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 😐

Thanks for all these extra ideas! So glad I started this thread, been super helpful.

Just been reminded by DH that he’s taking my parents to the Inside No 9 stage show so good job I didn’t go for that🤣

For those with husbands/dads (or anyone else) who like whisky, Master of Malt are doing buy one get one half price on selected bottles of whisky, with a fairly broad selection

Ooo nice idea!!

My gift inspiration for DH seems to be either alcohol (which means I have to deal with him hungover), time out of the house (i.e. experience gifts...but with the number of stags, work trips and visiting family abroad he's way enough already so I shoot myself in the foot signing up for additional solo time with the v small kids), unhealthy food (then listen to him moaning about his growing waistline) or books which he never reads, or cooking kits (like a spice subscription or make your own chorizo) which he doesn't use.

This thread has been much needed from my life!!

This may be the most boring suggestion so far 😴 but aldi currently have cycling gear including bottle holders, phone holders, waterproof trousers and lightweight raincoats, just got dh some trousers

I’ve just booked the yo sushi class thanks so much for that suggestion DH will love it!!

for cookery classes try Migrateful - cuisine from all round the world and charitable as well.

Mainly London but online and in some other cities as well

Cookery Courses & Classes | Cooking Lessons - Migrateful

My DH is impossible to buy for but these things have landed well in the past.

Gig tickets/band tee shirts
True crime novels /band biographies
Wool peacoat
Outdoorsy sort of clothes - he likes Rapanui and brands like that.
Camper trainers
Houseplants
Decent quality chocolate

I think I might get DH a theremin

My dh only ever wants clothes or trainers. And he's mostly in work gear so when home he likes comfy trousers / joggers. He has so many jeans , jumpers etc. But lives in comfies inside. So they go down well. Apart from that. He has no hobbies. Doesn't game. Doesn't drink at all.
We hate anything that's a 5 minute wonder and will just sit in a drawer forever after.
So we tend to just keep it boring.
With 4 dcs Xmas day is so hectic when we open ours it's put aside and not looked at for days until calm restored.

I live with a guitarist(not professional!).
Currently coveting: pricy wireless headphones
Loop pedal

Jokey bits that have gone down well:
Tiny Marshall amp
Ernie Ball coasters
Subscription to Kerrang, Rolling Stone, guitar magazines generally.
Key ring/leather necklace that has a pendant which stores picks.
Slightly wanky retro guitar Christmas tree ornament

I know it's hard. My son is 17 and this year I have bought so far nice pyjamas, facewashes and moisturiser from the body shop, curry kits, flavoured hot chocolates, nice socks and that's about it. There isn't much else to buy him, although I am considering a electric guitar (in the hope it might stop him using his electric drum set so often- I never knew they were so noisy)

Although he has asked for a good spice kit. I saw a link posted on the Christmas thread for nice ones. If anyone can relink similar I would be grateful

cinema pass, that's a great idea

If he wants a pool table or arcade game is it worth getting him a handhold device like a switch that can also connect to the tv?

Look up Sarah Callaghan art on Facebook or instagram she does lyric portraits of famous people or can do personalised people. I believe her handle is @handwrittenbysarah support small businesses and all!

Your dad, get a grandkids photo item personalised could be a cushion, my mum loved hers!

Mum get a personalised bag or see if they do a no7 candle, cream or soap

Buy a masala dabba and fill it with spices? If you have an Indian shop near by you can get them quite cheaply. If not then you can get them from Amazon.

If he is in to making Indian food then a tawa (AKA chapatti pan) and a couple of thali sets maybe a tiffin tin.

Then there are gadgets to get the flesh out of cocoanuts, spice grinders (a coffee grinder also works but don't use it for coffee beans after spices.)

karahi-shop.co.uk/

Joe Browns guitar T Shirts.

I think a gift experience is better than lots of little presents. A London show, football tickets. concert or weekend break? It’s also something nice to look forward to after Christmas.

Do you have any more info on the guide to flying a WWII plane? A visit to the heritage hanger a Biggin Hill to see the restoration of the spitfires there is going to be my gift to DH this Christmas so that works better a nice addition.

I will give Dh knitted socks with knitted picture of two reindeer shagging. It's a joke from my country. I can knit socks but I find pictures too difficult so my friend will knit them. Dh wears knitted socks instead of slippers. I can just knit basic ones.

I bought my husband something from this site recently, received very well!

https://www.kennydeane.com/

But also, I love this....

That nice post. I like it

@Runningupthecurtains

Would this be a suitable option?

https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/products/haynes-manual-spitfire?srsltid=AfmBOoqY6RaEH3POx_L62e3U9D5bYK7nQqiC_WSqLaDQnb7IR4a2n-_b

I'm pretty sure he already has that! I have mined the depths of his interests over the years, flying history, the one sport he enjoys and the instrument (now group of instruments) he plays have all had all the gifting potential wrung out of them.

We have a number of arcade games of the pinball and the one-armed bandit/penny slot era. (not the newer electronic games). I advise against buying one, because it's addictive😁.
We had 8 pinballs at one time (only 6 now but not all are working, they have so many moving parts they need a lot of maintenance) - a guy up the road from us has over 20. We also have a pool table - it weighs a ton (slate top). Bought it second hand - I imagine they'd be fairly cheap to buy at auction - but they are very hard to move as they are so heavy.
The penny slots etc are more popular than pinballs for collectors mainly because they take up less room - but they are not cheap to buy - DH gave me one of these for Xmas years back but the prices now can be staggering eg. https://www.tooveys.com/lots/212356/a-bryans-elevenses-oak-and-glazed-one-penny-slot-machine-with-chromium-mounts

A possibility is a backbox glass from a pinball or arcade game which would look good framed on a wall
eg. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286048516717?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=286048516717&targetid=2361039923645&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006680&poi=&campaignid=21697381820&mkgroupid=170109506289&rlsatarget=pla-2361039923645&abcId=10027101&merchantid=115193326&gad_source=4&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr9m3BhDHARIsANut04ZPQ7ANQLfloEVkTwsXtlRcy8otueT23qlh-JwF1Me9BVPPuAHTL14aAo3HEALw_wcB

Guitar pedals?
Lessons with a good teacher to take him to the next level.