Gifts for a minimalist man - Max 30£

[Lukulla]

I need to find a Christmas gift for Ex husband and he is not giving any clues. I am buying the gift on behalf of our son who is too young to do it himself.

Ex is not at all materialistic, doesn't care about having certain brands or the newest version of everything. Will wear clothes and use anything until it falls apart and as long as he has something that works he doesn't see the point in getting a new one.

Hobbies are running and football. Got him new running shoes for his birthday a few weeks ago. He isn't interested in football merchandise, would be interested in tickets to a match but that's out of my budget.

Doesn't drink, smoke or travel much. Maximum 30£.

Any ideas?

Subscription to a running magazine for 6 months
running shorts

If your son is that young then take him shopping and allow him to choose something inexpensive for his dad. It’s more about the well-intentioned and sometimes funny efforts of a child than getting something that will truly hit the spot for your ex, surely?

You can never have too many pairs of running socks

This is one of my favourite brands - and they have some very silly designs (but the performance is good)
Men's Socks – Stance Europe

Plus loose your DC in a Poundshop or similar, and inflict on him whatever DC chooses

The 'Sleekster' chocolate boxes at Hotel Chocolat are around the £30 mark.

Running socks. Despite your OP I don’t understand why you’re going to the effort of “proper” gifts like running shoes for someone who is your ex.

Definitely socks - silly ones that the child picks or sensible running socks or both.

Get him something he uses every day like lynx men's gift set or dove. Or set of new pots for kitchen.

Make it about your son and him. Mug with nice picture of him and your son. Go to paint-a-pot and get your son to do a plate for him. Something about him being a dad.

Lego sports car set

Depending on the age of your DS and where you live most of the major football clubs have tours of the stadium, changing room etc. I went to Man U when the kids were young and it was terrific - boys have also been to Wembley and Chelsea. Don't discount merchandise - last Christmas the non premiere league club near us had branded team socks with Best Dad on etc and other bits as well as team jerseys.

Take your son shopping with you so he can choose a gift for his Dad, preferably a fun Dad gift.
I wouldn't be too bothered about getting an Ex a serious Christmas gift, unless of course he was giving me diamond jewellery "from" our son!

Twin his toilet toilet with one in a developing country (assuming your child is old enough to find toilets amusing) and then maybe some running socks so he has something to open.

An experience day - ideally something your son and his dad could do together

(Red letter says - amongst others)

Days

Do you have a really nice photo of Ex and DS that you could put in a frame for him?

I gifted similar to my DH once and he was THRILLED.

Get your son to make something? Maybe biscuits or write 'happy birthday dad' on a piece of origami paper and make an origami thing. Or your ds could do a painting for him, or a leaf printing picture, you could frame it maybe.

A donation to a charity in his name?