10 Gifts for Moms, and 10 To Not Get Her
Buying gifts for men is a walk in the park compared to trying to find the right present for a woman. With men all one needs to do is figure out what is in that tiny little head of theirs. It’s invariably something gadgety or adventurous. Women, on the other hand, are a mixed bunch. My sister so aptly describes them like they’re the Spice Girls. Women fall into categories, Sporty Spice, Posh Spice, Baby Spice etc… . The point is that there are all sorts of women who all prefer different kinds of gifts. My list here tries to reflect that. My wife was the inspiration for most of these as it’s my belief she would like them. Buying the right gift for a woman is almost more about knowing what not to do than it is specifically knowing what she wants. If you can avoid pitfalls, the chances of success are much greater. In that spirit I’ve also include a list of do-nots.
Women love plants and pretty things. Problem is that they don’t have a ton of time for gardening. We had an Aero Garden (before I lost a vital part to it) and I promise that it is super easy and it adds a really nice touch to home décor.
This is for the traveling/working woman. It’s something of a quirky gift but it also shows you put a little thought into it. Women like things personalized. Passports are the epitome of standard issue boring. It’s a small gift that is classy and hard to screw up.
It may seem cliché but women really do love picture frames (for the most part). As geeky as my wife is she is still very much into family and pictures. I’m pretty sure family bonding is hardwired into most women. Also, the LCD picture frames are pretty cool, but I just don’t like mixing family memories with high technology. Yes, it’s true we don’t do oil paintings much these days. Nevertheless, I’ll still stick with a traditional frame. Call me old fashioned.
Made from hemp and reportedly quite comfortable. I’m a fan of anything made from hemp as it is a superior material in every way to cotton.
These things are a hot item this year. So hot that many of them are sold out. But, I know my wife (who’s a little geeky, but in a good way) would love them. Cute.
I’ve read all of the books, and I can attest that any mom who hasn’t read them yet (admittedly not many who haven’t) will absolutely get wrapped up in them. Yes, it seems, on the surface, nothing more than teen angst silliness. But, it isn’t; it’s actually a classical love story wrapped in monster clothes. Stephanie Meyer is a mad genius.
My wife carries her laptop everywhere with her, and she does it with a cruddy old backpack. She’s still girlie and she likes girlie looking bags so this would make a great gift for her. I bet she’s not alone. Just because women may work outside the house doesn’t mean they should be subjected to drab men stuff.
We loved our Keurig machine for 4 years before it finally gave out on us. I’m not a big coffee drinker (I prefer tea), but my wife is. This thing requires zero clean up (meaning it doesn’t require work and thus escaping the kitchen appliance do-not) and makes an acceptable cup of coffee. It’s a can’t-go-wrong gift.
Women like nice clothes, but prefer to pick them out themselves. It might seem like a cop-out to give a gift card but it isn’t. You’re not getting a generic mall gift card or an Amazon gift card. You’re getting one that is specific to something you know she wants. It’s like buying her that nice cashmere sweater but without having to fret about the size or anything — let her do that part.
Day at the Spa
I asked around a bit and found this is actually a popular desire. I would not have thought so, but I can’t argue with feedback. I would think it’s too cliché, too silly. But, like I said, I’ve had 4 women tell me this is something they’d want — I can’t argue. I might go one better though than just a day. I would probably get a package of trips to the spa; just one seems like a dirty trick, “Ha HA! Now you want more, but you can’t have it.”
Bonus: 10 Things not to get a woman for Christmas (or for any other reason)
1. Cleaning supplies of any sort: What? Are you stupid or something?
2. Exercise Equipment: Maybe this should be Number 1
3. Cooking Stuff: Unless expressly requested
4. Makeup: Another hint that she might not be perfect. What? Are you Stupid?
5. Underwear: If you have family over for Christmas and you’re an idiot, like I think you are, then she’ll open this in front of everyone and kill you afterwards
6. Cheap Jewelry: Jewelry is all about class. If you don’t spend a small fortune then don’t bother because otherwise you’ll just be saying she’s not worth it (which we all know is not true)
7. Weird Crap: Women are not men. Men like to be amused with stupid novelty stuff. You’ll be really sorry if you buy your wife a singing fish or a stupid snow globe (unless she collects them)
8. Cash: Cash says “I’m a lazy fool who doesn’t give a crap.” What? Are you stupid or something?
9. Anything for the Kids that is annoying: If your wife stays at home all day with the kids, and you get them an annoying electronic toy, she is the one who puts up with it, not you. This falls into the “I’m an inconsiderate ass” category.
10. Homemade stuff: Unless you’re a kid or Bob Villa – which you aren’t.
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Hm, the sneakers and coffee maker are my type of hype but other than that I’ll go with the guys list.
You are right on target with these! The little Mimobots are adorable (do they come in silver or basic black?) and the coffee maker is always a winner. You really can’t go wrong with any of these, and the dont’s are equally on spot. Great post!
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I’m glad I got a few of them right! I asked my wife about those Mimobots, Wolf, and she thought they were really cute too — I’m glad those were on the mark
Thanks for the encouragement. The mind of a woman is sometimes a difficult thing.
Love the gift lists, but I guess my wife is different than most. She has a love-hate relationship with plants. She loves them, but won’t take care of them so they die. You’re right about kitchen stuff, but for different reasons. I’m the chef so anything bought for the kitchen is a gift for me, not her, regardless of whether I’d ever use it. A gift card, even one to Nordstrom would result in instant death. I’d fare better picking out something I know she won’t like and taking her to return it. I might get away with it if I also purchased something else nice that she could open Christmas Day. She’s a sucker for jewelry, it doesn’t have to be expensive, it does have to be nice. With her it should be gold, but the stones don’t have to be real. Love the idea of the day spa. She’s even mentioned it. As for your list of don’ts, don’t, not unless you’ve got a death wish.
I do have to laugh about the cleaning suppies, though. Two years ago for Father’s Day I asked for a vacuum cleaner. Ours had broken and I was getting tired of looking at the carpet. Although she used it a lot more thanI did, itmight have been the best Father’s Day gift I ever got.
Hi Walter! This was the problem in writing the list for moms. It’s just too difficult to nail down the personalities of moms because they are so hard to generalize. My twin sister criticized me for including the flash drives in this list because she doesn’t like that sort of thing. However, my wife says they’re just about the cutest things ever. My mom says a day at the spa is not something she’s ever wished for, but I’m sure my two sisters would really like it. go figure, right!
Yes about the Nordstrom gift card! I’d love that.
I may be the exception, but I would also like exercise equipment (running clothes, shoes, a Nike+ sportband, etc.) and cooking stuff (a new skillet, a fancy ice cream scoop, etc.). I much prefer practical things like that.
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I will take the Day at the Spa!
(pssst.. wonder if my husband will see this?) LOL
Joan
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Stephanie, I thought the nordstrom card was a great idea too. It’s much better than a generic card or a card from some crappy store. Nordstrom cards definitely say we care while still admitting we’d probably screw it up if left to our own wits!
Joan, I can’t believe how many women think the spa day is a good gift. I always thought it was just a cliche sort of gift. Writing this blog is teaching me all sorts of valuable things I did not previously know