Buying for someone I’ve never met!

[Heronsnest]

A young man of 30 who will be joining us for Christmas lunch.
Not so sumptuous that he’d be embarrassed! A nice (useful?) gift - help!

Do you know anything at all about him? His hobbies? A heated travel mug might appeal to a lot of men...they usually charge via the car thingy.

A beanie

I had the same dilemma last year. In the end I went for a box of mixed chocolate bars in a gift box from Amazon, which was about £10

Ooh. Great suggestions!

Bottle of decent whiskey.

I'd not buy whisky or any booze as it's so dependent on taste. Chocolate truffles normally go down well.

Definitely not alcohol. Some people have issues with it. My DH for one.

So who knows him for him to be joining you for lunch? Do they have any ideas?

You don’t know him and you’re entertaining him and feeding him. I’d say that’s gift enough.
I buy for people I know and love. It’s just not necessary to buy for everybody and it’s not expected.
He’s more likely to feel more awkward if he’s got nothing for you in return.

He may well bring something with him for you though. At 30 I would have done. Speak to the person who is bringing him along for ideas.

There's a pandemic on currently. You do know that don't you ? Who is this man ? Who else has he mixed with in the run up to Christmas ?

It’s not just some random I’ve dragged off the street - jeez.
Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

And I don’t need a lecture thanks waitrose

If you can find out anything about his hobbies or likes I would go with that. If not, then a box of posh chocolate (Hotel Chocolat or similar). But it's also ok not to get him.anyting as you are hosting.

If possible, i would try to make it clear that he doesnt need to buy presents for everyone else there. I'm sure he will bring wine/chocolates as a thank you.

I don't know why people are being so sniffy about having someone you don't know well for Christmas. We might be in the same situation - our son has a friend at uni who I've met a couple of times. He lives abroad and is planning to go home for Christmas. However, if his home country bans visitors from the UK or his flight gets cancelled, we are happy for him to come to us for Christmas rather than being on his own. He did have a back up plan of going to his aunt who lives in London, but his aunts husband has just started chemotherapy so thats now not possible. If he does come to us I'm not letting him.sit there whilst we open presents and not give him one.

Nice coffee or hot chocolate

You have understood our situation perfectly EmmaGrundy !
The young man is already in a bubble with a close family member - we won’t be breaking any rules!

@Heronsnest

You have understood our situation perfectly EmmaGrundy ! The young man is already in a bubble with a close family member - we won’t be breaking any rules!

Exactly. Our ds's friend will be able to come to us as we won't be breaking any rules. Hopefully he will be able to fly home as his home country is still allowing that, but we are the back up plan.

Luckily I know he's a big fan of Tequila so can buy that at the last minute if necessary!

A bank card protector holder
Woolly hat
Some kind of shower gel set (bit naff maybe but a nice set?)

Thought of another one. Headphones

Smellies from boots, jar of sweets, gloves.

I'd go with nice chocolates or smellies.

Stop calling them SMELLIES! It's an awful word for a very nice thing.

Dog poo is smelly. Old shoes are smelly. Nice things for the bath or shower are SCENTED!

Don't tell me what to call them @FortunesFave bloody cheek!

Perhaps you would rather I said serviette rather than napkin, or the other way around? What instead of pardon? Should I ask you first?

Ah the spirit of Christmas...

@Twisique I just did tell you what to call them! And I'd do it again!