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 😐

Not terribly exciting but I’ve so far bought the men in my family;

Calvin Klein boxers
CK pyjamas
Elemis shave foam (anything Elemis for men is lovely)

All on offer in John Lewis at the moment.

Also looking out for deals on;

Theragun
Vodka Absolut
Gymshark

Thank you for this.
Will book one for my son and his lovely girlfriend.

I heard of Stubble & Co this week - apparently they are v popular

Does anyone have unusual foodie gift ideas?

Depends on the type of foodie and what they already have.

I live in Wolverhampton, loads of Indian shops / supermarkets, my brother lives in Truro, I think they have one Indian restaurant.

So I've often sent samosas (my dad visits me on the way to my brother) spices, mangoes, different aubergines, vegetables, mango chutneys etc.

Utensils that are unusual, I bought a ravioli cutter in Italy for him. A friend brought me a square frying pan back from Japan.

Sushi / bento cutters.

If they have a garden a fruit tree, if they don't then windowsill herbs. Actually you can get indoor growing fruit trees.
https://plants4presents.co.uk/plant-gifts/fruiting-plants-and-trees

Tickets to the good food show or a cooking class.

I watch Atomic Shrimp on YouTube, he went on a medieval cookery course.

A foraging day out?

Antique kitchen gadgets that still work eg a Victorian ice cream maker.

@Livinginacatdictatorship would he like pickled onions. These went down well in my house.
here

Batteries dying so can't read whole thread but inside no 9 live show tickets? Big hit with my DH.

@sashh probably more of a eating based gift rather than anything that has to be cooked or a cooking implement, although the square pan sounds interesting and he does enjoy sushi.

@TherebytheGraceofGodgoI that site looks up hos street he likes chutney and cheese so I will have a peruse of that, thank you 😊

I don't have a DH but do have adult sons. This year, one is getting a mini photo printer, to print photos direct from his phone (they've just got a dog and are besotted, so will probably fill the house with his picture), a boot drier, because dog walking means lots of wet feet, and Nigel Slater's latest book. As to the other son - I have absolutely no idea, but think that Red Bubble might be due a visit for some anime and manga T shirts.

My DH's favourite thing at the moment is his battery tester 🤷‍♀️.

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat those are excellent ideas! Can I ask where you found the boot dryer please? That would be ideal for my son too.

If he likes sushi then a square frying pan means he can make tamagoyaki. I'd also suggest rice moulds and mirin etc.

For eating the hampers are good, I've done hampers where I make all the chutneys, pickles, fruit in syrup but I like doing that type of thing. But there are lots of hampers https://www.hampers.com/food-hampers

How about a sushi serving set? https://www.souschef.co.uk/collections/japanese-gift-sets?srsltid=AfmBOor6Mo9neWvLB5Jwaa4_4_qvwvjPxL_TktPQWU0kw4Tt7CbiWJhK&page=3

Depending on where you are a trip to a sweet centre for some Indian sweets?

I recently bought myself a Stubble & Co backpack (the roll top one) and i'm very impressed with it. I bought it because they're waterproof and I often walk to/from work but it's very roomy and comfy to carry even when full.I can get 2 laptops, cables and a set of clothing in it.

I just looked them up on Amazon! I bought the Renology one, not a bad price at under £25.

Best thing I ever bought for my DH was a set of potato buckets and some seed potatoes! He absolutely loves growing his potatoes every year and I get proud pics of him with his haul every Summer.

Thank you @Vroomfondleswaistcoat I'll take a look now.

Regarding the wine decanter. There's one with a spiral type top advertised as airing the wine as it pours. It also unpredictably dumps it all over the floor and table!

I bought my almost grown up son a variety of hot chocolate flavours. I wrapped it up, although I wondered if it's a gift you would wrap

@ButterAsADip for your dad a hat from the Cotswold Hat Company?

Wildlife camera, DH loves telling me who's been in the garden at night (this was a brilliant idea that DD came up with, she's epic) Mr Ratty makes a few appearances as does Mr/Mrs Hedgehog and one cheeky magpie seems to know it's there and poses for the camera😂

@JC03745 I'm nicking this idea for DH, he's always out filling up the birdfeeders

Hershel and Fjallkraven Kanken backpacks are trendy for men.

For men in my life, DB’s FIL is one. He loves rugby, opera, books and music. Over the years I’ve bought a rugby ball bookmark and rugby ball chocolates, vouchers for Royal Opera House, books, jumper in sale from John Lewis, one year I got a Whittard Christmas blend of ground coffee, posh chocolate and a rugby themed cup.

Those hampers look great for gifts @sashh (eyeing up some for other people) and the sushi sets would be ideal and something the youngest would enjoy as well, thank you for such great tips!

<Preens> glad to help.

I think a hundred pounds wrapped up is always nice

I’m sure you’re probably being snide for some reason but if not, pointless in our house as we share finances and he’d just have to track down a bank to pay it back in!

Just resurrecting this thread after my beloved husband announced he wants none of the things I had on my list for him...