Help with brother gift ideas!

[ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop]

What do you buy a 50-year-old man who doesn't really have any interests??

I'm sorry to say that I'm not especially close to my brother. He's a bit of a misery guts and he has no real interests other than online gaming and drinking whisky. I don't want to get him alcohol because he already drinks too much and I think he's got whatever setup he needs/wants for the gaming, so I'm a bit stuck.

He used to read a lot but doesn't now, he doesn't have a telly, he doesn't cook or have hot drinks (meaning books, DVDs, nice crockery and mugs are all out). In past years I just sent him an Amazon ecard, until I found out that he'd accumulated about £500 worth over a few birthdays and Christmases and not spent any of it! I tend to find that generic "man gifts" assume that all men are into either football, golf or outdoors stuff, none of which applies here. I would suggest to him that we don't bother exchanging gifts any more but I think he'd probably be offended despite the fact he doesn't give the impression of caring much at the time.

Help!

Is there a particular aftershave he uses that might be in budget. My brother is similar with no specific hobbies (but doesn't drink now due to health issues). Tend to get him an aftershave gift set of one he uses, and a box of nibbles/treats - big bag of speciality crisps, pringles, nuts, chutney etc. Last year also got him a box of alcohol free beers.

Jumper?

anything from your childhood which might spark an idea? BIL is getting a vintage Snoopy lamp this year, my brother gets the same parcel of sweets every year for his birthday and has done for the past 30 years!

He doesn't use aftershave but the food thing might work - he'd definitely eat it, anyway! I don't tend to get a thank you from him for any gifts so I never know how it's landed. Then again, if he wanted or didn't want a specific thing he should have told me, I suppose...

I got him a jumper last year, I think. Could do it again if I get stuck though.

My friend always buys her similar aged brother a new Lego set!

I'd probably have a look for retro sweets from your childhood. Or something like new pyjamas, or socks.

He doesn't wear pyjamas and he has to buy special hypoallergenic socks online because he has some sort of skin problem on his feet. Sorry, I know I'm being annoying but this is why he's so difficult to buy for. Retro sweets might be a goer as part of the "big box of posh food" though.

Fortnums food gift set?
decent choc or fancy biscuits?
Magazine sub?
Whiskey glasses?
Airfix kit or similar?

What on earth does he buy you? Just stop, send him a card wishing him well. He’s not used your vouchers I doubt he will really care if you gift him something or not!

He usually gets me a "woman gift" like jewellery or scarf. To be fair to him, he has always got me something decent that I can use, which is why I suspect he might care if I were to stop. I think once our parents are gone we'll both stop bothering with Christmas very much, at which point we will probably not do gifts any more.

Decent whisky glasses and stones.

If you want to get him something he will definitely use I would go for something totally basic like hand soap, shampoo or olive oil. You can buy fancy versions to make it more gifty.

Hi

Maybe ask him and check would he like you to guess or does he have something in mind?

Maybe a heated throw or personalised (eg photo) or non-offensive coloured fleece he can use when cold/gaming?

Bluetooth headphones?
Nice hamper of snacks / fancy expensive versions of things?
Gaming voucher?
Gift experience with you like dinner out together? Cinema together? Hire a TV car like only fools and horses van for an hour
A hand written message or a photo book with photos of you two and your parents?
A copy of a family tree or a photo for his wall?
Generic house plant / hand soap /
Donation to a charity of his choosing .
Socks - always useful?
Hat / scarf / man bracelet?
An oodie
Books - may reignite an old interest for him? Or puzzle books?
Does he do any fitness? Any weights or anything along those lines.
Anything practical like an ultra fast usb extra long charger cable or a power bank or a nice new towel
Combination of above in a cosy night in hamper e.g. socks, a book, fancy chocolates/ginger beer etc.

I think a hamper of his favourite treats might work.

Actually, I like the heated throw idea. I got one for myself last winter and it's been invaluable, and I know my parents worry about him sitting at home by himself in front of his computer. I'll probably go with that or the snack hamper. Thanks all for the suggestions.