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Christmas

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

Original poster

The Impossible Husband

67 replies

Andsoforth · 09/12/2022 16:47

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.

OP posts:
Canthave2manycats · 09/12/2022 18:19

Meal out, weekend away? Though you mightn't get much for under £100 but you could go more expensive maybe, seeing as you'd also get the benefit of that?

TiaraBoo · 09/12/2022 18:22

Is it too late to say no presents to each other and agree to have a city break or mini trip?

verytired42 · 09/12/2022 18:40

What about tickets to space photographer of the year exhibition at the Royal Maritime Museum?

primeoflife · 09/12/2022 19:09

We've decided £10 limit and then go away for a weekend together! Saves all the angst

MerryMarigold · 09/12/2022 19:10

How about a night vision cam you can set up to look at wildlife in the garden?

Goatinthegarden · 09/12/2022 19:15

Does he actually want a present? I think people make the mistake of thinking that finding a perfect gift is a really important part of showing someone how much you care for them.

DH and I got to a stage in our adult lives where we had everything we wanted. We don’t have children, we have hobbies that require specific equipment and clothes, but we both have everything we need for those hobbies and we buy what we want, when we need it. Waiting for Christmas when we could have bought something earlier in the year and enjoyed it for several months, seemed a bit silly.

We just decided between us that it was stressful and wasteful choosing gifts when we didn’t need anything, so we agreed not to buy presents for each other. We had to swear that we’d both actually stick to it and not buy a sneaky present, or be secretly disappointed on the day.

It was a bit weird at first, because we are conditioned to think a nice gift=love. But actually, as a person ‘who has everything’, I now find it a relief not being bought gifts. I love the idea of being given a gift, but more often than not, I found it a bit stressful thinking someone had spent their hard earned money on something I didn’t need or desperately want. We now just enjoy our time off over Christmas together. We spend time doing our hobbies together and indulge in nights away or great food instead.

Pics · 09/12/2022 19:53

I have an H like this too. And his birthday is just after Christmas so it's a double whammy.
In the past things he has liked included:
Indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with app
Slippers and luxury dressing gown
Also done shooting/driving experiences
Breadmaking kits
Really high quality thermos coffee mug he takes to work/fishing
Thermal underlayers!
Pictures of the kids framed

So far thus year I have bought a whizz thermometer to go on the outside of the Woodburner...... thats it!

My dd buys him pringles every year. I think she's got the right idea.

Slinkyminky22 · 09/12/2022 20:47

Don't know if any of these will be suitable but gifts I have bought for someone who has few needs include:

A personalised (initialled) leather coin tray for hall/bedside table
Freezeable whisky stones (I know he doesn't drink alcohol but might be good for other drinks in summer)
A watch
Amazon Alexa and smart lightbulb
A luxury snood
Clip-on reading light for the bed frame
Nice thermal mug or decent water bottle

PigletJohn · 09/12/2022 20:54

Socks.

BeaLola · 09/12/2022 20:56

If you are near London take him to Maurice Bloomfield exhibition at V&A and drinks/lunch after - my DH enjoyed this

(It's on til early Feb)

BertieBotts · 09/12/2022 20:59

Does he edit his photos on a computer? Last year DH's favourite thing was a custom printed mousemat I got him, large luxury gaming type mat, with recent family photos. I arranged them in a collage around the edge. I found it on amazon. Might be too late now to order in time though.

kateandme · 09/12/2022 23:47

New jumper
History book on his hobbies.

If he is a giver and helps charities what about shelter. You can donate specific amounts that in our current climate woukd help massively.and if you look you can see- so much gets someone a meal,accomadation,a buddy,key worker session etc
Photo book of some of his best shots.
Or a photo album for him to fill with actual printouts.
Wall art

mellicauli · 09/12/2022 23:54

cashmere jumper. So soft & lovely and warm.

Original poster
Andsoforth · 10/12/2022 00:03

@Goatinthegarden I think you have a great attitude. It might be too close to Christmas this year to change the goalposts but maybe something to consider in the new year.

@mellicauli that could be an option.

Thank you all for the great suggestions. Hopefully it’s a useful thread for others with difficult to buy for DH’s

OP posts:
Inezza · 10/12/2022 00:09

I was going to ask about computer kit too if he uses that for photo editing. Would an upgrade of keyboard/ chair/headset/mouse etc be any use?

mrsbyers · 10/12/2022 00:15

Just order mine a personalised wingback pencil , well that’s part of his 50th which is next weekend

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 10/12/2022 00:19

Mine is getting pyjamas, slippers (requested), T-shirts (to replace ones he split led stuff on) and a yuyu hot water bottle. He is hard to buy for as he just buys stuff he wants - except clothes! Will probably get nice shower gel and something to do with baking, and/or cocktails, his 'home' hobbies.

Jas5mum · 10/12/2022 00:24

Brownie or cookie club subscription so it lasts 6months and if he doesnt like it you can eat them!
Bakedpz and cookie queen are 2 of my local favs, funky brownie company or bad brownie also recommended.
Supercar driving or jumping out of a car or flying lessons. Men are the hardest to buy for!!

Dunnoburt · 10/12/2022 01:15

Lego.......adult lego......

EpicChaos · 10/12/2022 03:16

Lego
Have a look on the LEGO website, there's everything from Harry Potter to Star Wars and many points in between. There's art, and architecture, Batman and a whole lot more.
P&P is free on sales over £50. If you do buy from there, before you actually pay, take a minute or two to join and acquaint yourself with the VIP club, it's free but it will allow you to get freebies from time to time.

CatSeany · 10/12/2022 03:28

I've taken to buying restaurant vouchers for people I find difficult to buy for. At least they can go and have a nice meal out, which is something most people enjoy.

DepartmentOfMysteries · 10/12/2022 04:15

There is a lovely company based in Cornwall that photographs the sunrise over the sea every morning and has done for at least 15 years. You can buy framed and personalised prints of important dates eg wedding, anniversary, birthdays etc. It's called The Day That. Perhaps he'd like something like that?

Freddiefan · 10/12/2022 07:16

I've bought my husband a holiday in Cuba and he has bought one for me. Problem solved!

isthismylifenow · 10/12/2022 07:22

Does he like to cook?

Even though it's winter now, perhaps you cook find some BBQ tools, apron etc?

Why don't you have a discussion for next year that you just get each other one small gift as you'll have a birthday present to think about as well.

topcat2014 · 10/12/2022 07:38

Just agree not to buy anything. Its a life changer and makes the day less stressful.

I don't want or need anything.

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