I know you are all SOOOO tired of these questions, I am too... BUT....................
I have no idea what to get my husband for Christmas. I had planned to give him a photobook of our wedding pictures, but with everything else going on, I just didn't/don't have time to edit all the pictures for it. I have the book done, as in all the pictures in the order and placed where I want them, but there are a bunch that I still want to edit, and I won't have time. And I don't want to order it as is, since it will cost me nearly $100... and ultimately, I'd want to print it again with all the edits done.
So that leaves me completely stumped. I know that none of you know my husband, but I'm just hoping someone will tell me some random thing that I haven't thought of that I can get for him. I want it to be something nice, meaningful. But I have no idea what, and obviously, the clock's ticking. He is not into sports, music, books... he doesn't wear cologne (he does have one bottle that I bought him, and he'll put it on if I ask him to, but that's it.) He does wear jewelry, but the only thing he wears all the time is his wedding band... when we're going somewhere, he'll wear a necklace I bought him, and a watch. So no real need for any more jewelry.
He is a work horse. He likes old cars, DRAG racing, and tools. I don't know what tools he has/needs, or what he'd want, so I don't want to buy that. No gift cards - way to impersonal.
We are expecting our first baby (girl) on January 30th, so I was trying to think of something to do with becoming a father? Oh, I did get him the New Dad Willow Tree figurine, but that's it. Any other ideas along this line that would be more substantial? We don't have a name picked yet, so it would be impossible to engrave something with her name... plus, I feel a little superstitious about jumping the gun on that stuff...
PLEASE HELP ME!!! I only have a few days to think of and get something!
Lots of good ideas... liking the frame with Daddy's Girl on it, but not sure where I'd get one at this late date, other than Things Remembered, which I hate... but I may look online...
I'd LOVE to get him a tool box, but the ones he wants/needs are large and EXPENSIVE, like nearly a grand, so that's out.
Also like the wooden box idea for his jewelry, but we got him one a couple years ago... he also keeps HIS nail clippers in there...
LOL
And he WON'T let anyone else wash our cars.
The photo book I'm making him is digital, so I can't leave open pages at the end...
overnight hotel stay and dinner at a B&B (babymoon before the baby comes)
coupon book of redeemable 'stuff' (pizza for breakfast, noogie on demand, a whole night of watching nothing but DIY and this old house.... even if you want to watch desperate housewives)
movie gift basket of a bunch of movies for the two of you to watch and those olden-timey jiffey pop on the stove pop up in the foil balloon popcorn thingies.
A tough cookie, eh? LOL I've got O. of those, too!
What about a nice wooden (jewelry) box for his watch & necklace?
I was going to suggest the Willow Tree! haha
Coupon good for O. finished wedding photo book?
Levis? Sweatshirt?
Hoodie or T-shirt with old car pic?
Puzzle?
Racing flags for his workshop?
I would get him tickets (atleast 2) to a drag racing event or monster truck show (I believe the monster trucks will be in philly in feb). So he can have a guys night out (those will be few & far between once the baby comes).
A few things come to mind when you mention tools.
-Craftsman tool cart
-Toolbox for bed of truck
-Boot dryer (if he wears work boots)
-They make a 5 gallon bucket with a seat that is esp for tools
-A picture frame that says "Daddy's Girl" (or similar)
-How about tickets to a race
-A kit to build an old car (like the 1:32 scale or small like that)
-Neon beer sign for his garage or stickers for his tool bench
-New outside winter coat or bibs
-Small heater for garage so he can work in the cold if need be
Sorry that's all I have off the top of my head.
What about ordering him some steaks or lobster? Like a package from Omaha steaks.
Do you have a nice camera?
Rather than the wedding photo book....how about one of the lovely pregnant mommy pictures. You only need one.
Do you have a friend who can help you with a quick shoot? Google pregnancy pics and find a pose you like. Then copy it as best you can...
And if you don't have a nice camera....than that's what he'll need as an soon to be new daddy.
And what about a picture frame of just one wedding picture and find an old car type frame? Going down the road of life together...
GL!
How bout BOOKS on old cars or racing? Does he like racing video games? A framed print of a particular fave car?
:)
Plush bathrobe. Burlington had some great ones under $25!
Nice pair of sunglasses.
Coat/Jacket
Thinkgeek.com has some cool stuff and they can ship fast, so you should be able to get in time for Christmas. Also, not sure if they have one in your area, but Harbor freight is my hubby's fav store. They have all kinds of tool type stuff, and one of my hubby's fav gifts was a tool bag that attaches to a bucket. It is almost like a tool belt. He uses it all the time. :) I would consider a subscription to a cool car or drag racing magazine? Maybe tickets to a racetrac near you? Here in Fl we can get tickets to the richard petty speedway where the guys (or anyone) can either pay for a ride along in a racecar, or even do an all day class and drive. It was a wonderful memory for my hubby. We got cool photos too! Not sure if there is anything like that in your area. Maybe some auto cleaning/ detailing supplies in a 5 gallon pail or bucket along with a nice hose or something since he enjoys doing the cars himself? Good luck. I am one for making little "packages" for people, so I would do some type of car wash/ detailing thing if it were me. Merry Christmas!
Go to Sears and buy some sort of tool or whatever you can wrap and put under the tree. Ask for assitance - they will suggest something. Be sure to give a gift receipt so he can return it.
Also get a picture frame that says Daddy's Little Girl. That will be very special. You can get them in Kohl's or Michaels - anywhere that has lots of cute frames!
And he's not into books but perhaps a humerous book on dad's and parenting.
I bought my husband (a non reader except for Sports Illustrated) a funny book called the Karma Poopra. It's all about poo - something men tend to love talking about. :)
Tickets to a race or car show next Spring?
Would he like a nice robe and big bath towels? I keep seeing the Omaha Steak suggestion too which seems like a good idea. What about a car wash certificate (full detail like cleaning out the inside of the car as well)? If you want to do a cheaper version of the photo album, maybe a 2012 calendar with photos of the 2 of you (Shutterfly makes it really easy to make these online and it would run about 25.00 with shipping...I made some for my family in about an hour and a half).
When we're stumped for gift ideas, we tend to get little bright LED flash lights.
They are great in the car, next to your bed, in the garage, practically everywhere!
They are great stocking stuffers and we all use them.
If he doesn't have a wet/dry vac, stop by Sears and get him one.
I got my husband one years ago (I hid it someplace he never looks) and he was SO surprised and happy.
He was like a kid Christmas morning and he was like 'This really sucks!" (but in a really good way - it WAS a vacuum after all).
Have you thought of getting him nothing?
I mean, it sounds like he has it all. You don't need to provide him with another material thing to show him your love.
An extra long hug and a kiss on Christmas day, maybe some nooky, and he'll be just as happy, I think.
We don't all have to follow the cultural norm. Just because it is a holiday and the temptation to buy is all around us doesn't mean we have to do it. Many times it is so refreshing to leave it all behind and remind ourselves of what the holiday is for in the first place.
My husband and I decided not to exchange gifts this year and I am so relieved. Honestly, the relief of the stress to buy is actually the best gift of all, for me.
A few ideas:
DVD of Pawn stars or American Restoration.
A picture ornament of the two of you before baby.
PJ's/ lounge pants for walking around with baby at night
Dinner for 2 at your favorite restaurant!!!
you say no books, but what about car magazines?? you could do a subscription to the classics or racing... or in California, they have race car driving classes at Sears Point, not sure if you have that there?
Maybe one last hoorah before his daddy days begin. You can buy him a ride along at the nascar racetrack if u have one near you.
When it comes to including baby girl in the gift, you could get him a bike with a baby trailer that attaches behind it so he can take her for rides.
Do you know what Nascar driver is his favorite? You could get him the race jacket. People that like racing seem to really like those alot. I wouldn't mind having the Go Daddy one, even though Danika is not my favorite driver.
I agree with the baby moon. Not sure where your fron, but if you like the smokey mountains, I would highly recommend booking a cabin thru Cabins for you!! If you friend them on facebook right now, they are going huggggeeee deals!!! I just booked a three night stay in a cabin with a jacuzzi on the porch overlooking a BEAUTIFUL view for 122 bucks! I seen something as little as 56 dollars for 2 nights!! Take a nice drive there! (I sound like I work therelol) But a babymoon is a fantastic idea!!! Merry xmas!!
You could get him a ring, maybe a pinky ring, with your birthstone and his to wear on special occasions.
Those Flip record cameras have really come down in price. Perfect for little recordings of you guys and the baby. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Flip+Video+-+MinoHD+%283rd+Ge...
As of last month, PA allows shipments of alcohol from other states to our homes (instead of requiring everything go thru a state store, yay!!!). How about a bottle of something he can celebrate with when the baby is born)? Wine, port, scotch, etc. Good luck!
A daddy survival bag for the hospital/afterwards. Tee that says new dad, car mags, cards, Starbucks giftcard, fastfood giftcard, favorite snacks, bubble gum cigars to hand out and bathrom needs?
His favorite childhood movie.
Have him make a list of what he wants we both do that and it makes it much easier.... except this year when he got me something not on my list but I really really wanted and he spent way too much.
Does he have somewhere to put his tools in? Just google tool organizer and you will find something in your price range (you can spend a little or a lot!)
I do remember that your hubby was upset about you not putting up photos of your wedding (I hope I am not getting my posts mixed up!) so while I know you are working on the big photo book, perhaps one picture in a frame of the two of you for his office would also be nice?
Good luck with everything and happy holidays!
New low profile socket set they just came out a few months ago.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00931088000P?prd...
Here is the write up about it:
http://www.craftsman.com/news-max-axess-mechanics-tool-se...
How about taking your favorite photo, one that you've finished the edits on, and having that printed and framed?
Or a very manly guy style diaper bag? One a guy who likes racing and cars and tools would not be embarrassed to carry around with his new baby girl? (congrats, by the way).
Cafepress.com is a good site. Type in "old cars" in the search window, and there are keepsake boxes and all kinds of gifts besides the usual t shirts and hats. The complete list is on the far left.
Does he have a car he likes? Could you buy something for that? If you googled the make and model there are probably lots of places that sell cool accessories.
I hope these ideas spark something for you!
I don't know if he's done shopping for you or not, but my husband and I stopped exchanging gifts when we got married. Instead we just take a weekend away together in January. Might be a nice babymoon, too!
an experience live driving a racecar, you can get them on lots of sties for around 100
My hubby always loved car related things for our daughter from some of those fun catalogs (daddys little racer girl/racer boy...onesies and tshirts and the like when she was a tot). I have gotten him stools for the garage, a matching clock (all Ford for him), the rubber thing they put over the car when laying on it to work under the hood if the body panels are actually on it....all of these things are items he would see in catalogs and say "thats kind of neat" but would never spend the money on it for himself.
My FIL always collected the cars to display..again mostly Ford, but some Chevys and stuff he liked too, since many he drove or worked on back in the day. He worked in body shops since he came off the farm! The cars were small, shiny and detailed. After many years of us and MIL and one of his brothers buying them..we also bought him a nice display cabinet he has. We have gotten him a bunch of neat old car ornaments over the years too (from our daughter!).
Also they make some great "coffee table" books on racing and particular car brands that are great to look thru and marvel at! We have a few! Like about Carroll Shelby (our daughters name is Shelby..not actually after the car...just worked that way!)
PS..I love the idea of the tool bag for him at the hospital...like a daddy survivial bag. You can get those tool bags at Home Depot and the like (my brother the contractor uses them and got a 2 pk set last year with a smaller one he gave to my 8 year old nephew for his matchbox cars!). Like a large man purse. Fill it with snacks and water bottles, magazines, a New Daddy book (humorous one and an instructional real one perhaps..something to do while you sleep and he is visiting you?)...You can goggle such an idea for more fun and silly and creative additions to the bag idea!
Maybe you can get some nice pregnancy photos done and present them to him with something that says 'Daddy.' (Something he uses like a mug...... or something else he would use on a regular basis) Then- you can get some things for your soon-to-be daughter that says 'Daddy's girl' or "I love Daddy."
Presents are always tough... My husband and I always just ask each other. Ha ha. ;) Good luck and congrats!
Give him the album anyways. Put together what you have and leave the last many pages blank. Write on a pretty piece of paper "... for the rest of our journey together" so he knows there are more pics and memories waiting to be posted in the album. Really, the album will never be given to him if you wait for it to be finished. Just give him what you have.
Get him tickets to a race. Maybe you can get him a new pair of work gloves, work lamp or tool box. Go look out in his work space and see if there is anything mangled or falling apart :). A cast iron model car of a style he likes. A "dad" frame, put a pic of the ultrasound in it.
scan all your wedding pictures onto a DVD and add all his favorite music. It took me 11 years to sort my wedding pictures my husband loved it and so did the parents (who asked for their own copy). It should only cost you the cost of the writable DVD, if you don't already keep them in your home. I did it all from my computer; if the pictures were done digitally than you can skip the scanning and just burn a DVD. Good luck.
This is just a small thing (and maybe more appropriate for baby's b-day) but what about a special book that he can share with her? You could put a special inscription inside...
All my other ideas revolve around food and drink... My dad loves seafood, so we got him a case of (frozen) crablegs one year, my uncle enjoyed the home brew kit, and hubby is down with any wine gift - decanter, aerator, wine fridge, or just a couple of bottles to drink ;)
My husband loved the year I got him car wash booklet of coupons. It may seem impersonal to you but to a guy, it is a gift of time and clean. Men that like cars like clean cars.
how to you get answers?
