Are you struggling with exactly the right gift to buy your spouse? You’re not alone. I’m pretty sure a lot of us fall in that category, but should it really be that way? If we are really paying attention to our mates, we would already know from living with them, connecting with them and really observing them what they want. Or, better yet what they need. We should know what our spouse desires, through having daily conversations with them the other 364 days of the year .
Men: Is your wife complaining about never having enough “ME” time? If so, then get her a spa day to get pampered from head to toe and just relax and unwind without the kids and without any worries. That’s a perfect gift! Is she complaining that the mixer that she uses to bake wonderful yummy sweet goodness for you and your kids is not working properly? Get her a new and even better mixer! Is she complaining about never having anything to wear? (Hint: we all do that. So, I wouldn’t put too much weight on that one!) Then buy her a gift card and throw in one beautiful accessory from her favorite store. Now, don’t take it to the extreme and get her a gym membership because she says that she feels “fat”. Then, you’re asking for trouble! The point is that all year long you’ve listened…and it will show that you care and that thought was put into her gift.
Ladies: The same applies to you. I know sometimes it’s a slippery slope when it comes to buying for the man of the house, but unless he’s a real handyman and has voiced his desire, tools may not be a good idea. We don’t want to imply that we want them to work! (Well, maybe you do.) Before asking him what he wants, just ask yourself, if you’ve noticed exactly what his needs are. Its a great feeling to open a gift that you really want. So, make him smile knowing that you’ve “read” him. You’ve listened. You’ve noticed. You love him.
I will say this, gift cards sometimes have a bad rep, but you can make that piece of plastic magical with just a few extra minutes or seconds of your time. A simple, sentimental note that says something like, “Here’s a gift card to your favorite store…I love you just the way you are, but I know you love to look and feel your very best. Enjoy! I love you.” Now, who wouldn’t want that? All it takes is handwritten note signed with love and sincerity and you sprinkled a little pixie dust to make your spouses’s gift even better!
If you fall into the category of not quite knowing what to get your spouse for any occasion, I want you to do your homework. (You have ONE YEAR to complete it.) This year don’t just look at your spouse. Take notice. Don’t just hear your spouse. Truly listen. Don’t just talk to your spouse. Truly connect. In the meantime, I applaud everybody who’s content with the intangible gift of love, like Mariah Carey says in her song, “All I want for Christmas Is You”, but this girl likes designer handbags, shoes and European vacations, and I hope my husband has been “listening” all year long!
BMWK – Do you ever struggle with what to buy your spouse for Christmas? What’s the best gift that you given your spouse or that you have gotten from your spouse?