Giftbox for BILs/uncles - any ideas?

[Sally4484]

There is a great thread about putting together a really thoughtful giftbox for SILs (ideas from which I plan to use).

But I also have a much-loved BIL and uncle. I never know what to get either of them and invariably get them something jokey or smellies. I'd like to get them a gift that they know has had some thought and love put into it.

Any ideas?

I got a mug from photobox for my brother - it has 7 photos on of all our siblings and my children - it came this morning and is really nice.

Giftbox with a dvd, popcorn, chocs and beer in for a movie night?

Coffee style box is they like that sort of thing.

Do they have any particular interests?

Uncle is a walker and a bit of a vegetable gargener sometimes - I thought of of getting him some walking socks, a woolly hat, some kind of sore feet ointment (is there such a thing aimed at blokes?) and a book of walks based near where he and Auntie live.

BIL is a bit more difficult. He canoes. And he spends time with his family. I can't really think of a canoeing-based gift. If there are any gadgets in the world for canoueists, he probably has them all!

How about special hand cream for gardeners (Crabtree & Evelyn) - got some for my FIL and he thought it was a bit girly but said later on that it was really good. Amazon does gardeners' mugs too with a lid to keep tea/coffee warm and keep insects out. You can get speciality beers too so get one with a name that is relevant - I got one with a picture of a dog on it for a dog lover. Not sure I can help with canoeing-based gifts tho'.

I like the idea of mugs with lids for gardeners. And the hand cream might work too. Thanks!

BIL is probably going to end up with yet another shirt or jokey gift though.

My favourite gifts for men:

Charles Tyrwhitt shirt www.ctshirts.co.uk/p/gbpdefault/pr/CWFSSC/Sky-Satin-Check-Shirt/r/Clearance/Clearance/Web-Department /Men's-Shirts----Casual/productdetail.aspx?ppp=44&sortBy=Relevance&page=1&back=False&canned=

Appetite by Nigel Slater www.amazon.co.uk/Appetite-What-You-Want-Today/dp/1841154709/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=122522575 1&sr=8-1

Roberts radio (I have the one with the Cath Kidston print and got my dad this one last year : www.highlifeshop.com/p-218-roberts-radio-travelling-lite-2-world-radio.aspx he loves it

Shaving kit from l'occitane - I got my uncle a lovely brush and razor on a stand last year. www.drharris.co.uk also do gorgeous sets but very expensive

The complete set of the James Herriot vet stories - my husban isn't a reader and he was chuckling away to himself by page 2 - www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-James-Herriot/dp/0330447262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225226245&sr=8 -1

Battery free torch - www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.554018/walk.yah.UKHG-U301 my mum got this for my husband and he was scoffing at first but it's so handy (we get a lot of power cuts here in Egypt) and now he adores and wants more of them to keep in the car in case of breakdowns

A smythson diary - my dad gets a little pocket one every year

Cashmere scarf from M&S in claret (not that I'm bossy www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B001FPAK8G/sr=1-5/qid=1225226568/ref=sr_1_5/203-8730989-4400756?i e=UTF8&node=59825031&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=9&rh=&page=

Thorntons toffee hamper www.thorntons.co.uk/ThorntonsSite/product/Hampers%20And%20Gift%20Boxes_Chocolate%20And%20Toffee%20Ha mpers/1991.htm this could lead to emergency dental appointments though...

any of the Bill Bryson books but especially A Walk in the Woods or Notes from a Small Island. Three men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome and The Timewasters Letters by Robin Coope also very funny

a slinky spring - cue mad dash to the stairs

Liz Earle's men's essentials - uk.lizearle.com/index_2.php?userpage=christmas_mens_ess

anything from the Bodycare section of www.manufactum.co.uk

Snatch word game from www.amazon.co.uk/Appetite-What-You-Want-Today/dp/1841154709/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=122522575 1&sr=8-10

I could go on ad nauseum...

that should be Robin Cooper

Wow! mavornia - you are good at this! Thanks.