I am asking for sympathy and I need some help. My wedding anniversary is approaching and I need some ideas. Not just regular old ideas. You see, I am married to a super-star gift giver. He knows just what to do to make the occassion. I, on the other hand, am lame when it comes to shopping. Yes, I have actually bought him kitchen appliances. For his 40th birthday, he got a nice dinner and a coffee maker. What did he get me that year? A trip to Vegas. See what I have to deal with?
So, for today's list, I am going to share some actual gifts I have received from my husband. Gentlemen, don't know what to buy your wife or girlfriend for Christmas, here's your list. Most of them work for either gender so wives can find the perfect gift too. What do I need from you? Some ideas please! Add your thoughts to the comments section below so Franz doesn't end up with a steak knife set or a new pair of everyday work pants.
1. Scavenger hunt
It started with a phone call and the instruction to go to a nearby department store. Once there, a gorgeous dress was waiting. Another call prompted me to go to a shoe store in the same mall where the clerk showed me sexy heels that complimented the dress. A little nervous now, I had to wait until the last call came. He routed me to our favorite romantic dinner spot where he waited with flowers and a bottle of champagne.
2. Surprise family day
Franz announced that we all needed to be ready for an event at noon. Off we went the local Hard Rock Cafe. The girls thought it was cool and I thought we were done. Nope. Just before the check arrived, Franz produced 4 tickets to the amusement park in a nearby suburb. Imagine the kids' delight. The small suprise turning into something bigger was a perfect delivery.
3. 40 surprises
For weeks before my birthday, Franz dropped hints about a spectacular weekend. He mentioned passports but refused to give me any details. I even had to pack not knowing where we were going or what we were doing. Maddening and excititing at the same time. What did we do? We stayed locally in an upscale hotel and every few hours some new surprise appeared. Nothing in and of itself very expensive, just one after another all weekend long. The final gift toddled out as we pulled into the garage at home. A beautiful puppy with a pink nose and a pink bow greeted me.
4. Concert in the park
Several years ago, Franz learned John Mayer was coming to town. My whole family enjoys his music. A little old to be a groupie, Franz joined the fan club just to get first choice in seating. He bought tickets but kept it all to himself. He announced it a few weeks before the concert by pinning up concert t-shirts to the girls' bedroom doors. The amazing thing is that he knew their taste and size.
5. Home from work
After one stressful day at work, I walked in to find a darkend house and a fire roaring in the den. Franz had set the table with all the care of a 5 star restaurant and cooked a perfect dinner for two. He had the little napkin over his arm when he poured wine. He was dressed in his best suit. Having a relaxing, romantic dinner in the middle of the week, for no occassion whatsoever was an amzing experience.
6. Family Day
When the girls were both living at home Franz would plan a day of kid friendly activities. We went bowling and indulged in fattening bowling alley food. (I would never allow that). We went to the arcade and played interactive dancing, rowing, and jumping rope games. We ganged up on passers-by at the trivia table. The key here is that he did what the girls enjoyed with the enthusiasm of a child. No sitting on the sidelines while the kids play. Get out there and find your inner child.
7. Technology at its best
One birthday, Franz had a small, boring present wrapped. I think it was a sweater. Inside the box he placed a CD which contained a 5 minute slide show leading to a bigger gift. Slides said "Ready?", "Happy Birthday", and other teasing phrases until finally it revealed a long weekend in Vegas.
8. Feathered treasure
Once when shopping together at a home store, I noticed a 3 foot ceramic duck on the shelf. I was enchanted. I loved the idea of people coming to the house asking "Why the duck?". Unfortunately the duck, although not expensive, wasn't priced for whimsical buying. We walked away. At the next holiday, you guessed it, I got the duck. He remembered.
9. Shop 'til you drop
This was an anniversary. We went to the mall to have dinner and walk around. While dining, he produced three gift cards. "You have 1 hour to shop." he announced, paid the restaruant bill and left. I was stunned. Momentarily. I raced from one store to the next buying what I liked immediately and not over-thinking as I often do. It was stressful...and memorable. Precisely one hour later, he picked up a very excited and enchanted wife. Another variation he tried was to take me shopping and stay with me to help me choose something to wear to dinner. Interestingly, this is the one he talks about most.
10. Everyday moments
About once a month, I find small treasures on the counter. A gift card to the coffee shop, a bundle of flowers, or bottle of wine not priced for everyday. The unexpected is more interesting than the obligatory. Honestly, the small surprises are often more fun than opening the Christmas gift. When I ask the reason he always responds "You deserve it." It makes me feel like a princess in a fairy tale.
No comments:
Post a Comment