Present/s for Husband

[Scout19075]

MrScout is a challenge to buy presents for. The things he wants or would find useful are extremely specialized. He doesn't tell me what he'd like until days before Christmas and I end up sending the ideas to his parents and sisters since they struggle with ideas even more than I do.

I am a SAHM with a limited income of my own (bills, etc., come from his pay but I have a little money of my own I use for presents and the odd treat for myself). I am absolutely struggling with ideas since all of the decentish ones I gave away. Would it be wrong or cheating or doing MrScout out of a present if I got him something he can do with SmallBoyScout (who turned three last month)? They both have a love/passion for steam trains so thought of getting MrScout a subscription to a train magazine since he often gets SB a train magazine to read together. Or a set of Lego since MrScout loves Lego and will often buy little sets with the pretence of buying them for SB but he enjoys building them with SB.

I think MrScout would enjoy them but it feels like cheating or getting a present for SB in a round-about way. Would anyone else do something like that?

Doesn't sound even vaguely like cheating to me - sounds v.sensible

Go for it - not only will he enjoy but he'll get pleasure out of SmallBoyScout enjoying it too.

My "MrScout" is a total nightmare to buy for and has been for our entire marriage (all 24 years). Am seriously thinking of getting "him" a romantic weekend in Paris/Rome/similar for Christmas...thoughts?

Mrs Scout - I think thats a lovely idea - go for it. Depending where you live could you buy them tickets for a Santa special train trip or for a trip in January 2013 .... depending on cost could link with a lunch for them out together pre trip be it

DH suggested a large lego Star Wars set for him and DS to 'share', but they're a bit of my price range this year.

Thanks, all. After some more thought about it I'm going to go for a basics Lego box (650 pieces or more) so the boys can construct, knock down and build again. As much as I like the idea of the magazine knowing SB loves post I feel I would be taking something away from MrScout -- he loves taking SB to the shop for a new magazine (and a newspaper for himself) and then off to the café for coffee (coffee for him, juice for SB) and toast and to devour the magazines and newspapers together. I can't take that joy/pleasure/fun away from him (and the 1-2 hours a week free me time I get at home to do nothing!).

MrScout sounds lovely. You're v lucky OP (as am I). I'm sure he'll love a 'joint' lego project to to with SB. And don't mess with their boys coffee shop mornings! Good choice imho .

Could you also add something specifically for him though, for example a bottle of something he wouldn't normally splash out in for himself?

Yes, I do have a couple of little things just for MrScout, including a book he was eyeing while we were in the US for Thanksgiving (I snuck back to the shop to get it while I took SB to the toilet). I'll also get a bottle of gin from me and some bottles of tonic from SB (since SmallBoy isn't old enough to purchase alcohol ) because that's his drink of choice on the rare occasions he drinks.