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Bloody January bday for bloody grown up son...

41 replies

Tilllly · 28/12/2022 17:22

Helllllp!

I have zero ideas what to get him

He's hard to buy for

Anyone got any clever or quirky ideas?

OP posts:
SnowAndIceLobelia · 28/12/2022 17:25

Ask him what he wants?

Buy him a voucher?

i have an early Jan birthday and most people don't even bother - not even seince I was a child- (the dreaded 'combined present' while everyone else gets separate ones) so you are ahead there.

Or take him and his partner / wife out for a lovely meal.

But I'd try to hide your frustration. It sucks to have a birthday everyone either forgets or is irritated by. Particularly if they are a parent.

TheVanguardSix · 28/12/2022 17:26

How old? 20? 30?

123rd · 28/12/2022 17:27

Ah, that's a shame. I have two very close relatives with birthdays very very close to Christmas.
I always make a point of buying separate presents- wrapped with appropriate paper
( can't help with what to buy your DS thigh. Sorry!)

Londonnight · 28/12/2022 17:31

Mine is 22 next week and it is hard! I tend to buy presents in the lead up to Christmas and then divide them for Christmas and birthday. He has some adult Lego [ huge Lego buff!] and a voucher.

NoSquirrels · 28/12/2022 17:32

What’s he into? What’s he not into?

NoSquirrels · 28/12/2022 17:32

And what’s your budget?

Bagzzz · 28/12/2022 17:32

Can you offer to get him a present in May or June and have a full celebration then? (Obviously stay with January if he says no.)

McDonaldsMcChanel · 28/12/2022 17:33

Supercar driving experience

Proudofitbabe · 28/12/2022 17:36

BuyAGift is good in this situation - they are themed experiences/mini breaks etc, and offer lots of options for the recipient to then choose from within a long time frame. It's really flexible.

Look online at what's available, but you can also buy physical gift boxes at supermarkets.

AriettyHomily · 28/12/2022 17:42

A voucher to take him out for a meal / show / experience so you spend time together?

moleeye · 28/12/2022 17:46

@SnowAndIceLobelia I'm the same, my birthday is next week and it sucks.

Everyone is broke, dieting and doing dry January so rarely do anything.

Justgotobed · 28/12/2022 17:48

Both Myself & DH are early January birthday's, We tend to do a weekend trip? There's some good bargains to be had this time of year? Especially after Hogmanay when prices are very very inflated!!

Hadalifeonce · 28/12/2022 17:51

DD birthday today, I always ask for a list 'for Santa' I just pick something off that.
Just ask him, I am sure he would rather get something he wants, or money.

Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:01

TheVanguardSix · 28/12/2022 17:26

How old? 20? 30?

34

OP posts:
Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:02

SnowAndIceLobelia · 28/12/2022 17:25

Ask him what he wants?

Buy him a voucher?

i have an early Jan birthday and most people don't even bother - not even seince I was a child- (the dreaded 'combined present' while everyone else gets separate ones) so you are ahead there.

Or take him and his partner / wife out for a lovely meal.

But I'd try to hide your frustration. It sucks to have a birthday everyone either forgets or is irritated by. Particularly if they are a parent.

They don't bother?!! 😨
That's crap

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 28/12/2022 18:03

If his birthday was in May, what would you get him?

glamourousindierockandroll · 28/12/2022 18:04

My husband's birthday is this week and he's asked for a sports massage. He's very into his fitness.

Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:05

He works shifts, and erratic ones and that
And has a lot of disposable income

So tickets, theatre, experiences etc are all off my list

Usually I default to a quirky gadget but I can't find anything that's not for them as a couple or for the house

He got 5 jumpers for Cmas....that's how hard he is to buy for!!

Sorry, I'm being really negative

OP posts:
SnowAndIceLobelia · 28/12/2022 18:07

Can you take him out for a meal? Even a pub one? Just acknowledging it and spending time with him. That would be my idea of lovely for a birthday.

Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:07

NoSquirrels · 28/12/2022 17:32

What’s he into? What’s he not into?

He works a lot but he likes rugby and gaming, but am a bit clueless there - DS2 will get him a game but that's that exhausted

I asked his partner who is similarly stuck!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:08

moleeye · 28/12/2022 17:46

@SnowAndIceLobelia I'm the same, my birthday is next week and it sucks.

Everyone is broke, dieting and doing dry January so rarely do anything.

You should have a MN online party 😁

OP posts:
Tilllly · 28/12/2022 18:09

Bagzzz · 28/12/2022 17:32

Can you offer to get him a present in May or June and have a full celebration then? (Obviously stay with January if he says no.)

He'd say no...

OP posts:
minipie · 28/12/2022 18:11

Some sort of subscription - cheese, coffee, chocolate, fancy pasta, magazine?

Personally I suspect he wouldn’t mind no presents (and in fact might prefer it) as he clearly has or could buy everything he wants.

LizzieSiddal · 28/12/2022 18:14

Came to say subscription too- cheese/gin/whiskey/ whatever he likes.

FleasNavidad · 28/12/2022 18:16

Magnetic bottle opener, crate of beer, box of fave crisps/chocs/nuts and a £10 greggs voucher 🥳

Bloody January bday for bloody grown up son...