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Thread: Stumped for Christmas present for SWMBO

  1. #1
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    Question Stumped for Christmas present for SWMBO

    The kids are sorted, everything is already wrapped, labelled and hidden in the loft until the tree comes down in a month or so, but I am really struggling for a present for my better half.

    I've already bought her two watches this year, and she's got jewellery coming out of her ears; quite literally, in fact.
    She's got shoes and handbags galore (yet always wears the same pair of boots and uses one enormous bag !) so I'm a bit stumped.

    I'm after some random suggestions, bearing in mind you have no idea of her likes and tastes... random is good.


    Budget is up to £500.


    Let's have it...

  2. #2
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Spa day with a friend/relative

  3. #3
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    £500?

  4. #4
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Skydiving

  5. #5
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Trip to Glashütte

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    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Skydiving with a friend followed by a day at the Jagdhof Glashütte Spa.

    https://www.jagdhof-glashuette.de/en/relax

    Much as my wife likes jewellery/bags/clothes as presents, these days she tends to favour days out/minibreaks/spa type experiences if that helps at all.

  7. #7
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    Sarah and I don't really buy each other Christmas presents these days. There's little we need and its just a waste of money and more clutter round the house. Typically we'll buy something for the house together (this year it's curtains for the new kitchen, a few years back it was a new telly) and then just buy each other a little something to unwrap on the day: socks, knickers, soap, a book or CD etc.

  8. #8
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Skydiving with a friend followed by a day at the Jagdhof Glashütte Spa.

    https://www.jagdhof-glashuette.de/en/relax
    Well that's my missus sorted

  9. #9
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    As said, an experience day or even an evening out to the theatre and an nice meal somewhere.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave O'Sullivan View Post
    As said, an experience day or even an evening out to the theatre and an nice meal somewhere.

    Good shout ! She keeps banging on about seeing the Lion King at the Lyceum

  11. #11
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    This ??

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jeremy67 View Post
    Sarah and I don't really buy each other Christmas presents these days. There's little we need and its just a waste of money and more clutter round the house. Typically we'll buy something for the house together (this year it's curtains for the new kitchen, a few years back it was a new telly) and then just buy each other a little something to unwrap on the day: socks, knickers, soap, a book or CD etc.
    Same here.

    My wife had new electric sockets installed in her stables this year.
    Whoop whoop.

    We then 'do' something too, like a nice meal out together.

    There really is only so much 'unnecessary stuff' you can buy.
    I just wish someone could get that through to her family who buy so much crap every single year, which all gets given to charity as we don't want (or need) any of it.

  13. #13
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    There really is only so much 'unnecessary stuff' you can buy.
    There really isn't, unfortunately.

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    Quote Originally Posted by nunya View Post
    This ??

    We do need a new vacuum cleaner actually... but I am rather attached to my testicles, so probably not a good idea for a Christmas present

  15. #15
    Agree with the experience days, spa weekends, yoga retreat, city break etc. Sounds like she has enough 'stuff'.

  16. #16
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    Jewellery works for my wife.

  17. #17
    Grand Master Rod's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    We do need a new vacuum cleaner actually... but I am rather attached to my testicles, so probably not a good idea for a Christmas present
    Ah you need a Dyson ball cleaner

  18. #18
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    iPod, iPhone or iRon?

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    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    We do need a new vacuum cleaner actually... but I am rather attached to my testicles, so probably not a good idea for a Christmas present
    A good idea. I bought my wife a nice trowel set for Christmas a few years ago (she loves gardening) - she was not best pleased.

    What about a city break long weekend to somewhere a little different (even better if somewhere she's talked about visiting in the past)?

  20. #20
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    Bought mine a kettle one year . It was a nice one.

    She wasn't happy.

    We're getting divorced soon ...on the bright side she now loves the kettle.

  21. #21
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    Elemis creams and lotions, not cheap, but she loves a bit of it. Normally buy them throughout the year when good value gift packages come up.
    An extra little pressie for her has fallen into my lap this year.
    Picked up for peanuts a very nice WW1 era rolled gold ladies watch, swiss movement, English case, porcelain dial, red 12 etc lovely. It'll tick along for well over 24 hours on a wind, but the hands will randomly stick although it's still ticking. Keeps excellent time in the hours between .
    She never wears a watch but has fallen in love with this, its looks, comfort, history everything, so I'm dropping it off at a local watch repair place ttoday. It'll be worth it whatever it costs.

  22. #22
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    I usually get my wife perfume every year.

    We all buy anything we want all year so Christmas as a gift giving ceremony is always going to be a bit of an anti climax.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  23. #23
    A city break is great if you can get someone to watch the kids.

    Seconding a spa day - include an evening meal and an overnight.

    How about a really posh restaurant? Something with a few stars?

    Does your wife have a favourite book from her childhood, or from now? A first edition from eBay, or a bookseller?

    Buy some wooden matryoshka doll blanks from eBay and paint them to look like your family?

  24. #24
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qatar-wol View Post
    Buy some wooden matryoshka doll blanks from eBay and paint them to look like your family?
    I've never been keen on matryoshka dolls, they are so full of themselves.

  25. #25
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    Astonished to hear you're so ahead of the game as to have the children's gifts sorted and wrapped already, blimey, well done.

  26. #26
    Does she like animals? I sponsored a Snow Leopard 2 xmas' ago and we get quarterly updates on the one we sponsored, conservation work in Nepal etc.

  27. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    ...

    There really is only so much 'unnecessary stuff' you can buy.
    I just wish someone could get that through to her family who buy so much crap every single year, which all gets given to charity as we don't want (or need) any of it.
    Are we married to the same woman?

  28. #28
    Where did you have your first holiday/break together? Where did you pop that question? Perhaps you could add that romantic aspect to going away by revisiting somewhere that holds special memories for you both.

    As a side note, I'm not buying anything for my brother or his partner this year and they're not for me. At my suggestion we're going to give whatever we would have spent to charity instead, there are plenty of people out there that have far less than us.

  29. #29
    Just bought the wife a Click and Grow unit . It's currently half price on Brand Alley.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...FEM0S5HE9Y2ASF

  30. #30
    Master Franco's Avatar
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    How about an Hermes foulard/scarf in silk, with colours complementing her favourite smart outfit.

  31. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maysie View Post
    Same here.
    My wife had new electric sockets installed in her stables this year.
    Wait. What?

  32. #32
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Thought it was a euphemism for swinging

  33. #33
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    Some pampas grass for the front garden.

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by Lampoc View Post
    Some pampas grass for the front garden.
    Where did that rumour (rumour?) start? It can't be true, can it?

  35. #35
    Master subseastu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lampoc View Post
    Some pampas grass for the front garden.
    Proper lol. Big glass bowl on the coffee table as well maybe?

    To the op, I think a nice winter city break is a cracking idea

    Sent from my H8314 using Tapatalk

  36. #36
    Master Templogin's Avatar
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    Luxurious underwear has always seemed to go down a treat.

  37. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neil.C View Post
    I usually get my wife perfume every year.

    We all buy anything we want all year so Christmas as a gift giving ceremony is always going to be a bit of an anti climax.
    +1....... I never know what to buy so I default to perfume. For the over 60s a Senior Rail Card makes a nice pressie, perhaps more appropriate for a 60th birthday?

    If your wife likes food and cooking a top quality frying pan’s a good choice.

    I like the idea of new electrical sockets, the ones with built in usb charging points are very nice, I could get her one of those to go behind her bedside cabinet.........it’s the thought that counts.
    Last edited by walkerwek1958; 13th November 2019 at 10:59.

  38. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by Templogin View Post
    Luxurious underwear has always seemed to go down a treat.
    'I'll save it for best' is the usual reply on this whereas you are thinking 'go and get it on NOW, it will be coming off sharpish'

  39. #39
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    For anyone with a decent sized garden pond a ducking stool would be a novel gift.

  40. #40
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    I had a friend paint a watercolour of our dog (I gave her 100GBP as a thank you) Hopefully she will value that over and above all the bits and pieces I've bought!

  41. #41
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    i did an advent calndar a few years ago.

    bought little presents for each day - peerfume sample, lunch brought to work by a deli, underwear, ear rings etc. culminating in a cashmere jumper for christmas day. takes a bit of thought, but then that is what its all about really.

    i bought a string of small buckets (shot glass size - see link) and into these went a clue as to the present. she then had to delve into a box with the corresponding number on and see if she was right.

    went down very well. Even her friends were asking each day what she got. Some were small and inexpensive (jaegar meister minature, or even favourite mints) and others more expensive (deli meal, underwear etc).

  42. #42
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    A nice new vacuum cleaner, or some kitchen accessories could be an idea. Depends how high your pain threshold is though I suppose.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  43. #43
    Try one of these ,it comes with a free visit to A&E on Christmas morning.................
    Attached Images Attached Images

  44. #44
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jega View Post
    Try one of these ,it comes with a free visit to A&E on Christmas morning.................
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  45. #45
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    Thanks all for the useful (and not so useful) ideas... decent tickets with some bubbly thrown in now bought for The Lion King in January

    Cheers,
    Daniel.

  46. #46
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    ... yet always wears the same pair of boots ...
    A new pair of the same boots?

  47. #47
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    Quote Originally Posted by amnesia View Post
    Thanks all for the useful (and not so useful) ideas... decent tickets with some bubbly thrown in now bought for The Lion King in January

    Cheers,
    Daniel.
    You're not too far from the Ivy if you want to book for a meal pre/post theatre.

  48. #48
    If you were going to go with a Hoover, careful how you wrap it...


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  49. #49
    Journeyman TomRea's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nunya View Post
    This ??
    Brave choice


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  50. #50
    Master Templogin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mrushton View Post
    'I'll save it for best' is the usual reply on this whereas you are thinking 'go and get it on NOW, it will be coming off sharpish'
    Sounds about right. I just wanted someone else to feel bitter disappointment.

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