The Impossible Husband

[Andsoforth]

I don’t know what to get dh. He already has everything. After 18 years I’m distinctly low on thoughtful ideas. And he’s no bloody help. Mil, dm and db are also hassling me for suggestions.

Budget is around £100, and £20-30 for others.

He doesn’t enjoy sports generally - except for two extreme sports for which he has all the necessary kit.

He doesn’t drink.

He’s permanently on a diet (I’ve got some of his favourite chocolate for his stocking)

He doesn’t diy, garden, birdwatch or play board games.

He reads but only on his phone, doesn’t want a kindle and a gift card would be pointless.

He enjoys photography but already has all the kit. I’ve already exhausted the heated gillet, clever gloves, headlight options too.

There’s nothing left to “upgrade”
I love the man dearly but I am completely stumped.

Would anything like an experience be an idea?

Big art book of work by a photographer he admires?

Shower gel/ deodorant to match his aftershave

Wildlife photography experience

Tickets to band or comedy night or filing of his favourite TV programme

Magazine subscription

Coffee subscription

Does he actually want anything? Could you donate to a favourite charity in his name?

Book tickets to something-show, play, lecture, historic building etc

Dh is difficult too and in recent years I've booked the Churchill war rooms, a metal work experience, clay pigeon shooting. You get the picture. Also something to open on the day-usually decent men's toiletries although the kids plus relatives also want ideas also-cineworld vouchers, decent socks, beer.

Birds of prey/hawking experience.
Tank/supercar driving experience or track day.
A really good pair of ‘astral’ binoculars (Celestron is a good brand) and download a ‘Starry night’ app.

@newtb off to comb through experience options. Maybe, maybe!

@MillyMollyManky Gave him one for his last birthday so I need something a bit different but lovely idea (might file that away for next Christmas though)

@Defiantlynot41 lovely suggestionsbut he has unopened bottles of toiletries, been to Kenya a few years ago on a shoot, and goes out with a camera club a couple of times a year, gets a lot of free tickets through his work, doesn’t read magazines and has a coffee subscription……sigh. Thank you for the ideas though

Magazine subscription relating to one of the sports he enjoys
Coffee/tea subscription
Leather gloves
Sheepskin slippers
Piece of art if you know what he likes

*Ignore coffee subscription suggestion!

@neverendinglauaundry he’s already very generous and also volunteers for a charity so I’m not sure. Might think about that one.

@Lookingformymarbles experience of some kind might be a possibility. Tricky to find something he hasn’t already done/lived

@FadedRed He inherited my df’s tracking telescope as astral photography was their shared interest. Lovely idea and I agree that starry night app is brilliant if anyone else is looking for an idea.

@CoffeeChocolateWine ooh sheepskin slippers could be a thing!

Signed photo of Farrah Fawcett, or whoever he had a crush on in his yoof.

I gave my sister a signed photo of Peter Davidson from when he was in Dr Who and one from Gene Hunt in his Life on Mars days. Massive hit, both of them!

Why are you buying things that he doesn't want or need? Why don't you either ask him or suggest that you don't buy for each other if there really is nothing he wants or needs.

For experiences, there are plenty of cooking/baking ones around if he enjoys that. Zoo keeper for a day, or an animal experience. Or walking with llamas.

Sat nav, if he doesn't have one.

Promise to take him out for dinner at somewhere a bit more upmarket and special than you would usually go. Or book an overnight stay at a hotel, and make a weekend of it. Possibly somewhere where there is a photography exhibition.

What does he use to make coffee at home/when he's on the move? Something like an aeropress?

Or take him out for a fab meal?

Ooh what about that thing where you get a celebrity to say a message on camera for someone? Cameo www.cameo.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1sucBhDgARIsAFoytUvjD49Ke8mL6BRuqzBpPid3KVolZUpiN8RYxA_WTUVv_Fy_8XXpfmIaAib2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Gamin watch or similar? For the step counting etc I hear it's quite addictive

Personalized Ordnance Survey map centred on your home? Order unframed map by 15 December.
shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhu3Ht4zt-wIVmoBQBh3jHgPyEAAYASAAEgJ0yvD_BwE

I got mine some alarmingly expensive sheepskin slippers and a cable tidy thing. These are the only two things he’s used recently. Oh and a jumper I think.

This is the tidy thing. Can be for travel or storage.

amzn.to/3PgS77q

Like this

@elQuintoConyo that’s inspired! And hilarious! I think you’ve just solved a birthday present dilemma for another family member. Thank you!

If he’s into nature why not get him a bat detector or a wildlife camera for the garden!

I spend hours outside in the evening listening to bats and I have also discovered evening visitors that I never knew I had thanks to the camera

This

Expensive shower gels he wouldn't buy himself off one family member (at least you know it will get used) or bath bombs if he would use them (my husband would)

Would he be interested in a subscription such as readly or Spotify?

Clothes - invisible friend do printed t-shirts associated with some extreme sport hobbies. I've bought DH a new pair of craghoppers

A nice selection of cordials or tonic waters if he drinks them

Give to a charity in his name and let him know on Christmas day. If he doesn't like that idea, he might be more willing to give you ideas for presents next year 🙃