I have a confession. I suck at buying my husband gifts. Seriously--I am not joking!
For the past few years I essentially get him the same things give or take. I give him the obligatory grill book, grill supplies, video games {even though I loathe them...go figure}, polo shirts, t-shirts, electronics and so on. It's depressing to see him open his gifts...that and the fact that it's a snooze fest. I need some excitement in both of our lives here, people.
As a disclaimer to my suckiness I must say that this can be traced back to him. Every holiday and birthday I ask him the same question. Hey, babe? What are you just dying to have?
And I'm willing to bet you can guess his answer. Oh, babe, I don't need anything! I have my girls what more could I have?
I kid you not. That is his response. Every. Single. Time. I mean, I guess if I didn't want to get him a gift that answer would be awesome--seriously. But I'm not looking for that answer. I want an answer filled with excitement and twinkling eyes complete with that daydreamy expression of what it would feel like to get that gift! Okay, maybe I am the one who gives a mile long list of possible gift ideas complete with the twinkling eyes and daydreamy expression plastered onto my face...
Ahem. Back to the problem at fault here.
What do you get the man in your life that has everything? He honestly has everything that he wants. He has video games and movies galore. Not much of a reader. Still has an unused iTunes gift card that was from "Santa". Has more clothes than me {I wish that was a joke...}. Has an awesome grill, grill tools, grill books. Has landscaping books. Clay poker chip set. Poker table top. Cigars. Humidor. The man has it all.
Maybe I'll just give him a picture of me....*wink-wink*
No, but seriously. What do you buy the one you love the most?? Am I the only one that has this problem? Or do you have this problem, too? Give me your best ideas--the best gift that you ever got your man. If it's something that's amazing but tons of money skip it--that will not do me any good in this case, haha!
ps-totally kidding about the picture...
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44 comments:
Don't buy him anything LOL!
Power tools and fishing equipment always win in this house.
my honey bunny is seriously boring I just give him the same things over and over he seems happy but I do try to listen up for various mentions but it never works
Dont know if your hubby likes golf- but mine went crazy when I paid for a 4 some of golf for him and his buddies one year. He actually likes getting massages, From me or a pro! he would love a night out without kids for him and I. As for pics- he has begged for bouduir pics! hahah!!!
Honestly? I've stopped giving my husband gifts. For the last 3 or 4 years this has been the source of much conflict for us, so I just quit. For the exact reason you said- he has everything and when I ask him, he doesn't want anything. Which annoys me, because I tell him exactly what I want for every occasion, so he knows just what to buy. Occasionally I buy him a shirt or something.
Mostly though, I just give him permission to buy whatever he wants whenever he wants it during the year. If he wants a new cell phone? Fine. New laptop? Fine. He rarely shops for himself and now I don't either, so I figure that's a good gift to him.
Totally unhelpful, I realize :)
I'm terrible at this too! I can't remember the last time I actually shopped,wrapped and handing Rob a present on his bday. It usually goes something like this; he says he needs something pricier than normal then says it can be for my bday, I say OK.
Do not feel alone. I am the same way. and I totally get the I have everything I need response everytime.
My hubbs LOVES to go to the movies with some friends every now n then. I usually give him giftcards to that. Although, that is a snooze fest to watch him open it as well. LOL
Dang girl. I say do the picture!! I'm thinking about doing that for mine, because he also has NO needs or wants or anything! And I'm a terrible gift-giver anyway, for anybody on my list!!
Yes, Ive had the same problem.
What Ive done is plan a weekend get-away...doesnt have to be expensive or elaborate - just something simple!
Enjoy!
Au contraire! I AM the suckest gift giver. For Avery's 4th birthday, I didn't even bother wrapping his gift. Just shoved the Amazon box his way. MommyFAIL!
As for my husband, he's just like yours-- perfectly happy, never covets. I would be so frustrating if I wasn't the exact same way.
So we decided long ago to just recognize the day by doing something special that we can both enjoy- a nice dinner, a trip someplace usual, etc.
We give one another a pass to get whatever we want throughout the year. We're both pretty frugal, but have always put a greater value on experiences than things.
I was going to say that you inherited this problem from your mother, but now I see that we are not alone!
and good luck with this one!
Mr. Rose is the same way. For Christmas I went out and bought him a Nintendo DS with a couple of games on it for his long deployment flight. He loved it! It was a total surprise and not something he ever thought of asking for. I have also gotten him a GPS in the past and for our anniversary I got him an ice cream maker (we are big ice cream people!)
Hope that helps!
Randy is the same way - although he will be "silly" and say, "you know what I want." (And he is referring to some sexual "favor"... that is probably too much information, but it's SO true).
Tickets to some event are fun... a concert, performance, or something of that nature?...
Good luck!
First off...Lew has more clothes than me as well! What the heck! Sounds like we need to buy ourselves clothes for our husbands for their special day!
I think if you and the girls went and got pictures done of yourselves that would be totally cool! Something he would appreciate as well. Or maybe you can do a little photo shoot of the girls and frame those for him.
Lew is a fisherman and golfer at heart, so I usually get something related to that. If leo likes to golf you could get him a round of golf at this favorite spot. Can't wait to hear what you end up doing...
Maybe that's the reason we stopped doing it!
This won't help you, because I spent mad cash on it, but I bought my hubs a hunting bow for his b-day last year.
What about going to get pro pics of you and your girls and giving a nice framed one to him for his desk at work??
Well if he says that the girls are all that he needs maybe just but a bow on their heads and let him watch them for the day while you go do your own thing?? LOL
For Anthony's b-day (in October) I think I'm getting him.....a TATTOO!! Seriously. He has been talking about getting one since I met him and I think I'm going to surprise him with it for his b-day. How random is that??
And I also vote that you do NOT get him video game stuff!! I will never get Anthony video game stuff agai LOL
You're not alone, I have the same issue with Rich and my Dad! *lol* Every time it comes to gifts I usually get him a video game, I know it'll atleast tide him over for a weekend before he beats it and trades it in for another. It's frustrating.
I know EXACTLY what you mean.I suck at giving my man gifts too.
So the way we do it, is I give him a budget and he gets what he wants. Sure, the element of surprise isn't there - but he likes it! And he gets exactly what he wants! And sometimes, it actually is nothing - Men don't have the "shopping-I-need-stuff-aghghghghghg" gene.
Tim answers the same way as Leo! Drives me nuts! So.. when I think of an idea and its not his birthday I seriously send myself an email with the idea. If its still good I try and get that. Things he has loved in the past:
1. Keurig (christmas this past year)
2. Leatherman
3. tools that he didn't necessary need but that he has said ohh that would be cool!
This year I think I am going to get him tickets to a concert.
Ugh, I hate buying gifts for the hub! He is the same way, he'll never say what he wants. I'm lame and on birthdays or holidays I just take him shopping and let him get a few things because I can rarely come up with a good surprise!
Here's a great idea:
Get him a 3-month lawn service. He'll LOVE it and all he has to do is spend his free time with his girls!
My friend did that, and oh man, her husband really loved it (he got it as his birthday gift) and you know what it is like in Florida? VERY HOT & HUMID. So lawn service was the perfect gift!
Hope that helps!!
xo
Why are you kidding about the picture? Get sexy with it, take it yourself, he'd probably love it ;D
this is funny.. I hook everyone up with gifts.. but always seems to get the worst gifts from people.. I used to hook up hubster then I stopped because he got all biggigity about the stuff I bought him.. Nowadays I just go for sentimental gifts..something heartfelt.. favorite picture or I'll try to remember something that someone says they want or used to have.. then I'll go for emotional gifts!~ glad your back! xoxo
this is funny.. I hook everyone up with gifts.. but always seems to get the worst gifts from people.. I used to hook up hubster then I stopped because he got all biggigity about the stuff I bought him.. Nowadays I just go for sentimental gifts..something heartfelt.. favorite picture or I'll try to remember something that someone says they want or used to have.. then I'll go for emotional gifts!~ glad your back! xoxo
When all else fails, I go for art. Something that should holds it's value and we both can enjoy. Even if its just some sort of vinyl collectable toy :)
this is a huge problem at our house as well! chris always says that he doesn't need a thing, seriously? I could name a million things I want/need. last month for his birthday i got him boots for work, and bradley told him ahead of time. couldn't get worse!
Oh my gosh this was like reading my own journal!! My husband has EVERYTHING!! I get him clothes that he SO doesn't need too, We have a HUGE walk-in closet and it's not enough for all his clothes... He has a second closet in the basement bedroom that is PACKED with more clothes!! Oh my gosh!!
Good luck honey!!! I wish I had some great advice...
All I can do is be understanding1
I have the same problem with my hubby. I ask him what he would like and I get the same response.
Well... you know who to go to if you want photos done :-D
Buy him a spa gift certificate... when he opens it and looks at you funny tell him it's actually for you... tell him "since having me and making me happy is all the gift you need, I figured this would make you extra happy!"... next holiday he will make you a "real" list! LOL
this makes no sense to me. men? i mean for real we could provide a whole list of stuff we "want/need" and they can't come up with anything! ugh. men!
this makes no sense to me. men? i mean for real we could provide a whole list of stuff we "want/need" and they can't come up with anything! ugh. men!
ps - glad you are back :)
Our husbands are cut out of the same cloth...right down to me getting mine polo shirts for Christmas...lol
I don't have this problem, because my husband ALWAYS has a list of books he wants. However, I do have a suggestion.
Surprise getaway. (I did this for my husband once)
Pack an overnight bag without him knowing. Act like you are just going to dinner. Then, on your way home tell him how to get to where you are really going. (Turn left here, now turn right....) Anyway, lead him to a fun hotel where you will be staying overnight (without kids of course) We stayed at an Anniversary Inn (Octopus room I think?? haha) It really was so fun though. Have you ever slept with octopus legs surrounding your bed? It was a date to remember that is for sure.
Um, my husband tells me the exact same thing so I'm no help. I'd love to hear if you find something amazing and I'll do the same. :)
Girl I'm in the same boat with you. Everytime I give Justin a gift I get the same blank look everytime. Even when I think I've gotten him something great...nothing, but that look. I got him 5th row Rockets tickets for Christmas this past year and all I got was that look. He talked about how great the seats were on twitter, but never said anything to me. I guess after 10 years I still can't figure him out! Sorry I'm no help!
I'm not so good at it either.
What about arranging for the two of you to have a night out or even an over night out that you totally arrange? I bet he would love it.
Thank you SO much for all of your lovely comments on my blog. I really appreciate it! I love your blog! What a beautiful layout! I was laughing at your dilemma because I NEVER know what to get my husband either! I will let you know if I find any neat "man" stuff in the future!
Have a lovely Evening!
-Kiley
Owner
Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}
I know exactly what you mean! I totally suck at buying my husband gifts too. I've run out of ideas. But maybe my old ideas will help you. GPS, flip camera, suit, peacoat, dress shoes, laptop or netbook, magazine subscription...am I helping at all??
I feel your pain with this one...I can't buy a gift to SAVE my life!! Especially for hubs. Problem is that even when he is super excited, he doesn't show it...just a blank look...so it is frustrating b/c I don't know when I actually got him something he wanted - UGH!
WM
I have the exact same problem with Josh. His birthday is on the 22nd of this month and I am having a hard time finding "the gift." I asked him to make a list of all the things he would buy himself if we won the lotto...big and small things. The bad part is that, of course, most of items were very expensive...I told him it was his ultimate wish list so I can't really complain but there is no way the idea of an RV is going to help me out on this birthday gift. LOL. I was planning on a getting him a new grill but then he made the comment that a grill is more for the house and not him...back to the drawing board. I mighth just give him cash and encourage him to go on a hiking/camping trip with the guys in Colorado. Here I go rambling on and on...Good Luck! You are not alone in your mission!
I go through this every.single.time. And, while sometimes it's hard to think of something new or different to get him, I try to think of a different way of presenting those things.
For instance, I wanted to get Dearest a Valentine's gift, something I knew he could use, but I found a different way of presenting the things. I presented them as the "5 senses" and I got cologne (smell), baked goods (taste), cd (hear), massage (touch), and a picture of us (sight).
Where did I get the idea, you ask? I'm surely not creative enough on my own. Haha. Visit Love, Actually...amazing ideas for everything!
http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/
Hubby and I quit giving each other gifts for the most part. It becomes less fun when you share the money. :)
Girl, Mr Luvah Luvah tells me the same thing every year!! "I have you, I don't need anything else!" or "Socks and underwear!" (The socks and underwear thing is a joke that always pisses me off lol!) So I just started listening really well!
My hubs gets into Sailor Jerry tattoos, so last xmas I googled "Sailor Jerry" and ended up finding him this really cool Sailor Jerry belt that he wears everyday!
So maybe "google" some of the stuff he's into...you might just stumble on something like I did!
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