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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

DH is a pain in the arse

23 replies

BuntyCollocks · 02/12/2013 09:39

He wants nothing. He has a drawer full of t shirts, of which about half a dozen get rotated, jumpers he doesn't wear, jeans, a wardrobe full of shirts.

We have an ipad, a kindle, and smart phones.

He suggested us just going away for a night, but with two small children (DD is 11 months and DS is 2), and no family close by, we won't actually get the chance unless we have visitors (so, rude to abandon them with the kids as they only come for a weekend), or if we go home (again, we only go for a weekend, so it doesn't feel like a break to me).

He doesn't have any hobbies, weekends are family time as he works long hours, he's not a big drinker ...

I am seriously, seriously at a loss.

OP posts:

ShatnersBassoon · 02/12/2013 09:42

Do him a stocking full of small treats. His favourite chocolate, a book, some nice toiletries, posh socks...

It's often easier to buy small non-essentials than large non-essentials.

gamerchick · 02/12/2013 09:42

An experience? I got the husband a helicopter lesson once. Virgin do loads of experience days... but it's cheaper if you pick one and book with the company direct.

monkeyfacegrace · 02/12/2013 09:43

A watch? Ive bought DH an Armani Ceramic watch as he is impossible too.

Yamyoid · 02/12/2013 09:43

Aftershave? DVDs? Music?

Original poster

BuntyCollocks · 02/12/2013 09:49

Might do him the stocking, but finding things to put in is horrendous, too. Any toiletries are generally left to gather dust (head and shoulders man!), I've actually had to cull the pants and socks drawer as they were overflowing, and they're fairly posh I think (pringle).

God, we sound so spoiled. :( We're honestly not! He just kind of has everything he'd want as he's not materialistic at all. He has a lovely watch he got for his 21st from his parents, which I couldn't hope to better (a Tag).

Music he gets on his iphone, DVD's get watched once then abandoned, and our perfume/aftershave shelf is groaning because he keeps forgetting to wear it, as do I

Got him tom ford neroli portofino last year for his 30th, and he's not even taken a cm from the top of the bottle, despite him really liking it.

OP posts:

Pascha · 02/12/2013 09:51

DH and I are both a bit like this. We solved it long ago by just not buying wrappable presents for each other.

peggyundercrackers · 02/12/2013 10:08

sounds like my OH, PITA to buy for. the only thing he seems to buy is books connected to his hobby. he has more socks than you can shake a stick at, doesnt do toiletries - has more bottles of aftershave than I have prefume, all expensive ones too but never uses it. he doesnt do gadgets at all so no phones/laptops etc. and drinks next to nothing.

hes ordered a book for himself for about the third year running so no doubt i will end up paying for that. the books arent cheap though, this ones ONLY £60..., and most of them are only published in the states.

anapitt · 02/12/2013 10:15

agree not to bother with presents !

ChinUpChestOut · 02/12/2013 10:19

DH and I also have a similar problem - in that he's impossible to buy for! We've just about solved it now by agreeing that we will buy ourselves a joint present. In previous years, this has included a kitchen dresser, a garden wall and a painting (picture, not door or window frames). This year we've decided that as we are fat bastards we are going to buy ourselves a rowing machine.

fuzzpig · 02/12/2013 11:33

I think my DH's main gifts will be a fitbit for Xmas and Makey Makey for his birthday

kiwidreamer · 02/12/2013 13:37

The only thing DH wants is an Xbox One, he never plays games on the current Xbox but he REALLY wants the new gadget... makes NO sense to me but as I'm a SAHM and he doesn't want / need ANYTHING else and we can afford it so I think I'm going to give him the nod --plus he mentioned me having a kitchenaid which I suspect was to butter me up--

I've got him a new hardback from our favourite author and a giant tub of chocolate almonds from Costco and seriously considering updating his two ties from mid last decade lame

kiwidreamer · 02/12/2013 13:38

oops SAHM reference in the middle there was basically he earns all the money, works hard, doesn't drink or spend money usually and we can afford it...

Scarletohello · 02/12/2013 13:42

Go out for a fab meal?

kickassangel · 02/12/2013 13:46

We don't buy each other presents other than stocking stuff.

Sometimes we will get a babysitter and go for a posh meal instead.

CheckpointCharlie · 02/12/2013 13:46

iTunes voucher? Netflix subscription? IOU voucher for something? Massage? New coat?

I know!!! Breaking bad box set!!!! Sorted. (I got that for DH for his bday and we are getting through it)

WholeNutt · 02/12/2013 13:51

Kindle voucher, iTunes gift card? Donate your chosen budget amount to a good cause adopt an animal etc?

I've asked dh for a list this year, no list no presents!!

SicknSpan · 02/12/2013 13:54

It sounds like what he really wants is time with you.

Even if it would be hard work, could you try and arrange a night away? If I was your friend, even if I had to come a long way I'd come and stay to babysit if you were happy to have me me look after your dc - is a there anyone you could ask? Hotel or b&b doesn't need to be far for 8th to feel like a break.

Then make up a posh voucher in a gold envelope.

Original poster

BuntyCollocks · 02/12/2013 14:06

Some amazing ideas here, tbh, I didn't even think about him wanting time with me we've been having a nightmare with dd and her sleeping or lack thereof.

OP posts:

rootypig · 02/12/2013 14:19

What SicknSpan said. Then buy a bottle of champagne to take with you, and have a lovely dinner. And not so subtly encourage him to buy you some lingerie he'd like to see you in. = both presents sorted

Can you pay your parents' or sibling's petrol to come to you? Or ask them to do it as their gift? Though tbh you might find they'd love the prospect of a weekend with the kids anyway.

ArbitraryUsername · 02/12/2013 14:23

Oh yes. Maybe he'd like an oxford goat.

ArbitraryUsername · 02/12/2013 14:23

Oxfam. Damn you autocorrect.

WholeNutt · 02/12/2013 15:04

Make up a picnic, get a bottle of bubbly. Put candles all around your lounge then by candle light enjoy some romantic time together.

If the kids don't wake up halfway through!!

fuzzpig · 02/12/2013 16:23

An oxford goat. Charity gifts for the genius of the family :o

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