Recently bought my DD the new book 'And Away' by Bob Mortimer, he loves his fishing programme on TV, chocs & aftershave. He likes Hairy Bikers & Yorkshire Family, so their books in line for Christmas.
A better word than 'apologise'?
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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.
Recently bought my DD the new book 'And Away' by Bob Mortimer, he loves his fishing programme on TV, chocs & aftershave. He likes Hairy Bikers & Yorkshire Family, so their books in line for Christmas.
Would your DH enjoy being a pilot for a couple of hours. You can get a Flight Experience where you sit in the pilot's seat and fly the plane (virtual), but it's apparently exactly like the real thing.
Some cafes will deliver an afternoon tea
We once did a family gathering with someone presenting my mum and dad, separate occasions with a This is Your Life afternoon/evening with a photo album with funny captions underneath. This was read out in front of family and friends and was very entertaining. Another suggestion if he likes historical houses and gardens, a National Trust subscription. Well worth it.
My husband is also difficult to buy for - I love your idea of ordering takeaway. Easy for everyone and he'll have great memories. That is the BEST gift.
Thank you all so much. So many great ideas. Some I’ve done like the special jigsaws, we do like doing them, others I’m taking on board. Some I know he definitely wouldn’t be up for. But all so helpful.
I will look up our local. Steam train. I’m also checking the up coming shows in our local theatre. He’s not keen on.big events while covid still prevails but I might push him on this.
I have enough to be getting on with here and hope that the ideas given are helpful to others.
Thanks again.
I like the idea of Audio book subscription. Our family have given these.
Netflix subscription.
The Oldie magazine subscription.
Day out on a steam train, we did this and had a wonderful unusual day.
Buy him a dog for company if he’d look after a dog,
New mats for his car.
Have his car valeted.
A door bell with a camera.
Good luck!
You don’t mention if it is a “special” birthday or an “ordinary” one, so am guessing the latter. Recently got my DH a Velvetiser from Hotel Chocolat (you mentioned he likes their chocolate), which I notice are on special offer at the moment. This makes amazing hot chocolate very easily, no washing burnt saucepan! If you are feeling extra generous, you could also get him a subscription to have more of the sachets delivered every so often. Not dirt cheap but cheaper than buying hot chocolate in Starbucks. And DD bought him lovely sheepskin slippers from Celtic and Co which was mentioned earlier
A tiny quirky antique something or other that reflects one of his interests? Antique toy car? Golf memorabilia?
A lump of amethyst in its matrix? Fun tie pin if he has a sense of humour?
A book of jokes? Signed photo of his favourite film star?
Binoculars?? It was our best wedding gift many years ago
lefthanded that's a lovely idea! On my little list, thank you
For catering at home i can highly recommend Morrisons. They do a great range of sandwich platters, pies, sausage rolls, salad and a good selection of deserts. I used them for my daughters 40th birthday, celebrated at home because of covid. I added a birthday cake and some cup cakes. It was lovely and a great price too.
How about a magazine subscription, or if he likes a particular drink, a wine of the month or gin of the month subscription. The present will last a year.
Speaking from a male perspective, the most memorable present my wife ever bought me was a day’s hire of an Aston Martin. Not cheap - but unforgettable.
Historic houses association joint membership.
Joint membership
To Historic Houses assoc. got it for hubby in June , he loves it. We go all over the country!
As he loves reading how about a subscription to Mr B’s Emporium? My daughter did this for me and I shall receive a book a month for 6 months based on the info I gave them! The books are beautifully wrapped plus the surprise is just that ! A Surprise!!
I had other half and daughter hitting 70 and 30 respectively in the last fortnight, along with a 60th and 6 others in September. Ouch!
Just for fun I booked for the pair of them to go on Segways, really hit the spot. Might be a bit of a change?
Along with the family get together- marks &Spencer do platters of sandwiches, finger foods etc - if you have the time put together a photo album of him throughout the ages and present This Is Your Life Style - he’s old enough to remember the show lol!
We don't really do presents - if either of us wants something, we get it. However for Christmas and Birthdays he likes a bag of chocolate buttons, and sometimes a book - if there is a particular one that he likes.
And he hates surprises!
Go to M&S get some nice underwear and let him unwrap you and put a bit of spice back into his birthday, beats a pair of socks any day.
I would definitely have a gathering, blow the expense after all this time locked up. If you don’t want that how about a weekend away, just one night in a hotel and meal out for the two of you. As for present as yo7 get older we can but what we want really and sometime a small thought out present is just the job. For one of my husbands birthdays I bought him a footplate ride on a steam engine, he was over the moon.
What about a magazine subscription? I have The Oldie which is good it’s a good mix of articles. I’ve tried The Spectator which is a bit more politically minded. Readers Digest possibly or a mag attached to one of his interests.
Is their a tool he would like ( even though he might not use it)
Plus a book on his favourite subject or Guinness Book of Records———- I try to listen all year to what he mentions he might need or like,extremely hard.Can you put a photo album together of his life ?Or order one on line——- I remember my Mum buying my Dad a pillow! Good luck
Thank you all who have taken the time to put forward what has worked for you. Some I have done and some others for me to think about.
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