What nice thing can I get my husband for his birthday?
January 30, 2020 1:52 PM Subscribe
It’s that time of year and I’m unusually stumped and empty-handed. For the past few years, I’ve gotten my husband something nice that is functional and good quality, in the $100-150 range, and sort of add to his enjoyment of doing something or make it easier/better. What could I get him this year?
Previous successes have included a fancy chef’s knife and a Le Creuset casserole. He’s not interested in watches or fancy pens. I don’t want to spend $100 on a single bottle of fancy whiskey. Would like something that is functional and durable, but also a bit nice and splurgey. Thanks for any suggestions :)
Previous successes have included a fancy chef’s knife and a Le Creuset casserole. He’s not interested in watches or fancy pens. I don’t want to spend $100 on a single bottle of fancy whiskey. Would like something that is functional and durable, but also a bit nice and splurgey. Thanks for any suggestions :)
A wallet, maybe. I got a sweet shell cordovan wallet on Etsy around that pricepoint.
posted by so fucking future at 1:58 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by so fucking future at 1:58 PM on January 30, 2020
A sous vide machine could be an option, since it sounds like he enjoys cooking. I got one for my husband for Christmas and he has been having lots of fun with it!
posted by GoldenEel at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by GoldenEel at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2020 [4 favorites]
How about a baking steel? If he likes making pizza it is supposed to be quite good.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:59 PM on January 30, 2020
Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions so far! Won’t threadsit but wanted to mention that it doesn’t have to be cooking related—just that the knife and casserole came to mind as recent gifts that were a hit. Could be something else of good quality, but what?
posted by stillmoving at 2:01 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by stillmoving at 2:01 PM on January 30, 2020
Off-the-wall suggestion, a nice chess set. You can get something which looks good and can be played for years.
posted by Alensin at 2:05 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Alensin at 2:05 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Other thank cooking, what are his interests and hobbies?
A quality backpack or messenger bag might be a nice item if he uses bags. A day hiker bag (Osprey makes a nice one) is nice to have to haul stuff for day hikes, work, sightseeing, etc.
A nice rain jacket or regular jacket.
A Bonovita coffee maker (I had one forever and the motor gave out after eight years. It's the best coffee maker for the price in my opinion.)
A nice pair of shoes (nice sneakers or trail shoes or dress shoes depending on his lifestyle)
Quality earbuds like Bose or something similar
posted by loveandhappiness at 2:09 PM on January 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
A quality backpack or messenger bag might be a nice item if he uses bags. A day hiker bag (Osprey makes a nice one) is nice to have to haul stuff for day hikes, work, sightseeing, etc.
A nice rain jacket or regular jacket.
A Bonovita coffee maker (I had one forever and the motor gave out after eight years. It's the best coffee maker for the price in my opinion.)
A nice pair of shoes (nice sneakers or trail shoes or dress shoes depending on his lifestyle)
Quality earbuds like Bose or something similar
posted by loveandhappiness at 2:09 PM on January 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
What about $50 each for three bottles of different whiskies he hasn't tried? A very nice teak cutting board? I like the idea of a cooking class, too. Concert tickets? An overnight trip for the two of you somewhere with excellent food? A membership in something related to his interests? A subscription to something related to his interests? My spouse also does not like watches, pens, etc., but appreciates quality gifts that are functional, help him stretch his skills or achieve something significant for him, or are really fun for him or us. Good luck!
posted by mmw at 2:10 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by mmw at 2:10 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Cooking related:
Thermapen thermometer
Upgrade his most-used pot or skillet to an AllClad version (bonus: can do this forever until everything is upgraded. drawback: need to watch for sales to stay in this price range.)
If he drinks coffee, how about fancy beans? I've been idly considering a subscription for Greenwell Farms Kona coffee deliveries for myself. (I have visited this farm and can confirm the coffee is excellent.)
posted by esoterrica at 2:10 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Thermapen thermometer
Upgrade his most-used pot or skillet to an AllClad version (bonus: can do this forever until everything is upgraded. drawback: need to watch for sales to stay in this price range.)
If he drinks coffee, how about fancy beans? I've been idly considering a subscription for Greenwell Farms Kona coffee deliveries for myself. (I have visited this farm and can confirm the coffee is excellent.)
posted by esoterrica at 2:10 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
High quality ear buds or headphones.
posted by jazh at 2:18 PM on January 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by jazh at 2:18 PM on January 30, 2020 [3 favorites]
some expensive stuff I have and love:
-a bamix (Fancy immersion blender/chopper)
-an isi professional cream whipper
-a sous vide (I have the sansaire, but they are kaput, I've heard Anova is good)
-modernist cuisine at home (it's a cookbook but a super interesting and well produced one)
-a mandoline slicer
-a heated blanket
-a zojirushi to-go coffee mug
-we got rid of all of our bad coffee mugs and just bought a few of the David's Tea nordic mugs and they are beautiful and the best hand shape and we all get mad when we have to use a different one.
-a very nice robe
-merino wool socks
-a really nice flashlight
posted by euphoria066 at 2:19 PM on January 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
-a bamix (Fancy immersion blender/chopper)
-an isi professional cream whipper
-a sous vide (I have the sansaire, but they are kaput, I've heard Anova is good)
-modernist cuisine at home (it's a cookbook but a super interesting and well produced one)
-a mandoline slicer
-a heated blanket
-a zojirushi to-go coffee mug
-we got rid of all of our bad coffee mugs and just bought a few of the David's Tea nordic mugs and they are beautiful and the best hand shape and we all get mad when we have to use a different one.
-a very nice robe
-merino wool socks
-a really nice flashlight
posted by euphoria066 at 2:19 PM on January 30, 2020 [5 favorites]
A really good flashlight or swiss army knife / multitool will come in handy in so many ways.
posted by cgg at 2:42 PM on January 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by cgg at 2:42 PM on January 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
I was reminded of the German store Manufactum in this Berlin city guide by Luisa Weiss--they have lots of practical, beautiful gifts that I've been swooning over. Here's their guide for gifts under 100 €, and here's their gift guide by theme.
posted by stellaluna at 2:44 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by stellaluna at 2:44 PM on January 30, 2020
Second good headphones. My husband loved the bluetooth headphones I got him, he didn't think he needed them but now he loves having a dedicated set just for exercise (it stays paired to the TV.) Or earbuds if he doesn't have. Or noise canceling if he flies a lot.
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:00 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:00 PM on January 30, 2020
A subscription to Trendy Butler was popular with my guy. Nice, stylish clothes in your size that show up with no effort.
posted by shadygrove at 3:30 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by shadygrove at 3:30 PM on January 30, 2020
I agree with euphoria066 and cgg: a really good flashlight, but I would be sure to make it a very bright rechargeable LED flashlight.
Candlepower forums used to be a good site to check out the best of the latest, but I haven't looked at it for a long time.
posted by jamjam at 3:43 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Candlepower forums used to be a good site to check out the best of the latest, but I haven't looked at it for a long time.
posted by jamjam at 3:43 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
If he likes coffee and doesn't have one yet, a nice burr grinder is a game-changer. Every morning, a jolt of joy, a reminder of your gift-giving prowess.
posted by dum spiro spero at 4:04 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by dum spiro spero at 4:04 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
I got my hubs some really nice winter boots for his early February birthday once and he was happy.
posted by Morpeth at 4:09 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by Morpeth at 4:09 PM on January 30, 2020
I have one of these #300/1000 Shun whetstones.
I have no idea why it's more expensive in the US than in Canada, you might be able to find one retailing for less. I don't recall paying quite so much for mine, but it's a very consistent stone.
posted by porpoise at 4:45 PM on January 30, 2020
I have no idea why it's more expensive in the US than in Canada, you might be able to find one retailing for less. I don't recall paying quite so much for mine, but it's a very consistent stone.
posted by porpoise at 4:45 PM on January 30, 2020
Glerups slippers are amazing- warm but not sweaty, comfy, durable. I like the bootie ones that cover the heel.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 4:49 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 4:49 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Two things that make me very happy in low-key ways:
A nice Benchmade pocketknife. I have carried a Mini Griptilian ever day for years, and use it all the time. List price is around a hundred bucks but I think I paid $85 for mine.
Very soft moosehide moccasins from Steger Mukluks. I have a pair of Scout moccasins and they are butter soft and light as a feather; they're tough, though, so sometimes I forget and wear them to run errands and stuff with no harm done. God, I love these things -- totally worth the $150 price tag. (The product photo makes them look like they have a weird sole, but actually it's very soft silicone? rubber? and just looks like slippers) I also have a pair of their tall Arctic Mukluks that allow me to stride through any winter storm like Thor himself. (Your profile doesn't indicate your location, so disregard if you live south of the Mason-Dixon Line.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:06 PM on January 30, 2020
A nice Benchmade pocketknife. I have carried a Mini Griptilian ever day for years, and use it all the time. List price is around a hundred bucks but I think I paid $85 for mine.
Very soft moosehide moccasins from Steger Mukluks. I have a pair of Scout moccasins and they are butter soft and light as a feather; they're tough, though, so sometimes I forget and wear them to run errands and stuff with no harm done. God, I love these things -- totally worth the $150 price tag. (The product photo makes them look like they have a weird sole, but actually it's very soft silicone? rubber? and just looks like slippers) I also have a pair of their tall Arctic Mukluks that allow me to stride through any winter storm like Thor himself. (Your profile doesn't indicate your location, so disregard if you live south of the Mason-Dixon Line.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:06 PM on January 30, 2020
A solar charger for his phone.
posted by Peach at 7:20 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Peach at 7:20 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
Leatherman multitool
posted by mikek at 8:44 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by mikek at 8:44 PM on January 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
I would go to Cool Tools, a website that highlight all wide assortment of cool stuff. Many of them are cheaper than your price range but there a definitely some fun finds. You can narrow down your search using the categories at the right or check out the editors' holiday gift lists.
posted by metahawk at 10:02 PM on January 30, 2020
posted by metahawk at 10:02 PM on January 30, 2020
Ugg boots - there is nothing better than slipping your feet into some merino wool - a luxury for feet that lasts for years.
posted by honey-barbara at 3:24 AM on January 31, 2020
posted by honey-barbara at 3:24 AM on January 31, 2020
This is not helping my spending problem folks
posted by InkaLomax at 3:37 AM on January 31, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by InkaLomax at 3:37 AM on January 31, 2020 [4 favorites]
This is a helpful thread as I’m in the same position.
Presents that seem to go down well in the past:
- very good wireless headphones (I splashed out and got him Bose ones and he loves them)
- an inexpensive drip coffee cup thing (the Clever Dripper) and a subscription to coffee. He’s been using both for well over a year.
- every year I get him the North Face “tent slippers”. They’re quite squishy in the sole and warm and comfy. I think they are quite ugly but despite that there’s a reason I still get them every year because he wears through them.
- very nice leather wallets
- nice backpacks, Sandqvist and the like, which he uses daily for work.
posted by like_neon at 4:34 AM on January 31, 2020
Presents that seem to go down well in the past:
- very good wireless headphones (I splashed out and got him Bose ones and he loves them)
- an inexpensive drip coffee cup thing (the Clever Dripper) and a subscription to coffee. He’s been using both for well over a year.
- every year I get him the North Face “tent slippers”. They’re quite squishy in the sole and warm and comfy. I think they are quite ugly but despite that there’s a reason I still get them every year because he wears through them.
- very nice leather wallets
- nice backpacks, Sandqvist and the like, which he uses daily for work.
posted by like_neon at 4:34 AM on January 31, 2020
Response by poster: Some great suggestions here! Noise cancelling headphones were last year’s gift, and a huge hit. We have a young toddler so can’t really do nights or weekends away right now, but will keep that in mind for a future bday. Happy to hear any more suggestions that will help my husband feel a bit spoiled. (He’s not into spas and massages so can’t do a gift certificate for that sort of thing). Thanks again :)
posted by stillmoving at 5:18 AM on January 31, 2020
posted by stillmoving at 5:18 AM on January 31, 2020
On the cooking theme, Hedley & Bennett make lovely durable aprons in the $90+ range. The Wirecutter has a lot of good notes about their products.
posted by enigmango at 6:25 AM on January 31, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by enigmango at 6:25 AM on January 31, 2020 [1 favorite]
For my last birthday, my wife gave me a Dragonforce 650, but of course that reflects my interests, not your husbands.
Does he have a hole in the spectrum from light jacket to heavy jacket to winter coat? Would he like a jacket with the colors of a sports team or his alma mater? Alternately, is there a gap in the spectrum from work gloves to everyday gloves to dress gloves.
Is there a tool he needs for an upcoming DIY project that he's looking forward to?
A good way to approach a kitchen/food gift is a package that includes a cookbook and some hardware to get him started with a new cuisine. This was done for my wife and myself with the Betty Crocker Chinese Cookbook (quite good in the how-to section) plus a wok, but it could work with a pizza stone or pressure cooker or whatever else.
Something I wanted for a long time was a fur winter hat. I will admit that when I did buy myself a rabbit fur hat, it was so warm there is hardly any occasion to wear it here in Connecticut.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:55 AM on January 31, 2020
Does he have a hole in the spectrum from light jacket to heavy jacket to winter coat? Would he like a jacket with the colors of a sports team or his alma mater? Alternately, is there a gap in the spectrum from work gloves to everyday gloves to dress gloves.
Is there a tool he needs for an upcoming DIY project that he's looking forward to?
A good way to approach a kitchen/food gift is a package that includes a cookbook and some hardware to get him started with a new cuisine. This was done for my wife and myself with the Betty Crocker Chinese Cookbook (quite good in the how-to section) plus a wok, but it could work with a pizza stone or pressure cooker or whatever else.
Something I wanted for a long time was a fur winter hat. I will admit that when I did buy myself a rabbit fur hat, it was so warm there is hardly any occasion to wear it here in Connecticut.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:55 AM on January 31, 2020
I second the recommendation above for really good wool socks. I've been replacing nearly all of my casual socks with Darn Tough lightweight wool socks and the first pair I bought a couple years ago still look like new.
posted by pingzing at 5:34 PM on January 31, 2020
posted by pingzing at 5:34 PM on January 31, 2020
I bought bone conduction headphones as a gift for when my partner is running. He likes to be able to hear both the music and the outside environment, especially at night.
posted by ceramicblue at 7:00 PM on January 31, 2020
posted by ceramicblue at 7:00 PM on January 31, 2020
does he like to listen to music while he showers? I got my husband a shower speaker and he loves it. It pairs to his phone, and controls volume and skip tracks like with an ipod.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:20 PM on January 31, 2020
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:20 PM on January 31, 2020
Ugg house slippers! I'd never had slippers before, just Birkenstocks and socks around the house for the most part, but they have improved my happiness and quality of life a lot! Comfy, warm, they have soles so I can go check the mail...
posted by Snowishberlin at 9:39 AM on February 1, 2020
posted by Snowishberlin at 9:39 AM on February 1, 2020
If he’s into experience gifts but not the spa thing, I’ve had luck with gift certificates for classes - woodworking, cheesemaking, hydrofoil, etc. Schools usually have one-day or shorter intro workshops which are designed to be fun & low-commitment. Since you’ve got a toddler, the prospect of a guilt-free day to himself will be an extra bonus. (And if you’re lucky, he’ll take a cheesemaking course and start producing fresh mascarpone at home. Best gift I ever gave.)
posted by scyllary at 10:57 AM on February 1, 2020
posted by scyllary at 10:57 AM on February 1, 2020
A TRX suspension training kit? You can hook it up to a tree or a door indoors and it's a fricking goood workout. We take ours along whenever we travel, too.
I got my husband a De Buyer cast iron (?) frying pan which weighs as much as I do and he uses that thing on the daily.
I'm not sure about your husbands style, but if he's a hipster woodsman cowboy maybe a Pendleton flannel shirt?
posted by speakeasy at 11:51 PM on February 1, 2020
I got my husband a De Buyer cast iron (?) frying pan which weighs as much as I do and he uses that thing on the daily.
I'm not sure about your husbands style, but if he's a hipster woodsman cowboy maybe a Pendleton flannel shirt?
posted by speakeasy at 11:51 PM on February 1, 2020
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posted by beccaj at 1:55 PM on January 30, 2020 [2 favorites]