This post has been inspired by Jenny Pellett over at Characters from the Kitchen, who wrote about the plethora of “practical” items that keep showing up at this time of the year. Thanks, Jenny. It has also been inspired by a conversation that I had last night with M. Thanks, M.
I was in a long-term relationship with a man who was probably the god of practical buying. He provided me with everything from a remote car starter to a set of gingham kitchen towels. One year, he even bought me an expensive vacuum cleaner.
He wasn’t cheap but there also wasn’t a romantic bone in his body.
But I’m digressing. Here, without further ado, are my top ten Christmas suggestions for that significant lady. You still have time!
But, but, but, you say. “I don’t know her size, her tastes; I’m completely helpless with this sort of thing!” In this case, a gift card may be appropriate – personally, I like gift cards – they sure beat kitchen towels. But if it is not appropriate; for instance, if she sees gift cards as the height of laziness, she will appreciate the effort you have put into finding something non-practical, just for her.
1. Jewellery. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does require effort and some thought to find something that she will like.
2. A large, soft scarf in her favourite colour. And if you don’t know her favourite colour, you’re in more trouble than I thought. Hint: if necessary, ask her best friend what it is.
3. Her favourite perfume or cologne. See # 2 above if you don’t know what it is.
4. A massage session. Who wouldn’t want one of those?
5. A pedicure or manicure. If you’re flush, buy both.
6. A written promise that you will make her a three-course meal, including clean-up. She gets to pick the date.
7. Her favourite bottle of wine or her favourite gourmet food item(s) or both. Again, see # 2 above.
8. If you can afford it, a weekend at a great hotel. You can make this as fancy as your pocketbook will allow and can add dinner at a great restaurant and/or a show and/or a spa.
9. A large bouquet of her favourite flowers.
10. A nicely framed photograph of the two of you. By nice, I mean something that suits her home decor and isn’t an Ikea special.
Under no circumstances – unless she has specifically asked – should you buy the following: anything for her car, anything for her kitchen, or anything that is remotely connected to cleaning and/or yard work.
Okay everyone. Any other suggestions?
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 
A set of gingham towels? Good grief, seems like we’re all in competition to see who can come up with the most AWFUL present of all time.
I love your list though – I’d go along with all of those and be very happy. Tickets to the theatre would always go down well, too – although the last musical Husband came to with me – he slept all the way through!
Thanks for the mention, by the way, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas – with not a tea towel in sight 😉
Actually, gingham towels don’t beat what a friend of mine got one time – a set of cleaning products – bleach, bathtub cleanser, window cleanser, steel wool, etc. She showed it to me. They were cellophaned into a “tasteful” basket and even had a bow on top. I think they almost split up over that one!
Theatre tickets, yes. I didn’t think about that one. I hope you enjoyed the show even though your husband slept through it!
You are very welcome for the mention. You have a lovely Christmas, too, and may you be the recipient of a great gift! 🙂
Oh dear– I read this to Cimmy, and she told me that the gift says, “I think of you as a maid.” Much better that a guy should do that cleaning himself (and then take out the garbage) for a gift.
Yup – I agree; that’s exactly what it says. They eventually did split up, but it wasn’t until many years later. He went on to marry a “princess” who was the polar opposite – that didn’t last long. Sometimes, a little self-examination is in order!
# 8 please Mr. S….oi can you hear me…NUMBER EIGHT!!!!!!!
Great post and fantastic ‘subtle’ ideas 😉 xx
Thanks! Sometimes, subtlety is the mother of secure relationships! 😉
you dag 😉 xx
Wandered over from Rara’s place.
#10 was Cimmorene’s idea for an anniversary present, actually; our 15th was ten days ago. We’re still working on that, but this is what I did in the meantime:
https://voxjournaljarexile.wordpress.com/2013/12/12/15-years-of-love
I was inspired by a scrapbook she did for me on that theme last year. I still look at that book when I’m feeling a little blue, and our kids like looking at it, as well.
Thanks for coming over! Your anniversary post is a great idea – thanks for sharing. And congratulations on your 15th! 🙂
Thank you, and you’re welcome!
I remember Cimmy telling me that men and women often get each other gifts that they want– she got me flowers once, and was a little bummed that I didn’t have the same response she would make.
I told her that I knew little things added up (i.e., guys can’t “slam dunk” projects and expect big points– repeat performance is key). Also, we both do plenty of stuff that is not stereotypical to gender roles. Sometimes, I mention that I like to cook, clean the bathroom, and vacuum, and our women friends online will say something like, “Wow, can you come over and do ” to which she usually growls, “No, you can’t have him, he’s mine!”
Yes, we split up a lot of the duties, too, but M is does most of the cooking and he’s really good at it – I always have to watch my weight!
Yay! That’s cool… I really like to cook. Once in a while, I bake, but Cimmy is better at that.
This reads so much like my posts for Mother’s Day.
What to give her: http://wavemistress.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/mothers-day-some-suggestions/
What not to give her: http://wavemistress.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/mothers-day-what-not-to-give-her/
Thanks! 🙂 I will take a look!
You nailed it Lynette as usual. We have reached the point where we really don’t “need” anything and we certainly have trouble finding things we also “want”. We haven’t exchanged gifts for a number of years but do find ways to show we care for each other along the lines of what you have mentioned. We just don’t do it at Christmas. Great post. 🙂
Thanks Nelson! 🙂 M and I are more or less there, too, but I find it such fun to get him something that I know he will like – the only time that I actually “enjoy” shopping.
I hope that you are doing well. Happy Christmas and see you in 2014. 🙂