts from him this year :o

Glad you found some things :)

My DF often gets cosy comforting, Cotton trader type, rugby shirts and fleeces.
He's getting part of a Kindle with my sister this year as he's not able to get out and about as much as he'd like)

"we have asked what they would like and both shrug and say 'nothing'. "

There's your answer then

if you can't manage that like me with DH, then a donation to a charity (maybe environmental, since FIL use to do that sort of thing?) in their name, or something boring like socks.