So. Really good presents for men that are NOT...

[monkeymamma]

Hip flasks (why do magazines think men want endless hip flasks?)
Books about gin (look, gin is all very well, but who wants to READ about it?!!)
Scarves, gloves, hats (as I've done these items many times over)
Toiletry sets they won't use
Novelty games, puzzles etc.

I have some very lovely men in my life (BILs, boyfriends of much-loved nieces) and I don't want to burden them with stuff they don't need or want, but I don't know them well enough to say, choose a book for them.

What presents in the £15-20 range can you get for men that are genuinely useful and not gimmicky or purely decorative (as I don't know many men who genuinely want decorative stuff...)?

All ideas received with interest and thanks!

Last year a surprise hit for ds and dnephews was a Supery wallet (purchased in sale) with a Ninja Card and Starbucks/Costa gift card in it.

Bought so far:
Binoculars
Aeropress
Grid it
Picture of milkway timelapsed over 1 night - mounted and framed.
Bluetooth wireless headphones
Japanese soldier themed Bento box
Food thermometer
Dog walking socks and some dog biscuits

Oh forgot:
straight razor
Trout fishing net

You can get personalised Moleskin notebooks if you buy them off their website

Whisky2014 Can I ask where you got the time lapsed picture of the Milk Way from? x

www.notonthehighstreet.com/chadpowellphotography/product/galactic-rainbow-milky-way-print

He has a fair few different ones so if you actually search "chad powell photography" it should bring them all up. He also has his own website chadpowellphotography.com/store/

So the one I got (top link) is called galactic rainbow....my dad will love that! Hehe. I would take a picture but I've already wrapped it! I got it mounted on white card in black frame but I see on his website you can get it mounted on black card. Different frame colours too.

This is one of the most helpful threads on Mumsnet- thanks so much for starting it OP.

Another few ideas-

A stargazing lamp ( like on J Lewis ad) never too old for that.
A kiss ass chilli sauce kit.
A pc repair tool kit.
Bamboo t shirt- amazingly soft.

That WoolOvers link is mad. £5 for a jumper? Might just buy some for myself.

I cracked £13.50 for two, delivered. At that price I can resell them if the sizings off rather than return them.

If they’re into their music, this guy makes art out of vinyl records. I got one each for DH and son in law last year. Huge success.

alternate, oh those are brilliant. So clever. Especially love that art design for Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights. Will start dropping some hints tomorrow!

Along similarish lines, "Spineless Classics" print entire novels in themed wall art form. Everything from Terry Pratchett to Shakespeare to Thunderbirds scripts.

Examples here.

Unframed, the smaller sizes are quite reasonable (or perhaps pool your money with another gift-giver, for the pricier, larger, versions). But, if you feel the need to frame, I'd get hold of something simple elsewhere...their charges for doing it are crazy.

My Woolovers have been dispatched (via Hermes [cringe]) so I'll report back when they arrive. I have high hopes.

Thanks for this I have now ordered two Woolovers and a cute oil and vinegar plate with a heart inset for the vinegar because DH loves bread dipped in balsamic oil and vinegar. I can add the bottles and it will be a good gift.

speakout - Thanks for the PC repair kit suggestion - I've been racking my brains for ideas for my brother, but that one could be a winner!

I've got dh a cheap charger bag from aliexpress (would have been a grid it if I had the budget) an otterbox charger lead (looks better than the shit apple ones) car charger & power bank.

I've really struggled this year

What I want to know is who the fuck uses all these hip flasks they sell every year?

ducknamed- I bought this PC repair kit.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001NYK66/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

Sex toys!! Love honey is discreet (apparently) never used them before they have some basic stuff on there for first timers half price. Surely beats the usual stuff they get. It's going to be my dh best Xmas ever, got him cool new gadget Google home we don't have anything like that and he will love it and some sex toys.

Can’t really buy sex toys for your son in law though can you?

I bought two of those jumpers - one for my dad and one for my wife’s uncle. Thrifty.

Thank you. This is fab. My DH is a Pia to buy for but ordered a wallet ninja, grid it and going to find a subscription for him x

I’ve been following - thank you sooooo much for the woolovers link! I bought 4 - she always needs things like that for work!

I’ve had a thing with Dh for a while where I choose a pair of funky / smart trainers eg onitska tiger for birthday and / or Xmas (or both!) he wears them through so much. He likes the surprise and I have a good idea of what he likes colour wise. He’s done the same for me too and they were v awesome!

*he always

Shame my partner prefers v neck rather than crew neck otherwise the woolovers is very good

Love Honey parcels are indeed discreet when delivered, but only really suitable for gifts exchanged privately. I wouldn't want to have to explain any of them to my 9yo or my GMiL, for example.

www.flightstore.co.uk is good for aviation buffs.