Why do we worry so much about gifts? (wife, boyfriend, girlfriends)

[gallowsCalibrator]

Seriously, every "gift giving" holiday (and anniversaries) there's a slue of people asking what they should get for their significant other.

Here are answers for any occasion that are basic, lame, and everyone does it:

Guys buying for girls:
-Flowers
-Chocolate
-Wine
-Massage
-Gift Card
-Perfume

Girls buying for guys:
-Beer
-"naughty stuff"
-Gift Card
-Cologne

Now! For those people who want to be a little more creative. I'll give you an example of how to make a gift even better.

Last year for Valentines, I surprised my hubby with a Wii. However, I hid it.. and left a clue on the living room table. The clue led to another clue to another clue.... and continued for about 6 hours, 30 clues, and finally he found the system. It made him the happiest man in the planet.

Try it. Use clues and hide it. Get/Do something that will be amusing to your significant other. Lovey-Dovey gifts are too cliche. Good memories are better to remember than bland ones.

[miu]

Americans in particular are conditioned to giving gifts by all the ads we see. We are an affluent society and for decades, we have been bombarded by ads telling us to buy greeting cards every holiday and to have piles of special gifts under the Christmas tree. Debeers in particular works hard to sell us on getting diamonds for every occasion. And I still don't understand promise rings and why young men feel the need to buy their girlfriends $1000 LV or Coach handbags at Christmas time.

My boyfriend and I don't exchange gifts on the holidays, but we give each other thoughtful small presents all year around. His family is big on present giving. We were sad that one sister just to get us something, ordered us some special candied apples by 2-day service at the holidays. What a waste of money. Happy for the apple company and UPS though.

[therewego]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Seriously, every "gift giving" holiday (and anniversaries) there's a slue of people asking what they should get for their significant other.

Here are answers for any occasion that are basic, lame, and everyone does it:

Guys buying for girls:
-Flowers
-Chocolate
-Wine
-Massage
-Gift Card
-Perfume

Girls buying for guys:
-Beer
-"naughty stuff"
-Gift Card
-Cologne

Now! For those people who want to be a little more creative. I'll give you an example of how to make a gift even better.

Last year for Valentines, I surprised my hubby with a Wii. However, I hid it.. and left a clue on the living room table. The clue led to another clue to another clue.... and continued for about 6 hours, 30 clues, and finally he found the system. It made him the happiest man in the planet.

Try it. Use clues and hide it. Get/Do something that will be amusing to your significant other. Lovey-Dovey gifts are too cliche. Good memories are better to remember than bland ones.

Very cute idea. I have done that for my hubby and he for me. Now I do it for my kids and even one of their friends. They love it. Like a treasure hunt...

[Pragmaniac]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Seriously, every "gift giving" holiday (and anniversaries) there's a slue of people asking what they should get for their significant other.

Here are answers for any occasion that are basic, lame, and everyone does it:

Guys buying for girls:
-Flowers
-Chocolate
-Wine
-Massage
-Gift Card
-Perfume

Girls buying for guys:
-Beer
-"naughty stuff"
-Gift Card
-Cologne

Now! For those people who want to be a little more creative. I'll give you an example of how to make a gift even better.

Last year for Valentines, I surprised my hubby with a Wii. However, I hid it.. and left a clue on the living room table. The clue led to another clue to another clue.... and continued for about 6 hours, 30 clues, and finally he found the system. It made him the happiest man in the planet.

Try it. Use clues and hide it. Get/Do something that will be amusing to your significant other. Lovey-Dovey gifts are too cliche. Good memories are better to remember than bland ones.

You are right about the lame list. And the Wii is a nice gift... If I were the recipient I would express my heartfelt appreciation! But, the scavenger hunt part... sounds like an annoying pain in the ass. Six hours? I haven't had six hours to blow like that in years. My wife would feel the same way. Not directing that towards you... everyone's different. To me, that is how we amuse our children, not an adult, IMHO.

[therewego]

Originally Posted by Pragmaniac

You are right about the lame list. And the Wii is a nice gift... If I were the recipient I would express my heartfelt appreciation! But, the scavenger hunt part... sounds like an annoying pain in the ass. Six hours? I haven't had six hours to blow like that in years. My wife would feel the same way. Not directing that towards you... everyone's different. To me, that is how we amuse our children, not an adult, IMHO.

Yes, I forgot to mention that, that kind of hunt is for the childless. We do not have that kind of time either. Ours would last about 15 minutes tops. Too funny...

[gallowsCalibrator]

Originally Posted by Pragmaniac

You are right about the lame list. And the Wii is a nice gift... If I were the recipient I would express my heartfelt appreciation! But, the scavenger hunt part... sounds like an annoying pain in the ass. Six hours? I haven't had six hours to blow like that in years. My wife would feel the same way. Not directing that towards you... everyone's different. To me, that is how we amuse our children, not an adult, IMHO.

Well, we're young adults... so by some account we're still "childish". And it wouldn't have taken 6 hours if he wasn't such a bubblehead. It was meant to only take 20 minutes.

Yes, I forgot to mention that, that kind of hunt is for the childless.

Not quite true. We do have a daughter.

[therewego]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Well, we're young adults... so by some account we're still "childish". And it wouldn't have taken 6 hours if he wasn't such a bubblehead. It was meant to only take 20 minutes.



Not quite true. We do have a daughter.

Wow, did it take so long because you had to work in naps, tantrums, snacks, and all that jazz?

[tinman01]

Hmmm First if you know your significant other gifts should pose a minor challenge.
For men
Most men like tools. Can never have enough tools. Screw drivers wrenches and cordless drills. The more the better. Toys are cool too because most men never quite leave their childhood behind. RC toys are always welcome.
For women:
Women like to receive gifts that will make their signifs happy.
Tools, cordless screwdrivers and RC Toys.
Oh and a universal gift would be a spare remote for the TV.

[bluegrassgirl]

Well, my exhusband wasn't the wisest on gifts, but there is one that stands out bigtime in my memory (and this is from a million years ago).

I had been out of town with work for several days. I was about seven months pregnant with our first child. We were planning on painting our living room a tan color with it being currently white. I came in to find all sorts of graffiti on the living room wall. Hearts... "I love you".... etc. To this day, I can remember what a wonderful surprise that was!

[Metlakatla]

I don't see "ads"; I don't watch television.

I think it's silly to buy someone something just because the ads say to do so.

About Wii---???

I'll take and give real life any day over that nonsense.