Christmas shopping?

[rdwj]

Just a quick story to show that we're not all that bad...

A guy I used to work with bought his wife a Nintendo and a few games when that was the hot gaming system. This girl had NEVER played a video game in her life. Needless to say, she wasn't pleased.

 

[olllllo]

I heard Homer got Marge a bowling ball and she almost had an affair with a Frenchy.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

I heard Homer got Marge a bowling ball and she almost had an affair with a Frenchy.

Not just a bowling ball, but one that was fitted with his finger holes.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Maybe some theater tickets? I need to see what shows are in town.

You're on the right track. Go with a dinner theater, and maybe a hotel room too, with the little one at Grandma's. My wife loves going to the Fireside in Fort Atkinson, WI. I'm sure there is something similar near you.

 

[NurseNan]

Wow, didn't realize shopping was so hard for guys....

Ditch any thoughts of appliances, unless she has been begging for it. Same goes for techy stuff, except maybe a digital camera, if you have kids or grandkids to take pictures of. The calendar is a FABULOUS idea, and would keep you way under budget....how about adding a few small gift certificates, like for just a pedicure, or movie tickets, or lunch, or a coffee punch card at a gourmet coffee/chocolate place, and include them in the calendar, attached to months where no other occasion exists-so not on birthday month, or May (Mother's day), or anniversary month, etc.....

This is just one married mother's perspective.........

 

[dancingbarefoot]

Wow, didn't realize shopping was so hard for guys....

Yeah, we all know it's shopping for guys that's difficult.

 

[Beer Snob]

Just a few ideas....

Does she like to bake stuff... we have this KitchenAid that mine uses all the time. Heavy as hell.....

Does she have a lot of pictures... SWMBO scrapbooks a lot. There are stores just for it actually.

Do you have a digital camera.... since mine scrapbooks, obviously she LOVES this digital camera we have. Video cams could be an option too.

I know it does not sound romantic, but you mentioned you dont have a taste for clothing with her so cash to get clothes herself coudl be a great option.

What does she like to do? Mine is kinda a crafty, baking, never enough clothes or shoes person so it's pretty easy to figure out what would make her happy.

 

[Beer Snob]

Oh I forgot... I bought SWMBO a hamster and she never stops talking about it.... she has fish too Pets?

 

[Beer Snob]

Perhaps money for clothes is not such a hot idea...

 

[Orpheus]

I got the wife an iPod. She loved it. I got it from the Apple Store Online which at the time had free shipping and free laser engraving (believe it does right now, also.) My wife loved it, and uses it all the time (gym, etc.) I had it engraved to her from me and the two kids - she thought that was very sweet.

The other mom gift I got her was a silver bracelet with a charm that had our son's name on it. She loved it and now I just have to get another charm with our daughter's name on it.

Plus, all SWMBO's want a conical fermenter and a few extra corny kegs, don't they?

I do like a combo. of the ideas above with the calendar with gift certificates on it. Great idea that I know my wife would love. Thanks guys! Time to get started on that.

 

[Flyin' Lion]

My SWMBO loves her Ipod, I think it was $250 or $300. It plays music as well as movies and has games and the ability to store adresses/phone numbers. She uses it a lot waiting at the doctor's office and the like. Sometimes she even watches that in bed instead of the TV.

 

[Yooper]

Re: Ipod's. If any of your wives are like mine which is probably rather common; girls don't like tech stuff usually.

I was thinking about a Roomba as one gift (anyone have pro/con's to say about these)? But that's techy and a vaccum cleaner. Where are our female homebrewers to help us Marty Maroons?
Tickets to a show is a good idea; I wrote that one down . Lets keep them coming!

I personally love the digital camera idea. I would love an IPOD (I have 3000 songs on my hard drive, and just as many pictures) but I don't know if I'd actually use it. I think a Roomba is a bad idea in a way- are you saying the house is so dirty that I need an automatic vacuum???? Sob!!

Tickets to a show- particularly a musical or other "chick" show is a great idea. The calendar with pictures of the kids is a great idea. Silk long johns for any SWMBOs above the 45th parallel. One year I got down "booties". Great gift for someone who's always cold!

Definite don'ts: cleaning items, clothes (unless it's a gorgeous designer thing in the perfect size) because it's hard to get that right, cooking items unless she's a chef, "mom" things like bathrooms, and lingerie. All bad, bad, bad.

I'll think some more and have some ideas later- I'm out of town on a little business trip right now.

Lorena

 

[Cheesefood]

As far as shows go, I know Wicked is pretty popular and most of the people I know that have seen it really liked it.

We saw it. It's a bit long. I was done with it after the first half, but we stayed till the end. We both thought it was over-hyped.

 

[Cheesefood]

I tried the ipod route for my SWMBO 2 years ago--even after she asked for one, and I struck out big time. She has never used it.

She is impossible to shop for and is disappointed every year. She is one of those people that would be happier with the money still in the checking account.

You're married to my wife! Yet, I love toys so it's bizarre to me that someone wouldn't want things.

 

[Beer Snob]

Why don't you try the X-Mas list route. Have each other write an X-Mas list then you know some posibilities that she wants

 

[Cheesefood]

Walker, your idea is king so far. I actually had thought of putting together a "Miles' First Year" scrap book, but completely forgot about it until you reminded me. I just sent my cube-neighbor an e-mail about it because her sister used to do them for pro-athletes.

Last year, I hit a home run with a digital camera, even though she didn't ask for one. The one we have is way too complicated for her, so I got her a Canon Elph that's a simple point-and-click. She loves it. For Mother's day, I bought her a digital picture frame. It almost never gets used. (I got my mom one also, and notice that hers is always turned off as well.)

I also like the idea of booking a night at a B&B. We've been talking about how we need a weekend away and my parents love taking care of their favorite grandson.

As for cooking, I was going to get her the "Cooking for Dummies" book, but I thought it would be too advanced for her. I handle that part of the domestic arrangement.

 

[TheJadedDog]

Last time I was really on a budget I printed up "coupons" for different things for my wife and gave them to her in a card, stuff like a day trip to the city, cooking her dinner, ect... She ate it up (perhaps I should do that all the time).

I also couldn't agree more with the comments on iPods/appliances, stay far far away from both.

 

[rdwj]

As for cooking, I was going to get her the "Cooking for Dummies" book, but I thought it would be too advanced for her. I handle that part of the domestic arrangement.

Ouch! Hope she never browses these boards - lol

 

[Cheesefood]

Ouch! Hope she never browses these boards - lol

It's an old joke between us. Originally I told it to her Mom, who cracked up and told it to all of her friends. I always joke that I want to send my wife back home for "Wifeing Lessons" like learning how to cook. Her family are farmers, so comfort food is always on the menu and ALWAYS YUMMY.

 

[olllllo]

My wife and I have a joke about her cooking. This is her 3 course meal.

First course:
Popcorn

Main Entree:
Noodles with butter

Dessert:
Eskimo Pie

 

[trinitone]

While this method may be a little short notice for this Christmas, it has always worked wonders for me. (WARNING: This process requires active listening.) Throughout the year, if SWMBO mentions that there is something she likes or would like to have, I make a mental note and, if necessary, write it down. Then, I can just go back and choose from that list. She loves what I get for her and half the time she doesn't even remember she told me she wanted it.

 

[Desert_Sky]

(WARNING: This process requires active listening.)

Oh well...count me out then. All I hear is blah blah blah, nag nag, and the whole time Im thinking which beer i would like to be drinking.

jk


god, I hope she doesnt read this.

 

[rdwj]

While this method may be a little short notice for this Christmas, it has always worked wonders for me. (WARNING: This process requires active listening.) Throughout the year, if SWMBO mentions that there is something she likes or would like to have, I make a mental note and, if necessary, write it down. Then, I can just go back and choose from that list. She loves what I get for her and half the time she doesn't even remember she told me she wanted it.

Well aren't you little Mr. Thoughtful

 

[freebird]

Sort of off topic, but a buddy of mine, when asked by his girlfriend what he wanted for Christmas, said "why don't you lose 20 lbs?"

that is not a good answer.

 

[dancingbarefoot]

Sort of off topic, but a buddy of mine, when asked by his girlfriend what he wanted for Christmas, said "why don't you lose 20 lbs?"

I can think of worse, but ouch!

 

[rdwj]

Sort of off topic, but a buddy of mine, when asked by his girlfriend what he wanted for Christmas, said "why don't you lose 20 lbs?"

that is not a good answer.

Do you mean his x-girlfriend?

That's the type of comment you NEVER live down.

 

[the_bird]

So when he asked her what SHE wanted, did she reply "why don't you grow another couple inches?"

 

[trinitone]

Well aren't you little Mr. Thoughtful

Indeed. Why do you think she puts up with my brewing?

 

[trinitone]

Oh well...count me out then. All I hear is blah blah blah, nag nag, and the whole time Im thinking which beer i would like to be drinking.
jk
god, I hope she doesnt read this.

True... there is a price to pay.

 

[freebird]

Do you mean his x-girlfriend?

didn't take her long to achieve that status. wonder why?

Back on topic -- (well not really) I don't never know what to get my SWMBO. so this past week for her birthday, she got a 4 slice toaster, 2 pairs of pajama pants, and a rolling suitcase thing (said "craft caddy" or something on it.)

I went into the Tuesday Morning store, with no idea, no hint, nothing.

But the 4 slice toaster has a dozen features (like a bagel setting, frozen setting, etc,) and the rolling cart thing held all her yarn & crochet hooks well, and can be zipped up snug & stuffed in a corner easily enough... so I guess I hit a home run.

With no idea, no hint, nothing.

moral of the story - hell I don't worry no more. I go on the day of and come home with something pseudo-random.

(been eyeing a double 15" toaster oven at Tuesday Morning - she likes to make homemade pizza, it'll cook 2 and we don't have to heat up the big oven... hmmmm.... Christmas around the corner).

FWIW, for Christmas gifts we make oddball treats - like toffee popcorn balls, beef jerky, some kind of odd (not run-of-the-mill) cookie, etc. and give that out. Our extended families appreicate that more than a cheap flashlight or pair of electric socks or whatever...