Another "husband who has everything" plea for help!

[summerlovingvibes]

Not necessarily just for Christmas , but his birthday is in a few days. And then I'll be in the same situation for Xmas in a few more weeks.

So please!

Ideas!

He likes DIY & machinery but has every tool under the sun x2. And storage boxes to keep them all, which sit empty.

He's Into boxing / gym. Would love to get him some boxing tickets but no idea where to start? Have wanted to do that for years!

We have 2 young children and his mum is ill so never any time to do stuff really.

Clothes - maybe. He's rubbish at buying any really.

Would love random / quirky gifts but I'm all out of ideas.

Doesn't drink, like food but doesn't need chocolate / sweets if you get my drift!

An experience day? A photoshoot with his brothers? A drone (not the Russian sort!)? A metal detector? Cheaper than those - cheeses and a range of pickles and chutneys?

I have exactly the same problem and we’ve been together almost 40 years, it doesn’t get any easier!
I agree with not buying presents for the sake of it but I think it’s a great opportunity to show some thought, as hard as that can be.
i agree with replacing or upgrading something he will definitely wear. I was delighted to notice how off-white DH’s gym t-shirt has become, that’s one small gift that will be well received and well used.
Sports socks usually get replaced at Christmas along with boxers.
Dressing gown, PJs and lounge pants make good presents when they are needed.
Does he need new shorts?
if you do buy him a coat, scarf/cap/gloves that go with it if you think he will use them.
DH loves rhubarb, one year I bought some rhubarb chutney, rhubarb compot, rhubarb gin and some rhubarb sweets and made a mini hamper.

I agree it's difficult! I don't have a husband (alas) but I do have three men I will be buying for who are of a husbandly age (if that doesn't make me sound too much like a Jane Austen character). All three are wealthy and used to buying themselves whatever they want. I am getting/considering:

Ex-husband (dd's dad, joining us for Xmas this year):
Plates for serving oysters (he is a massive foodie)
Box of old fashioned sweets
Book about his favourite dog breed (he is dog obsessed, always owns this breed)
Socks with his favourite snooker player on
Photos of DD and the dog in vintage frames (DD tells me he never gets round to printing out and framing photos himself)

FWB (had help for him on here!)
Nice boxers
Cheap but nice leather bracelets.
Book of short stories by an author we have both been reading and discussing.

Platonic male friend since childhood:
Comedy Star Wars t-shirt from HMV
Little Star Wars figure Lego keyring.

And also in fact there is my brother:
Hamper of his favourite comfort foods (basic stuff like chicken in white sauce, powdered mash, cheese footballs).
A couple of books - an Edgar Allen Poe spin off and a book of Sherlock Holmes puzzles
A couple of card games (he has pastoral job working with teenagers and these will be useful for his work).

Agree it is difficult though! I think all you can do is show you have thought about it, and get stuff that reflects their interests and passions - doesn't have to be expensive, the thought it probably more important.

@tragichero thanks for mentioning book - don't know why I haven't thought of that. Might see if there's an autobiography of someone he'd like...

Going to go for a book and a telescope for birthday and then boxing match tickets for Xmas.

Thanks everyone!

When did you last go on a date? Could you book a babysitter, dinner and tickets to something (maybe the boxing)

A set of PT sessions?

Genuinely the best boxers ever are from step one, expensive but once bought nothing else will do. Last well, DH has thrown all others out now.

Vouchers for a really good tattooist? I buy my husband a voucher for a day sitting.

Things I’ve bought for my DH:
Wallet, slippers, golf watch (expensive smart one - no idea what it does), flying lesson, cookery lesson, dark chocolate Brazil nuts (or ginger or marzipan)

Yes my husband would agree with this - tried loads of others.

I purchased my other half boxing tickets as a Christmas present., Benn v Eubanks Jnr. I got the tickets through Ticketmaster and also paid for local parking as he will be travelling from midlands to Tottenham.
I paid for two tickets so he could choose who he goes with. He is going with a friend who has similar interest in boxing.
it is 15th November so could do boxing for his birthday and something else for Christmas.

Things DH has liked:
books - but I know what he likes
new shirt
nice wool Norwegian style socks - my 20 something sons like these too, but I think that’s more of a Christmas than birthday present
posh shaving stuff from L’Occitaine or similar ( again, more Xmas than birthdays)
headphones - DH currently likes ones that go under your pillow so he can listen to podcasts in bed, DSs like over ear ones
a mug in his favourite shape of mug- very fussy about this
But I’d say 75% of presents for him are reading related.

A big success here was a simple orange juicer (so it's easy to clean and store) and a bag of oranges. Fresh orange juice every morning. A coffee machine? Does he drink smoothies? A ninja blender is worth the money I reckon. Anything he has but better - Ralph Lauren Pj's have lasted very well here. Does he use a proper razor to shave? You could try a starter kit. If he goes to the gym would he appreciate a proper massage?

DH loved his bird box camera. He also loved his weather station. Both had apps on his phone.

I've ordered him the new diddly squat book.
He's outdoorsy so tracksuit bottoms for walking the dogs go down well. His sons buy him funny apt tee shirts.

He too has every tool 🙈

I like the idea of seeing what he uses/likes that might need updating but theres also nothing wrong with asking him. My husband never buys himself anything so I make a note of the 'oh that's nice' things he mentions but never gets himself throughout the year

That is so bleak. There’s value in giving and receiving and thinking of someone and something to give them. This is presumably one of if not the most important person in OP’s life after all 😄

We don’t give to people we don’t know very well or see often eg siblings, sadly (but we do give to siblings kids). But those who add masses to our life, yes we get them gifts.

JCB world or Digger world.

Trust me, every bloke likes to drive a big bit of machinery.

www.jcbexplore.com/experiences/

Honestly it's not bleak; we have a big Christmas, real tree, visitors etc etc. We just took the hassle off a bit..

Darn Tough socks. My husband swears by them. Pure wool, strong enough to withstand mens disgustingly maintained feet, and come with a lifetime guarantee!

3D printer if not already considered depending on budget. It is amazing and mine was under £300

Do the boxing tickets if you know hed like them - if it’s not perfect you’ve proved to him that it can be done and he can do it himself next time.

Might not be his style but I bought a Community Clothing jumper for dp last year and it’s awesome - great shape, great yarn, and helps to support a British clothing business. It wasn’t the cheapest but it was £80 or so which to me was doable. The company was bought by the guy from Sewing Bee if he ever sees that.

I got a Bodum stainless steel travel mug from dp last year and am going to give him one back as it’s the best travel mug I’ve ever had - actually keeps the drinks hot, doesn’t leak.

DP has a big birthday next year and I’m buying a hot air balloon flight over the local city which he’s always wanted to do.

Dp also loves fancy tea - practically lives at Bird and Blend. They have all sorts of tea kit.

Everybody I’ve ever given it to has loved The Spy and The Traitor by Ben Macintyre. A real life thriller you can’t put down.

I bought my DH a MIG welding course.