Help with getting my wife a present (and male advice in turn)

[Carleatspeas]

Hi Mumsnet. I’m a man, I come in peace.

Last year you helped me with a truly excellent load of advice about Christmas presents for my other half. Great successes were a Coach handbag, sailor knot bangle and various other bits and pieces. I was very grateful for your help and they were well received. This year I’m completely stumped again. I have a tendency to buy a load of crap that she doesn’t really want, so would value any help you can give.

To give you a picture of her she’s (a young) 41, pretty, slim and likes outdoors life. Sadly no kids but a dog she loves and likes things like Boden, Joules and similar brands. I’d like to get her some slightly off beat stuff, but also something decent and classic. Will probably spend anywhere between £300 - £500 possibly more if it’s something special.

By way of a trade, I’ll give you some ideas for men. I’m 38 and pretty similar to her in many ways. Things I’d genuinely like:

Good shoes/ boots – men rarely buy these for themselves.
High quality socks/ underwear – it’s boring but we genuinely like them
A decent belt – again something we don’t look to buy but would like
Whisky – Old Pulteney is my favourite. A very good whisky.
Cool whisky glasses (cut crystal types are great)
Cool peaky blinders style flat caps etc
Anything that relates to space and the universe – books especially
Tools – I’m a man, I love tools
Experience days are great

Things to steer away from

Unless obsessed with sport (and I like sport a lot) stay away from the crappy football/ rugby related gifts. The generally just get shut in a drawer (exception is decent sport autobiographies or tickets)
That loud shirt you like with the stars – he doesn’t
We don’t really want moisturiser but some toiletries are okay
Lots of chocolate bars – hmmm
I don’t want a towel
Not another washbag
Nothing related to mobile phones

Thanks for any help you can give!

Flat cap! My husband mentioned this a while back, and I've been trying to think of something quirky to get him to go with his bountiful 'tache. This may be the winner, so thank you!

For your wife, for her outdoorsy side some cashmere or mohair walking socks, or Joules bamboo ones, Sealskinz gloves, a lovely coloured Klean Kanteen, or maybe even a good camera for shots of the scenery and dog?

Fossil and Nokia do nice 'normal' looking watches, which are actually activity trackers.

A really chunky throw or blanket?

I'm hoping Father Christmas will bring me some Terre de Lumiere perfume from L'occitane, or pretty much most of Not on the Highstreet!

Thanks good ideas. I Iike the Fjallraven Ovic flat cap. very expensive at £40 odd quid but cool!

A few people on here have mentioned Turtle Doves cashmere fingerless gloves. They look lovely, very good quality and would be great for hiking and dog walking.

If she’s into the outdoors, would she appreciate a new pair of walking boots/Hunter wellies?

Perhaps also a really special bottle of something - if she likes gin a lot of people on here have recommended Isle of Harris gin, or a really indulgent bottle of red/white.

Fingerless gloves? This puzzles me somewhat, but she might like them. I feel bin picking jokes coming on though.

I’m a similar age and spec to your wife. Things I would like include: merino wool walking socks, books for identifying wildlife I might spot in my walks, a scarf or throw from Avoca, some clothing from Patagonia (organic cotton, recycled polyester, fair trade stitching - clothes consumption is bothering me at the moment, it may not be bothering your wife). Some nice non granny like thermals for outdoor pursuits. Cosmetics from Neals Yard.

Fingerless gloves is a great idea! You can still used your fingers properly and have warm hands. And they look all lovely and cosy like you should be holding a mug of joe chocolate with marshmallows as an added bonus.

What do you mean by the crappy sport related stuff?

Hit not joe

Omg hot

Mmmmm Joe Chocolate.

By crappy I mean 101 best goals DVDs or Liverpool themed Stationery.

Each to their own though.

Patagonia and wildlife books. I like it!

Have purchased some merino hiking socks too.

These silk lined leather gloves are warm, and waterproof. Light enough that she can do even fiddle things like dog leads, and have touchscreen pads so she doesn’t have to take off her gloves outdoors.

Trouva is a great website for unusual gifts too.

Book an alpaca walking experience. Have to leave the dog at home though!

Examples of space universe things that aren't books.

Rockets that you can actually set off
Star charts
Nasa T-Shirts
Space X goodies

That sort of thing

What about some gorgeous, high quality wellies for dog walking? Look up the brand Aigle, I recently bought the Miss Julie style.

I also like Joules and would be happy with most things from there. Some lovely scarf choices and they do lovely slipper socks and fluffy socks. You may even find them dog patterned if that's her thing.

Otherwise, how about other nice home comforts like books, gourmet tea selection, Emma Bridgewater mug (they do various cities - must have one of a special place you've been to?)

Forgot to mention, nice quality toiletries. Look at Loccitane or Neom. Can't go wrong with a White Company candle either!

Aigle wellies, great shout but I just bought her some Chameau ones for her birthday.

I have Aigle ones and they are ace.

Bridgedale socks are the dog's bollocks for walking imo. Buy the most expensive longer ones, around £15 a pair. I never knew it was possible to have comfortable feet throughout a walk until I bought them.

Have she got an Apple watch or Fitbit? I have a friend who sounds rather similar and she has a Fitbit with a white/floral strap which is lovely.

Emma Bridgewater mug with Vizsla print purchased!

Hold on a minute! Has nobody taken the time to berate this interloper for some or other infraction?

Just to let you know that I'd love everything mentioned on this thread please!

I'd like one of these of the dog

www.iwannabefaced.co.uk

Hush do lovely cashmere wrist warmers (fingerless gloves). Maybe a nice scarf from fatface?

Fingerless gloves, cashmere - I have these, don't use them for outdoors as prefer technical kit, BUT they're great if she works from home in a cold office...

Top level Petzl head torch.

Don't buy her walking boots without her trying, otherwise she might shred her feet!

Fitbit, or Garmin sportswatch,

Aigle wellies are decent, especially the insulated ones.

Colin Prior mountain photography course (if she likes outdoor photography)

Ooh ooh this is a good chance to plug one of my lesser-known-presents tips. You can order a customised OS map on the Ordnance Survey website ! So for example you can centre it on your home or get an area which she likes walking in. Or pick an area which covers several good parks. Etc.

Also, if she likes coffee I recommend the subscription coffee at Hasbean. You get a really interesting range of coffees to try.

www.hasbean.co.uk/collections/subscriptions