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!