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Christmas

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

The perennial 'what to buy DH' question

39 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 01/09/2024 18:49

I know it's only just September but we have a crazy couple of months ahead and I'd feel happier if I had the ideas at least.

We don't spend a lot of money, preferring to buy something for the house (eg a new telly) or an extra trip away. But we do like to give each other a few thoughtful 'bits'.

Usually, it's a book; a bottle of wine/whsiky; a clothing item to replace something be's already got but looking shabby.
Every year I hope I'll find something just that little bit different. It really doesn't matter whether it costs £5 or £100.

Anticipating the usual suggestions:
He wouldn't appreciate an experience gift.
There's no magazine he'd be interested in enough for a subscription.
Gig tickets/theatre tickets we'd buy anyway as and when.
He isn't into renewing tech for the sake of it so is ok for all that stuff at the moment.
Doesn't eat chocolate. Likes the tea and coffee he likes, so not really gift worthy.
He's not a gardener.
He does cook but we have a load of spices, oils, vinegar etc and more cook books than we'll ever be able to use.
His hobby requires specific equipment so sorts that himself.

All suggestions welcome and if they won't work for me, they might her be useful for other people.

OP posts:
BettyBardMacDonald · 10/09/2024 13:01

Rechargeable battery operated version of a power tool such as drill?

Really nice leather gloves.

Small bluetooth speaker? I recently received one that has a clip for wearing and a magnet for sticking up nearby. Loving it for music, podcasts and audio books as I don't like earbuds.

Good sunglasses

OMGitsnotgood · 10/09/2024 14:33

Thank you for all the suggestions, all great, sadly mostly things he already has, doesn't need or wouldn't appreciate. . Hopefully the suggestions will be helpful for others with the same problem! We've been together a LONG time, hence it becoming increasingly difficult and neither of us agree with buying for the sake of it. It would just be nice to think of a few little bits.

Next time he's out for a while, I'm going to go through his wardrobe and see if I can spot some gaps or things that have seen better days that could be replaced / upgraded.

Keep the ideas coming, the perfect suggestion is out there somewhere!

OP posts:
thisoldcity · 10/09/2024 14:51

My only offering is the American website LLBean, if your dh is remotely outdoorsy or likes traditional American stuff - plaid shirt, tartan dressing gown etc. They are expensive, especially once you add on the shipping, but the stuff is usually beautiful quality. Make sure you get the sizes right though, as returns are not very practical. If you have a very tall or big dh, it's especially a good site as the sizing is generous and they do Tall and go up to XXXL. I've not ordered from there for a while but I'm desperate this year so am just having a look now!

Youranus · 10/09/2024 17:04

Binoculars,
Fire pit,
guitar,
drone,
2nd hand bike.

Ilovelurchers · 10/09/2024 22:46

Mine surprised me the other day by asserting that he would attend a spa day (he's not an obvious spa sort of person at all, but he does like revealing these surprising facts about himself - like that he used to perform in musical theatre, used to breed hamsters etc, that leave my daughter and I gazing at him in doubtful perplexity).

So I have got him vouchers (well, I say "him" - "us" to be precise) for this brutal, masculine sounding spa experience - it's really just a sauna and ice plunge thing in the middle of nowhere near Towcester.

It wasn't that expensive, but I am also paying to rent an apartment by the sea for New Year, so the spa vouchers are his main gift - will also give a few books, a shirt, camping lantern, probably some chocolate.

Curiosityaintgotmeyet · 23/09/2024 13:26

BettyBardMacDonald · 10/09/2024 13:01

Rechargeable battery operated version of a power tool such as drill?

Really nice leather gloves.

Small bluetooth speaker? I recently received one that has a clip for wearing and a magnet for sticking up nearby. Loving it for music, podcasts and audio books as I don't like earbuds.

Good sunglasses

Oo whats the brand of the speaker please? We miss one when we have people in the garden/go camping etc.

Ophy83 · 24/09/2024 14:40

thisoldcity · 10/09/2024 14:51

My only offering is the American website LLBean, if your dh is remotely outdoorsy or likes traditional American stuff - plaid shirt, tartan dressing gown etc. They are expensive, especially once you add on the shipping, but the stuff is usually beautiful quality. Make sure you get the sizes right though, as returns are not very practical. If you have a very tall or big dh, it's especially a good site as the sizing is generous and they do Tall and go up to XXXL. I've not ordered from there for a while but I'm desperate this year so am just having a look now!

My grandma came from Freeport, the home to LLBean. If you ever get the chance to go to Maine it's an amazing store to visit. I'm not hugely outdoorsy but still spent some happy hours looking at all the camping/fishing/hiking gear

loropianalover · 24/09/2024 14:47

Is he into football? My dad got a lovely coffee table book called ‘Remarkable Football Grounds’ last year and he still raves about it!

wwyd2021medicine · 24/09/2024 15:04

All I have for DH at present is a key ring fob Apple Watch charger.

He gets himself Readly magazine app each year now - that was recommended on here and he enjoys it and can be used by others too.

Happyinarcon · 24/09/2024 15:25

I got my hubby a pair of socks with photos of our cat and dog printed on them

thisoldcity · 24/09/2024 17:22

@Ophy83 I have indeed made it to Maine and visited that lovely shop in Freeport!

menopausalmare · 24/09/2024 17:27

Dart board.

Curiosityaintgotmeyet · 24/09/2024 19:28

Things from the last few years which might help inspire others:

Merino wool base layers
Sealskin/waterproof socks for running
Whisky stones
A holder for running medals
Dart board
Organiser for screws and random bits
Cookery class
Thermos travel cup
A snazzy bread knife (looks like a saw)
Nice versions of spices he uses regularly
New head torch (also running related)
Fint and steel firelighters
Smoking chips for the BBQ
Voucher for running trainers
A collection of miniatures of his fave whiskeys
Wall mounted bottle opener which collects the tops
A cushion for his office (I know he naps 😂)

Plus a few more standard things but those are the ones which stand out which might help people!

LostFaithinPolice · 24/09/2024 19:41

presents dh has genuinely appreciated:

A new pair of trainers/shoes
whiskey glasses, and metal ice cubes (only applicable if he likes whisky though I suppose!)
lounge trousers and hoodie
hamper type thing with posh coffee (Kopi Luak) and weird and unusual sweets/chocolates

I’m stuck for ideas this year so I’m following this thread eagerly! lol

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