"Please tell me something Josh wants!" my mom and grandmother beg each December. My husband is hard to buy for. Not only is he humble and refuses to ask for things, even in the holidays, but he's a picky guy. Josh uses a very specific hair gel, a very specific brand of workout shirts, and a very specific everything else. Needless to say, surprising him with a unique Christmas gift (that he will enjoy/use) can be a less-than-jolly feat.
But after more than five years of marriage, I've gotten a little creative and discovered a few gifts that are always great to give. If you're in the same boat with your hard-to-buy-for hubby, check out five gift ideas that are sure to be a hit:
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1. Bluelight Glasses
Whether your husband is a gamer or computer tech, or he scrolls his phone often, you can't go wrong gifting him with a pair of bluelight glasses. Bluelight glasses were created to absorb most of the harsh light emitted by electronics, which saves your eyes from straining too hard and can potentially save you from a few headaches.
I have several pairs of bluelight glasses and love them, and since they come in so many different styles, with countless brands, you're sure to find a pair that he will enjoy wearing!
Bonus: Bluelight glasses aren't very expensive and can often be purchased in packs of 3-5. Check out Amazon for the best bulk deals!
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2. A Private Sports Lesson
I won't lie—this is often a pricier gift, but it could be the one big gift that replaces the pressure of buying lots of smaller gifts, balancing out the cost.
Though golf bores me to tears, my husband is a fanatic! Last Father's Day, since it was his first official Father's Day, I wanted to gift him a special private lesson with a professional golf coach. A nearby golf course had lessons available, so I was able to call ahead of time, schedule his session, and have all of the details mapped out before I surprised him.
Was this a bit costly? Yes. But did he enjoy this gift? Absolutely! He still talks about that golf lesson, and it means so much to me to know that he truly enjoyed that unique experience.
Bonus: If a private sports lesson isn't in the budget this Christmas, consider gifting something fun and thoughtful that goes with his favorite sport. If he loves golf, buy a box of plain white golf balls and let your kiddos decorate them. If he loves football, see if his team's jerseys are on sale. Get creative and have fun with the sports lover in your life!
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3. House Shoes
You can't go wrong with house shoes. They're cozy and can be used daily! (And if the guy in your life is like my husband, he is rough on shoes, even house shoes, so this is a gift that you can resupply each Christmas!)
In the Garland household, everyone has a nice pair of house shoes because we don't wear everyday shoes indoors. We live on a farm that doesn't have a paved driveway, so our everyday shoes easily track dirt, mud, leaves, and germs from everywhere we've been, making a yucky trail throughout the house. And with a little one who will soon enter the crawling phase, it's important to keep our floors as clean as possible!
Maybe house shoes are a cozy gift for him that keeps giving to you year-round, minimizing how often you have to sweep, mop, and vacuum!
Bonus: Walmart and Amazon always have nice, affordable house shoe options. However, if you live where the winters are brutal and want a more durable pair, Overland uses pure sheep's wool to line their house shoes, creating extra warmth and water resistance.
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4. Date-night Box
Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Jordan Peterson encourages couples to spend at least 1-2 hours together each week, but these hours must be dedicated to each other in word and deed. This means that conversations can't center on the kids and cell phones can't be out. These few deliberate hours each week, when properly dedicated to each other, make a substantial difference in the marriage.
With that in mind, what better gift to give than a surprise date-night box? Create a fun date night for the two of you and pack a box full of things he'll need. If it's a fancy dinner, pack a box with a new button-up, tie, and restaurant gift card. If it's tickets to your favorite baseball team's opening game, make a box with the tickets, sunflower seeds, and a new team hat. You get the idea!
Bonus: It's healthy for children to see their parents in a loving relationship, so consider asking them to help brainstorm a fun date night! They will feel valued and find an extra thrill in helping create a romantic night for Mom and Dad!
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5. An Adventurous Experience
Sometimes the best gifts aren't things but experiences, and better yet, adventurous experiences.
Has your husband ever mentioned how much he would enjoy learning to rock climb? Visit your local rock-climbing park where you can take courses and be certified in belaying, rope-tying, and safety. Then, if he enjoys that, find a fun place outdoors that's perfect for rock-climbing beginners!
Does your hubby enjoy watching NASCAR? Some cities offer racecar driving, where everyday folks can drive a real racecar around the speedway. How fun and daring is that?
What about deep-sea fishing? Maybe your husband loves fishing at the local lake but has never had a chance to catch a big Marlin. Consider planning a quiet weekend getaway at the nearest beach and surprise him with a deep-sea fishing excursion. (And try not to complain if he catches the biggest fish and wants to mount it on your wall... wink!)
Bonus: Some of these events/outings offer holiday discounts and group deals, so don't be afraid to get financially savvy and find a coupon for this gift! Perhaps another couple can join you on an outing or the kids can participate.
It's no secret that stress can easily consume festive cheer, so don't let gift-buying for the special guy in your life contribute to chaos. Make a list of unique things he loves, get a little creative, and offer him a gift that goes the extra mile in saying, "I see you. I know you. And I love you. Merry Christmas!"
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Originally published Friday, 08 December 2023.