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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

All the time in the world.... still no easier to think of ideas for difficult men!

73 replies

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/08/2020 10:05

Like many others am starting to plan for Christmas to give me something to do. DH and I don't spend a lot on each other, preferring to buy something together that we wouldn't otherwise (new picture/piece of furniture/weekend away).... with a few things to open on Christmas Day.
He will always appreciate books/favourite wine/spirit/toiletries/clothes but I always like to find one thing that is different but useful. Not easy as he tends to buy what he wants when he sees it.
I know from past years there are many other people in the same boat.
I very much doubt that starting this thread now will make it any easier but always worth a go!

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IHeartSusanDey · 21/08/2020 16:53

This was it!

All the time in the world.... still no easier to think of ideas for difficult men!
VacMan · 21/08/2020 19:01

@IHeartSusanDey thank you!! Looks like a bargain, one present off the listGrin

IHeartSusanDey · 21/08/2020 19:23

That's awesome VacMan!! Your DH is going to love it!GrinWink

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 22/08/2020 08:37

[quote VacMan]**@IHeartSusanDey thank you!! Looks like a bargain, one present off the listGrin[/quote]
Great that you are making progress! I'm still looking for ideas, also got a hard to buy for DH (proof being none of the lovely suggestions on this thread working yet) who has a birthday close to Christmas.

My fall back is a hint I picked up off MN a few years ago is to replace something they already have and use/wear a lot e.g. new slippers/white t-shirt, blue jumper whatever.
Seems a bit boring but I think some hard to buy for people just don't want for anything - and if they need something they buy it

OP posts:
Juiceey · 22/08/2020 10:35

I'm getting the lock pick set!

Last year he loved this magnetic wrist cuff

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 22/08/2020 10:40

@Juiceey

I'm getting the lock pick set!

Last year he loved this magnetic wrist cuff

I think my DH might like the magnetic cuff. Has you DH used his and if so is the magnet strong enough so that nails/screws don't fall off with the slightest knock?
OP posts:
VacMan · 22/08/2020 10:59

That's a good point RockingMyFiftiesNot he is desperate for a decent pair of slippers.

Juiceey · 22/08/2020 15:45

Yeah. He uses it all the time!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/08/2020 08:58

www.celticandco.com/sheepskin-slippers/mens-slippers/mens-sheepskin-mules

These have gone down very well with both dh and son in law. I don’t think either would ever think to buy them for themselves.

Sawyersfishbiscuits · 23/08/2020 10:48

I just bought my DH a fire pit. He thinks it's one of the best presents ever and has been singing 'fire starter' ever since 🤣 Worth a try?

Mrsfussypants1 · 23/08/2020 11:47

Lexloofa thank you, it's just what he needs but didn't know he wanted and I didn't realise existed. Man bits get scattered everywhere. I haven't ordered that exact one but found one I loved. DH ideas sorted for ideas now, new golf watch, ugg slippers, organiser stand thing and chocs.

Juiceey · 23/08/2020 12:58

A friend was bought a dash cam for his birthday yesterday.

Chameleon2003 · 23/08/2020 13:12

My dh was chuffed with his steak stone.
www.steakstones.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInKSgg6ax6wIVwu7tCh02MQrlEAAYASAAEgI89PD_BwE

misscockerspaniel · 23/08/2020 19:32

If he likes Formula 1, their shop is worth a look
www.formula1.com

buckeejit · 23/08/2020 21:13

Instead of the grid it, which is great for travel, sounds like your dh could use a peg board? Ikea skadis range are good - have 2 in ds room & they are great.

My dh loves the random velvetiser I bought him last year-hot choc is a regular winter & summer feature now

So far I have a couple of second hand cookbooks for him & that's it! He didn't like the lock picking set-bought it a few years ago ☹️ but will want bamboo boxers so that's something To investigate

Mustbethewine · 23/08/2020 23:11

DP has recently gotten into sports wear over lockdown so I bought him some nike tracksuits.

Twisique · 24/08/2020 08:52

Not on the high street do personalised chopping boards, I think my difficult to please husband liked his... Grin

Phineasthegreat · 24/08/2020 18:05

My DJ loved the el Camino bracelet recommended on here last year. I got metal links of all the places we’d been as a family and beads for all the sea/oceans we’d swam in and wrote him a note to go with it reminding him of all our Holiday memories. Despite never wearing anything similar before, he loves it and never takes it off. A massive hit

GoldenPlover · 24/08/2020 18:14

What a great thread! I haven't gone through everything suggested yet but my suggestion for anyone who likes cycling is a Clug. It's a cool looking clip that attaches to the wall that acts as a bike rack. Less than £20 too.

Sawyersfishbiscuits · 25/08/2020 12:17

@Phineasthegreat
Thanks for the comment about the Camino bracelet. I think my DH would like that.

BiddyPop · 25/08/2020 14:30

Last year, I got DH a little camera on a gyro - not a Go Pro but a smaller, handheld one (something like this, a friend had bought one and DH had seen it in use and was smitten but waiting for a sale...and was really shocked and pleasantly surprised at it! Xmas Grin He had NOT expected it. (I got tickets for the Guns'n'Roses gig this summer, which has now been rescheduled for next summer but we got a refund instead - no sign of an alternative present yet though!).

I have a couple of smart arsed tshirts about engineers bookmarked (about how they know it all, aren't arguing just informing, or that I am an engineers wife and he really does exist) - any of which could be true, (of DH, DBro, DF....!), which I might get.

And some small multitools for bicycles or general use.

I usually end up going to the decent off-licence (right next to our version of Westfield - Dundrum!! - so traffic chaos all December....) in mid December to get a few craft beers (DH likes both winter and Christmas craft beers and this is the only place to get a decent selection anywhere near us).

I got him a good pair of slippers a couple of years ago (the brand image has an elf/moose head, but I can't remember the name) - they were great until he wore them loads in lockdown, and reckoned they needed a wash but the soles got very sticky as a result so are now unwearable - might get him a new pair (possibly with removable inners...or some pairs of fluffy socks to wear at the same time)….

I was actually contemplating a firepit - as we look like spending a lot more time at home again this winter. It might be a good time of year to see if there are camping chairs in end of season sales, to get good ones (our regular chairs are foldable so have large gaps in the back but my camping ones have fabric backs so less wind to whistle through in winter...) if you are thinking that way.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 25/08/2020 18:27

The IKEA peg board sounds perfect - thank you !

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elizabethdraper · 25/08/2020 21:22

My husband's birthday is November and last year i got him a sick subscription, which he loved. One pair of socks each month for a year.

Socksociety.ie

They are plastic free, 100% cotton and really last

bagginses · 25/08/2020 21:40

Thanks for all these suggestions! I have my brother in our secret santa and so the lockpicking set and the wrist strap thing will be perfect!

For my DH I am looking for a nice carafe for red wine, and he saw a bluetooth speaker he liked too.

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