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Original poster

Dh says even MN can't help with this one. (A difficult present buying thread).

94 replies

wendylovesbob · 18/03/2011 18:41

Budget - about £50

Must be able to order online.

We have to buy a present for an extremely wealthy man in his 60s. He has very particular taste in everything. He buys himself whatever he wants whenever he wants it. We can't afford most of what he likes. He is rather snobby and scornful about anything that isn't precisely to his taste. He likes expensive, exclusive things.

Try not to question the fact that we have to get him a birthday present Hmm.

We usually get him dreary dull books which we are convinced that he never opens (but which don't actually offend him).

I said to dh that we would ask MNers for ideas, and dh laughed and said even MNers can't help with this one.

Prove him wrong, please!

OP posts:
franticallyjugglinglife · 18/03/2011 18:43

Wine tasting session? Lunch for two at a restaurant (can usually get lunch deals at nice restaurants fairly cheaply!)? A very expensive tie (he sounds quite formal!)....

deemented · 18/03/2011 18:44

What about a copy of a newspaper that was printed on the day he was born?

Overtiredmum · 18/03/2011 18:44

What hobbies does he have?

Chil1234 · 18/03/2011 18:45

I wonder why you have to buy this man a present if he's so tough to please, already has everything and is so rich at the same time! Nightmare. You could go the route of donating £20 to Comic Relief and then put a red nose in his card.... he might appreciate the gesture.

And food is often a good cop-out for fussy buggers. I wouldn't spend anything like £50 but a decent bottle of scotch, cognac or port might be a winner.

ExitPursuedByALamb · 18/03/2011 18:47

Agree - a decent bottle of wine.

Or get him a couple of goats and an educate a girl gift from Oxfam Unwrapped. That should sort him.

TorcherQueenie · 18/03/2011 18:48

Does he smoke Cigars?

myredcardigan · 18/03/2011 18:49

You should be able to get a reasonable bottle of malt for £50. Maybe not top notch but very good.

I know a woman who got her DH some made to measure slippers Hmm but they were about £70 so a bit more.

Grumpla · 18/03/2011 18:50

Does he have any hobbies?

Make him something? Bake him a really spectacular cake with a really nice box for it to go in?

BecauseImWorthIt · 18/03/2011 18:51

buy him a wine voucher

Then he can choose whatever he wants - you won't have spend £50 on a bottle that he will slag off.

thisisyesterday · 18/03/2011 18:52

i would order him a big box of biscuits from the biscuiteers

IAmTheCookieMonster · 18/03/2011 18:53

designer socks?

thisisyesterday · 18/03/2011 18:53

actually i was going to say the same as Grumpla, make something yourself and send.
But cos you said you needed to order online i thought maybe you couldn't/didn'/t have time to post?

but if you do then i'd go with making something

Shallishanti · 18/03/2011 18:53

carity gift deffo, geared to his tastes/interests

Original poster
wendylovesbob · 18/03/2011 18:54

Wine or wine tasting is out. He has cellars full of exquisite wines. A £50 bottle is just drinking wine, not a special birthday present.

He does a lot for charities of his choice. I don't think he would appreciate our doing it for him.

Don't think the newspaper is really his sort of thing.

He is retired, so tie not really right. Also his ties tend to cost a lot more than £50.

Hobbies... don't know really. Golf. Holidays. Socialising.

I appreciate your suggestions. It really is hard.

OP posts:
PepsiPopcorn · 18/03/2011 18:54

Boxed CD set of music
Cuff links
Garden plant
Glassware
Table mats
Concert tickets
Theatre tokens
Picture frame
Hamper of posh food
Fountain pen
Champagne
Leather wallet

... or something tacky that he can enjoy complaining about! :o

Shallishanti · 18/03/2011 18:54

err charity

dilbertina · 18/03/2011 18:55

My FIL is difficult to buy for. At Christmas we got him a half day bird of prey flying lesson. It is not too expensive (£60 I think). Would he enjoy that? Because it is an experience type thing I don't think the cost is so obvious, but it at least shows imagination. Or have a look if any of the other experince things may work. Few laps in a classic car maybe - although I think that might be over budget - could you join forces with someone else?

Original poster
wendylovesbob · 18/03/2011 18:57

Cigars - yes, but he has a beautiful cigar cutter / humidifier / specialist cigar chap etc.

Would make or bake, but living thousands of miles away so no way to deliver.

All of his shoes are made to measure.

OP posts:
gillybean2 · 18/03/2011 18:58

The malt whisky society offer some different and unusual malts.
www.smws.co.uk/

That's assuming he enjoys his malt and doesn't just slug it back like my dad did when I bought him a expensive bottle haven't bought him another that's for sure!

OTheHugeManatee · 18/03/2011 18:59

Get him a bottle of vintage champagne. You can get something half decent if not super posh for £50, it's a fairly neutral gift and even if he could buy it himself I'm sure he'll appreciate the gesture.

moggiek · 18/03/2011 19:00

It's been said before, but definitely Oxfam Unwrapped.

castlesintheair · 18/03/2011 19:00

Tree or rose bush or other plant for garden or try and source something they like such as caviar, truffle oil etc. Has to be local which is something you could probably do more easily on-line.

It's the kind of thing I buy for my extremely rich, fussy, difficult, ungrateful ILs Grin

Tee2072 · 18/03/2011 19:01

If he's going to disdain it anyway, how about a packet of crisps and a pint of Stella and spend the rest of the £50 on a night out for yourselves!!!

OTheHugeManatee · 18/03/2011 19:01

Bit random, but what about monogrammed silver collar stiffeners?

Original poster
wendylovesbob · 18/03/2011 19:01

Again, no to charity. He would not appreciate this gift.

Hmm... bird of prey flying lessons. Not that exactly, but maybe something like that...?

Think theatre tickets would be great but too expensive I think? He goes to the theatre a lot and always has excellent seats.

OP posts: