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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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7
Bjorkdidit · 15/11/2024 09:04

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

Believe it or not, not everyone is cheered up by getting stuff especially if it's something they don't want, not the right version or they know they won't use.

It often has quite the opposite effect because we now have to put up with something that's not what we'd choose ourselves and we have to pretend to like it and be grateful. We'd much rather you listened when we say 'just pants and socks please'.

Lovesea658 · 15/11/2024 09:11

Maybe mini kitchen toys

LookItsMeAgain · 15/11/2024 09:16

A subscription to a newspaper or magazine that he likes (or can grow to like)?

Pumpkinsandchutney · 15/11/2024 09:18

Just tell him you're struggling for ideas and ask him to think of a few so you have some examples to choose from. Better to have something he knows he'd enjoy and use than waste money on something he won't.

MightyMichaela · 15/11/2024 09:49

New interesting recipe book.
Blank recipe book for favourite recipes.
Giant worktop edge chopping board, like this one but maybe a hardwood since it's a gift https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/laemplig-chopping-board-bamboo-00309829/
Fancy knife sharpener.
Kite.
Bench for garden.
Fruit tree.
Fruit tree AND a recipe book to go with it, eg 'cooking with apples' or something.

knackered101 · 15/11/2024 09:55

My husband is the same, I just get him
a bag of boring crap that I know he will use. This year I've done..
shower gels
Razors
Body sprays
Beard oil
Socks
Boxers
Crisps
Chocolate
Coffee and new mug
Costa voucher
Biscuits
It's become a bit of a Christmas joke, he actually woke up last year and said "Is it time for my bag shit!!"

Branleuse · 15/11/2024 10:02

Youll just drive yourself mad.

Get him some really nice socks and pants. A bottle of whisky/wine. Something you have made. A painting or a poem youve done? A cake or home made sweets.

Honeypickle · 15/11/2024 10:11

I got my DH a sauna tent for Fathers Day this year . . .

superspidey2211 · 15/11/2024 10:28

Thank you

WildFigs · 15/11/2024 10:35

https://labourandwait.co.uk/ for beautiful practical things.

https://www.souschef.co.uk/ for cooking stuff. They do some lovely gift sets where you get a cookbook plus items for that style of cuisine eg https://www.souschef.co.uk/products/authentic-persian-cooking-set

https://www.taschen.com/en/books/photography/ if he likes photography how about a book of it?

He does sound annoying though. Not just hard to buy for but ungrateful.

Timeless, Functional Products for Daily Life

Established in 2000 in the heart of East London's market district, Labour and Wait offers a wide range of timeless, functional products for daily life.

https://labourandwait.co.uk

OrchestralRemoversInTheDark · 15/11/2024 10:35

https://www.presentindicative.com/products/kitchen-accidents-tea-towel

Pants with your face on.
Socks with the cats face on.
A cat if you don't already have one, so you can get cat socks for his birthday.

Jeremy Pang School of Wok used to do experiences where you could walk round food markets, buy ingredients and then cook - although I can't see it on the website anymore. Friends did it a while back and really rated it.

Kitchen Accidents Tea Towel

Top tips for dealing with common kitchen mishaps from burns to breakages. Clearly conveys simple first aid and safety advice - would be ideal for students! Measures 45 x 65 cm.100% cotton with hanging loop.

https://www.presentindicative.com/products/kitchen-accidents-tea-towel

Banfordbebe · 15/11/2024 10:45

Your DP sounds like my lovely ex. Imagine if they were the same person 😂

Heart of gold but a bit too “particular” about things….

And in which case I would recommend;

An anglepoise lamp - a legit one.
A Lamy pen
Swedish socks
Ogo Living tankard or flask
Charcoal soap

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 15/11/2024 10:49

drdrcantyouhearmecallingcalling · 15/11/2024 10:08

https://www.horl.com/gb/en/sharpeners

Also he's eyeing one of these - quite niche though ;)

This was going to be my suggestion too.

lollypopsforme · 15/11/2024 10:54

Gift card buy his own gift then.

MitochondriaUnited · 15/11/2024 11:10

Dh is hard to buy for too and I’ve gone down the route of food recently. So something dh enjoys but we wouldn’t normally buy. In his case, nice cheese and some pudding
Puddings
Cheese

MorrisZapp · 15/11/2024 11:14

DP and I reached this point years ago. After an annual arms race of increasingly thoughtful and fabulous gifts, we ran dry. We don't exchange gifts at Christmas now and in all honesty we both prefer just buying our own treats and goodies. He knows you love him, you don't have to tie yourself in knots to prove it with the elusive 'perfect gift'.

Free yourself!!

MitochondriaUnited · 15/11/2024 11:15

Btw dh is the type of person who will ask for socks.
I give him socks. It’s a good Christmas present if the person really wants them!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/11/2024 11:15

A MacNair shirt.

Autumnweddingguest · 15/11/2024 11:17

How about some stylish photo frames so you can display some of his best photos on the wall at home?

A cool scandi lamp - maybe a desk lamp for when he is working on designs.

A fit bit?

New trainers from his favourite brand?

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/11/2024 11:18

DenmarkStreet · 15/11/2024 07:02

I once read here that men after a certain age only want nicer versions of things they already own.

I'm a woman, but I agree with that!

TheBeesKnee · 15/11/2024 11:19

A charitable donation on his behalf to a worthy cause. And some socks!

A butt plug?

WinterCrow · 15/11/2024 11:23

ShinyPrettyThings87 · 14/11/2024 23:22

Mushroom growing kit?
More exciting than it sounds, once they start showing, they grow huge within days. Tastier than shop bought too.

God that's genius, thank you.

mamechange · 15/11/2024 11:23

The most beautiful pen in the world and a gorgeous flowering plant( just a small one in a lovely pot or actually -----a BONSAI!