Gifts for men that are not shit (the gifts, not the men. But the men are nice too)

[ButterAsADip]

Why are they so impossible to buy for?

DH and I have shared notes on our iCloud that we add things we want onto, but I also want to get something that I’ve actually thought of myself as IMO that’s nice (when you get it right). And DH’s list consists of things like:
a miniature model of Noel Gallagher’s guitar,
some ‘old books’ (😵‍💫🤷🏻‍♀️),
a pool table or arcade game (we don’t have the space),
‘a non-cringey red wine decanter’ (don’t even know what a cringey decanter would be in order to avoid it, and he doesn’t often drink red wine).
One year 3 different people got him a harmonica, because he’s impossible to buy for and I guess that’s a default present? So odd 😄
He wants some Inside Number 9 scripts which I can do as he already has some of them. But again, they will just sit there collecting dust. It’s just stuff.
He did a bit of golf over the summer, and wants to take the kids more, but I don’t know whether to encourage that as I barely see him as it is, dread to think if he takes up golf!
Loves travel, has a guitar he should play more, loves any sport and just wants merch (signed things, tops, models, hockey pucks) but again it’s just stuff to put on a shelf?? Maybe I should just do it if that’s what he wants. But am fatigued after 16 years of this conundrum 😅

My dad - god knows. 65ish, a very lively and happy guy but doesn’t do a whole lot. Likes discussions, politics, plays guitar very well, likes his grandchildren, funny happy guy. I always just panic buy him some whiskey or a shirt, no idea if he drinks the whiskey but my mum says he likes it. Just so uninspiring!

Also on that note - mum present ideas? She always asks for No 7 Protect and Perfect 😐

You have my sympathy. I started a thread too, not sure if any of the suggestions on there will help you link

And this adult stocking filler thread

A couple of years ago I got my husband an eto wine decanter... not cheap but it looks nice! It also preserves freshness so you don't need to drink the whole bottle in one go.

https://www.etowine.com/collections/eto

DH never wants a big present, he used to make going to the cricket and lunchtime drinks his belated Christmas present. Since his parents died ( they paid for the county membership) we've had to buy this ourselves and this year I joined too.

I think the best presents I've given him are posh mustard, unusual crisps etc. The only other thing he wants is obscure music.

I was thinking of a charcuterie subscription but there are lots of different companies - has anyone any experience of them?

I've come back to say Tom, Dick & Harry seem to have really reduced the range they offer! There are still one or two nice kimonos, but not many of them.Very disappointing!

Anyone London based who thinks the Yo Sushi courses look good, can I just put a recommendation in for Atsuko's Kitchen? Lovely woman who does a range of Japanese cooking classes, including sushi but also other options. Independent, very hands on, really friendly. I highly recommend them, you can either book straight on to a course or do vouchers so the gift recipient gets to choose. They do sell out around Christmas so if you want an actual course book early or it'll be a spring 2025 gift.

https://www.atsukoskitchen.com/

My husband too is a collector. Maybe try brace the stuff as long as it’s not crossing into hoarding? Does he have any space ‘of his pen’s like could you get some wall kallax and inserts off Etsy to display some of his stuff in it

I can’t edit this, it’s rubbish:

My husband too is a collector. Maybe try embrace the stuff as long as it’s not crossing into hoarding? Does he have any space ‘of his own’ like could you get some wall kallax and inserts off Etsy to display some of his stuff in it?

My partner always buys himself everything he ever wants, so I mostly focus on experiences when I need to choose a gift for him, and tickets to sporting events sound about right. So does a course of lessens at a local tennis club for your dad, or maybe you can sign him up to some other courses if he's ever shown any interest in other spheres.

If they both are into music, then maybe a software for recording music or music making, there are some options for that: https://medium.com/@artturi-jalli/best-music-production-software-8e563c4a459c Or could be a program to record videos with a webcam if they like recording themselves while playing.

Wine tasting evening/course. Some of them are online perhaps

I got dh some moon boots for Christmas last year😬😂. He lives in them in the weekends as our house is quite cold, and they keep his feet toasty. He's also 'retro' man, seriously the teen-man never left the 80s, so he has a fair amount of vintage crap treasures! He's convinced it'll be worth ££££ in a few more decades...I just nod sagely whilst thinking 'no chance mate, the 80s was one ugly decade!'

Ooh where is best to look for 1-2-1 guitar lessons from a real pro/quality tutor?

Casually ask the person you want to buy for which up and coming guitarists they rate.

Then google those names. They often have a website that says whether they teach or do masterclasses in person or online. Contact them and ask if they do 1-2-1 tuition or masterclasses and what the price is. DS has had online 1-2-1 masterclasses with guitarists from some of his favourite bands. Not super-famous, obviously, but very talented with fantastic tips on technique. Lots of musicians who are in bands with a following but not household names are struggling for money and teach as a sideline.

No good for the men but for the Ps who have mothers/Mils who like protect & perfect there is a good deal in the no 7 outlet at the moment https://www.no7beauty.co.uk/protect-and-perfect-starter-kit/14188848.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrp-3BhDgARIsAEWJ6SwBJohl0XeFRXXN7hzaDmzyLp9foN_aVHQG7iiJ4d98SPnX-YAs44AaAo7MEALw_wcB

I quite like this wine decanter - perhaps gift it with a voucher for an independent wine shop or a wine tasting? https://www.georgjensen.com/en-gb/dining-and-bar/pitchers-carafes/cobra-carafe/3586612.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrp-3BhDgARIsAEWJ6SzYoyXWHKlF9Y5YOr3ugiPkQ3SheEMzUJ6_w7vwdoKOiIxluNAqIlwaAinXEALw_wcB&utm_campaign=shopping%20-%20surfaces&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_source=google

THANK YOU!!! This is the perfect gift for my husband!

A few years ago I bought my DDad a bread making kit, various bread mixes, bread bowls, etc. To be honest, it was a bit of a joke present as he'd been watching Bread Week on GBBO and made a comment about how it couldn't be that difficult to make a loaf of bread.

He loved it, and has become a brilliant baker.

I’ve got my partner some LUSH bath bombs, a LUSH perfume, some clothes and some shoes that he asked for. I’ve also got him some more clothes, underwear, a bottomless wine glass, a wine encyclopaedia, a grow your own cactus, a gamer sign (more of a silly stocking filler), a tub of crinklys and a Bluey Annual (because he likes Bluey more that our child does 😂 our child probably will end up with it after my partner opens it though 😂) I’ll probably get him a few more things but I’m not sure what yet 🙈

I have no idea what I’m going to get my dad for Christmas this year as he turns 60 in December and I’m getting him 60 gifts so that’s going to be hard enough 😂 Some of the non-silly things I’ve got him so far include books, board games, a cup, a couple of t-shirts and a glass plaque.

So far my mum is getting some fluffy penguin socks, a grow your own cactus, juggling Christmas puddings, some salted peanuts and a purse. I think I will probably get her a jumper, a bottle of Baileys and some chocolates as well 🤔

Fellow “looking for a gift for the man in my life” posters, I just wanted to share a little win I’ve just had. I’ve been on aaaaall the “what to buy partner” threads for inspo as I was clean out of ideas buuuuut…

Boyfriend and I were just watching something and someone mentioned the book “An Inspector Calls” and he said he read it in his teens and absolutely loved it. He animatedly told me the plot (I’m not familiar with it!) and said he’d love to read it again. I did a little google and guess what? The show is on at our theatre in January… so of course I’m going to get tickets for that for him for Christmas. I’m so pleased as I’ve been agonising for a while now over what to get that’s personal and perfect!

I ask my children to do me a playlist rather than spend money. They're my favourite gifts.

Or, https://www.boss.info/global/products/sy-1000/

@LouH5 - hahaha! I have seen it 5 times and never voluntarily.

It’s my nemesis - DH and I both did it at O-level, all DC did it at GCSE, and it’s performed almost constantly because it’s on all the curriculums! I ended up being roped into school volunteering for it so many times.

It is a good play, if you aren’t bludgeoned over the head with it regularly.

My approach to man gifts is to try and solve a recurring problem.

Successes with dh have been:
a tech travel kit, with flat plugs, cables and adapters. So he can throw it in when travelling and not forget to take a charger.

a projection alarm clock that displays the time on the ceiling

a device for seeing how much charge is left in batteries.

white wine cooler sticks you can leave in the freezer for those times when guests arrive and you’ve forgotten to chill the wine!

2m Otterbox charging cable - almost indestructible and long enough to reach.

He leads a charmed life now and I’m out of ideas apart from possibly hiring a hitman to take care of an irritating work colleague.

Mine would love an electric Parmesan grater! 😂🧀

BBQ set

https://www.vonhaus.com/vhen/25pc-bbq-tool-set-with-aluminium-case?gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADFNi-ODHK06znJnzL53VDko5N7rs&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6kpl8K1Jn83O9zmqTCZCs0GhjiMpT222YrgYyyozSdHs45z-jdwxfzxoCYG8QAvDDBwE

BBQ smoking wood chips

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gwernyfed-Wood-Selection-Smoker-Chips/dp/B0B1F51HVD/ref=ascdffB0B1F51HVD/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3947148966054731436&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045988&hvtargid=pla-2281435178098&psc=1&mcid=15e993e954943657a31cd83d3fbc4790&hvocijid=3947148966054731436-B0B1F51HVD-&hvexpln=74&gadsource=1

Chese making course

https://www.thecheesemakingworkshop.co.uk/?gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADgz08mbCJxf2d66sUZbviQSeKvjr&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6kgrX39HS2Wag47rmTqqVrpW0jqSqyPVpURYSs-L5wdQhT4EhiECgMhoCG3kQAvD_BwE

Leather laptop bag
https://houseofleatheruk.com/products/leather-flap-over-messenger-bag-las-vegas-tan?variant=16881938432118&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAACym4oRFHnHKVr93EvxptBV3m3tT8&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN66kmfu-BpVzZPAz4phOisoo-2o8Z2j9sTQ02VdjZs3QXsnks6jixyb5BoC2gMQAvDBwE

Tickets to Dear England - playing nationally next year and it's BRILLIANT

www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/james-grahams-dear-england-to-return-to-national-theatre-in-2025#

Weekend away - Budapest/ porto/ paris/ prague...

Picturehouse or BFI membership

Subscription to The Week

New trainers

A sports massage voucher

You have no space for an arcade game but you could get a plug and play retro console.

There are mini pool tables, there are also dining tables that convert in to a pool table, it might be something to consider if you are changing you dining furniture (if you have enough room).

Do you have a garden? You can get outdoor pool tables, they are not cheap though.

For your dad (and mum) something to do with the grand children, depending on your children's ages maybe a weekend break.

When my brother was about 10 he went with his grandad to some military museum thing and they both had a great time.

Depending on how fit your parents are they could go bowling, a visit to somewhere, hot air balloon ride, escape room, flying lesson, maybe a pantomime.

Things I have got my dad that have been well received:

A tool kit that looks like a book, it sits on the bookshelf and the tools are used to fix his glasses or hearing aids.

A patio heater (he likes a drink with the next door neighbours in the garden).

A couple of David Crystal books on language.

A guide to flying a WWII plane.

An air fryer.

A torch that is also a wind up radio, has a solar panel and can be used to charge phones etc via USB slots.

Afternoon tea when my mum was still alive. They were members of the National Trust.

Coins. Royal mint do various coins, some of which are not in circulation eg a full set of 2024 coins with the king on. So far only the 50p and £1 coins are in circulation.

I got my nieces and nephews half sovereigns years ago, they go up in value so if they ever need money they can be sold.

www.royalmint.com/annual-sets/2024-annual-sets/the-2024-united-kingdom-brilliant-uncirculated-definitive-coin-set/