My husband’s main request was for a golf pull cart, because he still likes to walk the greens as much as he can to stay fit. I bought it for him and have nicknamed it R2-D2. That thing is so complicated to open and close, and when closed reminds me of R2-D2, this squatty little black thing with silver metal on it (LOL)! Also on his list are ties. My husband is a family practice doc and wears one every day, Monday through Friday, to work. He is obsessed with his beautiful silk ties, which now number close to 80. But, I did get him one more, and a shirt and a sweater that coordinate with it. What I’m most proud of, though, is something I found for him that wasn’t even on his list: the new book and CD Anthology of Garth Brooks and his music. At least I think that’s the name of it. But it’s big and it’s comprehensive and I know he’s going to love it. I know I will!

As for me, first thing on my list is the “John Adams” DVD set from the TV miniseries. My daughter owns the copy we have right now and she wants it back. It’s the best mini series I’ve ever seen, bar none. I’ve also asked for casual sweaters and tops to wear around the house. Last year, I ask for dressier tops and got several wonderful ones from my favorite shop Soft Surroundings. And pajamas. I adore great pjs.

As your husband loves his ties, my husband loves his fun funky socks. Good reminder that I could get him some!

My husband got the bulk of his gifts early - a cell phone and a Fitbit Charge 2. He will get some smaller gifts, like a shirt, from me, and my parents will get him some shoes and possibly more clothing.

I love the John Adams series, every American should see it. I haven't bought a thing, been sick for 2 weeks. Got to get busy.

My husband says he wants nothing. I can't think of anything I want that I can't buy for myself.

We usually spend much time around this time of year deciding on summer travel and looking for flight deals to Europe. However, we have spent a lot on trips the last few years and are not a 100% on doing so this summer. It's a hard decision, we can't go crazy every year.

Thats the only thing either of us wants though. Part of our " dreaming" includes a driving trip through France as neither of us has been for over twenty years and from there driving into Switzerland. Husband hasn't been there since he was a child. The other dream trip is Greece, a place neither of us has been.

So, I'm excepting donations lol.

I feel like being naughty though. I like driving trips instead of just landing somewhere, its how we like to roll. The best part of traveling is meeting and hanging with the locals.

Dh and I aren't do too much in terms of gift exchanging with each other this year as we've had some large expenses recently. It's always hard to come up with ideas for each other, plus his birthday is in February so feel like I'm almost doing double duty.

One thing he really needs but I know he hasn't wanted to spend money on, is a new beverage fridge. Something is wrong with the one we have and while it still works, it doesn't work well. However, my parents are buying him that at my suggestion.

The only thing I've come up with on my own is a cell phone mount for his car. He has a Jeep Wrangler. We've already tried two that did not work in his car or did not fit his phone so I finally am getting him one that is specifically made for Wranglers.

He sent me a list of inexpensive ideas this morning for our kids - golf gloves, an extra long phone charging cord, and this stainless steel coffee filter: https://www.amazon.com/Yitelle-Stainless-Dripper-Scooping-Cleaning/dp/B01F8J5VKG/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1513082903&sr=1-8&keywords=coffee+pour+over+cone

I'm still trying to come up with a few things for me to give him. He does need some new casual shirts and sweaters for work. He usually gets a Banana Republic GC from my parents but since he's getting the fridge now from them, I might get him some clothing. I'm also trying to get tix to a Caps game for him and our boys so that will be one fun thing that would be a bit of a surprise.

My DH and I don't exchange gifts any more - we treat ourselves to one thing we really want. This year it's a cruise to the Mexican Riviera in April (which is really to celebrate our 35th anniversary) and we are splurging on a suite. We figured that's a large enough gift to cover Christmas and anniversary. :)

We did just get a new water heater...does that count?

Donna

I am so finicky that even *I* cannot buy myself a gift. I dither and dally and return more than 50% of what I pick out for myself. I don't want "stuff" because I am already having visions of downsizing in my head when DD2 graduates HS. We already travel a lot, and in fact I'd like to do less because I want to spend more time at our beachhouse. We have one trip in planning stages (to Greece) for DD2's 16th birthday ,,, summer '19. We have three trips over the next 3 months! As for experiences, I've seen the plays I want to, and eaten where I want to. We've made a point of going to the movies more, which is nice.

As always, it is even worse w DH. The only thing I can think of for him is Breitling watch. He does not wear a watch and though he has a Cartier tank, expensive jewelry is so not him. But he had fun haggling in Morocco and bought a fake Breitling while waiting for the girls and I to finish our shopping in the market. He starting wearing it as a goof and has come to like it. I am toying with buying him one, but they are crazy pricey and I think he likes his fake and the story better. My only other thought is a family reunion or a frying pan. He has 4 brothers and they are scattered, I thought it would be nice to arrange a weekend for all of us; but two of my SIL are oil and water. In re the frying pan, I have an all clad non-stick he likes to use (the new kind) and he wants a new one because it is wearing out (prob 5yo). But he doesn't really cook, he uses this as my sous chef sometimes and always complains about the pan. Yeah, not much to work with here.

PS I remember as a teen not liking in when my parents (very happily married) stopped exchanging gifts. But I get it now. I did find a gorgeous card (DH is also very good with cards). The party line in my house is cards only, but even at that DH has a birthday this week, too. So far all I have is a dinner reservation.

ETA: I just ordered him a watch. For his birthday. He always complains about the lousy birthdays he had as a kid, with his birthday being so close to Christmas. So the universe owes him. I know zip about watches and there are so many in that brand, but I tried to pick one that looked like his fake. Very pretty and fully returnable, whew. I just got that shopping adrenaline rush! Fingers crossed he doesn't think it was idiocy. : )

For the men who have everything I highly recommend ManCrates for a bit of fun. The crates are cool by themselves for storing things. They have a million choices on packages and some are great for teen boys as well.

My dad got his today (he just sent this picture) ...didn't wait for Christmas to open. They have company staying and everyone got a kick out of watching dad try to open it as I paid extra to have the crate wrapped in duct tape. It comes with a crowbar.

His whiskey decanter would have looked cooler if he had three initials but he was never given a middle name. I guess his mom figured his first name was long enough. I think he was just as excited about the box.

Not his picture below. It's from the site.

I am sure I have posted this before - most of my DH's gifts are consumables. Extra fancy versions of his favorites - coffee, cashews, bourbon, etc.

For years he has been (smugly :) ) using a complicated, fancy coffee maker. A couple of weeks ago he told me he was sick and tired of taking apart his coffee maker every night and cleaning every little piece and he wanted a cheap, simple coffee maker for Christmas!

Since DH got a cast iron skillet last year, this year I'm giving him the chain mail scrubber, thanks to you all! I'm also giving him a hospital room table. You know, the kind that rolls over the bed or chair. He works at home at a similar one but it's too small and in danger of tipping, and the hospital ones are much bigger and sturdier.

Oh I really like those man crates and they do ship to Canada! Keeping that in my back pocket for next year

4kds4us, check out ProClips for the cell phone holder. Specific to your vehicle/Jeep. We have in all our various vehicles. Can even get for right or left mount of steering wheel. Also specific to your particular phone. ProClip

Like Mtn, I am finicky and I don't want "stuff". We don't usually exchange gifts, but will plan a trip or project for the house.

My list is to start our bathroom remodel and a new garage door.

My husbands list is gloves, he's a new golf Marshall.

Home made cookies, he usually only gets these at Christmas.

A new hybrid car.

dh builds antique cars... for 45 years he's said not to get him a gift....i think it's because he feels guilty spending the amount of money he's spent/spending on his hobby this is the first year i'm not planning on getting him a thing and he's already been online buying all kinds of stuff for his project.....happy as a clam..

he gives really nice gifts so i can't complain ......

I suppose something like this is not on the table for some guys here......??! ;-)

Maybe this.....

The way my "backwards" brain works, the more impractical something is, the more I like it!!!

Faron

I think that's why it's so hard to buy for dh (and me, even!). We are trying to cut down on "stuff" so buying things that are fun or frivolous kind of defeats that purpose, unless, as someone pointed out, it is consumable. And for things that we actually need, we usually just buy them as we need them. I usually try to keep track of little things dh might mentioned needing, or noticing something that he has needed but not gotten around to buying, but almost EVERY time I do that, he ends up buying it for himself right before Christmas. Just the other day, he mentioned that the beverage fridge has gotten worse and I though, OMG, if he buys a fridge now, I'm going to be so mad!

Omg Faron, I would love to buy my husband that car!

4kids, I have a wrapped immersion blender sitting under the tree that I have to return, he went and bought his own!

My DH is a generous but uncreative gift giver. Generally I can ask for anything and he’d get it for me, but there are rarely any surprises. So this year we’re trying something different and established certain categories that we each need to follow. I’ve already said this in another post but to repeat myself, the categories (and what I got for him) are:

something related to exercise (x-country ski season passes for us, plus warm socks)

something to share (23 and me, two kits)

an experience (concert tickets and two cd’s by the musician, who is new to us)

something indulgent (cashmere sweater, cashmere scarf, fancy chocolate)

something practical (socks, underwear, a nice wine bottle opener, and a smart outlet thingie...forget what it’s called)

The rule was supposed to be 5 individual items but I got a little carried away on a couple categories. DH really liked this idea because it helped to give him some direction. The only specific item I asked for was a necklace that coordinates with some earrings he gave me for my bday, and I invited him to use that for the “practical” category because it’s NEEDED. ;-)

That's a really cool idea, Sue! Kind of the 5 days of Christmas but no livestock or performances.

Faron, I got my husband a BMW 750il for his birthday a few years ago. He had always wanted a BMW growing up, and never had one, and when we started buying cars it was always SUVs, and not BMWs because they don't make any w 3rd rows. So, I went out and bought it one afternoon when he thought i was getting groceries. I was a little unhappy they messed up the delivery, because I wanted a big blue bow and they put a red one on. His bday is close to Christmas and he hates getting the two conflated, so a Christmas bow made me mad! His main reaction when they pulled it into the driveway was just pure shock, which was a tad disappointing to me. He was definitely surprised. He did warm up to it, as you might imagine. We had it 3 or 4 years but when we moved here, even the dealer said it would be awful on our narrow windy snowy roads ( the BMW dealer said BMWs are "toboggans with radios"), so we traded it in.

JT- Couple other choices....

Faron

My DH worked late and had to meet us for a family birthday dinner in Orlando. When he walked through the lobby of the Waldorf with a shirt on a hanger and dress shoes in hand, it was clear he needed new travel gear. Mortified.

So whether it is on his list or not, that is what he will find under the tree this year...sigh.

Faron, I just showed my husband and he will take either of the last two. He couldn't decide the color but I'm partial to the red Ferrari. I think we would change the wheels on the red one though.

Edited to add: Here's another thing he wants but will probably never have. He looks at this watch all the time.

My husband loves watches. If I bought him a nice new one (not the one below) he would complain. He would say something like , Well I guess we can forget about traveling this year and then say something like That's a whole two way ticket to Europe %£€<<~,#! So, I can't win.

My DH is getting skis and bindings for Christmas. He has no idea what he needs/wants but my son does so he is arranging it, plus he can get a pro-deal.

I already got yak-traks for my trail runners and I want (vs need) a new mid-thigh length winter coat for everyday. I'm tired of being cold and wet and a winter in Hawaii isn't in the budget.`

I don't have a list. Neither does DH. We don't buy 'occasion' gifts for each other. We will buy "I saw this and thought you'd like it." type gifts. I am trying to convince the rest of my family that gifts are not needed (and, for us, not wanted). It's a struggle. I am looking forward to a quiet holiday season of no gifts. May not happen this year but one can hope.

ups just delivered one of dh's gifts to himself and he's already opened and examined it.....i'm going to wrap it and put it under the tree....a set of personally designed gauges for his 48 pontiac....other boxes are coming.....

Jacabedy, is that a legal carry on size? I love it!

This one's a little cheaper....

Faron

Ah, Faron, as they say, if the price matters, then it doesn't matter! Thank goodness dreams and internet photos are free for the asking :) How about some Hot Wheels or Corgis instead? They are much easier to ship and store.

Lol BP!!!! Well, I DID take all the pics in person, with my own phone! Gotta count for something?!??!

Alas....the buffing kit IS a good gift tho', for any car hobbyist! :-) When I could use it SOME, late in summer, I did enjoy it! Now I'm a polish-geek. No...not the country..... ;-)

Faron

Gummy sharks. That is what he asks for every year. Eldest DD gets them for him.

He really wants a pair of 'squishy' shoes. He is on concrete all day long and the balls of his feet ache. He's tried insoles, memory foam soles, everything I can find and still nothing works. So if anyone has any suggestions of durable shoes (casual or work boot style) that have 'squishy' soles, please let me know!

I don’t know that they’re squishy, but DH discovered Olukai shoes when we were in FL last year — bought a pair of slip on sneakers and raved about how comfortable they were. A few months ago he got a pair of low suede boots from same brand and says they’re super comfy too. You can find them at Zappos.

DH is getting the Bose Soundlink wifi speaker and some odds and ends. He has lost a few pounds, so he bought some new jeans recently, and mentioned wanting some flannel shirts. He’s hard to fit in sleeve length for those but I found some. I also ordered him a new robe, a fleece half zip pullover.

I second those Man Crates. I ordered one for DH last year and it was a lot of fun. Sue, I love Olukai’s! They are the only flip flop I will consider wearing.

OluKais are wonderful! My DH loves his sandals and so does our daughter. They both go on and on about how comfortable they are.

"I don't have a list. Neither does DH." That is so us. We usually do some kind of gifts to each other but honestly, we have everything we need and buy something when we need/want it. I absolutely do not like to know what I am getting, have to tell someone what to get me, receive money or gift cards. I love surprises. I have to be very careful when I see something I like because my husband often interprets that as something I WANT. LOL This season is not about gifts to us. I chair a local angel tree committee and we've been very involved in that (finishing up this week!) and seeing the requests from some of those children just makes me realize even moreso that we don't need anything. Still, I'll have some little things for hubby and I know there will be a surprise for me. I like that friends of ours only do a stocking for each other. Good idea. I just want some down time, spent with the one I love. That's my Christmas wish!!

Thanks for the suggestions about the Olukais. I'm going to check that out. I'd rather him have comfy shoes than sugary treats!

Another shoe that my DH says is incredibly comfortable for working on hard floors is by/from Dr. Comfort or Doctor Comfort. His patient, who is a podiatrist , gave him a pair to try and then if he liked them, to recommend to his patients. DH LOVES them!

Jakabedy that is a gorgeous backpack.

For casual dress shoes my husband likes P W Minor Pace Oxfords. He has really bad feet that are flat, wide and with bunions. This was the only shoe with built-in ortho technology that he could also get inserts in that wasn't fugly. Much to my relief this is his go to shoe for a few years now . For a while there shoe shopping for him was a nightmare.

Neetsiepie, you might want to check out Red Wing boots. Hubby has 2 pairs, one are safety work books and one regular, and he has had great luck with both of them. Says once they're broken in they wear like slippers.

DH is impossible to buy for, but he does provide a list of charities for us to support at Christmas. I usually get him a nice bottle of wine, with the help of a friend. Our children give him a gift to be used on an upcoming vacation, which this winter will be a February cruise. They buy the wine package. Do you see any theme here?