What have you got for the men in your life?

[CakeNinja]

Rather stuck for dp.
He is outrageously impossible to buy for.
Only likes one brand of clothing, has a couple of nice watches and coats etc.
Previous presents which have gone down well include Bose speaker, coffee machine,
Timberlands, espresso mugs, can’t remember what else.
Little gadgety things would sit in a drawer gathering dust. “Experience” type vouchers tend to expire. We go away for weekends and the like frequently. We have Spotify and Netflix and whatever else for films and music. He doesn’t wear headphones (thought about getting him some for the gym but he hates wearing them so pointless). He doesn’t read.
Booze is an option but boring.
His interests are food/cooking (we have every kitchen gadget I can think of and eat at nice restaurants already so things like voucher for a nice meal out a bit pointless), football, beer, walks with the family, films...
I’m at a complete loss.
I know he would be genuinely fine with nothing and in the spirit of wanting to be nice to the planet I don’t want to buy tat nor would it be welcome.
Things like socks and smellies we just buy as and when we need so not really a present as such.
Absolutely any advice would be welcome, or even just let me know what the men in your life are receiving so I can see if there is anything I hadn’t considered!
Thank you

We don't buy each other much but I got DH some chocolates and sweets, a fancy beard trimmer and the new signed 27/b book.

I know you mentioned he only likes a particular brand of clothing, but would a bespoke, tailor made item be a good exception to this? I've just got a voucher for a tailor made shirt for DH, and know he'll love the experience of the fitting, choosing cloth, cuff, buttons etc.

Good idea ilike but he doesn’t really do dressing up! He wears “work gear” during the week and doesn’t really like shirts or formal clothes. Only under duress for a wedding or ‘event’.
Lovely idea, thank you, and I hope your dh enjoys the experience. I’d like to do the same for a dress, I might look into it!
I think we have a gadget for creating veloute type foamy things
Arghhh, I will keep thinking!
So far, my possibilities are an electric toothbrush and a travel mug... I might have to brave actual shops to crack this.

An tree for the garden with his favourite variety of apples. Sounds crazy but I liked the idea of it.

Cheeky placemark, apart from a car kit I haven’t a clue!

I've got my nephew's gf a big box of bags of various unusual spices. I found a website that does all sorts of stuff and ordered loads. I mention it as you said he likes cooking and finding recipes. I'm looking forward to seeing what she makes with chervil and sumac!

Also, an oil infusing bottle.

Nephew has got clothes, earphones, book, shower gel he likes.

You can drink out of Chillies bottles but I don't fancy drinking a scalding hot drink out of one. I have a cafetier type cup which I use for work with fancy tea leaves I buy online at Nothing But Tea. (white tea with rose petals is my favourite right now).

I've got mine a picture he painted at college framed, CK pants and socks, and tickets to see a comedian he likes.
What about a brewery or distillery tour for your dp. They are quite interesting and you get tasters.

Not super exciting but my local museums have the best fresh tea. One Christmas I asked for the tea leaves from them and the exact same tea leaf straining pots. I always get new boxes of tea leaves for Christmas now and it's the best on Christmas morning. The brand is the is the Brew Tea Company and I really recommend for regular tea drinkers, I've tried so many other tea leaves and no comparison. Also second the ceramic travel mugs. Mine always end up breaking but I keep replacing because tea tastes much better out of ceramic than plastic/stainless steel. They are usually very cheap so more a stocking filler.

I've just realised that all the men in my life are getting jumpers. Except DPS dad. I put together a night in box for him so new soap and shower gel, pyjamas, huge slipper socks things, some chocolate and a bottle of his favourite wine.

My dad is getting a jumper, a new penknife, and a penknife sharpener thing. Maybe a bottle of his favourite whiskey if I can find it.

Brother is getting a jumper and general winter attire. This is what happens when you keep coming to your sister's house in a t shirt in December and complaining that you're cold.

DP is getting a jumper and his favourite aftershave, with some stocking fillers.

Does he have an igrill? It's a digital meat thermometer for the bbq which also connects to an app on your phone. Works really well and impresses their mates 🙄

Oh and also a decent le creuset bottle opener (waiters friend type)

The other thing I know my DH wants is a tailor made suit. He buys decent ones but I know the whole saville row experience appeals to him. Even if it's just for work

@Ilikecakes that’s a great idea, the bespoke shirt! Where did you get that? Would love to hear a review of the experience...

I’ve got DH a decanter (might be an option for you OP but you mentioned spirits rather than wine?), noise cancelling headphones, and a stovetop coffee maker that he’s been talking about a lot lately!

Dh and I do something to eat, something to drink, something to wear and something to read. He usually gets me second hand/vintage jewellery, Turkish delight, gin and a novel that I heavily hint I'd like! This year I've got him v naice single malt, chocolate covered coffee beans, wellies with reinforced toes, the latest Shardlake.

DF is getting a new boiler suit and some good cheese.

DBro is getting Isle of Harris gin glasses (so beautiful) and Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Bil (and DSis) are getting a box of steak from Donald Russell.

Sil and her partner are getting smoked salmon, black pudding, fancy oatcakes.

@HappyGoLuckyGo small local tailor here, recommended from some of the school mums actually. Ask around your area and you'll find the same!

Depends how much you want to spend, but some of the surprise presents I've got in the past which have gone down well are:
Leather overnight bag and matching wash bag
Weekend in Bruges
Brian cox tickets
Watch box and matching cufflink box
Watches (apparently you can never have too many)
Various Lego sets

This year I've gone for a Mont Blanc pen.

Chocolate covered coffee beans ordered thanks. For me really but shall pretend it's for him.

New wallet, single malt, new wellies, nice micro fibre pants and vests and some socks-feels boring but it's what he really wants. He still wears the expensive watch I bought him as a wedding gift 22 years ago and won't replace it!

Honestly DPs favourite gift was from my mum one year, she just got him a great big bag of meat from the butcher

All these Cheffy men! If they bought their wives kitchen things there would be a tirade of LTB!

Right, I battled through the evil shops today and bought him an electric toothbrush, a shirt, a coat, some spicy fancy looking pork scratchings and spotted some locally made gin. The dc have got him some bits too so I’m happy he’s got something nice to open.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas, I hope others have taken inspiration from some brilliant suggestions.
By the way, to the poster who suggested a brewery tour, we have a fab brewery very close to us and he’s been on the tour a couple of times and thought it was very interesting - a really good idea for those who are buying for anyone who might be into local beers/ales.

I have a similarly difficult husband.
Doesnt do:
tech
sport
music stuff
clothes
gaming
alcohol

So difficult

I found that setting a £10-£20 limit for both of us helped and so I have got him a few little bits - radar key (he drives for a living), book. parma violets. He will be happy enough.

Father : His favourite beer is from a traditional local brewery, so for the bargain of £25 plus a crate of bottled beer I got a custom designed personalised label - wrapped up one bottle and although he knew it was beer the look on his face was priceless when he saw the label !

Husband : Good quality leather satchel type bag (from Austin Reed at the time), Bose noise cancelling headphones (not only great for music but also for silence on planes or trains), Trial helicopter lesson, Restoration of his grandfathers watch .

Brother in law : Harry Potter Experience, professional shave / hot towels etc from a decent traditional barbers (Ted baker now do a chain) .
The only other idea I had was to see if you coukd find someone to do a bespoke aftershave for him. I’ve looked at bespoke perfumes before where they blend to your specific requirements so maybe something slong those lines ?

A falconry experience gift voucher - excited about this one!
Rapha cycling top
Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser - hope it is worth the expense
Lego London architecture set - we had a holiday there earlier this year
Nice flannel shirt
Suede slippers
Thermometer for his pizza oven
Plus nice bath stuff and foodie bits

Good thread! Got some nice ideas from this. I wanted to look at some of the kitchen gadgets but DH already has blow torch/ frother thingy/ thermometer gun, the best knives...

He has a Uuni 2 pizza oven which he loves if anyone needed some ideas! Theyre great and not ridiculously expensive (for a pizza oven).

So as this years kitchen utensil I have just ordered a personalised chopping board. Not too expensive, he will love it and it is practical as well as thoughtful! He likes practical gifts the most