I've bought someone a present they don't want!

FlamingoYellow · 2021-12-10T15:23:30+00:00

Ive bought my boyfriend aftershave for Christmas. He normally buys the cheap fake version of an expensive well known aftershave and I thought he might like having the real thing for a change. Nice thoughtful gift I thought, as it's something I know he will like and that he wouldn't buy for himself. Just had a conversation with him where he was telling me his housemate has bought her boyfriend aftershave for Christmas - apparently this is such a boring, cop out present and he's glad I would never get him anything like that. Shit. I'll have to try and return it buy I've now no idea what to buy him as a main present. I got him a nice wiol jumper and a book as well.

Original poster

FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 16:44

Unless I just give it to him and apologise? Shit shit shit. I really can't think of anything else to get him!!! Help!!!!

OP posts:

lightisnotwhite · 10/12/2021 18:13

Yes return.

What sort of presents does he get you? People generally get things they like themselves.
You seem to have bought safe gifts; books jumpers, aftershave. Do you like getting similar presents ( expensive/ better versions of commonly liked stuff)?
What does he like doing? Buy him a odd gadget for for stuff he likes . A sausage guillotine if he likes chorizo, a metallic wristband if he likes DIY, a personalised version of something he uses ; notebooks, t shirt, mug

Welcometothejingles · 10/12/2021 18:21

You've bought him two gifts to unwrap so return the after shave and buy vouchers for a dept store or give him cash. Boring gift but at least then he can choose what he wants.

WorriedGiraffe · 10/12/2021 18:25

Christmas isn’t for another 2 weeks so all the shit shit shit isn’t required at all. I’d return it, hard to say what else to get him though! What does he like? Could something like a beer subscription work?

Welcometothejingles · 10/12/2021 18:27

Agreed and there's no need to apologise either.

NotAshamedToFancyTheGrinch · 10/12/2021 18:40

Sausage guillotine 😂

I’ve already got my DHs presents but that’s giving me “the twitch”

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 18:57

Return it if he won’t appreciate it.

If you want ideas for him, what’s he into?

drpet49 · 10/12/2021 19:08

Aftershave is such a boring present

Original poster

FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 19:09

The 'shit shit shit' is because I'm going away for a few days from tomorrow and then I'm having procedure immediately after that which I think is going to take a little while to recover from, so it's not like I can traipse round shops. I'm very, very stressed with other stuff at the minute and this feels like one more thing iyswim!

He is very difficult to buy for. He likes sport, especially golf. I literally can't think of anything related to that I could buy for him though except maybe vouchers for lessons at his club but that's a bit boring.

He doesn't like DIY, cooking or anything like that. He's not massively into his appearance and has sensitive skin/hair so anything like that isn't any good and he's not much of a drinker.

My budget would be between £50-£100.

My ideal gifts would be upgrades of stuff I would normally buy for myself. Presents he has bought for me have been: a personalised bracelet, a travel coffee mug, some trainers I had liked in a shop, cocktail glasses, nice lingerie.

OP posts:

SunshineCake1 · 10/12/2021 19:09

I think calm down. Maybe he knows you've bought it and is dropping hints but I just think he is behaving in a way that would leave a nasty taste in my mouth. Give it to him, watch his reaction, calm down.

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 19:21

Urgh, golf.

How about any of these?

I've bought someone a present they don't want!

DockOTheBay · 10/12/2021 19:22

I don't think aftershave is a cop out present any more than a travel mug or lingerie, those are pretty generic gifts. He is being a bit of a git about it to be honest, I think it sounded like a good idea especially if he usually buys the cheap version.

JamieNorthlife · 10/12/2021 19:23

Get him a watch or vouchers.

Return the aftershave or gift it to someone else.

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 19:26

Oh, weird, photos didn’t load.

From Not On The High Street, a personalised scratch off golf course map, a leather score card or tee holder etc.

LaBellaTrix · 10/12/2021 19:26

Gift the aftershave to someone else and buy him a paperback thriller ( 5 for £1 in my local charity shop) and a Christmas jumper in your size, so when he turns his nose up at it, you can wear it.

PaddingtonsHat · 10/12/2021 19:27

I’d just give it to him and pass it off as the standing joke ‘boring gift’. Or tell him he smells

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 19:27

Or you could go with “Ha, hope you weren’t serious about aftershave being a shit gift…”

Cas112 · 10/12/2021 19:33

What about tickets to somewhere, I've bought my boyfriend tickets to the grandnational, does he like any type of events or what about an activity weekend or experience. That way you don't have to go to the shops you can have tickets send to your email

Original poster

FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 19:35

I am trying to calm down!

I thought he might have figured out I'd got him that because it seemed a bit of a coincidence that he kept going on about what a bad gift it was. However, he also knows how stressed/low I've been recently, I've had an awful week and he's been really worried about me , so it would be extremely out of character for him to put added stress on me now. Plus he keeps saying how he doesn't want me to worry about what buy him and he will love whatever I get him, etc!

Thank you for the ideas so far.

OP posts:

SunshineCake1 · 10/12/2021 19:37

Then give him what you've got him as he's said he'll love it..

Original poster

FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 19:38

His housemate also bought an experience gift voucher for her bf and apparently that's also a terrible gift! Just as well I didn't give him that along with the aftershave! I will look more into the tickets for an event, all the ones I've looked at so far have been quite pricey but I will keep searching.

OP posts:

CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 10/12/2021 19:43

You're fine you've bought him other stuff and his reaction will be a good test of your relationship. Don't apologise for it. Just say you bought it before he said it was shit and didn't have time to return it. If he acts all like omg how awkward I'm so sorry I said that it's a nice thought thank you then he may be a keeper. If he kicks up a fuss bin him.

Aria999 · 10/12/2021 19:43

Next time he says something is a terrible gift say 'you're picky aren't you! Is there anything you DON'T think is a terrible gift?'

I always make people tell me what they want these days.

PlumManor · 10/12/2021 19:45

@FlamingoYellow

The 'shit shit shit' is because I'm going away for a few days from tomorrow and then I'm having procedure immediately after that which I think is going to take a little while to recover from, so it's not like I can traipse round shops. I'm very, very stressed with other stuff at the minute and this feels like one more thing iyswim!

He is very difficult to buy for. He likes sport, especially golf. I literally can't think of anything related to that I could buy for him though except maybe vouchers for lessons at his club but that's a bit boring.

He doesn't like DIY, cooking or anything like that. He's not massively into his appearance and has sensitive skin/hair so anything like that isn't any good and he's not much of a drinker.

My budget would be between £50-£100.

My ideal gifts would be upgrades of stuff I would normally buy for myself. Presents he has bought for me have been: a personalised bracelet, a travel coffee mug, some trainers I had liked in a shop, cocktail glasses, nice lingerie.

I bout DH a round of golf for two at a club about 20 miles from home that is one of the top courses in the north and has hosted loads of golf events (whatever they call them).

He was delighted, and raved about it.

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 19:46

@Aria999

Next time he says something is a terrible gift say 'you're picky aren't you! Is there anything you DON'T think is a terrible gift?'

I always make people tell me what they want these days.

This is it. You need to question him!