Okay, raise your hand if your husband is hard to buy for. Yeah, I thought so. You’re right there with me, aren’t you? Your husband doesn’t have a lot of hobbies, has everything he needs or everything he wants is like, $500. I hear you! Mr. Maven tends to buy his own gifts throughout the year. If he sees something he really wants or needs, he buys it. He’s not breaking the bank or anything, but let’s just say Amazon loves us! 😉 So, today I’ve rounded up the best Christmas gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for husband or man in your life.
1. THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
If you’re not familiar with thedatingdivas.com, you’re missing out! They have some of the best ideas to keep the fun and excitement in your marriage. Two years ago, I clicked on their 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN and knew I’d hit the jackpot in terms of hubby gifts. I used the awesome printables that they provide free of charge to go with this gift, but used my own ideas in terms of the actual gifts themselves. It was a huge hit with Mr. Maven. He looked forward to getting a little something each day. (I’m doing this again this year-shhhh)
2. A MASSAGE
Who doesn’t love a massage? It’s a whole hour of pure relaxation and there’s no talking required. This is a win-win for most men. Plus, it’s a great way to show your appreciation for all the hard work he does each day to provide for you and your family. Amazon offers Spafinder gift cards that you can load with whatever amount you choose and can be used at 25,000 spas. Or, to make buying a massage more economical, I highly recommend Groupon. In the summer, I was able to buy two hour-long massages for $40. That’s less than the price of one.
3. _________ OF THE MONTH CLUB
Mr. Maven LOVES cheese. I mean, like, he could eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner and not be sick of it-ever! I like it too-we’re kind of a cheesy household 😉 So, last year in my quest for creativity and something my Honey might actually enjoy, I thought of the cliche “cheese of the month club”. This could work for any food or interest your husband has. Maybe he likes soda, books or jerky. However, instead of buying an over-priced membership from some late night informercial (did that pop-up in anyone’s head?), create the gift certificate yourself by using a free online template. Customize it to whatever it is that your husband loves and your budget can accommodate. This was probably Mr. Maven’s favorite gift of all time!
4. CAR DETAILING GIFT CERTIFICATE
If your guy has an old clunker and doesn’t care about his car, then maybe this one isn’t for you. On the other hand, if your guy baby’s his car, names it and talks to it like it’s a person…well, then, you’ve hit the jackpot of ideas with this one. (not that Mr.Maven does this 😉 Most detailing places have Christmas deals going on right now, so it’s a great time to buy a gift certificate. I don’t know about you, but my poor car often gets neglected inside because the only time I think about cleaning it is…when I’m inside!
5. MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION
Even if your man isn’t a reader, this one can still make a great gift. Because he may not be a reader, but I bet you $5 he reads in the bathroom. Oh yes, we all do it, and hey, why not give him something new to read each month? A magazine subscription will give him something to look forward to while he does his “business”. Besides, I bet he’s sick of all the Real Simple and BHG articles by now anyways. (you know you have a few of those in the bathroom).
6. WEEKEND GETAWAY
The best gift to give you husband is time with you. Isn’t that really what he loves the most and the reason he married you in the first place? He loves you and loves spending time together. A weekend getaway is the perfect fit. You don’t have to go at Christmas time. In fact, it would be cheaper to plan the getaway for an off-season month, which will vary depending on where you’re going. Check out a quiet bed and breakfast in the country, or maybe a swanky hotel in the city if that’s more his speed. Whichever you choose, make sure to check places like Groupon for great deals. Or an even better alternative is to find a friend who has a cabin or vacation home and is willing to lend it to you cheaply (or free) during those less-busy months.
7. FOOD
You know the saying-the way to a man’s heart…FOOD! Maybe it’s a gift card for his favorite restaurant or a homemade gift basket full of all of his favorite snack foods. Whichever way you go, you can’t lose with this gift. Now, Mr. Maven is not a foodie. I mean, he enjoys really good food, but he’ll also eat anything that’s put in front of him. That being said, he loves hot sauce and candy (and cheese, as you already found out). He would be super-stoked to get a basket full of that. Be creative with this one. Put a gift card in the middle of the homemade gift basket. Or put all of his favorite foods inside a hat of his favorite sports team or in a new bag for work.
8. AN EXPERIENCE
I don’t know about you, but one of the things that I dislike about exchanging gifts at Christmas is all the clutter that is left. An experience gift is a ideal way to combat that problem. There isn’t “stuff” to deal with if you give this kind of gift. Plus, the experience gifts are often the gifts we remember the most. So, maybe your husband loves to golf, ski, workout or enjoys the theater. Give him a round of golf, a pass to the gym or tickets to a local theater. Gear the experience to your budget and again, get creative. If you know someone who can get you a discount on that gym pass, then go for it. The best part about this sort of gift is that you may get to enjoy his gift with him.
9. LOVE COUPONS
I’ve done this before and let me tell you, it was well-received! Now, before you start thinking these coupons have to be bedroom-inspired, let me tell you they aren’t (although, they could be if you wanted). These will all be coupons from you to him, so think simple: a foot-rub, watching his movie choice instead of yours, making his favorite dinner, taking out the trash for him or breakfast in bed. The possibilities are endless with this one. These are “love coupons” so they will be different for everyone and will be customized to how your husband feels loved. This is the perfect gift if your budget is tight and even if it isn’t, he’ll love it.
10. AMAZON GIFT CARD
Best gift for a husband who’s hard to buy for? The one he can pick out himself! Amazon gift cards are great because Amazon has just about everything, free shipping on many items and easy returns.
I hope you liked my gift ideas for the hard-to-buy-for husband and they help if you’re having trouble picking out the perfect gift for your husband this Christmas. I’ve tried most of them and have been met with lots of smiles and snuggles. I promise I wouldn’t tell you to give something that backfired for me. That said, I’m pretty confident that whatever you choose for him he’s going to love because it’s from you.
Good luck shopping, ladies! If you choose one of these ideas, please let me know how it turns out and shoot me a picture if you take one.
Merry Christmas!
(*Note: The links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little kickback if you buy something through that link. No cost to you, but it does help me to be able to continue creating awesome posts)
This particular tradition began a few years after we decided to have a more Christ-centered Christmas, but it starts the earliest in the season, so I’m listing it first. A friend gave me a little white felt stocking to hang on the tree for Jesus. We decided to use that stocking for more than just decoration. Instead, each year on December 1st begins our month of giving. Strips of paper and pens sit under our Christmas tree. Each time one of us does something kind as the Savior would, we anonymously write it down on a strip of paper, fold it up and put it in the stocking. Our goal is to fill the stocking with good deeds by December 24th. On Christmas day, we read all of the ways we showed Christ-like love and kindness that month. It’s a continual reminder of who we are as God’s children and the kindness and love shown to us by God and his Son.
For children, Christmas is often all about presents and what gifts they’ll be receiving. We really wanted our kids to understand that Christmas is about giving and not getting. So each December, we take our kids to a local thrift store and let them pick out a gift for their siblings. At first, we were paying for the gifts, but now they use their allowance to choose something small, but meaningful for their brother or sister. They look forward to sneaking through the store, trying to make sure the others don’t see what they’re choosing. Often, they choose things like games, puzzles, books or yarn. Then on Christmas morning, Mr. Maven has them give the gifts they’ve chosen to their siblings first before they open their own gifts, so they can experience the joy that comes from giving. This is my favorite! Is it sappy that I’m getting teary just thinking about this moment?
Now, I realize this isn’t something unique to us. I know a lot of Christian families do this. It’s always kind of hectic getting all of the “
Before we open any gifts at all or read the good deeds from the white stocking, we set the mood for the day. Our church put out a short video years ago called 
Mr. Maven and I were newlyweds when I made this recipe for the first time. Our Bishop’s wife (like a pastor or priest, but unpaid) gave all of us newbie’s a little recipe book of her family’s favorites. When I served these cookies and dip after a dinner party one night, I received rave reviews. Our guests couldn’t stop eating them! Right then and there I decided these gingersnaps with pumpkin dip had to be a fall tradition. They’re magical!
Now, these cookies do take a little time to make because you have to refrigerate the dough for an hour before rolling it into balls. So, plan ahead. They’re so worth it!
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, molasses & pumpkin. All the incredible cozy, warm, sweet flavors of fall.
These cookies are not thick, which sometimes can be a deal-breaker for me. Not so with these babies. Lightly rolling them in sugar gives them that crisp, crunchy edge and they’re perfectly chewy in the middle. If you like them crispy all the way through, try baking them 2 minutes longer.
I tried not eating any because I felt like I was coming down with something and sugar isn’t so great for you on the best of days. Sigh…I didn’t win the battle and I had one.
I had to eat the ones that were in the pumpkin dip because they would go soggy. Oh, and the one I took the bite out of for the photo. Oops!
