A Gentleman's Guide to Christmas Shopping for His Wife

[Gdjjr]

I don't have a wife, but I used to have one and I've had a couple of special girl friends at b'day and Christmas time- I always gave them what I wanted them to be gifted with - they can buy what they want- they can't but what I want to give them because they don't know- that, to me, makes it a complete surprise adding to the *special* day-

[619TF]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

I know it's crazy, but I just talk to my wife. Spend time with her, notice what she wants. Then through the year I add ideas to a google doc. No need for categories or guessing. Works well.

See my post #2 in this thread. You can talk/listen/notice all you want but if you want to get her exactly what she desires as a gift (other than those things) my method always works. In fact it actually works just as well if a person still talks/listens/notices because a spouse should be doing that anyway.

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by 619TF

See my post #2 in this thread. You can talk/listen/notice all you want but if you want to get her exactly what she desires as a gift (other than those things) my method always works. In fact it actually works just as well if a person still talks/listens/notices because a spouse should be doing that anyway.

I love the prioritized list! We all (kids and parents) share a Google Doc with our list. One of my kids has like 3 things, the other has like 20...pretty funny with the respective personalities. The youngest (with 20) prioritizes her own list. Girl knows what she wants!

[Silly Moustache]

Funny, I've been thinking about this.

Trouble is in your '70s there isn't much that we can get that we can't just go and get if we wanted.

About the only thing we'd both really love is to be able to move into a newer larger home somewhere out of town - but all the faff stops us!

She has just spent quite a lot on having her rings altered enabling her to get them over her arthritic knuckles -bless her ..,I can no longer wear either of my two wedding bands for similar reasons.

She buys her clothes as she sees them maintaining a strict quantity limits - passing older items to charity.

She doesn't eat sweets or chocolates, and in these times we cannot go out to eat ... or drink.

Upon first asking she said "a new Garden shed!"

Well we both want that and there are significant logistical issues. Frankly I'd prefer to make it a brick built extension.

She has just (literally) come to me and said "I'd like "The History of the World in 100 objects" a delightful series of short radio programmes on BBC radio 4 now out in book form - in many... different book forms! Amazon has made my head hurt and half of the offerings are about forcing you to join some ghastly monthly scheme which I strongly resist.

Mostly we feel we must spend money on a shoulder operation for my stepson and a hand operation on me as the NHS seems to be in collapse. (Eight weeks for a telephone triage to see the GP in order for him to chase a two year old referral?)

Haven't thought what I'd like.

[brad4d8]

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by brad4d8

It happens. Darn shipping companies.

[steelvibe]

This is an excellent and timely post. Thank you Bob!

[birdsong]

Year's ago we came to the realization that we either had what we needed, didn't need half of what we wanted, and anyway, we could get it ourselves if we wanted it. It all felt so vacuous to both of us. I pleaded "no more" - ironically she earns much more than I do and could and would buy me anything but, i don't like the focus on buying. We agreed to stop and as one other person mentioned, we see it as 365 of potential shopping and so if we see it and really want it, no matter the date, we buy it.

Then one day, I stumbled on the "perfect" idea. You know, that house thing! She wanted some new doors and it was autumn and I said "Xmas for the house!". Since then, which was probably 15 years ago, it's been gifts for the house. We ponder through the year, which items or tasks we'd like to see done - new doors, windows, rooms painted professionally, appliances...... And select something and that's that.

Due to the pandemic and her needing some major surgeries, we haven't played this game last season or current, but I'm sure 2022 will bring something to the abode. I'm angling to upgrade the 20 year old toaster oven.... and 30 year old microwave........ (I do most of the food prep).

John

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by birdsong

I'm sure 2022 will bring something to the abode. I'm angling to upgrade the 20 year old toaster oven.... and 30 year old microwave........ (I do most of the food prep). John

Ms. Manners is fine with it... as long as you don't put a toilet under the tree.

Bob

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I know this isn’t really the discussion but… first off my wife is not materialistic…really!
Those days are gone for her (and me )
She doesn’t care about gifts. Our family at Christmas is the gift she loves the most.
Still get her something, but it doesn’t matter to her what it is and I don’t spend much time in pursuit of it.
Pretty nice.

Once we did this, we were a lot happier at Christmas. No worry about finding gifts, just our family, together. And we used to give huge amounts of gifts at Christmas, nothing expensive but lots of things. As we got ahead in life, we began getting what we wanted or needed as the opportunity arose. Then when Christmas came, we already had the stuff. And as the kids became adults with their own homes, we no longer saw them enough to get inspirations. They were having the same trouble with us. So, now family time is the gift and we're all happier, richer in many ways. We do find things for the grandkiddies.