What to get the wife for her bday?

Not a vacuum

 

what is her love language

 

OP,

Good luck! Having been with the same woman for 25 years -- and happily married -- let me see if I can help you here.

First, flowers are a must. But do not buy the flowers at a gas station, a 7-11 or the grocery store. Visit the best florist where you live and pick out the flowers yourself. Show some creativity. Pick things that you think she will like but that also remind you of her -- eye color, favorite color, fragrance, etc. You will be a hero. If you go basic with roses, mix it up with the colors, especially her favorite colors. I once gave my wife a dozen special lavender colored roses and was a hero for ... well ... until her next birthday.

Flowers done go to a really good departments store (not sure where you live). Spend some time at the perfume counter and learn the products. Get into the smells. Then pick out a nice bottle that you think might become your wife's signature scent. Don't by the crappy stuff. With your budget -- you will be in great shape. $75 on flowers and $100 on perfume. And you are golden.

Report back on what you decide ... this thread is a great distraction from all of the truck stuff!

Best of luck to you ...

 

For some reason, on a Friday in the middle of a heat wave, this is the thread we all need.

You are right ... if she tells you that she wants something, you better get it. But "gild the lily" and add in some flowers ... something to show you listened but you also went above and beyond.

 

My wife was very adamant in the beginning of our relationship that she felt appliances were an insulting thing to give as a gift

Couple years later she asked for a food processor for Christmas

me -

 

That would be me buying myself the gift..

Exactly. I tried "what if the blender fairy already got you one, what else?" and she said "oh nothing"..so I did get her some plants/shrubs for the outside of the house. My wife isn't into flowers of the kind in a vase, unless they are part of something growing outside. Her thought is something she plants or is in a pot will last much longer.

In that case, she asked for it so she gets it.

 

Yeah I eventually brought it up and that was the conclusion... unsolicited appliances are a no go. Which I understand.

Like when I was 5 yrs old in 1990 and my dad got himself a computer disguised as a gift from Santa to me. Sus

 

Unsolicited being the key word, but yes I think that's reasonable and just respectful to honour the other person's wishes.

 

Step One: Cut a hole in the box...

 

I am with you brother ... ! My wife is really into artistic Japanese maples (take a look, there are a ton of them) so one year I got her this really cool one and had it professionally planted (they can be really tricky!). This of course was in addition to what she told me she wanted that year -- a coffee maker. Go one up on what she asks for and that is a great strategy for a long and happy marriage!

 

Agree with those that say get what she specifically asks for, but with a bit of a twist. I take my partner shopping specifically for that item. We take our kids (daughter, 12, son 10). The girls love the shopping, and we hang out at the mall, have lunch, and make a day of it. Usually begins with brunch, ends with an evening at the beach or a movie and almost always brookies. All in all it's a great day spent together.

 

Can’t believe no one mentioned the mention of your dildo drawer lol.


Anyways, my wife and I just ask each other what we want for gifts. That way we don’t end up with stuff that we don’t like. Maybe ask her what she wants and get it for her or give her the money to get it. We’ve been doing this for years and it’s saved a lot of headaches.

 

Not up on the artistic ones, but I love those. We have one in the front yard and one in the side yard (my animal sanctuary, where my departed furchildren are) that we took as saplings from her mother's yard after she passed in 2005. Come to think, I got my parents one when they moved about 20 years ago..hated to lose that tree when they moved.

Sounds like a good time and the family aspect as well. My wife and I both aren't mall people, plus no kids. What do you mean by "brookies" though?

 

Brownies + cookies = brookies

And it doesn't have to be the mall, make it whatever you enjoy together. In the past we have walked through small towns to go antiquing, farmers markets to find dinner, or an art gallery to find that perfect painting. Make it aa day you enjoy together.

 

Gotcha gotcha..

Most years, the band Journey tours sometime in the summer..she is a July birthday. My brother in law take her and her twin sis to see them every time.

 

Back when we were young, I went to a flower shop to get some flowers delivered to my wife for her birthday (Delivered to the office she worked at). They had a "special" delivery offered for a minimal upcharge.
A buff guy in just a thong & tennis shoes delivered them to her. He even jiggled all around her desk amid all her fellow workers.
When I got home that evening I got molested.

 

Get her a knife. Ladies love knifes.

 

Mine didn't appreciate drill bits that time...but this year she got a roll up garage door! Hey, it was her idea.

 

By now the present has already been bought (what was it?) but I just came in to say that I spend an entire year at a time attentively listening for hints to be dropped, and then dissecting the conversations in my mind to figure out which were really hints and which were just casual banter. Based on this I’ve hit some home runs and I’ve also struck out spectacularly. Keeps things interesting. Always keep the receipts.