What to get FIL?

[LottieLou90]

Hi everyone,

I always struggle every year for a present for my FIL. It’s the typical “oh I don’t really know / haven’t thought about it”

DH has been firing suggestions at him but he says no to everything.

Last year we bought him one of those experience voucher things to look around his favourite football stadium and also for dinner and night in a hotel near the stadium for him and MIL. Never used it. So vouchers are out.

Then there’s the usual pyjamas/ aftershave / slippers etc that he either doesn’t like or still has tags on. It then gets worse because he seems annoyed he didn’t get anything ‘good’ can’t bloody win

It’s a lot harder this year as I’m on maternity leave so we aren’t getting the amount of income we have had the last few years. We have told him time is ticking and money is running out.

I appreciate its only the start of November but we had planned to get all the Christmas presents done by now so we have money at the end of November to host Christmas this year. Which he will be coming to.

Does anyone have any suggestions for fussy people? At this rate he will get a card and a box of chocolates. I love him to pieces but my god he’s a nightmare to buy for.

Thank you x

Following.

If you are on mat leaving hosting Christmas, I SERIOUSLY suggest you take him at his word. Don't get him anything expensive/big/flashy. Either token chocs/review of the year book (or magazine subscription for a year, for something "bigger") but that's it. You might be surprised that he is genuinely happy with that! Sometimes parents don't want to see their children spending huge amounts of money on them.

My DF is hard to, I always place safe boring (I got him a living social mea voucher last year and it was unused!)

Slippers
Diary (he still works, so I get a leather diary which is from the LFC shop)
Shirt/jumper

Something I went "out there" and was surprised he used.. a Bluetooth speaking for his car so he could take hands free calls

A amazon echo dot thing, it's a total gimmick to him and will sit there going "Alexa tell me the time" even tho they have a clock

Is he a cooker? I got my uncle one of those spice subscriptions one year, he loved it... but he's big on cooking

Magazine subscription. I had one last year and it was much more appreciated than smellies/chocs. Lots of offers about this time of year.

Is he a cooker? Jeeze I'm tired and my English is awful lol

That’s true @desperateforsleep2

Should’ve put price limit. Was looking to spend about £30-£40.

They are very reasonable and lovely. MIL always asks for Pandora or clothes voucher plus we get a little something from kids for them both like a little hamper or something.

Just want him to have something he actually wants.

He might just time with you (your family, his son, grandchildren etc.)! Sometimes these things are simpler than we think!

Try a boardgame you can play together as a family over Christmas when he and wife are there visiting you.

Can only cook boiled eggs and chips

Maybe the magazine subscription is something to think about.

Asked about amazon dot and he wasn’t interested. We have one and think it’s quite good so DH suggested but no.

Thank you for all suggestions so far

My dad is getting a calender of the kids done on vistaprint, no7 gift set and £30.how about a mug of the kids pictures on moonpig? Ive done those alot over the years x

Ooo @angelkd that’s a good idea.

Did a calendar for MIL last year but never used it as she didn’t want to ruin it. She’s very sweet. Just hangs it up.

The mug is a very good idea and he can take it to work.

You can get subscriptions for anything - does he have any interests at all?

@nicknamesalltaken he likes football and cars (Grand Prix and Touring cars) He goes to Thruxton /Goodwood a lot

Is there something particular he likes to drink? My dh is a massive tea drinker so as part of his gift I've ordered far more expensive than usual, but apparently very good quality, tea. I guess it'll be a treat after usual supermarket stuff  I wouldn't have a clue, can't stand the stuff (before anyone comments, he will be getting more than just tea 😂).

Or is there a spirit he enjoys? Does he enjoy gardening (gift voucher that he can use?)?

I find buying for the men in my life very difficult so I totally sympathise! (and it's my dad's birthday a week after Christmas 🙄).

Notonthehighstreet usually helps.

Beer advent calendar (Costco) - given early obvs.

The ‘ahh fuck it’ present would be something for his footy team. Does he go to matches?

What about your oh taking your fil to a local football match Boxing Day/New Years day? Or something they can do together like santa pod. Magazine subscription for old cars?

The mugs are good the pictures turn out well x

Some really great ideas - thank you so much everyone.

Will do the mug and look into the magazine subscription for cars I think.

He isn’t a massive drinker but normally get a nice bottle of red in the hamper thing.

Thank you all again x

We did a subscription for Motorsport magazine for my dad who sounds like he has similar interests. He absolutely loved it and it gave him something to look forward to each month and he used to make the maagzine last a month as he could dip in and out of it - he got one for his brother he loved it so much. It’s great quality and you also get a weekly email and some sort of free gift.

Promise I don’t work for them it’s just something that was a big hit!

shop.motorsportmagazine.com/subscription/subscribe

Does the hamper usually go down well? If yes, I'd just give him that - you could maybe 'upgrade' it a bit to a few more bottles of wine or a more expensive wine etc.

Thank you @ariamontgom that’s great!

The hamper does go down well. It’s usually a gift for both of them from the kids. Normally put in biscuits, jams, bottle of red, photo of the kids and some chocolates so we don’t usually spend a huge amount on it.

But if he appreciates the hamper, and isn't too interested in/bothered by other stuff, just poshing up the hamper a bit might make your life easier.