What to get the men in my life...

[strawberryowl]

Hi Christmas Ladies and men if you are about, every year I try really hard to find good presents for the men in my life and never quite get it right (last year's bee box not a success). So I would be really grateful for ideas for the following: 24 year old metrosexual (if they still exist) brother, just bought his first house, single no kids. Grumpy and un-materialistic sports loving beer drinking husband (beer 52 already planned for upcoming birthday) cant afford sports tickets and octogenarian FIL. I would love a hamper myself but I know they wouldn't. Please if anyone can help if live to hear from you. Thanks in advance.

Love to hear from you. Must check posts. Am new to this.

Bottle of whiskey for FIL?

Ask your brother if there is anything he needs for his new home. There must be something!

For OH, match day programme subscription for his favourite football club. Or subscription to a magazine for his sport of choice. Autobiographies.

what about theatre vouchers for FIL if he likes the theatre? You can put however much you can afford in and he can use it as a discount off his next trip.

Vouchers for favours, things like a lie in, back rub etc. for DH and gardening/decorating for FIL.

Big selection of snacks for when DH watches the footie that he can use with the beer, so crisps, chocolate, pork scratchings, whatever. A nice tankard/glass for his beer.

Book vouchers for FIL or a nook/e-reader if he's good with gadgets.

DH is a nightmare to buy for, I can't even find any concert or stand up tickets he'd like which is my usual fall back.

I mentioned in another thread how hard men are to buy for. They all seem to have everything,

When I have absolutely no idea what to buy them I tend to buy them some of the following: jumpers, shirts, posh chocolates or shortbread, whisky, beer, wine, scarfs, slippers, pyjamas and socks. Dh likes terry pratchet and fortunately he's always just written a book. Sometimes I get fil a book on history or current affairs.

Recent successes have included cordless phones for fil, a onesie for brother (which was a joke but for some reason he loved it), gardening tools for fil, a head torch for dh, a hip flask for an uncle, nice headphones for dh.

For your brother, I would maybe go with something like:

-phone related, maybe wireless speakers for in his new house that connect to his iPhone. Or the thing where you can control various sockets/appliances int he house with your phone.
-some nice bit of clothing and aftershave
-voucher to get a proper old fashioned shave/facial
-Box set of a series such as game of thrones or breaking bad

Your DH, am not sure, need more details, but if you can't afford tickets what about buying a sports channel package for your TV.

My grandad, also in his eighties was thrilled to receive a kindle from us recently. Very easy to operate and means not schlepping about trying to find books he wants with decent sized print.

DH tends to buy things as and when he wants them, clothes, DVDs, video games etc.

I usually buy tickets so he gets to see someone he wants to see (comedian usually) and we get a night out together, but struggling to find any.

I've seen a make your own cider kit for his birthday that doesn't need any extra bits of equipment, not very exciting but novelty value at least.

On the possible list for Christmas are walking socks, new flask for fishing, aftershave, probably a bottle of Amaretto, nice boxer shorts and socks, shave cream.

Thank you for the great suggestions. Defo think my brother the hardest, 24 was a long time ago. FIL has a kindle and an ipad! He's pretty tech savy. Gig Tickets and booze are probably winners? Anymore? I'm really grateful for your help. Men are really hard.

Men presents I've got so far are :-

Raspberry gin - john lewis
Bath beer selection - john lewis
Nice polo shirts - debenhams
Aftershave
Books
Voucher for a cut throat shave
Spicery gift voucher

Dh has got

Animal hoodie and t shirt
Cologne
Quadcopter with camera
Big jar of gourmet jelly beans

iTunes voucher for FIL if he has an ipad and/or amazon vouchers for the kindle?

Jumper, socks or scarf (for any of them?). Or a nice belt? Have got my brother one of those embroidered polo belts that seem popular among men I know (he doesn't play polo, though he does ride horses, so hopefully it's OK!)
For your dh, book related to a sport he likes? My dps always get my dh a Wisden, as he likes cricket. Or a sport related film on DVD like The Damned United, or Bodyline (or any of the numerous other sport-related films I'm sure exist).
Do any of them have authors they really like?
Aftershave or toiletries for your db? Even an expensive moisturiser or something, he's in to personal grooming?

Have you looked at www.gettingpersonal.co.uk at their personalised posters? Some of them are fab and they have lots of different interests/hobbies. One of my most successful ever gifts was a framed picture of a wall with '[name] is a legend' painted on it.

How about a brewery tour if there's one near you or could make it into a weekend away? Horton Hook brewery in the Cotswolds finishes up with lots of free tastings. Jennings is in the Lakes and Hall & Woodhouse, home of Badgers beers is in Blandford Forum, Dorset.

A nice Kindle cover for your FIL? The KleverCase ones that look like classic books are gorgeous. I bought one for DD and can vouch for their quality.

Firebox will have lots of good stuff for a 24 yo male. Scorpion vodka or Spreadable beer previously sold by Selfridges so not a novelty item and tasty by all accounts. They also have lots of ridiculously hot chilli sauces.

Have a look at the 'what are you buying for your parents?' thread too as there might be some ideas for your FIL.

For your FIL what about a new jumper and his favourite sweets or other posh chocs or sweets. You could get him an annual subscription to a magazine. I don't know where you live but in London they do boat trips down the Thames, maybe the equivalent in your home city/town. DVD of films he likes?

How about an overnight stay in a different town/city for you and your husband as he's present? For your brother maybe a Topshop or River Island Voucher or maybe ITunes?

Depending on team supports but on Amazon local deals there is football dressing room pic where you can add their name to a shirt.For £15 instead of £30 names have to have 12 letters or less ... yes brother I am looking at you for having 13 grrr

Oh and I bought my brother a slow cooker and recipe book when he was about that age for being out of house all day and still have good food.

Thank you there are really brilliant suggestions here - the scorpion vodka looks brilliant! That is a great website thanks. Hopefully this thread has helped others with tricky menfolk!