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What do I get dh for birthday.

(89 Posts)
Coolgran65 Thu 07-Oct-21 09:06:36

It’s dh birthday in a few weeks and I’m trying to avoid the shirt/ jumper route. There is absolutely nothing he needs or wants. He doesn’t want to do a hotel overnight because of covid even though I’m sure it’s quite safer. Cinema and diner - he won’t do cinema for the same reason. I thought of day out and dinner but in November the weather could be very uncertain. He likes nice clothes but definitely has more than enough.
I’ve considered out for dinner taking the family but that would be 10 of us and about £250 possibly.
I could do dinner at home instead with birthday cake but it’s like dong a Xmas dinner.
Or maybe afternoon tea with sandwiches/cake for 10.
I know he would appreciate a family get together. Maybe I should do this and hang all work. But I’d still like a gift for him to unwrap so back to what to get.

I sound lazy but honestly I’m not. It’s possible eldest ss may suggest a get together at his (much bigger house) but that would do away with my ‘gift’.
He has nice clothes unworn. Last gift was a pair of Sketchers.
I will get some nice chocolates maybe Hotel Chocolat. He’s not into nice toiletries or aftershave more of an Old Spice man.
The more I think….. it could be a gathering at our house. Actually perhaps get a Chinese or fish n chips delivery for 10. That would make it a little different, less work for me, and cheaper than going out. Hmmm maybe that.
Seems that just writing this out has focussed me.

Any ideas or approvals are most welcome. Thank you.

Coolgran65 Sat 09-Oct-21 16:17:49

Exhaltedwombat ….. wow!!
I absolutely do not expect a big fuss for my birthday. However dh does always try to do something nice.
There is often something lost in the written word but you have taken me aback…. As though I was trying to give so that I would get. Sorry if your comment has come across wrongly or I have misunderstood.

Markoni40 Sat 09-Oct-21 16:09:33

or you may try something like this
www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk/

there are much more of these if you google experience days

SecondhandRose Sat 09-Oct-21 15:53:41

According to Myrtle from Mandy & Myrtle they are ‘like wearing bread on your feet’ grin

brazenp75 Sat 09-Oct-21 15:39:22

Get a meal through Deliveroo. lots of choice of restaurants - everything from pasta, pizzas, curries, asian, hamburgers etc so tan suit everyone including children.

Fizog Sat 09-Oct-21 14:44:22

I got my OH a special day at a quality barber in
London St James. Cut throat shave, hair trim and manicure he absolutely loved it.

DeeDe Sat 09-Oct-21 14:40:59

I bought mine one year, besides usual special meal at home or out etc I bought him a Whittling book for beginners, and some Whittling suitable wood & tools
he enjoyed it & became quite good making some interesting little things
Another year I got him a Telescope, that went down well and he still uses it.
Depends on the person I know, but there must be many things that could spark a interest in something, that could even become a new hobby…
He got me interested in Rug making on my birthday one year
Have some lovely homemade bedroom rugs now
So it goes both ways grin

TiggyW Sat 09-Oct-21 14:33:51

My husband doesn’t read much, but he loves doing jigsaws. The trickier, the better! smile
He also loves whodunnit mysteries, so a few birthdays ago I booked us onto a Murder Mystery weekend - that was good fun. It was staged at the Harrogate hotel where Agatha Christie stayed when she went missing after her divorce. I should think those types of events should be running again now.

Destin Sat 09-Oct-21 14:03:17

My husband is 83 - and for his last birthday I bought him a gift certificate for six sessions with a fitness trainer at the local gym he belongs to.

He was a bit hesitant initially but the trainer was great - assessed his abilities and then worked on a programme for him thst was age/fitness level appropriate. During the sessions ( he books a training session once a month and then repeats the programme on his own two times a week in the gym) and they have worked a lot on his balance, gentle cardio and stretching. He seems to enjoy the challenges the trainer sets him and his morning visits to the gym is a routine he enjoys now. His new-found fitness level is something that makes him feel good about himself.

SuzieHi Sat 09-Oct-21 13:48:49

Some good ideas above which I might pinch for my DH.
Another idea I’d add is to order ‘a chef meal at home’. We had a Rick stein one delivered recently. All ingredients and recipe instructions are included. Easy to make so a treat at home.

RosesAreRed21 Sat 09-Oct-21 13:35:08

How about getting him a copy of the daily newspaper on the day he was born. They are quite reasonable but shop around. We got my dad one for his birthday and he loved it

KathrynP Sat 09-Oct-21 13:29:47

I’m not the best of cooks but I find afternoon tea with a Cream Tea very easy. I get a few gluten free scones in just in case and bake the rest. Add and a few strawberries, clotted cream and birthday cake. All our friends love it as they know what to expect and don’t have to cope with the various dietary differences. Is he a reader? A good book or book token?

Kali2 Sat 09-Oct-21 13:18:51

This, exactly.

ExaltedWombat Sat 09-Oct-21 13:16:25

Do you require a big fuss made of YOUR birthday? Most of the (straight anyway) men I know really couldn't care less. A card and his favourite dinner would do!

GraceQuirrel Sat 09-Oct-21 13:11:29

Not surprised he hasn’t worn the Skechers!

Nannan2 Sat 09-Oct-21 13:08:57

I agree with tanith's suggestions, especially the magazine subscription- thats a lovely idea and he gets a 'surprise' again every month!- i love getting a new mag through the letterbox each month and i once did get one of my daughters one as a gift, she loved it and it gives them a 'reason' to go put their feet up for an hour, maybe with a cuppa, and have a break, (especially if they are usually on the go all the time!) Im sure you know what your OH's interests & hobbies are, and theres a subscription for just about everything these days, often they have price deals too at this time of year, or they include a calendar etc..and yes the takeaway idea is great too, but you would probably have to wait till everyone arrived to order & that could take awhile as not everyone will want the same! And a big order will take a while to prepare for them, so may be a lot longer arriving.?maybe the 'afternoon tea' is better, and the other ladies/or gents in your group can help you prepare it??

ss1024 Sat 09-Oct-21 12:51:56

A subscription for audio books? My husband likes this because he can putter around the house and listen to a book at the same time.

Joesoap Sat 09-Oct-21 12:28:27

My Husbands Birthday is today, and yes, he has everything, also awkward to buy for he now doesnt drink anything except water! doesnt eat sweets/ chocolate etc. in desperation I bought a voucher in a local bike shop he has said he needs really good trousers for walking, he walks 10,000 steps every morning, he can choose which ever trousers he wants, he seemed pleased with this, although I think it was quite boring.
Good luck with your purchase, I am sure he will be pleased with whatever you choose.Happy Birthday to him.

SecondhandRose Sat 09-Oct-21 11:56:53

Get him a subscription to Readly. Every magazine you can think of for £7.99 a month including back issues and international too. Here’s a link get.readly.com/

Mamma66 Sat 09-Oct-21 11:55:04

Magazine subscription on his favourite interest / hobby?

BassGrammy Sat 09-Oct-21 11:53:29

Men are such a problem to buy for! In recent years I have bought my hubby various trips, which he has really enjoyed. A canal trip with afternoon tea, a trip on a local heritage railway etc.
I get the covid thing and the fact that he may not want to do that, but we did the canal trip this year (postponed from the year before) and it all seemed very safe and well organised with screens between the tables and windows open.
Do you have anywhere that does “grazing platters” they come and set up a fantastic table of food which would be lovely for a family get together. You probably wouldn’t need to buy for 10 either as they bring so much!
I’m glad my hubby wanted long handled secateurs for hid birthday……don’t have to worry about that now!!

grandtanteJE65 Sat 09-Oct-21 11:48:50

A family get-together sounds like the thing your DH would like the most.

Could you and your son not plan it together, doing half of the work each? You do the food and take it with you to his place, so he does the preperation there and the washing-up? Or the other way around. Or whatever else works as a fair division of labour.

For a man who loves reading a book is always welcome!

Happysexagenarian Sat 09-Oct-21 11:32:59

Coolgran65 I do sympathise with your dilemma. I could have written your post myself. It's my husband's 80th birthday in a couple of weeks and naturally I want to do something to mark the occasion, the question is what! There is just nothing that he wants, he always says all he wants is a card, he doesn't like a lot of fuss. I'll order a nice birthday cake for him and get a bottle of champagne, but as far as a gift goes my mind is a blank. He has very few hobbies and interests and over the years we have done most of the personalised gifts and 'experiences', now I've run out of ideas! After reading replies here I'm considering booking afternoon tea or lunch somewhere, even though he's reluctant to mix with other people. It will probably be just the two of us as it's a weekday so AC and GC are unlikely to be able to visit - our eldest has a new baby due on same date so he could be busy! Why do men have to be so difficult to buy for hmm

frue Sat 09-Oct-21 11:31:01

Husband recently received a dozen bottles of wine as a thankyou. He doesn’t drink white wine but I do !

Flossieturner Sat 09-Oct-21 11:29:13

My DH has just got these AitTags top. They keep track of your keys, wallet etc

Hattiehelga Sat 09-Oct-21 11:28:27

National Trust and several others doing donate a tree. One or however many you prefer in his name might be nice.