The what can I get my SO for Xmas thread. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

the_marq · 11-23-2004, 08:31 AM

Alright, it's that time of year again. Due to a variety of social conventions and religious expections that I would rather leave for another thread, most of us have to buy Xmas gifts for our wives/girlfriends, husbands/boyfriends..etc etc.

As usual I am completly dumbfounded by the process. Every year my GF gets me something fantastic, often an item I didn't even know that I wanted, but I love just the same. And every year I get her a hunk of crap, sure she says "I love it," but the fact is that the necklace/earrings set I got her in 2001 has been in her jewlery box for 2 solid years. I want to make her happy and get her something she really loves, but I am super-bad at coming up with ideas. My problem is that she is the type that just buys what she wants when she wants it, so even tho I am willing to spend $200-$300, I don't have the slightest idea where or how to spend it.

So the reason for this thread, rather than just ask the ladies of the TFP to give me ideas, I would like to see everyone contribute so we can all benefit.

Tell me (us) what you want to get, or have gotten that really blew your socks off.

aurigus · 11-23-2004, 08:35 AM

I'm not female but I know when I'm at a loss for what to get for my wife something with diamonds always works.

I just keep tabs on what kind she wears and get something similar.

maleficent · 11-23-2004, 08:41 AM

DOn't tell anyone, cause I will deny it, but I'm a huge sap... I, as I think do most women, like gifts that thought went into. I want a gift that says the gifter actually knew me, and knew what I'd like. (One of my prize possessions is a Hello Kitty Glitter Lava Lamp, and if my apartment were on fire, I would grab this before my jewelry box - because the gifter knew it would make me laugh everytime I saw it - -it worked.)

If I want something, I will generally go out and buy it myself, so gifts, in my mind, shouldnt be practical, they should be something that the gifter knows I would enjoy but wouldn't necessarily buy for myself.

Jewelry - eh, I'm not a big jewerlry gal, unless it's meaningful, maybe engraved, or has my birthstone on it.
Books- First edition of an alltime favorite book of mine.

Daoust · 11-23-2004, 08:48 AM

As a guy I sympathize with you. I know what you're feeling. My wife was the same way - always surprising me with a great gift, and then I'd respond by giving her a fishing lure and some nipple cream, or something like that.
I scored last year by getting her a ring she liked. That was nice. (Do you know what I"m saying when I say Christmas DING!)
This year my wife and I agreed not to get each other anything, since we bought a house. I think that's a great gift exchange.
So what's my advice for you? If you'd paid attention to her you should know what she wants. If I know girls, I'd say they're rarely subtle when it comes to gift receiving.

Lizzy · 11-23-2004, 08:53 AM

If you are willing to pay that much why dont you send her to a spa, or take her on a weekend get away; its apparent she doesnt care for jewelry. Im normally good about the presents i buy for my BF but this year he wants a telescope and I have no idea what ones are good. :-/

ShaniFaye · 11-23-2004, 08:54 AM

This year mine and Daves present to each other is a romantic trip away for New Years...we will be going to "our" hideaway at Scottish Woods in North Carolina..leaving the morning of NYE and coming home the following Monday...so 3 days away at our favorite place in the world. We will ring in the new year sitting in a hot tub in the mountains me with my champagne and him with his crown and cokes.

Its like 400 bucks just to rent the place...then we still have to buy food to cook while we are there which usually runs about 120 bucks....so we've decided NO presents this year for each other. I honestly couldnt think of a better present....

Averett · 11-23-2004, 08:56 AM

The spa idea is a good one

Redlemon · 11-23-2004, 09:08 AM

There's an interesting site called Surprise.com gifts - The best gift ideas on the Web. It categorizes the gifts into groups such as "Organized, Or Wants To Be", "Has a Bad Back", "Former Californian", and "Sad Bush Won". And you might come up with other ideas based on what you see there.

the_marq · 11-23-2004, 09:25 AM

Awesome, I like that site redlemon. The spa idea is aweome, thanks for that one ladies. I really like the idea of the the spa because it's an experience rather than a thing. To make things a little more interesting, I am going to see if her friend's husbands are interested in the same sort of thing and make a girlie day of it.

To elucidate a litte further, I am 32 yrs old and love geek stuff. Last year I got the Indiana Jones DVD set (part II sucks, but I don't hold that against her). If any of you ladies want to know what to get a guy like me here's a list:

*Lord of the Rings DVD set
*Star Wars DVD set (widescreen only)
*toys that light up (or sparkle) for the easily amused
*power tools, have you seen the new saws with lasers built in? Kick ass.

NeoRete · 11-23-2004, 10:55 AM

This is probably too late for you, but if you're ever out shopping with your SO, keep a mental note of anything they find interesting. I was out Christmas shopping with my gf last year and she was looking at a necklace but didn't buy it. A week later when I went out by myself I got it, and surprised her two months later during Valentine's Day. She had almost forgotten about it by then, but I think the fact that I waited helped the impression.

quadro2000 · 11-23-2004, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeoRete

This is probably too late for you, but if you're ever out shopping with your SO, keep a mental note of anything they find interesting. I was out Christmas shopping with my gf last year and she was looking at a necklace but didn't buy it. A week later when I went out by myself I got it, and surprised her two months later during Valentine's Day. She had almost forgotten about it by then, but I think the fact that I waited helped the impression.

THANK YOU for writing this, so I didn't have to.

On the very back page of my planner, I keep a list - throughout the whole year - of gifts for people. When I'm reading a magazine or surfing the internet or going somewhere and find something that I think a friend would like, I write it down. If I don't have my planner, I call and leave myself a voicemail.

You're on the right track with the spa thing, and for the right reasons - it's an event rather than a "thing." My wife always loves gift certificates for massages/spa treatments/manicures/pedicures. What kind of things does she like to do, and is there any way you can contribute to that? My wife loves to bike so I got her a membership in a NYC bike club - whether or not she takes advantage of it is another thing altogether, but the thought was a pretty good one (if I do say so myself!).

Oh, and since you may be feeling kinda crappy for not having any good ideas...just the fact that you're stressing a bit and asking for advice makes you a good boyfriend. I used to work in a retail store on Christmas Eve and it was amazing to see how many people ran in on that day, desperately looking for something - anything - to give them. You're doing well.

clavus · 11-23-2004, 02:20 PM

Hmmm....how about giving her oral sex, twice a day, every day from Christmas to New Years.

Just a thought.

Alright, I just asked my wife what her favorite gifts from me were. Excluding the bazillion-dollar watch and the wedding ring, her favorites include:

A polarfleece bathrobe.
The coolest cat in the universe
A polarfleece blanket.
A comfy XXL sweatshirt that I bought for her when pregnancy added considerable girth to her frame.

Samalie · 11-23-2004, 02:34 PM

told me to get her a new vacuum for xmas. Somehow I don't think that will help the old blowjob-for-christmas cause for me LOL

Sammy

Rodney · 11-23-2004, 02:37 PM

Yeah, like others said: go window shopping with her a few times, find out what she likes but won't buy for herself (and why). That's given me a lot of good ideas for the wife.

Another thing that others have more or less said is to agree on something expensive that you both want, and give it to each other as a joint Christmas present. We've bought a couple of paintings for the house that way. There are a lot of things that couples would like for their houses but would never buy because they seem too much a luxury; but if both of them take the 2-300 they each might spend on each other at Christmas and pool it, some of these too-expensive items come into reach.

And then, when you do that, still go out for a nice dinner or get her some flowers "just because.'

Oh yeah -- food's good, too. If she really loves some food item that she rarely buys for herself -- a particular kind of cake that's way expensive, a particular delicacy that's way expensive -- get it for her. It's not a present that will last but _she will remember it always,_ believe me, especially if you present it to her well.

maleficent · 11-23-2004, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samalie

told me to get her a new vacuum for xmas. Somehow I don't think that will help the old blowjob-for-christmas cause for me LOL

Sammy

There was the year that I wanted a carpet steamer for christmas, it was just somethig I didnt want to spend the money on myself. My boyfriend at the time knew this, because he asked -- every friend of his talked him out of it - -every friend of mine said get it- -she said she wants it... He didn't listen to the friends that knew me best... and while I wasn't disappointed with what I got, it wasn't what I wanted...

Get the vacuum, and put something shiney, soft, or silky i the bag as a backup.

clavus · 11-23-2004, 05:04 PM

Oh, ya. My wife really likes the vacuum I got her too. It was exactly what she wanted. Seriously.

Guys, sometimes women DO tell us what they want. We just have to listen.

lpj8 · 11-23-2004, 05:04 PM

I agree with the previous posts that "event" gifts are pretty special. I would also recommend getting an event gift that you can do together. She may really appreciate the time that you get to spend together. This year, I got my SO very good seats to a Broadway show followed by dinner for two at Bern's Steakhouse . I rarely take her places where she can dress up, so I think she'll really enjoy it.
By the way, my wife has told me to never get her a vacuum or any cleaning appliance, so I'd try to jokingly run ideas by your SO about that sort of thing before you get it for him/her.

Mary__Jane · 11-23-2004, 05:13 PM

Yeah, I once asked for, and got, a steam cleaner for Christmas. I thought my best friend was going to kick hubby's ass, but it really was what I wanted. She was borrowing it soon enough.

One of the best christmas gifts I ever got was a really great set of 350 count sheets. Have you considered something that's slightly luxurious, but an everyday thing? I love those sheets, but would've never bought them for myself.

Along with the event idea... you can get gift certificates for movies and a nice restaurant... high enough amounts that she can take a couple of girlfriends out for a night out. Call the local Limo service, too, so they can all go out safely!

In any case, have a nice holiday!

Missy

Redlemon · 11-24-2004, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

There was the year that I wanted a carpet steamer for christmas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary__Jane

Yeah, I once asked for, and got, a steam cleaner for Christmas.

I think we're on to something here, fellas. Women fetishize clean carpets. I think we need some more research...

Charlatan · 11-24-2004, 06:38 AM

Last year I got my wife a very comfy set of flannel pyjamas... She loves them... really.

She is always cold at night and complained about it. It was a practical gift but she loved it for exactly the reason Mal pointed out... it was well thoght out.

There have been other times where I spent more money and effort... I bought her a pink Vespa that she was absolutely in love with... the store told her it was sold and she was bummed. It came back on the market and I snapped it up. I hid it in her mother's garage until Christmas... When she saw it... she absolutely flipped.

This year we aren't exchanging gifts because I just paid her tuition for Teacher's College but I was thinking of giving her a day at the spa because she has been working so hard.

Iliftrocks · 11-24-2004, 01:08 PM

I'm usually the opposite, I get her stuff she likes, and I get stuff from way out in left field...... She says I'm hard to shop for, but I tell her exactly what I want....hmm

11-24-2004, 01:12 PM

adventure. It's all anybody really wants. If i really care about somebody, i just force them to do something crazy with me, and it normally comes out making the other person really happy. Just think about what they like, and take it above and beyond the next level.

isis · 11-24-2004, 01:19 PM

I'm usually pretty good with getting gifts. I'm down with practicality sometimes (like vaccums, clothes, etc.), but you can spend a whole lot of money on a bunch of little things that may have been mentioned. Maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend mentioned they wanted to watch a certain movie sometime? Go out and buy the DVD. Get CD's, even doing nice things like burning CD's go over well.

I'm not a big fan of jewelery or anything like that at Christmas, I almost find it slightly impersonal unless she specifically asked for a certain kind. Example, last year, my mom asked for a bangal bracelet. My father, having no knowlege of jewelery, got sucked into buying a hideously ugly tennis bracelet. My mom ended up returning it and buying what she wanted.

I dunno, other than that, everyone loves the spa. Or, a free hair color.. or a even gift certificates are okay in conjunction with other gifts. Its the best way to go if you don't know what size she wears or if she hasn't picked out quite what they really want.

11-23-2004, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	The what can I get my SO for Xmas thread. Alright, it's that time of year again. Due to a variety of social conventions and religious expections that I would rather leave for another thread, most of us have to buy Xmas gifts for our wives/girlfriends, husbands/boyfriends..etc etc. As usual I am completly dumbfounded by the process. Every year my GF gets me something fantastic, often an item I didn't even know that I wanted, but I love just the same. And every year I get her a hunk of crap, sure she says "I love it," but the fact is that the necklace/earrings set I got her in 2001 has been in her jewlery box for 2 solid years. I want to make her happy and get her something she really loves, but I am super-bad at coming up with ideas. My problem is that she is the type that just buys what she wants when she wants it, so even tho I am willing to spend $200-$300, I don't have the slightest idea where or how to spend it. So the reason for this thread, rather than just ask the ladies of the TFP to give me ideas, I would like to see everyone contribute so we can all benefit. Tell me (us) what you want to get, or have gotten that really blew your socks off. __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

11-23-2004, 08:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	DOn't tell anyone, cause I will deny it, but I'm a huge sap... I, as I think do most women, like gifts that thought went into. I want a gift that says the gifter actually knew me, and knew what I'd like. (One of my prize possessions is a Hello Kitty Glitter Lava Lamp, and if my apartment were on fire, I would grab this before my jewelry box - because the gifter knew it would make me laugh everytime I saw it - -it worked.) If I want something, I will generally go out and buy it myself, so gifts, in my mind, shouldnt be practical, they should be something that the gifter knows I would enjoy but wouldn't necessarily buy for myself. Jewelry - eh, I'm not a big jewerlry gal, unless it's meaningful, maybe engraved, or has my birthstone on it. Books- First edition of an alltime favorite book of mine. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

11-23-2004, 08:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Daoust "I'm sorry. What was the question?" Location: Paradise Regained	As a guy I sympathize with you. I know what you're feeling. My wife was the same way - always surprising me with a great gift, and then I'd respond by giving her a fishing lure and some nipple cream, or something like that. I scored last year by getting her a ring she liked. That was nice. (Do you know what I"m saying when I say Christmas DING!) This year my wife and I agreed not to get each other anything, since we bought a house. I think that's a great gift exchange. So what's my advice for you? If you'd paid attention to her you should know what she wants. If I know girls, I'd say they're rarely subtle when it comes to gift receiving. __________________ I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

11-23-2004, 08:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	This year mine and Daves present to each other is a romantic trip away for New Years...we will be going to "our" hideaway at Scottish Woods in North Carolina..leaving the morning of NYE and coming home the following Monday...so 3 days away at our favorite place in the world. We will ring in the new year sitting in a hot tub in the mountains me with my champagne and him with his crown and cokes. Its like 400 bucks just to rent the place...then we still have to buy food to cook while we are there which usually runs about 120 bucks....so we've decided NO presents this year for each other. I honestly couldnt think of a better present.... __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

11-23-2004, 08:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	The spa idea is a good one __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

11-23-2004, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
aurigus Insane	I'm not female but I know when I'm at a loss for what to get for my wife something with diamonds always works. I just keep tabs on what kind she wears and get something similar.

11-23-2004, 08:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Lizzy Upright Location: Memphis, TN	If you are willing to pay that much why dont you send her to a spa, or take her on a weekend get away; its apparent she doesnt care for jewelry. Im normally good about the presents i buy for my BF but this year he wants a telescope and I have no idea what ones are good. :-/

11-23-2004, 09:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	There's an interesting site called Surprise.com gifts - The best gift ideas on the Web. It categorizes the gifts into groups such as "Organized, Or Wants To Be", "Has a Bad Back", "Former Californian", and "Sad Bush Won". And you might come up with other ideas based on what you see there.

11-23-2004, 09:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	Awesome, I like that site redlemon. The spa idea is aweome, thanks for that one ladies. I really like the idea of the the spa because it's an experience rather than a thing. To make things a little more interesting, I am going to see if her friend's husbands are interested in the same sort of thing and make a girlie day of it. To elucidate a litte further, I am 32 yrs old and love geek stuff. Last year I got the Indiana Jones DVD set (part II sucks, but I don't hold that against her). If any of you ladies want to know what to get a guy like me here's a list: Lord of the Rings DVD set Star Wars DVD set (widescreen only) toys that light up (or sparkle) for the easily amused power tools, have you seen the new saws with lasers built in? Kick ass. __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

11-23-2004, 10:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
NeoRete Crazy Location: Cape Cod	This is probably too late for you, but if you're ever out shopping with your SO, keep a mental note of anything they find interesting. I was out Christmas shopping with my gf last year and she was looking at a necklace but didn't buy it. A week later when I went out by myself I got it, and surprised her two months later during Valentine's Day. She had almost forgotten about it by then, but I think the fact that I waited helped the impression. __________________ Charlie was a chemist but Charlie is nomore, what Charlie thought was H2O was H2SO4

11-23-2004, 02:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Hmmm....how about giving her oral sex, twice a day, every day from Christmas to New Years. Just a thought. Alright, I just asked my wife what her favorite gifts from me were. Excluding the bazillion-dollar watch and the wedding ring, her favorites include: A polarfleece bathrobe. The coolest cat in the universe A polarfleece blanket. A comfy XXL sweatshirt that I bought for her when pregnancy added considerable girth to her frame. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

11-23-2004, 02:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
Samalie Tilted Location: Edmonton, Canada	My wife.... told me to get her a new vacuum for xmas. Somehow I don't think that will help the old blowjob-for-christmas cause for me LOL Sammy

11-23-2004, 02:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Yeah, like others said: go window shopping with her a few times, find out what she likes but won't buy for herself (and why). That's given me a lot of good ideas for the wife. Another thing that others have more or less said is to agree on something expensive that you both want, and give it to each other as a joint Christmas present. We've bought a couple of paintings for the house that way. There are a lot of things that couples would like for their houses but would never buy because they seem too much a luxury; but if both of them take the 2-300 they each might spend on each other at Christmas and pool it, some of these too-expensive items come into reach. And then, when you do that, still go out for a nice dinner or get her some flowers "just because.' Oh yeah -- food's good, too. If she really loves some food item that she rarely buys for herself -- a particular kind of cake that's way expensive, a particular delicacy that's way expensive -- get it for her. It's not a present that will last but _she will remember it always,_ believe me, especially if you present it to her well. Last edited by Rodney; 11-23-2004 at 02:41 PM..

11-23-2004, 05:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	Oh, ya. My wife really likes the vacuum I got her too. It was exactly what she wanted. Seriously. Guys, sometimes women DO tell us what they want. We just have to listen. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

11-23-2004, 05:04 PM	#17 (permalink)
lpj8 Crazy Location: U.S.A	I agree with the previous posts that "event" gifts are pretty special. I would also recommend getting an event gift that you can do together. She may really appreciate the time that you get to spend together. This year, I got my SO very good seats to a Broadway show followed by dinner for two at Bern's Steakhouse . I rarely take her places where she can dress up, so I think she'll really enjoy it. By the way, my wife has told me to never get her a vacuum or any cleaning appliance, so I'd try to jokingly run ideas by your SO about that sort of thing before you get it for him/her.

11-23-2004, 05:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
Mary__Jane Upright	Yeah, I once asked for, and got, a steam cleaner for Christmas. I thought my best friend was going to kick hubby's ass, but it really was what I wanted. She was borrowing it soon enough. One of the best christmas gifts I ever got was a really great set of 350 count sheets. Have you considered something that's slightly luxurious, but an everyday thing? I love those sheets, but would've never bought them for myself. Along with the event idea... you can get gift certificates for movies and a nice restaurant... high enough amounts that she can take a couple of girlfriends out for a night out. Call the local Limo service, too, so they can all go out safely! In any case, have a nice holiday! Missy

11-24-2004, 06:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Last year I got my wife a very comfy set of flannel pyjamas... She loves them... really. She is always cold at night and complained about it. It was a practical gift but she loved it for exactly the reason Mal pointed out... it was well thoght out. There have been other times where I spent more money and effort... I bought her a pink Vespa that she was absolutely in love with... the store told her it was sold and she was bummed. It came back on the market and I snapped it up. I hid it in her mother's garage until Christmas... When she saw it... she absolutely flipped. This year we aren't exchanging gifts because I just paid her tuition for Teacher's College but I was thinking of giving her a day at the spa because she has been working so hard. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-24-2004, 01:08 PM	#21 (permalink)
Iliftrocks Junkie Location: Near Raleigh, NC	I'm usually the opposite, I get her stuff she likes, and I get stuff from way out in left field...... She says I'm hard to shop for, but I tell her exactly what I want....hmm __________________ bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

11-24-2004, 01:12 PM	#22 (permalink)
thinktank Guest	adventure. It's all anybody really wants. If i really care about somebody, i just force them to do something crazy with me, and it normally comes out making the other person really happy. Just think about what they like, and take it above and beyond the next level.

11-24-2004, 01:19 PM	#23 (permalink)
isis Insane Location: In the Woods.	I'm usually pretty good with getting gifts. I'm down with practicality sometimes (like vaccums, clothes, etc.), but you can spend a whole lot of money on a bunch of little things that may have been mentioned. Maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend mentioned they wanted to watch a certain movie sometime? Go out and buy the DVD. Get CD's, even doing nice things like burning CD's go over well. I'm not a big fan of jewelery or anything like that at Christmas, I almost find it slightly impersonal unless she specifically asked for a certain kind. Example, last year, my mom asked for a bangal bracelet. My father, having no knowlege of jewelery, got sucked into buying a hideously ugly tennis bracelet. My mom ended up returning it and buying what she wanted. I dunno, other than that, everyone loves the spa. Or, a free hair color.. or a even gift certificates are okay in conjunction with other gifts. Its the best way to go if you don't know what size she wears or if she hasn't picked out quite what they really want.