Christmas presents for significant others

ThetaLove · #1 12-12-2006, 12:39 AM

Thanks everyone! Those are all great ideas.

I was really wondering on a price range that would be practical for a grad student to spend on her boyfriend of a few months shy of a year. Now that I think of it, it really doesn't matter how much I spend... I know he will appreciate the gifts. I was thinking $ b/c for his birthday I got him a massage and took him out to dinner/drinks and I spent more than I wanted to. But he loved it all, so that is what matters. I just thought that in general, you should spend more $ on Christmas than birthdays.

What I have for his gifts so far are an LSU stocking that I'm getting a friend to help me make. I've had my nose in a book for far too long to learn how to sew.

But I'm trying now. That is probably the gift (although small) that I've thought about the most. His living room is all LSU and we decorated a Christmas tree in purple and gold (obsessive, I know

). I was thinking about stuffing it with simple items like coffee grounds, candy, etc. And I'm getting him 2 new DVD's that he wanted. But I'm ordering them online and I feel like I'm getting off cheap.
Anyone else have a problem with buying for the man who has everything? I swear, they're were 5 items that I saw he needed/wanted, but he bought them for himself before I could get them!

Cardinal026 · #2 12-12-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaLove

I swear, they're were 5 items that I saw he needed/wanted, but he bought them for himself before I could get them!

I know what you mean! Tomorrow is my boyfriend's birthday, so I got him Guitar Hero 2 and a wireless controller. Hey, guess what he bought at Best Buy last weekend? Yeah, both...jerk, now I have to return it and come up with something else! Who buys themselves presents the week before their birthday?!?

ufdale · #3 12-12-2006, 04:10 PM

The BF and I always spend $200 for eachother on Christmas. Because we have a set price, it's more about finding a great present than the price itself. (we also aren't in a spending war).
We've only been together for 4 years

cutie_cat_4ever · #4 12-12-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

I know what you mean! Tomorrow is my boyfriend's birthday, so I got him Guitar Hero 2 and a wireless controller. Hey, guess what he bought at Best Buy last weekend? Yeah, both...jerk, now I have to return it and come up with something else! Who buys themselves presents the week before their birthday?!?

Oh oh, before you return it, have you ever thought about playing it with your boyfriend? It could be fun too! And it's always fun to have 2 controllers so you guys can invite friends over to play too! If your bf is an outgoing person, I'm sure he'll be in need of 2 controllers

And I suck at Guitar hero...I can never play things with more than 5 buttons

Cardinal026 · #5 12-13-2006, 12:02 PM

Cutie Cat - we actually already had two controllers, and I try to play with him sometimes, but I suck too, I'm a good Easy player and adequate Medium...whereas he kicks ass on Expert...so rather than battle, we tend to take turns, but he'd much rather play with his guys when they come over than me

Speaking of which, now that he has GH2, seems like there are always boys at our house, all hours of the day, to play...! Anyone else need ideas? Get GH, they love it, lol.

adpiucf · #6 12-13-2006, 05:54 PM

My boyfriend really needs some "Friday night date" clothes so I bought him a pair of jeans and a sweater at ExpressMen.

I think depending on your budget...
$35-75 dating under 6 months
$55-100 dating over 6 months

Then again, it could be more or less, depending upon your financial situation. Or you could take a trip together, pay for concert tickets, a theme park visit, etc., rather than something material.

For the man who has everything, I say go for an accessory having to do with his hobbies: a state of the art bike pump for the cycling enthusiast or a gift certificate to REI for the guy who loves camping; a gift certificate for a massage or a hair cut at an upscale salon, gifts that remind him of his favorite sports team or alma mater, etc. Homemade gifts and dinners are always appreciated; just make sure any homemade gifts aren't overly cutesy to offend their masculinity.

KSig RC · #7 12-13-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

Homemade gifts and dinners are always appreciated; just make sure any homemade gifts aren't overly cutesy to offend their masculinity.

Like, say, a scarf.

Seriously - say "no" to knitted scarves, unless he's a "scarf guy" . . . chances are he'd rather have a backrub and some doing it.

Bottom line: if you wouldn't buy it for him (like food), it's probably not right to make it for him, unless you wouldn't buy it because of the expense.

valkyrie · #8 12-13-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Like, say, a scarf.

Seriously - say "no" to knitted scarves, unless he's a "scarf guy" . . . chances are he'd rather have a backrub and some doing it.

Bottom line: if you wouldn't buy it for him (like food), it's probably not right to make it for him, unless you wouldn't buy it because of the expense.

I was wondering about this -- I sometimes hear about women making scrapbook-y type things or collages for their guys and have to admit I'm pretty WTF about that. Do guys LIKE this stuff? I don't even like this stuff and I'm female -- I'd break out in hives if anybody got near me with anything related to scrapbooks. Then I'd go have a beer -- hey, that would be a good gift. You could do the Twelve Beers of Christmas.

Rudey · #9 12-17-2006, 03:26 PM

I can't decide if you should dump him because he needs Friday night date clothes or he should end things because you bought him clothing from ExpressMen.

And I have easily determined that overpiced designer jewelry (like meandrojewelry.com) takes a lot less time and a lot less thought. Thanks to all the previous girls I dated for making gift buying so much easier for the next girl.

-Rudey

Quote:

Originally Posted by adpiucf

My boyfriend really needs some "Friday night date" clothes so I bought him a pair of jeans and a sweater at ExpressMen.

I think depending on your budget...
$35-75 dating under 6 months
$55-100 dating over 6 months

Then again, it could be more or less, depending upon your financial situation. Or you could take a trip together, pay for concert tickets, a theme park visit, etc., rather than something material.

For the man who has everything, I say go for an accessory having to do with his hobbies: a state of the art bike pump for the cycling enthusiast or a gift certificate to REI for the guy who loves camping; a gift certificate for a massage or a hair cut at an upscale salon, gifts that remind him of his favorite sports team or alma mater, etc. Homemade gifts and dinners are always appreciated; just make sure any homemade gifts aren't overly cutesy to offend their masculinity.

LeslieAGD · #10 12-18-2006, 11:08 AM

My husband and I have been together for over three years and we usually spend about $100-150 on each other each year.
This year I got him two DVD box set collections, a hockey t-shirt, and some office supplies.

ufdale · #11 12-12-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaLove

What I have for his gifts so far are an LSU stocking that I'm getting a friend to help me make. I've had my nose in a book for far too long to learn how to sew.

But I'm trying now. That is probably the gift (although small) that I've thought about the most. His living room is all LSU and we decorated a Christmas tree in purple and gold (obsessive, I know

).

Lol on the LSU tree and all! It sounds very familiar... except in Orange and Blue Gator colors! I have gator santas and ornaments and my christmas tree plays the fight song! Instead of a star at the top of the tree, we have a star sitting on top of a gator football helmet. hehe I don't have gator stockings though...at least not yet.