If you are anything like me and in a relationship with an impossible to buy for guy, the holidays bring on a lot of stress! I also happen to be a notoriously bad gift giver! I’m just NOT detail oriented or all that thoughtful of a person, really… it’s ok, my friends love me for my hilarious wit and charming personality, but certainly not for my gift giving! It is just not my strong suit! In fact I find it anxiety inducing, I’m sure I can’t be alone in this. So, in an effort to help you out, I’ve racked my brain and come up with some of the not so sucky gifts I’ve given Taylor over the years, and a couple I may plan on buying in the near future!
There have been years that the overwhelm I felt, trying to come up with “the perfect gift”, was decidedly not worth it… so Taylor and I would pool the money we would have spent on each other and buy something exciting and luxurious….. like an appliance, or a TV… one year it was a TV… that was actually pretty ok! I’ve realized though that while wonderful in my mind, Taylor’s love language is Receiving Gifts. It’s not the physical present per-say, but the thought and care that goes in to choosing something special that he would like that means so much to him. Well, great! The hardest person to buy for on my list HAPPENS to be the one who I really need to be putting in the extra effort for! So while my list may be short, here are my suggestions for gifts for that hard to buy for guy (or really anyone) in your life that are sure to be appreciated.
1. Fitness Tracker/Smart Watch:

Taylor is super into fitness! He regularly works out at home, and runs Spartan Races! This year he participated in 4! I purchased the Garmin Forerunner 35, last year and Taylor has been wearing it regularly since. It is waterproof and has all the capabilities you would expect from any GPS equipped smart watch! Although he was slightly resistant at first, once he understood what it was and how to use it (the learning curve with technology with this boy is longer than most) I would call this gift a win! It is perfect for anyone who enjoys a variety of activity, and he uses it mostly for running, rowing and golf!
2. ancestry.ca DNA Kit
Oh was this ever a fun gift, and talk about something for the person who is so hard to buy for. There are several similar DNA kits on the market, at varying price points, but I chose this one because it was affordable, and honestly brand recognition played a huge role. Taylor is a big history buff, with strong ties to his family’s heritage, so this was a very appreciated present. I won’t divulge his results, but I will say there were a few surprises! Another gift, I think would be great along with this would be the subscription to ancestry.ca for anyone interested in learning more about their family’s roots! I’m keeping that one in my back pocket for another occasion!
3. A Personalized Portrait!
So this is a suggestion that I’m throwing out there blind. I will neither confirm nor deny that this is part of this year’s Christmas present, but up until recently I didn’t even know it was a thing, so I wanted to include it here incase like me, you think it might be one of the better gifts you will ever give!
There are so many ways you could approach this one. The first being a serious and traditional styled portrait. You could have this created from a photo of the recipient, their loved ones or even their pets! This sounds lovely and so heartfelt to me….. Taylor would hate it! He just isn’t into that kind of thing. What I do think he will appreciate, is a lighthearted and fun portrait.
A quick search of Etsy has brought me to the next 2 suggestions, one of which I purchased and one, I just might have to in the future! 20 minutes or so with Taylor is usually all it takes to realized that he is an old school Simpsons nut! For any situation life throws at you…. there is a Simpsons quote for that!

So, I hired an artist to create a portrait of Taylor as a Simpson’s character. I used a shop called SimpsToons (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SimpsToons) on Etsy and sent in a couple photos of Taylor. I plan on having it framed to hang behind his bar in the garage, so I asked for the character to be in Moe’s Taverns. Just in case Taylor were to read this (although I believe we are very safe there!) I am not going to show you the result until after the holidays, but here are some other examples of the shop’s work!
If I didn’t order the SimpsToon portrait my next plan was to get a portrait of our pets (cat and dog) for Taylor’s study. I believe he would have really enjoyed these, and perhaps this will be something I would get him down the road.
4. Yeti Rambler 30oz
https://www.yeti.com/en_CA/drinkware/rambler-30-oz-tumbler/YRAM30.html
I’m going to be completely transparent… This suggestion is 100% based on the fact that this bad boy has been on my own wish list for over 2 years now! I’m really keeping my fingers crossed that this is my year, but if I can bring the joy of the Yeti to only one other person, I will be satisfied in my work.
Taylor is a coffee drinker, day and night, he often fills an old mug with a leaky lid for road trips to the city and less than a couple km from home, his coffee is cold! I really believe this is a gift that checks a lot of boxes for me and would for him too. It is stylish, high quality, and it is VERY functional and I’m sure will be used regularly! I like the Black for Taylor and the White, or Seafoam colour for me!
5. LEGO

Over the years I have given Taylor many stand out gifts! Or so I thought… but nothing, NOTHING will compare to the joy that flickered across his face (If you know Taylor, you know) when he shook that wrapped box and heard the little bricks rattle! LEGO is the ultimate relaxation activity to Taylor, it’s a reminder of happy times in his childhood and it is now a multigenerational activity as the LEGO bug has bit Arthur as well! But don’t kid yourself… the little one gets his own LEGO sets too… this one, it’s Dad’s!
BONUS- Stocking Stuffer:
Moleskine 12 Month Weekly Notebook Planner
In addition to the typical deodorant, shave foam and toothpaste, I wanted to throw in a little idea for Taylor’s stocking here too! He has used this planner for many years now, so I know he loves it! This Moleskine pocket size, weekly planner has the option for personalization, and it’s sleek, simple design is makes it the perfect planner for the low-key, no nonsense guy on your list! If that doesn’t describe Taylor, I don’t know what does!

I sure hope you’ve found this post to be helpful! If you are like me and struggle every holiday, thinking of a gift for someone who seems “impossible” to buy for, I hope one of these will fit the bill! I did my best to provide enough information and links, should you wish to purchase your own! Let me know in the comments if you’ve got some outstanding gift ideas for the hard to buy for in your life! Also, don’t forget to comment and tell me which gift idea you think your partner would like best!
Love ya,