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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What can I buy for my impossible to buy for (and I really mean impossible to buy for) DP?

118 replies

OMarina · 14/11/2024 23:09

My lovely DP is impossible to buy for. It was easier in the early days of our relationship, but the arrival of children has made it harder as getting out for days or nights away is impossible.

He is a mass of contradictions.

He is very deep thinking and loves finding things out, but never reads. He’ll read articles on his phone but that’s about it. He likes New Scientist but as he’s got an art background likes design magazines. I’m pretty sure if I got him a subscription it would never get read.

He likes useful, well designed things. Scandi type stuff etc.

He is a very good cook. I’ve tried cookery classes for other cuisines before which he’s enjoyed up to a point (he comes from a culture with a very big food culture, and he is very cynical about just about every other world cuisine.) Plus I’ve done it so many times now it’s a bit over done as a gift.

He loves art, taking photographs. We will never, ever get to a gallery any time soon though so an art pass is out.

Please help me. I thought I’d nailed it last year as I got him a new camera which is so far not even out of the box. One year I took him to a spa and he grumbled all weekend. He is not practical so tools are out, not into cars, not into sports, likes music but was never much of a gig goer. For Father’s Day a couple of years ago I got him one of those V&A Lego sets and he told me off in case our toddler tried to eat one of the pieces. Another year I got him useful things for his commute (good quality waterproofs etc) which he told me he didn’t need as he’d recently replaced them.

He asked for pants and socks when I asked him what he wanted but we’ve had such a shit year I really want him to have something nice. He likes merino wool base layers but I’ve got him enough of those.

I also bought him a watch from somewhere hopelessly hip in Shoreditch which I had to return as it was “too big for his wrist.”

Help.

OP posts:
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Crucible · 14/11/2024 23:40

Is he Italian? Can you upgrade something he already owns? A better version?

OMarina · 14/11/2024 23:40

YorkshireFelix · 14/11/2024 23:37

I second Present and Correct for gifts. Excellent shop.

I bought my DH a voucher to do a knife sharpening course at a cool sharpening/posh hipster home goods shop near to us which he loved. You're probably not, but if you're Yorkshire based at all I can send you the details.

Alas we are not, but that does sound a very original and interesting present!

OP posts:
LadySad · 14/11/2024 23:41

I got DH a bacon subscription one year which went down really well...?

frankiesilver · 14/11/2024 23:42

Ooooh Present & Correct is a wormhole I'm never coming out of again!

Boleynforsoup · 14/11/2024 23:43

How about a good espresso machine (if he likes coffee and you don't already have one), or a nice design mid-century chair?

OMarina · 14/11/2024 23:44

Boleynforsoup · 14/11/2024 23:43

How about a good espresso machine (if he likes coffee and you don't already have one), or a nice design mid-century chair?

Unfortunately he doesn't drink coffee. We have a few mid century chairs. I did think about getting him a mid century style clock off Etsy or similar, but haven't found one I like as yet...

OP posts:
frankiesilver · 14/11/2024 23:45

frankiesilver · 14/11/2024 23:26

Sorry, didn't give context for the link.
How about a Big Cock?

YorkshireFelix · 14/11/2024 23:46

If he's into coffee and design, he might like a Moccamaster. They are great filter coffee machines and also look very swish (sorry just listing things both me and DH like as your DH sounds like a combination of us both 🤣). Maybe slightly over budget though - https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/moccamasterkbg-741-select-coffee-machine-yellow-pepper?cqsrc=googleeads&cqcmp=20441280890&cqqterm=&cqplac=&cqqnet=x&cqplt=gp&gaddsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3Na5BhAZEiwAzrfagIOTSE9hZr1yfmvVElnYs-Zjz4F1ZCU2lGMHXUuyUuUXizEa9twBHxoC8UAQAvD_BwE

Sorry for the long link!

YorkshireFelix · 14/11/2024 23:47

Sorry ignore that, just seen he's not a coffee drinker.

Boleynforsoup · 14/11/2024 23:49

If he likes cooking, you could do a hamper of unusual/luxury ingredients. Is he into music? A record player?

PaminaMozart · 14/11/2024 23:53

You are overcomplicating this.

Take off your clothes
Have a shower
Wrap yourself in some fancy wrapping paper
Plus a BIG ribbon

Sorted.

Boleynforsoup · 14/11/2024 23:54

If he's into midcentury design this place have some amazing stuff including clocks.

www.vinterior.co/

kennycat · 14/11/2024 23:58

Nothing. Do away with presents as it’s a bloody nightmare and a waste of time and money.
we’ve not done presents for about 20years and it’s bloody great.
we go out for a nice dinner and drinks. That’s enough for us. No guessing required and we always have a blimmin marvellous time!! .why don’t feel you have to buy a pressie?

noclouds · 15/11/2024 00:02

My DH is also difficult to buy for. I have bought him nice clothes in the brands he likes but wouldn't buy for himself. Also one year I made him a hamper with lots of treats and port/ cheese. Made him a photo book of the children

sansou · 15/11/2024 00:06

Personalised leather airtag wallet - look on Etsy

3girlsmama · 15/11/2024 00:08

Flight simulator session
Good noise cancelling headphones
Digital notebook

Ursulla · 15/11/2024 00:10

A traffic cone

Agapornis · 15/11/2024 00:10

A nice framed underground/TfL poster and a cushion or similar made from tube moquette fabric? Bit shit if he hates London as much as he seems to hate gifts, though 😅 also, add plugs or velcro strips, and a voucher for 1 hour of your time to put it on the wall together, or it will Linger in a hallway Forever.

Ellmau · 15/11/2024 00:14

An actual piece of art - a painting or sculpture.

If you're not confident about his taste he might have to choose it.

SeaToSki · 15/11/2024 00:14

A. Homemade coupon book from you and dc

breakfast in bed
shoulder massage
dc singing a song
a lie in
a night out solo
you can get more x rated if you want !!

VacuumPacked · 15/11/2024 00:23

A trip to and a gift from the Japanese Knife Shop on Baker Street

something totally frivolous, ie a bubble machine,
stunt kite,
Design Museum membership
Time ‘Man of the Year’ mirror
Marron Glace Panettone
Paul Smith stripey socks
hand loomed soft wool scarf from the V&A shop
knit him a beanie
man bag /anything from Uniqlo, a cool aesthetic still,

is he a Gemini ?

TheRealBoswell · 15/11/2024 00:28

How about something personalised? It could be a monogramed key ring/wallet? Or if he has a favourite quote or saying or phrased, you could get it customised on Etsy?

TheRealBoswell · 15/11/2024 00:31

Agapornis · 15/11/2024 00:10

A nice framed underground/TfL poster and a cushion or similar made from tube moquette fabric? Bit shit if he hates London as much as he seems to hate gifts, though 😅 also, add plugs or velcro strips, and a voucher for 1 hour of your time to put it on the wall together, or it will Linger in a hallway Forever.

@Agapornis That sounds like a fab idea and would love to get something like that for myself! Where can I get an underground/TFL poster? 🤔

peanutbuttertoasty · 15/11/2024 00:47

I think I’d give him his P45 OP, he sounds really hard work and not a lot of fun!

failing that, just take him for a night at The Pig. They have some deals on around now

Agapornis · 15/11/2024 00:50

TheRealBoswell · 15/11/2024 00:31

@Agapornis That sounds like a fab idea and would love to get something like that for myself! Where can I get an underground/TFL poster? 🤔

Edited

Ah sorry, forgot that vital bit - London Transport Museum shop (more available online then in the physical shop). Posters from about 1920 onwards.