I swear my DH is impossible to buy for…help!

[RaisinFlapjack]

My DH is impossible to buy for, and yet always manages to buy me thoughtful gifts. It’s becoming a bit of a standing joke now that my present-giving is rubbish

I just don’t know where to start.

Things I can’t buy him:

-books or music (all digital these days)
-anything for hobbies/DIY (has everything he needs)
-clothes (too fussy)
-alcohol (teetotal)
-anything for cooking etc (that’s my job)

I’m toying with some kind of experience/voucher thing but to be honest he’d probably never spend it - we have busy lives and young kids and rarely get to go out anywhere.

He’s very particular so even when I am in roughly the right ballpark with a gift it can still be wrong.

I normally buy him some foodie treats and some posh toiletries but it’s getting a bit boring year after year.

Inspiration, anyone?!

You say he has everything for DIY but does he have an endoscopic camera? About £30 on Amazon- but you can spend £££ - attaches to a phone or tablet, then you can poke 3-12 metres of bendy cable anywhere you like and look on the phone screen at where it is. For drains, and behind radiators and sofas, in birdboxes and guttering.

You didn't mention food on your list - favourite snack? What about something he could do with the kids?

What does he like doing?

I know this sounds boring but if he stays in bed for a cuppa on the weekend or reads in bed, I bought a friend who was Ill this pillow from Dunelm that you lean against to sit up. Shes since better, but is fully in love with her pillow still!

Book or audiobook voucher
Bluetooth headphones
Voucher for favourite clothes shop
Cinema gift card
Book a trip away for you both in the new year

@IntemperateSpirits

You say he has everything for DIY but does he have an endoscopic camera? About £30 on Amazon- but you can spend £££ - attaches to a phone or tablet, then you can poke 3-12 metres of bendy cable anywhere you like and look on the phone screen at where it is. For drains, and behind radiators and sofas, in birdboxes and guttering.

You didn't mention food on your list - favourite snack? What about something he could do with the kids?

Endoscopic camera - I like this idea.

Snacks, chocolate etc I always buy him something but it’s just slightly boring! Only so many snacks a man can eat (and he’s always on a diet!)

Something to do with the kids could work, but what? We have 2 primary/preschool age boys but none of them are into classic ‘boy stuff’ like football/sports.

@GromblesofGrimbledon

Book or audiobook voucher Bluetooth headphones Voucher for favourite clothes shop Cinema gift card Book a trip away for you both in the new year

I don’t really like buying him generic vouchers - he’s the main income earner and generally just buys what he wants, when he wants it (we’re not particularly short of disposable income) so it just feels like giving him permission to spend his own money?

He has a million pairs of Bluetooth headphones.

Would love a weekend away but we have no babysitters!

My dh is also v difficult to buy for. He is not teetotal, so I almost always do food and wine.

No suggestions, but I feel your pain!

Last year was a total fail. I bought him one of those wood fired pizza ovens. He and dd love making pizza together so thought I was on to a winner! His sister bought him a paddle thing to go with it and a recipe book... he returned all of them! .

He also returned the beautiful merino jumper and gilet I bought him.

I give up! This year, consumables all the way, the old grinch

@Number109

What does he like doing?

He’s quite nerdy around film/TV/books, but not into any one thing enough to appreciate related merchandise. All of this stuff going digital/on demand has completely screwed up my present giving as these used to be my go-to gifts.

He used to be a committed cyclist but a) he has everything and b) he has a long-term injury which has almost stopped that hobby in it’s tracks so buying anything related to it is rubbing salt in the wound.

I bought mine Bluetooth speakers for out in the garage. He loves them .

@PenelopeVonDelius - sounds very similar, I have learned I ALWAYS keep the receipt for anything I buy him!

Sports car driving experience?
Tractor driving with the kids.
Indoor skydiving.
Trip to Bear Grylls.
Warm coat.
Pair of trainers.
Really good torch.
Lessons for something
The Man Booker prize shortlist. My exDh used to buy me this each year, it was a great present.
A good board game.
Velvetizer/coffee machine

OP does he like Game of Thrones? Because we did the Game of Thrones tour in Belfast and it was epic. I don't know how old the kids are but you could take them too if you really can't get childcare. You don't need to enjoy the shows to enjoy the journey as it pretty much shows you all the best sights in Northern Ireland.
We stayed in a travelodge in the titanic quarter for £50 a night and the flights were about £70 total for the two of us.
We did the minibus tour.

Assuming you're not already in Ireland, of course.

Would he collect vinyl? I got my DH a decent record player. He loves it and obviously vinyl records are now an option. Gig voucher for him and a friend if no babysitter? Band t shirt ? Family weekend away glamping ~ NT do tree pods. Something different!
Blacksmith course day or similar?

Are you near an Everyman cinema? Membership for that?

If he's that hard to please, I'd be tempted to get him a donation to Oxfam ...

A course of sports massages.

Unlimited Cineworld ticket ?
Odeon do them as well.

Slippers? Heated throw?

My OH loves a good pen & notebook.

Do you have a stove or a firepit you get get him pine cone firelighters www.cantocandle.com/product/kindle-cones/ might be better as a stocking filler idea @RaisinFlapjack

Get him a scaletrix, he can play it with your boys and it'll probably take him straight back to childhood. Doesn't sound like he particularly wants or needs anything so maybe something fun and a bit novelty would work?

A home made 'voucher' for a guilt free night out with you babysitting, plus a ticket to go somewhere with one of his friends?

Or I'd second something that is actually aged for your dc but that he will enjoy doing with them - crafty stuff / lego etc

Readly subscription - pay monthly for digital access to thousands of magazines including US ones, some of the titles are interesting! My dad likes to read the American guns magazines on it even though he doesn't have a gun. I got him a 3 month subscription and he renewed it after it ended and likes dipping in and out. Loads of hobby magazines in it too. I've bought it for a few men's presents who are hard to buy for.

Have you looked at Folio Society, they do some beautiful books with gorgeous artwork and you can pick up his favourites. They look beautiful on the shelf!