Thursday 15 November 2018

Christmas Gifts For Men

As it's now just over five weeks to Christmas my thoughts have turned to present shopping. I don't buy for many people these days, I've cut right down, buying for immediate family, my parents, and Mick's auntie and uncle. I think you could go on and on buying for extended family and friends but it has to stop somewhere so we made the decision a few years ago that we would streamline the number of people we buy for.

I could go on and on buying things for Eleanor, she's so easy to buy for and always so appreciative of whatever she unwraps on Christmas morning. It's not so easy buying for Mick and Daniel, I find shopping for men really hard. This year, Daniel will be in Colorado for Christmas, he's going with his girlfriend, Jasmine, to spend three weeks over the festive season with her family. I'm sure it will feel strange not having him at home, it's the first time our family won't be together at Christmas, but I'm sure we'll catch up on Skype and he'll have an amazing time. We're hoping to see them before they go so I've bought them a few bits and pieces to unwrap, they won't be able to take them with them so they'll open them when we see them, and then we'll give them money so that they can open that on the day.

Mick's my biggest problem, I like to get him a main present and some little ones but I really run out of ideas for him. I've had a couple of great gift ideas in the past which he didn't know he was getting but was really pleased with. In 2012 I bought him a Tassimo Machine. There's only Mick who drinks coffee in our family, apart from Jasmine when she's here, but this coffee maker gets used every single day. We don't buy instant coffee any more as Mick says it doesn't taste anywhere near as good as what the Tassimo makes.


In 2013 I bought Mick a Kindle Fire. I had an idea that he could read books on it so I was going to buy him the eReader version but I asked Daniel's advice and he said he'd go for the tablet. I'm so glad I listened to him as not one book has been read on it, but Mick uses it for internet browsing just about every day.


I bought Mick a Fitbit in 2015, he didn't even know what one was at the time, but he uses it continually. Actually, the one I bought him broke so I bought him another one, at his request, last year.


There's usually cricket paraphernalia which Mick wants for Christmas so I might buy him gloves one year, or pads another year, but it ends up being his main gift when he requires a new bat, such is the cost of them. He last got a new bat in 2016, we took a trip to St Austell while we were on holiday in Cornwall so that we could visit The Cornish Cricket Company. Here he chose a piece of wood and his bat was hand made from it. It was a special present for his 50th birthday.


Goodness knows what I'll be buying him this year. Do you struggle knowing what to buy the men in your life?

44 comments:

  1. I saw your post title on Sue's blog and had to have a read - men are so difficult. I bought my DH the Kindle and he too uses it every day. Last year I got him a Photographic magazine subscription that he may carry on this year. He does like Amazon tokens to be able to download new books for his Kindle but he doesn't have a big wish list so sometimes we just by a little token present for Christmas and then save the money until something comes up in the year that he does want.
    Hope you find something to buy for him!

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    1. I think many of us find it hard to buy for men. I think magazine subscriptions are great gifts, something that keeps on giving throughout the year. I've bought a few for different people in the family over the years. I really try hard to think of nice gifts for Mick as he always buys such lovely things for me, mind you, I think I'm easy to buy for and there's always something I want.

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  2. I completely understand this post, I have no idea when it comes to buying for Kev, this year we have decided only a couple of small gifts under the tree, but still at a loss what to get him. We also make a stocking for each other for Christmas morning, when we are just two of us together, that's easier, loads of fun things and smaller chocolates which he loves. A couple of years ago, instead of Christmas gifts, we chose together a nice weekend break for the new year, that worked very well.

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    1. It can be just as hard to think of small gifts for men as it is to think of a main present. Gift vouchers can be good as well as a break away, something to look forward to, but I still like to put gifts under the tree so I'm back to thinking what to buy.

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  3. I find it hard to buy for men too, although me and Mark don't really buy for each other at Christmas anymore, Mark's not really into Christmas, in fact i tell him that he must still believe in Santa because and i'm left to buy all the presents and it's a surprise to him on Christmas morning what everyone has got, so not getting for him is one less for me to think about, lol. I wish my girls would have money for Christmas, it would make it so much easier, but they like opening presents. It will be strange for you not having Daniel at home for Christmas, I bet you'll miss him, but it's only fair that they take 'turns' with family.

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    1. That's just like my dad, he always left the present buying to my mum so everyone's gifts were a surprise to him on Christmas morning. Daniel's happy with money but, like your girls, Eleanor likes to open presents. I actually love buying gifts for her as she's so easy to buy for. It will be very strange without Daniel at Christmas, and Jasmine too as she's been here for the last three years. I know we'd see much less of them over the festive period than we usually do if her family lived in the UK but with her being American, she doesn't get to see her family as much as she'd like. I'm sure they'll both have a wonderful time this year.

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  4. Buying for men is a nightmare. I buy for my dad, my hubby, my 2 sons and son in law - all are v v hard!! The female shopping is a doddle. As a last resort I give money if all else fails.

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    1. Daniel's always happy to have money but apart from Mick, I also find buying for my dad and Mick's uncle really hard. They're both in their 80's and there's nothing they really want so it's really hard thinking of something to buy for them.

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  5. Some great ideas there, Jo. I find gift buying for anyone really stressful and have cut right back on the people I buy for now. It's immediate family only. X

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    1. It's only these last few years that we've cut right back but I still find it really hard thinking of what to buy the men in the family. Women are so easy to think of gifts for in comparison.

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  6. It's hard buying for my husband too, I try to surprise him, but each year gets harder. Says he doesn't want a Kindle, hates cell phones and most tech gadgets. He does like vintage items and I search bay constantly.

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    1. I think it's always nice to buy a surprise but it gets harder every year. Mick has a few hobbies but they're not things that I could buy things for without him telling me what to get. I find it hard to think of smaller gifts for him too.

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  7. I know your OH has a kindle but does he like real books too?I have ordered books from a company called Postscript.They are discounted books but very interesting subjects.I bought C a book about the Bantams in WW1 and he really enjoyed.There are lots on local history,art,film etc.This year I have got him a book about Pleasure boats on the River Conway visiting Trefriw Spa.I have the added problem that it is his birthday on December 11th so a double whammy for me.
    A bottle of port or Cointreau always goes down well.Fancy chutneys or jams?A cap or hat?Film guide?

    Good luck.Barbarax

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    1. I've never heard of Postscript before, I shall definitely take a look. Mick doesn't use his Kindle for reading at all, he much prefers proper books. You've come up with some good ideas, yes, a bottle of something usually goes down well, in more ways than one. I do feel for you having a birthday to think about so close to Christmas too, at least Mick's is in the summer so it's spread out from Christmas.

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  8. Oh yes that perennial problem, what to buy the men at Christmas!
    Good luck in your quest for this year, I hope inspiration strikes.
    Lisa x

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    1. Mick's actually written a list this year but as Daniel and Eleanor never know what to buy him either I think they'll be using that and I'll be left scratching my head again.

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  9. We only buy for "grandchildren"!!! And they are pretty easy. No more buying for extended family!

    And the two of us, just find something, to exchange. No bigggggy. Christmas has been make mostly stressfree! Hooray for me, for doing it! ,-) After tooooo many years, of Christmas gift hassle.

    I am so proud of myself, for having accomplished this! :-))))))))

    Try not to stress too much. It's spoils the Season. :-)

    ✨✨✨✨

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    1. As hard as it is, I really enjoy buying gifts for my family so I doubt we'll ever cut down to that extent. I don't think it's worth getting stressed about though, so if that's what was happening, you've made a good decision.

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  10. I'm glad it's not just me who finds buying for men hard! I asked Douglas what he wanted and he said "whatever you get me is fine"! That doesn't make it any easier at all!!

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    1. Ha ha, Mick says exactly the same thing as Douglas. I do put a lot of thought into the gifts I give as I want them to be things which the recipient really loves.

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  11. Only five weeks to Christmas?? Where did the time go?

    I too have a hard time finding things for my husband and son - girls are so much simpler to buy for! My strategy for years now is being a year-round Christmas shopper - if I see something that I think someone will like, even in April or May, I purchase it right away and it goes on my "gift shelf" in the basement, all ready to go for Christmas/birthdays. My sons gifts are taken care of but I still don't have a Christmas gift for my husband - I'd better get a move on!

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    1. I can't believe that Christmas is so close, I'm really behind this year as, like you, I often Christmas shop throughout the year whenever I see something but there's very little in the present pile this year. I think it gets harder to think of something new each year.

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  12. I find it hard to buy for the men in my family too. Gerard and I only buy small gifts for each other and then have several treats when we are on holiday instead.

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    1. That's a good way to do it and then you don't feel so guilty when you're splashing out on holiday then.

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  13. I've always been easy to buy for as all I've ever asked for is book tokens. xx

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    1. I'm very happy with vouchers and tokens too. Mick's a really good shopper, he remembers things I've said I liked throughout the year, often things I don't remember myself, and surprises me at Christmas.

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  14. Uggh! The men in my life are so hard to buy for! Andy, Dad, brother and two nephews and none of them ever have any ideas about what they'd might like! For the first time we're doing a Secret Santa this year which means I only have to buy for one of my family, and Andy of course. I tend to buy Andy events - a weekend and a show in London, an overnight stay in a nice hotel, that sort of thing, but it feels like a bit of a cheat as I get to go with him!
    I love buying for the women in my life, they're so easy!
    xx

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    1. I know many people have started doing a Secret Santa instead of buying for everyone in the family, it's a great idea as you could go on and on otherwise. I like the idea of buying weekends away or events as gifts but I always feel as though the recipient hasn't got an actual present so I buy them something else to open too, which rather defeats the object. I always find buying for women much easier than men.

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  15. I agree with the sentiment of how hard it is to buy for the men. Especially now when there is nothing that either of us really want/need. Chris´s birthday is on the 21st December so that makes it doubly hard. Thinking caps on. So much easier for girls, like you say I could buy forever for Rebecca xcx

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    1. Daniel and Eleanor are always just as stuck as I usually am when it comes to buying for Mick so I end up having to think of ideas for gifts for them to buy him too. He's made a list this year, but there's not a lot on it so I suppose Daniel and Eleanor will take care of that and I'll have to think for myself again. I've really run out of ideas this year.

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  16. i am so lucky, the SO loves new tee shirts and wood. any wood. he is building a collection of models. He is a foodie and I look for unusual ingredients and then sit back while he makes exotic meals.

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    1. It's good when your other half has hobbies such as these, there's always something to buy for gifts. As for the ingredients, you both benefit from these type of gifts, lucky you.

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  17. Yes Jo, I too find it harder to buy for males & with them predominating in our family, it is even more difficult. You have some great suggestions, but we keep present giving to birthdays now & make Christmas a more 'whole' family gift, as our children are all grown up with families of their own. Today is also so different from when I grew up as a child & we as grandparents are a bit in the dark sometimes. Hope your festive shopping goes well. Take care & huggles.

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    1. We do buy gifts for birthdays too but Christmas is our main celebration of the year so I do go a bit to town on the present front. When Daniel and Eleanor were young my parents would always ask me what to buy for them, I think you do lose touch a bit with the younger generation as you get older.

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  18. I find it really hard to buy for men, and usually end up giving something quite unimaginative but 'safe' like a tipple of some kind and some money. I asked my brother recently what he would like, and he told me not to worry about getting him anything! So polite, but totally unhelpful! :)

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    1. I often get that reply too, they think they're being kind by telling you not to worry about buying them a gift but in reality it just makes it harder as you haven't a clue what to get.

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  19. I hate shopping for men! So difficult. This year I have bought D an Amazon Echo (think Alexa), he has it already as it's giving him some independence. He loves it (phew).

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    1. That's a good idea, I think most men enjoy gadgets of one kind or another. I'm still thinking for Mick, I haven't come up with anything yet.

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  20. Isn't it helpful if (and when) the men in our life supply a suggestion list ... unfortunately it doesn't seem to happen that often. LOL!

    Thinking caps on!

    All the best Jan

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    1. It is. Mick has given me a list this year but there isn't much on it so I still have to think for myself.

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  21. You have chosen some fab gifts in the past, I'm sure you'll come up with something really creative and useful again. I agree, men are so hard to buy for. xxx

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    1. I'm really stuck this year, I'm going to have to think very hard.

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  22. Hello, Jo, I've not looked in for a while, must rectify that!
    We must seem strange to others, but we don't buy presents for each other! We are retired, married for 54 years, and really we don't feel the need to have new things just because it's Christmas. Lovely if you do enjoy exchanging presents, but it takes the weight of having to think up something new each year, more 'stuff' to add to our already full house. We enjoy giving presents to others, especially the family, but we know we love each other and there is absolutely no requirement to give each other presents. But, as I say, others might think we're simply mean - we know we're not, and really, it does save some hassle at Christmas and birthdays, believe me.
    Margaret P

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    1. I don't think it's strange or mean at all, I fully understand that when you've been together for such a long time you have everything you need and if you're anything like us you treat yourself to things you want throughout the year. We do enjoy exchanging gifts though, I think it would seem strange for us to be giving and exchanging gifts to and from other people and not each other.

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