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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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StrawberryWater · 15/11/2024 11:25

I usually buy my husband a guided tour of a museum. He loves it.

You can do guided tours of pretty much anywhere (sports grounds, museums, tourist attractions etc) and they're fun. We've done the British Museum, Wimbledon, The V&A, Castle Howard, The Tower of London, Lords Cricket Ground and plenty of footie stadiums.

This year I've booked the Harry Potter guided tour which was bloody expensive but will be worth it.

Purplecatshopaholic · 15/11/2024 12:05

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.

This is genius. Off to buy one

BackinBlack24 · 15/11/2024 12:25

Would he appreciate being bought a piece of art perhaps ? Or is there a particular photographer he likes ?

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 15/11/2024 12:48

Does he have a PC/macbook? I'm getting my partner an ELGATO stream deck which is a small device that connects to your commuter and creates "shortcuts" to apps etc. I'm sure it does more but I'm not very tech savvy 😂

Seemed well reviewed and my partner is quite techy/spends alot of time working on his computer so seems like a practical gift!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/11/2024 12:55

If he really doesn’t want or need anything, , except socks and pants, I’d go and do a big shop just for the food bank, and give him the receipt, to show what ‘he’s’ given - maybe alongside some of the socks he said he would like.

For the last couple of years, since there’s nothing I particularly want or need (yes, I know I’m lucky) a big food bank shop has been my main present* from dh, though I have to do it myself - he wouldn’t know what best to get.
*I still get the obligatory chocs, though!

PeterGabrielsunderpants · 15/11/2024 13:13

How about ordering him a horoscope? You would need time, full date and place of birth. Can be done online. Ancient Indian (Vedic) system is best.

AlmostCutMyHairToday · 15/11/2024 19:31
  • MasterClass membership - has classes by famous chefs, photographers, etc.
  • Substack subscription to Vittles magazine (food/culture/recipes - particularly good if you're in London - they do amazing restaurant recommendations, off-the beaten path)
  • Voucher for Sous Chef
  • Cashmere socks / gloves
  • Book about fermenting
  • Foraging & cooking class
TherebytheGraceofGodgoI · 15/11/2024 20:40

How about a meater. Big hit in my house
www.meater.com

OMarina · 15/11/2024 21:43

The ideas on this thread have been absolutely amazing! Thank you so much everyone! I feel I'm covered for the next few birthdays, Christmas and anniversaries with all of this! Including the poster that suggested that ceramic cockerel! :-)

OP posts:
TheNorthernTights · 16/11/2024 19:11

This! And all the accessories mean you are sorted for presents for years!
Though if he’s anything like my oh, it may take a while for him to actually love it - I gave it to him in 2022, he lit it for the first time this august! But now absolutely loves it & I’m trying to decide between add ons for this years present.

hby9628 · 16/11/2024 19:53

I've never heard of labourandwait before but now I need a chicken brick for my DH. He prides himself on his roast dinners & this would be perfect!

EmmaStone · 17/11/2024 10:35

As he's a keen cook, can I throw into the mix a sous vide immersion heater thing (combined with a vacuum pack thing)? No joke, I've just spent nearly an hour on the phone with my foodie brother who was waxing lyrical about how amazing it is. Apparently it makes the best steaks ever. And crème brulee.

poetrylover · 17/11/2024 11:35

An indoor herb garden thing.
Look up hydroponics.

NotMeForBakeoff · 27/11/2024 14:12

I've got some good ideas off here, so here is my contribution:

Hammock for the garden
It seems you can never have too many penknives 🙄
Waterproof rucksack
Exclusive coffee
A good quality pen
Watercolour paints

NotMeForBakeoff · 27/11/2024 14:22

NotMeForBakeoff · 27/11/2024 14:12

I've got some good ideas off here, so here is my contribution:

Hammock for the garden
It seems you can never have too many penknives 🙄
Waterproof rucksack
Exclusive coffee
A good quality pen
Watercolour paints

Also massage gun for after exercise . Here

Pulsio AIR

Unlike any other massage gun, the Pulsio AIR is 50% more powerful, offers a 2-month battery life, an aircraft grade aluminum body, and is in a package no bigger than your phone.

https://pulsio.co.uk/products/pulsio-air?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAo5u6BhDJARIsAAVoDWuqjSGwUzvFK4Z2yxLhh7Bb9QPaoDvjt0JEbiVjBTYlYCDB-omihEIaAi0_EALw_wcB&tw_adid=668226882428&tw_campaign=20416565163&tw_source=google

newtb · 27/11/2024 15:19

Newspaper from the day he was born?

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 27/11/2024 21:49

At-home chef experience from yhangry or similar? A date night but from the convenience of your own place one the kids are in bed!

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