Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

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

Original poster

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

76 replies

FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 15:23

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.

OP posts:
TatianaBis · 10/12/2021 20:54

Who traipses round shops these days? Get online and order something like everyone else,

KatyRebecca84 · 10/12/2021 21:24

@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.

Buy him some American golf gift vouchers and golf balls… I’m doing the same for my husband. However, he should be grateful for aftershave!!
HyacynthBucket · 10/12/2021 21:25

You could promote the other presents you have got into main ones, and give thelovely after-shave as a "stocking filler" that you thought he might like as it is the real deal, better version the one he usually buys.

Sn0tnose · 10/12/2021 21:28

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

Just in case you can’t get hold of the sensor things, have a look at Vice Golf. They’ve got some really cool umbrellas and towels and their balls have got really good reviews, but you’d need to know whether he prefers hard or soft balls. Titleiest Pro V1s are always a good choice if you’re not sure which he prefers. FootJoy is a nice brand of golf shoes. Also, a GPS thing is quite handy. It lets you know the distance between where your ball is and where the hole is. Or a Galvin Green top.

Mummylovesmonkeys · 10/12/2021 21:32

This is where Amazon is your bestie!

Personalised golf balls? Golf club covers? Golf gloves?

I'd just go silly and buy lots of crap!

Lussekatt · 10/12/2021 22:03

@TatianaBis

Who traipses round shops these days? Get online and order something like everyone else,
Lovely and helpful as always!
SilverBelle · 10/12/2021 22:17

@drpet49

Aftershave is such a boring present
Return everything and get him a set of Ronaldo underpants.

That'll get him thinking…

I've also heard Hai Karate has made a comeback. Perhaps a nice soap and deodorant set since he doesn't like aftershave gifts.

Original poster
FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 22:17

Thank you for all the ideas. Some of them are really great and I'm noting them down for future present ideas (if he's still lucky enough to be with me by next Christmas Xmas Wink).

Thank you for the nice/supportive posts too. I'm not at my best this week and Christmas shopping is the last thing I want to be doing right now so all your helpful suggestions have been very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Thegreencup · 10/12/2021 22:21

@DockOTheBay

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.
You're thinking the exact same as me.

Glasses and Travel mugs are what I buy relatives I don't like. Underwear is a present for him.

HandScreen · 10/12/2021 22:23

Just go on Notonthehighstreet.com and get some ideas. Your ideas really are terribly boring, generic presents (sorry).

Blackmagicqueen · 10/12/2021 22:29

I would love my favourite perfume as a present and don't feel it is a cop out unless buying somebody a random one you don't know they like/wear!

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 22:35

@FlyingOink

He likes sport, especially golf...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.

And he buys you travel mugs. And he smells of knock-off aftershave. And he makes shitty comments about gifts before he knows what you've got him.

Sounds lovely, op.

TBH, when it’s put like that I’ve gone off him, and he’s not even my BF.

I have spent the afternoon unblocking a shitty waste pipe drain with plumbing rods, whilst my husband was indoors, so I may be biased I admit. And then I showered and cooked dinner.

At least my DH doesn’t like golf and appreciates aftershave so there’s that, I guess.

Bloody men!

Original poster
FlamingoYellow · 10/12/2021 22:58

Tbf to him, I really love nice lingerie. It's the sort of thing I spent far too much money on back in the days when I had disposable income (pre-kids). He knows the shops I buy from and the styles I like, it's not like he's buying me some tacky stockings and suspenders from Ann Summers or anything like that.

The travel mug was because we like going for walks together and usually bring a coffee with us when the weather is chilly but the mug I used to have broke so he got me a replacement one the same as his. I thought that was quite sweet Blush.

This thread has made me realise how different people's idea of what a good present is though - I've always thought most of the stuff on Notonthehighstreet.com was a load of useless tat (sorry!) but some people love it!

OP posts:
HeadPain · 10/12/2021 23:02

I've never known people to talk about what a "terrible gift" other people have got. I find that so weird.

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2021 23:53

This thread has made me realise how different people's idea of what a good present is though - I've always thought most of the stuff on Notonthehighstreet.com was a load of useless tat (sorry!) but some people love it!

I realise I’ve recommended you NOTHS golf tat, but I fundamentally agree with you! I think you should stick with the aftershave. I’d totally prefer that.

But you think he won’t appreciate the aftershave so odds are he’s a ‘thoughtful gesture’ type of present receiver than a ‘practical but luxe upgrade’ type…

Rangoon · 10/12/2021 23:58

Many years ago I tried to be what I thought particular boyfriends wanted. Things like fishing in a small boat where I was seasick and freezing. Pretending to like critically acclaimed books and awful arty films. Most of all I tried to pretend I was cool when I was very much not. Finally I gave up the pretence - I like brunch, regency romances, cryptic crosswords and violent action films. To get to the point, you thought the aftershave was a good present so I'd go with it and he could like it or not. You don't have to hare round like a mad thing dealing with his newly expressed pickiness. (By the way, my husband loves the real me.)
.

DDMAC · 11/12/2021 00:13

What about a golf club, have you heard him mention needing anything new. You could get some nice golf shirts or gear for golfing in the rain?

Original poster
FlamingoYellow · 11/12/2021 00:15

I realise I’ve recommended you NOTHS golf tat, but I fundamentally agree with you! I think you should stick with the aftershave. I’d totally prefer that.

But you think he won’t appreciate the aftershave so odds are he’s a ‘thoughtful gesture’ type of present receiver than a ‘practical but luxe upgrade’ type…*

No I see what you mean and you were very helpful actually looking at specific items I could get him, I really appreciate you putting in the time! What annoyed me were the posters who came on just to tell me ALL the presents I've bought are crap and I need to find something else, but not giving any advice about what that something else could be. Helpful!

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 11/12/2021 01:13

Give the aftershave with a “I know you think it’s a lazy gift but actually I chose it with love because know you never splash out on the expensive version… plus I seriously love the way you smell” and a snog leading to…

Seriously. Stick with it! As Rangoon says, be yourself.

SimpsonsXmasBoogie · 11/12/2021 03:48

I bought my DH aftershave this year. He specifically asked for some and said he wanted me to choose. The one I have chosen is hideously expensive but it's one we found in another country a few years ago and he loved it but thinks we've both forgotten what it was called.

Little does he know that I took a card from the stand and kept it in my purse, biding my time until we actually had enough money to justify spending so much one an aftershave. This is the year Xmas Smile

It is not always a boring and thoughtless choice. It is only thoughtless if you really haven't put any thought into it, which it sounds like you did.

Your boyfriend sounds a bit childish. I sincerely hope he's as concerned about finding the perfect gift for you, as you are for him. Your Christmas gift exchange will be very telling...

KosherDill · 11/12/2021 03:53

Swiss Army knife?

I received one 35 years ago and use it at least once a week.

Original poster
FlamingoYellow · 11/12/2021 09:18

Right, I've been convinced, he's getting the aftershave and I will tell him my reasoning behind it when I give it to him. I have until 9th Jan to return it so if he really hates it I can, but I don't think he will.

@SimpsonsXmasBoogie that sounds like a great present and I'm sure your DH will love it Xmas Smile.

OP posts:
Aderyn21 · 11/12/2021 10:11

How about a bean yo cup coffee machine, if he likes taking home made drinks out walking?

Babdoc · 11/12/2021 10:12

The only thing I would be taking back and exchanging is not the aftershave, OP.
I'd go to the boyfriend shop, hand him over and ask for one who isn't a boring,
passive-aggressive, picky CF...!

Skysblue · 11/12/2021 10:38

Ignore the people suggesting vouchers!!! If he thinks aftershave is boring he will loathe vouchers.

Personally I’d still give him the aftershave, it’s a thoughtful gift that he will definitely enjoy, and you can just grin and say I hope this isn’t too boring… Probably you’ll both have a giggle about it.

I might also get him something cheap but more personal, like maybe a favourite comic from his childhood (loads on ebay), or a mug with a picture on of somewhere you’ve been together or would like to go.