The Best & Worst Gifts you could buy your Wife

We’ve all had them – you know, those gifts that you would have been just as happy to NOT receive – which by all accounts could only be described as.. um…crappy, as well as on the other side of the coin, the gifts that we’ve absolutely loved.

Now, not to put the pressure on here guys, but when a sub-par, ‘crappy’ gift is received by our own Husband or Partner, it is a little disheartening. After all, you are the one person who is supposed to know us completely! Yes, the scented candle may be lovely, but….it’s not what we really wanted. We want to have the piece of mind that we are Connected with our Partner, you in other words,  and that is reflected in the interactions, conversations, and intimacy we share as well as the gifts!

So consider this guide as your saviour when buying your special lady a gift.

No offense guys, but if you’re reading this you must be aware that it is very possible that most of us women have received a gift from our partner – YOU – that we basically hated. But because we are who we are, Women, that is, we accept it graciously and without argument because we know that you put effort and some amount of thought into it. (We also know that there is the strong possibility that we can get what we really want at the 50% off sales after Christmas or with the Birthday gift voucher that was given to us by our mother, however, if you get it right the first time, then you will save us the trouble.)

We’ll begrudgingly accept any of the gifts on the following list with a smile plastered on our faces to ‘keep the peace’. We won’t mention the cute little diamond bracelet we REALLY wanted from Cartier or the Gift Voucher for an indulgent 4 hours spent in the Day Spa. We will even make use of our new present, just to keep everyone else around us happy and to keep up the facade that we do like our gift. We could do this quite easily, however Husbands – you could help us avoid all of this extra effort if you simply took a note of this list and DID NOT buy any of the following items. Then we wouldn’t have to pretend that we love this Gift, because if you buy wisely – we actually will love it!

Any of the following, as well as being ‘crappy gifts’ are also classed as THE WORST because they’re Boring, Unimaginative and Tasteless.

1. Any appliance classed as ‘Useful’, or ‘Helpful’. ie. Standard Fan, Heater, Dustbuster, or Steamer (for curtains and such) – Unless the Lady in question has expressed a desire for such an item, then it’s OK – however, for extra effect, the inclusion of another desired and less ‘useful’ gift is recommended.

2. Any kind of Cleaning Products or Contraptions. ie. Spider Web Cleaner (on the really long pole), Bulk Pack of Windex or Surface Cleaners, Vacuum Cleaner, Stepladder, or Broom & Dustpan Set.

3. An autobiography or Biography of a Female figure that you thought your wife liked. Tip: If you think your wife likes this person but aren’t sure, and if you’re wife hasn’t asked for this book, steer clear.

4. A CD or DVD. Giving just a CD or DVD, even if it’s something she wanted or something she likes, is still seen as an easy option, with little or no effort put into sourcing/buying the gift. Copied CD/DVD’s are even worse and totally unacceptable!

5. Ornaments. Yes, a figurine of a Swan is great, but not really something that is favoured – especially since it means that she will just have more dusting to do.

6. A Calendar or Diary. Leave it to your wife to buy one of these for herself.

7. Anything associated with her car. Yes, car mats are great, but seriously? A car stereo may just slip through here – as long as it’s a good one, and you have already organised to get someone to install it for you. Note: If you are installing it yourself, you MUST have time set aside within the next 48 hours to do so, otherwise she will not believe that it will ever be done and disappointment will set in.

8. Anything that isn’t actually for her or for her use. ie. Lawn Mower, Something for the Babies Room, New Paint to paint the Lounge Room etc. Even though she will get some kind of enjoyment out of these things, they still don’t count.

9. Exercise Equipment or a Gym Membership – Are you trying to tell her something? That’s the way she will see it.

10. Anything that she has to ‘put together’ and that will take time to do. ie. Flat packed furniture from IKEA, a Puzzle, or a Crib.

So now that you know what not to buy, I can hear you screaming out,

‘So what the heck DO I get her then?’

The trick is to not ask her. Asking her will only ruin the surprise and display to her that you have no idea what to get her. What you need to do is a little research and harness your skills of observation. How do I do that? you ask…

The next time you’re watching TV together, take note of any comments she makes during the Ads of any products or items she likes. When you are shopping together, see which shops she veers towards and tries to drag you into. Figure out what her hobbies are and see if you can buy anything to compliment them or anything she needs. Does she want to take a course? If she wants to learn how to paint, enrol her in a painting class at your local community center or buy her an easel and canvas.

The more creative you are with your gift, the more impressed your wife will be. It’s not hard, it just takes a little time and effort.

If you’ve taken the time to ask her friends what she secretly wants, and got it – she will be eternally grateful….or grateful at least until next time!

So here are some gifts to consider that could potentially be some of the Best Gift Ideas for your Wife:

1. Large bouquet or arrangement of Flowers delivered to her workplace or to home (including your beautiful card message from the heart), followed by dinner that night at a lovely restaurant with another gift of a beautiful piece of jewellery such as a Necklace, Earrings or a Ring. Extra surprise at restaurant – such as voilinist playing your special song – optional.

2. Organise to have a Star named after her.

3. Plan a day at the Day Spa for your wife and her best friend as a surprise – even to the point of giving her time off from work or the kids etc.

4. Give her a ticket for a Mini-Break Weekend for the two of you to a beautiful Cabin in the Woods, nearby City in a nice Hotel Suite or the Seaside in a Beach House.

5. Book your wife in for a Class that she would love to do but always puts off such as – French Cooking, Art Classes, Creative Writing, Yoga, Language Classes, Wine Appreciation…

6. Enlarge some precious memories photographs and have them framed.

7. Take her to a furniture store and tell her you think it’s time to re-decorate the living room.

8. Plan in advance for a night alone with your wife and Cook her a lovely dinner, give her a foot massage, feed her a delicious dessert and watch her favourite film with her, handing her tissues if she cries a little (making NO cheeky remarks!)….then the rest is up to your imagination!

9. Her favourite perfume hidden inside a beautiful new handbag such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Marc Jacobs or Chanel.

10. Bake her a Cake – no matter how it looks, she will love it anyway because you made the effort. For extra brownie points write your wife’s Name, ‘Happy Birthday, ‘I Love You’ in icing.

Remember to keep in mind who your wife is and what her likes and dislikes are. The above options are to be used as guidelines, so use your initiative when planning your gift.

The more creative you are and the more you plan ahead – the bigger the reaction you will receive from your wife and the bigger the ‘thankyou’ will be later on.