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 😐

And? What is on the list? Tell us a little bit about him.

@ButterAsADip you mentioned that he likes travel. Are there places you know he'd like to visit but not been yet? If so you could buy travel guides for a few of the places. I know you can get all the info online but I still like the books. Eg DK eye witness guides. Plus noise cancelling ear buds if he doesn't already have them. Great for planes.

For your DD - id get her a teddy with the year on the foot. Disney and Hamleys do them.
Also she's nearly Jumperoo age!
For nephew - money?

I finally got an answer out of my husband so thought I'd pop back to let you all know! He had requested new tracksuits, said they're usually quite expensive so nice to get for Christmas. He also recommended some garden boots from decathlon here that are apparently perfect for popping out as they are cosy, waterproof, and slip on and off. The winter croc, if you will.

A Swisscard. Got the idea from here last year. Great present.

For a husband who is not "shit", if you also have a non-shit marriage or even a good marriage - tickets to an event you will both enjoy, or a lunch or dinner reservation at a venue you will both enjoy, or an overnight stay somewhere you will both enjoy - and you go with him and organise yourself so that you can be fully present with him at whatever that event is. There is no gift better than that.

@YankeeDad Luckily we do that sort of thing a lot - well, a lot for a couple who have 3 young kids and no childcare! Got a spa day booked in Jan 🙌 not sure what your bold section/bit about having a good marriage was getting at?!

Thanks to all recent posters for new ideas - might get some of those boots for myself @Isonthecase 😄

The bold bit was just to say, the real gift is your presence, not the tickets or event or whatever.

And the comment on good versus shit marriages was not at all about you nor about any other specific poster on this thread, but just to acknowledge that for some readers who are not in good marriages, giving a gift of presence may be more .. challenging.

I got my dad a national trust membership for his birthday a few years ago and I just renew it every year. He loves it, I'm going to buy him a RHS one for Christmas. I also got a portrait of his dog done and he also loved that.

DH got this last year and he really liked it

www.solostove.com/en-gb/c/backyard-fire-pit?g_acctid=918-383-8176&g_adgroupid=173702252388&g_adid=706745540638&g_adtype=search&g_campaign=DTC_paid-search_EU-UK_conv_x_firepits_google_text_nb_eng&g_campaignid=21504452158&g_keyword=fire+pit&g_keywordid=kwd-10191001&g_network=g&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc6IOIOW0IWofvXA5hfiKxGYa6f0EdOcw__leUJN7WvEBWTePPO39NRoCs6kQAvD_BwE

These tool boxes are so great, and the different sizes could store all sorts so suitable for almost anyone. They're at online stores such as Cult Pens, but you can also get them direct from the factory in Japan. 10% off and free delivery until midnight tonight, I think (although it says 11/30 so may be end of tomorrow?). Mine just arrived in four days.

www.toyosteel.jp/en

I usually get clothes. They're happy as they don't know what to choose when they go clothes shopping. I'm happy as I get to decide what they wear

I’ve got mine a garden gnome in his football teams colours and some Top Trumps from a brilliant British company who do funny games called ‘Bubblegum stuff’
just bought the white wine chiller - thanks very much and will also get the squirrel proof bird feeder as sick of the blighters scoffing all the birds food!!
Also some aftershave as Boots had a great deal.
this thread is excellent so thanks so much

My DH is into gaming but doesn't use headphones and just got a new keyboard & mouse so I'm thinking of a subscription to his favourite streamer (Limmy a Scottish comedian who plays video games).

He also enjoys walking/hiking so will have a look at the links people have posted for outdoorsy type stuff.

Great thread! I want one of those expensive decanters for myself.

Could you stretch to a weekend away for dh?
That's ehst I've organised for my impossible to buy for dh.

Likewise- some sort of experience for your dad? Tickets for a comedy night?
A music based experience?

A magazine or puzzle book subscription

I’ve got one of these for my car.
it’s bloody excellent.
www.lakeland.co.uk/46737/lakeland-3-in-1-mini-vacuum-cleaner?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20891625552&gbraid=0AAAAADtoD6NCRzbBCIACdYpsZS0M65rGK&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzLii7uG8jwMVvaJQBh0etCJLEAQYBCABEgKA9fD_BwE

I don’t know what kind of decanter is not cringey but my dh asked for one of those devices that vacuum seals a bottle last year to keep open bottles of red wine fresh, and he is delighted by it. He claims it makes him drink less as he doesn’t feel compelled to finish the bottle. I think it makes him drink more as he’ll open a bottle when other times he wouldn’t have.

I'd always try and go for something a little 'out of the norm'. You can usually pick up a cheap gift that still looks incredible and well thought out for under $10 if you buy something that no-one else has really thought of (so that it has nothing to compare too if you know what I mean). When I'm stuck, i'll usually browse an unusual gift website, like www.nowiwantthis.com or www.thisiswhyimbroke.com (there are other sites out there as well that offer cool, niche - and often cheap gift ideas)

My DH gets kits to build things like this wooden clock: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B094994SJT?tag=best_reviews_uk_1-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=20260326-311-organic