Men do you?

stephevers1227

Let's see. My EX husband even got me gifts but I had to give him a list. 30th birthday...all I wanted were tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls (favorite band). He wouldn't get the tickets because it was a "school night". I'm a teacher. He came home with a candle and an umbrella. I went online and bought the tickets myself and took my neighbor. Marriage ended in a year.

Current husband, about 7 years ago, (knowing this story) gave me several gifts. I opened the first one: DVD of the Goo Goo Dolls live in Buffalo. I was so excited. Opened the 2nd one: tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls play in Niagara Falls at the casino (they are from Buffalo...so is my husband) 3rd present (anniversary, which is 12/27): voucher for room and dinner at the casino. We live in Virginia, my husband was a police officer at the time working midnights. He kept all of this a secret. He had his mother purchase the tickets and room/dinner etc. and mail to him. He arranged to get someone to work for him so we could travel up there for a few days. He CALLED MY EX HUSBAND and asked his permission to take the kids to Buffalo because it fell on his weekend with the kids. (that one was HUGE)

We are not rich--I'm a teacher, he was a cop. His mom actually got the tickets, room, dinner as part of a deal because she gambled at the casino and got freebies. The point is...he knew this would be meaningful to me and it was HUGE surprise. THAT is what gift giving is all about.

clioandboy

I'm in a new relationship and he says I have to tell him what I want coz he is really really rubbish at choosing presents. apparently he once bought an ex pans, very nice pans and he really thought that they were a good present - she didnt. no surprise there.

I feel a bit weird saying this is what I want or that is what i want and I would also feel weird asking him what he wants, but sod that I dont want pans lol!!! lazy? unimaginative? dunno, but I love him and will think of a little something that I want and will find out what he wants and that is how we will do it!

ackeebee

One time I got my gf some pots, pans,broom, mop,duster,and vacum for Xmas. She did not like those gifts one bit. She never learned how to use any of it. Guess I should've given her something with diamonds in it. Oh well we arent together anymore.

lol, i can understand why she did not like those gifts and why you 2 aren't together anymore. i would hate for my bf to give me such gifts.

kyle4jem

Sometimes I do struggle to think up original presents that are fun and different.

Mind you, he has hinted heavily that jewellery would be preferable and no more kitchen gadgets.

I usually get him 2-3 small stocking-fillers, one large (size) gift and one main (more valuable) gift, unless of course they can be one and the same. So last year, I gave him a CD, some books, a buffet server and theatre tickets.

This year, I've got some stocking fillers, but I still need to try and get him something special.

Having said all that, I've no idea what I want, so it's going to be a mega surprise as I've not even hinted at anything.

LuciaLongIsland

Let's see. My EX husband even got me gifts but I had to give him a list. 30th birthday...all I wanted were tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls (favorite band). He wouldn't get the tickets because it was a "school night". I'm a teacher. He came home with a candle and an umbrella. I went online and bought the tickets myself and took my neighbor. Marriage ended in a year.

Current husband, about 7 years ago, (knowing this story) gave me several gifts. I opened the first one: DVD of the Goo Goo Dolls live in Buffalo. I was so excited. Opened the 2nd one: tickets to see the Goo Goo Dolls play in Niagara Falls at the casino (they are from Buffalo...so is my husband) 3rd present (anniversary, which is 12/27): voucher for room and dinner at the casino. We live in Virginia, my husband was a police officer at the time working midnights. He kept all of this a secret. He had his mother purchase the tickets and room/dinner etc. and mail to him. He arranged to get someone to work for him so we could travel up there for a few days. He CALLED MY EX HUSBAND and asked his permission to take the kids to Buffalo because it fell on his weekend with the kids. (that one was HUGE)

We are not rich--I'm a teacher, he was a cop. His mom actually got the tickets, room, dinner as part of a deal because she gambled at the casino and got freebies. The point is...he knew this would be meaningful to me and it was HUGE surprise. THAT is what gift giving is all about.

Wow..you have a real keeper...GOOD FOR YOU!!!

lorac321

I think buying and wrapping your own presents is crazy. I would feel so selfish wrapping my own gift. My husband will ask for ideas and I give them to him but he always surprises me AND he puts in the effort to wrap them himself and try to make them look pretty with bows and ribbons. He also takes my 16 year old daughter shopping for me as well.

fitnesspirateninja

One time I got my gf some pots, pans,broom, mop,duster,and vacum for Xmas. She did not like those gifts one bit. She never learned how to use any of it. Guess I should've given her something with diamonds in it. Oh well we arent together anymore.

lol, i can understand why she did not like those gifts and why you 2 aren't together anymore. i would hate for my bf to give me such gifts.

Agreed. I don't need diamonds but holy moly, I hope this guy was kidding.

Lleldiranne

I often tell him what I want but he likes to buy it. (Occasionally I'll buy it and tell him). Once in a while he surprises me and it's even good every so often.
But I know so many men who have no idea what to get their wives. I even worked as in gift services for a few years. That's a booming business at holidays (and Valentines!). Because women like to be surprised, and most men like to get her something she'll love.

jenn_is_trouble

My husband and I have lists with general ideas on them... like a new scarf, or new fuzzy slippers, etc for me and car stuff for him (he's remodeling a '56 Bel Air). But we always have a few gifts for each other that aren't on the lists as surprises.

This year is a little funky because we are buying a house and we close a few days after Christmas. So we have had to make our Christmas presents to each other house stuff. I am finally getting my work out room, so we're getting an elliptical for each other and then other house stuff like new lamps, new curtains, etc.

waskier

Thank you both for the compliment. I thought about this one today and decided some more detailed advice might be useful, so here is a link to A Man's Guide To Pleasing A Woman At Christmas. I hope you enjoy.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/417485-a-man-s-guide-to-pleasing-a-woman-at-christmas

rochey1098

Opps realized I was being sexist... Women, what are your views? Which do you prefer?

Sexist? When you're asking for the opinion of a fellow man it's not sexist... men and women are different so if this is sexist then I give up with the world

luckybunny84

My boyfriend and I have actually already celebrated our christmas because we are going to be traveling for the holiday. He likes to surprise me, but we do play 20 questions to try and guess what the other person got us. This year he got me a kitchenaid mixer (the big one) and a very pretty jewerly box. Both things I have wanted since I was a girl and never got. I got him a new keyboard and pre-ordered the game he really wants. I think he should try to find at least something small to get her.

teagin2002

We do not as a rule.
We both have everything we every wanted, but sometimes I'll just pick something up I know she'd like as in protein bars or shakes.

For her birthday and mine, we go out for dinner, but for x-mas or whatever, no.
And I don't like gifts from others either. The cologne I won't like, the tie I won't wear, the shirt will be detestable and the slippers just too goofy to be seen in. I re-gift most of this junk to the mail person or door guy at the office - people who matter but go unseen for the most part.

The last gift she presented were some shoes from Italy - hand made and very expensive. I shipped them off to my sister's boyfriend - HATED THEM!

People that know me know: NO GIFTS!

Just bring food...lol

I do this with my hubby too, He is just so picky about everything. I just cook him his favorite foods and only if he needs it I will buy him his favorite cologne. We have been together for 6 years married for 4. He is happy with all his delicious childhood foods, deserts and a little companionship.

Justin_1972

I get a list from my wife and listen to comments she makes during the year about stuff she likes and surprise her.

livnlite

My boss at work and I were talking yesterday about Christmas presents. He told me that he does not get his wife's present. That she tells him what she wants, how much it costs, and she goes and gets the present and wraps it. Now I think this is terrible. I personally like to be surprised by my man. Granted there is an up side to it, she does get exactly what she wants, but where's the fun and mystery?

So MFP men, do you get your wife a present, or do you let you wife pick out the present and go get it like my boss? LOL husband is waiting on the answer to see if he can get out of it this year..(NOT)

THAT is just sad. That compromises the whole reasoning behind exchanging gifts. I guess it has more to do with a partner's ability to pay attention to the kinds of things their spouse would like as a gift. It's never about the "gift" at Christmas .. it's supposed to be about the giving.

Let that be a lesson to us all .. The gift of 'paying attention' always goes over big at Christmas! If you want something special, then go and buy it .. Leave "gift' giving out of it.

sunkisses

First, I'm the easiest person ever to shop for. If someone makes me something, I'm satisfied.

When a significant other wants to get my Christmas present (and this isn't the 1st year we're celebrating together. 1st year it's all up to him unless he asks.) I directly give 2-3 ideas of what I want. I'm big on experiences so there is always a weekend trip thrown in somewhere. Giving him options means he gets to do the research and choosing. I'm not picky anyway.

76tech

First, I'm the easiest person ever to shop for. If someone makes me something, I'm satisfied.

When a significant other wants to get my Christmas present (and this isn't the 1st year we're celebrating together. 1st year it's all up to him unless he asks.) I directly give 2-3 ideas of what I want. I'm big on experiences so there is always a weekend trip thrown in somewhere. Giving him options means he gets to do the research and choosing. I'm not picky anyway.

experience gifts are the best!

i like to be creative with gifts. but there are a lot of things my wife wants that she wouldn't otherwise buy for herself. so i get a list, and end up getting some from there and some from my own ideas.

the boxing heavy bag for mother's day? yeah, that was on her list. the sentimental stuff i bought along with it? my ideas.

i'm the romantic around these parts though.

dalgirly

My dad always buys stuff for my mom himself!

My bf always gets me things as well. And actually, my bf is REALLY thoughtful when he buys gifts --- although this year we are not doing gifts to save some cash.