On Choosing Your Woman's Gift

            Christmas! It's quickly barreling down on us!

            Men, today's message is particularly for you!

            You have exactly 16 days to buy your lady a gift. You don't know what to buy her, do you? Or maybe you do and have the big gift all purchased and wrapped.

            But I doubt it. Men's psyches don't work that way!

            I will tell a story.

            Some many years ago while spending Christmas day with Fred's parents, we were seated around the tree, enjoying the traditional ritual. Each took turns opening our gifts. As I recall, my Mother-in-law gave her husband a sweater and a matching tie.

            When it came time for her to open her gift from him, she wrestled with the paper on the big box, and finally was able to pry the box lid apart. He had a look of expectant pleasure on his face. However, you should have seen her face when she discovered that he had given her a set of new, shiny, pots and pans!

            You could have heard a pin drop.  He was waiting for her comment. She said little.

            You see, women don't want pots and pans, or a new vacuum. She was not disappointed particularly, because neither she nor he had come from a background where one had lots of possessions. No, she was not disappointed. She was hurt and she said nothing.

            Poor guy.  He meant well.

            Now, to help you guys from suffering a similar fate, I am going to suggest some ideas. Maybe one of them will resonate, or lead you to thinking of another possibility.

            It's not the amount of money that you spend. It's the thought. Most of you fellows are not equipped with those neurons, so I will help.

            I love to shop, and look, so I am here for you.

            Perfumes are good. They are risky though, if you don't know her likes. But any perfume will elicit a good "mantra"….Ahhhhh. And be sure to keep the receipt, just in case she has to exchange it.

            Candy is good; chocolate especially.  Godiva chocolates. She will say, "You know I can't eat those. I am on a diet", while she silently plots how she will hide them where she can have a piece or two at a time. (Or maybe the entire box!)

            Jewelry.  Earrings.  Don't worry about taste. Buy what YOU like. Get a receipt again. But, if you select diamonds? Don't worry. She will like them!

            If you have an idea of sizes, a cute "work out" ensemble is an idea. But it is NOT a good idea if you are hinting that she needs to get on an exercise program! No fair giving subliminal messages with your gift. Another idea would be to give any clothing, and the clothes styles now are beautiful. A "one size fits all" draped open sweater would be nice. Any clerk will help you with this purchase.

            A candle is always a nice luxury, but it cannot be a dollar candle. Buy a nice, beautiful scented candle and be prepared to pay anywhere from  $20 to $40, depending on the size and brand.  

            A luxurious robe is always welcome. Please don't scrimp here. There are "robes" and then there are "ROBES". It needs to be plush, and warm, and an attractive color. The salesperson will know if you don't.

            You might want a new popcorn popper, or a better coffee pot, but don't give these things for a gift unless she has specifically asked for it. However, a "milk froth-er" machine would be a fun toy. It whips up skim milk to a hard froth and the flavored froth sits on top of the coffee. Delicious treat.  A Keurig coffee maker is always a luxury if the "she" in your life loves good brew.

            A laptop computer is a great gift if you want to spend that much. I know a man from way back who gave his wife a microwave for Christmas. That was a tragedy too, and he didn't live long after that. Don't.

            A good set of ear buds might be alright. The good ones cost anywhere from $25 to $40. But they are worth every cent. Every cheap pair I have bought never lasts long and the sound is not good.  I still don't have a good pair.

             Fred? Are you reading this?

            One of the very BEST, top notch gifts I love to give or get is a gift card! You can buy one at any local business, and if you want to use a big box store, there are cards galore to choose in Dillons. Who doesn't like to get money, and who doesn't like to buy whatever he or she wants at one's favorite store? Money is the right size and the right color, after all.

            Maybe now, men, you don't have to get into a panic mode at the last minute.

            You can do it! Get ready, set, GO!