Husbands! - What are you getting your wife for Christmas?

[1ke]

Just ask her. My DH asks for a list several weeks before birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. He then picks from the list so it’s sort of a surprise. He doesn’t want to pick something out on his own. Although the one time he did it was a great gift.

He got me a new Le Creusets stock pot and an Emerilware cast iron smoker for my birthday. I’ve gotten power tools when I asked for them-- including my orbital sander & brad nailer-- I love power tools. He got me a new shop vac too, that was on my list. I got an indoor hydroponic herb garden for one occasion. Last Christmas I got a new digital camera.

I have a lot of interests, so I pick out a few things from catalogs that come to our house by the truckload!

Some great catalogs include:

redenvelope
hammacher schlemmer
brookstone
napastyle
potterybarn
crate & barrel

she doesn’t like cooking so that leaves out chefs catalog, sur la table, and all my favorite catalogs

Really, I’d just ask her for a list of possibilities!

 

[Uncle_David]

I propose you ask her sister or her girlfriend for suggestions on what your wife might like.

My son-in-law always asks my other daughters what to get his wife (my dtr.) for Christmas. The girls know their sister well and have great ideas.

:bigyikes: Her mom and sister Thery’re taste in gifts is even more expensive than my wife’s But I could ask my sisters, they are a little more financially reasonable Thanks for the tip!

 

[Uncle_David]

Just ask her. My DH asks for a list several weeks before birthday, anniversary, and Christmas. He then picks from the list so it’s sort of a surprise. He doesn’t want to pick something out on his own. Although the one time he did it was a great gift.

He got me a new Le Creusets stock pot and an Emerilware cast iron smoker for my birthday. I’ve gotten power tools when I asked for them-- including my orbital sander & brad nailer-- I love power tools. He got me a new shop vac too, that was on my list. I got an indoor hydroponic herb garden for one occasion. Last Christmas I got a new digital camera.

I have a lot of interests, so I pick out a few things from catalogs that come to our house by the truckload!

Some great catalogs include:

redenvelope
hammacher schlemmer
brookstone
napastyle
potterybarn
crate & barrel

she doesn’t like cooking so that leaves out chefs catalog, sur la table, and all my favorite catalogs

Really, I’d just ask her for a list of possibilities!

I’ll check into those! She got a new digital camera 2 years ago and a new laptop last year. I’m thinking of a new scanner/copier/printer as one gift for her, but I like to have a “WOW” type present too.

 

[housewife]

Except some women (my wife) won’t go near ones of those places due to the “germs”.

WOW! Good for her! She is probably the only one that I know that does not like it, besides me, because of germs. Many girls I know love getting their nails done and their pedicure at those beauty parlors because of that, I thought it would be a good idea.

How about Victorias Secret or Bath and Body Works?

www.victoriassecret.com
www.bathandbodyworks.com

Those places have a variety of good stuff that I personally love and don’t know of any women who don’t

Or even a really nice quality handbag, which she can carry around with pride because her hubby gave to her!

 

[1ke]

I’ll check into those! She got a new digital camera 2 years ago and a new laptop last year.

There are lots of digital camera accessories. I may ask for some this year for the camera I got last year. Tripod, carry case, memory, etc. Go out to the manufacturer’s website and look at all the accessories. Mine is a Kodak, and they sell right off their website.

You could also get her some photo software like Photoshop if you don’t have it. There are also some special digital scrapbooking software packages if she’s into scrapbooking. If she is in to that stuff, there are also magazines especially for scrapbooking and even specially for digital scrapbooking so you could get her a subscription.

I’m thinking of a new scanner/copier/printer as one gift for her, but I like to have a “WOW” type present too.

A scanner, copier, printer is in the WOW category in my book.

 

[Scout]

Do you have children? What about getting the children’s portraits done?

The reason I suggest this is because I’m having my photo taken by a professional photographer for my husband’s birthday at the end of the month. I hate having my picture taken, but I found a great photographer and I’m willing to make the sacrifice for my husband.

My husband is like your wife-he’s very easy to please and really doesn’t “want” anything, which makes buying presents for him that much more difficult. He’s what I call “hard to buy for, easy to please”. My grandfather was the same way.

If having photographs taken won’t work, does she have a favorite artist? Would buying some nice prints of a favorite artist be something she would like, or just some really nice pictures for the house? You could always check out Hobby Lobby if there’s one near you; they have a lot of crafty stuff, as well as items to “beautify” the home.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[punisherthunder]

My fiance’ will be getting a new fur coat. I have given her a new one for Christmas ever since we have been together. She absolutely loves it!

 

[Uncle_David]

Do you have children? What about getting the children’s portraits done?

The reason I suggest this is because I’m having my photo taken by a professional photographer for my husband’s birthday at the end of the month. I hate having my picture taken, but I found a great photographer and I’m willing to make the sacrifice for my husband.

My husband is like your wife-he’s very easy to please and really doesn’t “want” anything, which makes buying presents for him that much more difficult. He’s what I call “hard to buy for, easy to please”. My grandfather was the same way.

If having photographs taken won’t work, does she have a favorite artist? Would buying some nice prints of a favorite artist be something she would like, or just some really nice pictures for the house? You could always check out Hobby Lobby if there’s one near you; they have a lot of crafty stuff, as well as items to “beautify” the home.

Scout :tiphat:

Yep 3 little boogers running around. Only they’re not so little anymore. David Jr is 12 and Holly and Hailey are 10. We do a family portrait every year for Christmas as part of our Christmas Card. We just re-did the formal living and dining area (for her birthday) we’re waiting a while to upgrade the family room.

All these ideas are helping me brainstorm though. Our bedroom stuff (not sure what it’s really called - pillows and comforter thingies) are getting a bit old. What would be a good store to get a gift certificate from so she could buy new bed covering thingy ma-jigs?

 

[Chovy]

Yep 3 little boogers running around. Only they’re not so little anymore. David Jr is 12 and Holly and Hailey are 10. We do a family portrait every year for Christmas as part of our Christmas Card. We just re-did the formal living and dining area (for her birthday) we’re waiting a while to upgrade the family room.

All these ideas are helping me brainstorm though. Our bedroom stuff (not sure what it’s really called - pillows and comforter thingies) are getting a bit old. What would be a good store to get a gift certificate from so she could buy new bed covering thingy ma-jigs?

I was just thinking about new bed covering thing a ma jigs as they may be on my list this year as well. Pottery Barn is nice but pricey, Bed Bath and Beyond is nice too. If you just redid the formal dining room does she have some nice china and crystal to display?

 

[Uncle_David]

I was just thinking about new bed covering thing a ma jigs as they may be on my list this year as well. Pottery Barn is nice but pricey, Bed Bath and Beyond is nice too. If you just redid the formal dining room does she have some nice china and crystal to display?

She inherited some really nice china from her grandmother. It’s from world war 2. One the back it says “from occupied Japan”.
I always that was weird having china from Japan

We do have a Bed, Bath and Beyond near us!!! I’ll check them out!
Thanks!!!

 

[1ke]

She inherited some really nice china from her grandmother. It’s from world war 2. One the back it says “from occupied Japan”.
I always that was weird having china from Japan

We do have a Bed, Bath and Beyond near us!!! I’ll check them out!
Thanks!!!

You might be able to get some serving pieces from that china pattern through www.replacements.com if you have the info such as manufacturer, year, etc. Since it’s from WWII, it might be a long shot. But, that would be very cool if you could find pieces for that set.

They also have vintage silver-- I received my great-grandparents sterling silver as a wedding gift and I’ve gotten some additional pieces through replacements.com

 

[Uncle_David]

You might be able to get some serving pieces from that china pattern through www.replacements.com if you have the info such as manufacturer, year, etc. Since it’s from WWII, it might be a long shot. But, that would be very cool if you could find pieces for that set.

They also have vintage silver-- I received my great-grandparents sterling silver as a wedding gift and I’ve gotten some additional pieces through replacements.com

Cool!!! Thanks!!!

 

[JRKH]

A lot a great Ideas already -

Does she do a lot of driving/traveling with her Mary Kay? How about a navigation system like TomTom.

Personal coupons can be fun. Create some of your own and print them out. For Dinner out, or a movie, or a romantic evening…

Something I did for my Mom some years ago was a personal “spiritual bouquet” I gave her a card that promised 3 rosary’s per day for 30 days. These would be prayed for whatever intention she asked God for on a given day. The only stipulation was that “I” could not be the intention. She loved it!! Of course that’s different than doing something for your wife.

Honestly my wife and I don’t buy for each other. We’ll sometimes buy something for the house together (like a dinette set or new TV) but almost never anything “for” the other.
I did just buy her a wooden tool box for her sewing supplies and she loves it. Lowes had them for $78, a nice wooden box with 9 drawers plus the lid. Now she has everything together and it’s all easy to find. I just told her not to not to expect anything else for Christmas.

Good Luck

James

 

[Uncle_David]

A lot a great Ideas already -

Does she do a lot of driving/traveling with her Mary Kay? How about a navigation system like TomTom.

Personal coupons can be fun. Create some of your own and print them out. For Dinner out, or a movie, or a romantic evening…

Something I did for my Mom some years ago was a personal “spiritual bouquet” I gave her a card that promised 3 rosary’s per day for 30 days. These would be prayed for whatever intention she asked God for on a given day. The only stipulation was that “I” could not be the intention. She loved it!! Of course that’s different than doing something for your wife.

Honestly my wife and I don’t buy for each other. We’ll sometimes buy something for the house together (like a dinette set or new TV) but almost never anything “for” the other.
I did just buy her a wooden tool box for her sewing supplies and she loves it. Lowes had them for $78, a nice wooden box with 9 drawers plus the lid. Now she has everything together and it’s all easy to find. I just told her not to not to expect anything else for Christmas.

Good Luck

James

A few years ago I convinced her that using the good ol’ postal service was a better use of her time. She’d spend an hour delivering a $5 lipstick

She is an awesome wife and a fabulous mother! We don’t do a lot for ourselves during the year so I like to make her birthday and Christmas a bit more special

I’m probably just as hard to buy for. I really don’t want or need anything so it’s hard to come up with good ideas. Maybe she could get ME that vacuum I was talking about in my original post I’d even let her use it

 

[Island_Oak]

I hate trying to figure that out! I was thinking a new iron but if she doesn’t like that - it could hurt. A new vacuum is an option and it doesn’t throw well. The iron skillet she got a few years ago still bears the dent from my skull so that’s out. I’m horrible at picking out clothes…

Shame on you!!! You earned every single dent, bruise, and laceration you sustained!!!

As men are simple creatures when it comes to purchasing gifts, let me show you what a very simple process this can be:

1.) Every woman has a favorite store or three in which she shops. Ask for the name(s) of the store(s) as a start. (If she is an accomplished shopper, there IS a sales associate there who knows her, maintains a card on her preferences, wish list, her size, items she has tried on in the last few weeks, style numbers, colors, etc.)

2.) Even with non-shoppers or rookie shoppers, everyone needs something. Ask wife for specifics–shop, item, color, size.

3.) If wife is unwilling to provide this info to husband (usually reflects husband’s failure to follow simple instructions in the past), a generous gift certificate to favorite store(s) is welcome so wife can shop for herself.

1. If wifey has a best friend (BF), put a call into her–now. BF will know what your wife would like. Run any “great ideas” you may have come up with on your own by BF and ask for honest feed back so BF doesn’t feel so bad telling you to go back to square one before it’s too late.

5.) If wife has a hobby–is a runner, biker, camper, skier, horsewoman, etc., it is acceptable to purchase gear or wear for the hobby as a gift.

6.) If one is in the midst of building/redecorating, it is acceptable to designate funds/purchase decorative items or upgrades for the home as gifts.

In summary: MEN: If you plan to start the New Year sleeping peacefully in your own bed and not visiting the ER like the unfortunate OP, remember this simple rule: unless explicitly agreed upon in advance, appliances, home improvement/replacement items (carpet, fencing, wallboard, plumbing, flooring, etc.) cooking or cleaning devices are NEVER acceptable gifts.
Good luck!

 

[1ke]

Shame on you!!! You earned every single dent, bruise, and laceration you sustained!!!

The OP was joking.

 

[Uncle_David]

The OP was joking.

Some folks can’t recognize a joke even when it slaps them upside the head

I’m really thinking she could use an oil change and tire rotation. On second thought, the new bedding stuff will probably be really nice!

 

[Island_Oak]

Some folks can’t recognize a joke even when it slaps them upside the head

DUHHH!!! Did you read past the first line of my post?! After the required “shame on you” my little instruction manual was full of humorous suggestions. Gosh, most days living with a husband requires quite a mature and developed sense of humor on the part of us wives!! Anyway…happy shopping, guys.

 

[dixieagle]

go to redenvelope.com I love that site

Yes - it is wonderful, isn’t it? I have often purchased graduation gifts, etc., there and been pleased. Wonderful, creative gifts.

 

[dixieagle]

She’s spoiled and does that about once a month already

I wonder is she needs any power tools Maybe a new jig-saw

Seriously, she’s tough to buy for. Not that she’s hard to please, it’s just that there are not many things that she needs.

I like all of the ideas though! Thanks Folks!!! If you can think of some more, that would be awesome!!!

My husband gave me a “pajamagram” for my birthday. They have a website (www.pajamagram.com) and a selection of cute, modest pj’s that come in a pretty, feminine “hatbox” with a nice sachet for her nightie drawer. Just a thought