Buying a gift for your wife or girlfriend doesn't have to be stressful. Here are ten ideas.
By suzanne russo — Written on Nov 23, 2010
OK, so that gift card you got her last year was great because she got to pick out whatever she wanted, but here's a hint: Picking out an actual gift for her will win you more points. Sound daunting? Never fear, YourTango is here! We've got some ideas that'll please even the pickiest lady but won't make your wallet cower in fear.
1. Sultra Bombshell Curling Rod. This pricey ceramic tool seems a little on the ridiculous side, but trust us, if your lady has curly hair she's always trying to de-frizz; if she's got straight hair she's always trying to curl (and she's almost certainly got one or the other). The Sultra Bombshell Curling Rod does both and is no doubt on her wish list this year--even if she doesn't yet know it. This fancy hair gadget is made of Kyocera ceramic that not only protects her hair from heat damage, but actually repairs it with infrared rays. Think of it as her version of the lightsaber. One that will give her smooth, sultry frizz-free waves. In short, this gadget will change her world. We've used this seemingly odd gift, and can confirm that it's as magical as they say!
(sephora.com, $130)
2. MyPressi Twist. Whether she spends her day at work hunched over a computer or at home harriedly raising your children, one thing is certain: your lady works hard. All that hard work can make her exhausted, and it certainly makes her deserving of a nice treat. The MyPressi TWIST handles both: The world's first portable espresso maker means she can have a delicious pick-me-up any time she wants. All she'll need for her afternoon jolt is a stash of coffee and hot water. The TWIST's breakthrough pneumatic engine ensures a perfect espresso without having to make a frantic Starbucks run (or pay an exorbitant price for a mediocre coffee). For gals who order their usuals with extra foam, make sure you tack on the milk frother. (mypressi.com, $169)
3. Vintage Stewardess Bag. Sure, a suitcase with wheels is convenient, but there's something super romantic about the old days when flying meant glamour instead of throwing on sweats and taking your life apart for airport security. A vintage stewardess bag isn't the most practical gift, but it will make your next weekend getaway or her trip to the gym that much more memorable. And vintage means she'll be the only one of her friends to have it. Plus, it'll win you some points for going to the trouble to scout out something unique. We found this great three-piece set on Etsy; eBay is a good place to search, too. (etsy.com, $60 for the set)
4. Rosanna Dishes. They may not make sense to you, but she'll love this whimsical little dishes. And she'll have you to thank when her friends rave about them at your next dinner party. For the lady who appreciates classic decor, the elegant red and white design of the Red Velvet collection will add an air of sophistication to her ladies' luncheons. The baker will thrill at serving her creations on some adorable cupcake plates. (Red Velvet Collection, $35 for four appetizer plates; Cupcake Collection, $40 for a set of four).
5. A day off. She works hard, then she comes home and helps with homework, plays housekeeper, chef, referee to the kids' fights, and the list goes on. The best gift you could give her? A day off. Take the kids for a day and ship her off to her favorite spa, armed with a good book and a gift card. When she returns home, you'll have cooked, cleaned and popped a bottle of wine to continue the relaxation. It's almost a sure bet she'll be feeling so good you'll get a little something in return. (spafinder.com, starting at $50)
6. The Sound of Music 45th Anniversary Collection. She grew up idolizing Liesel and still knows "You Are 16" (and every other song) by heart. Now The Sound of Music has been digitally remastered and and jam-packed with never-before-seen features, from screen tests to interviews. Give her this box set and you won't just be giving her a DVD—you'll be giving her a piece of her childhood. Oh, plus a hand-painted music box, trivia quizzes and virtual maps, and the sing-along that she's always wanted. And that's just the beginning. An especially great gift for a mom, as she can share her memories with the next generation. Dare we say it'll be her favorite thing? (costco.com, $59.99)
7. Diana Mini. Meet Diana: She's retro and cool and she takes fun, artsy photos. Sounds a little like your gal? Well, then she'll love to trade in her digital camera every now and then and go back to 35 mm. But not jut any 35 mm. The Diana Mini takes square format photos, or she can get a little crazy and take Half-Frame shots. Either way the itsy bitsy Diana Mini, with her endless capabilities (long exposures, multiple exposure, and more photography fun) will help her tap into her artistic side, and get funky with gorgeous, retro shots. (adorama.com, $54.95)
8. A Tiffany necklace. Let us be frank: She sees that little blue box under the tree and you're... Well, you're likely getting more than a thank-you hug. But before you freak out, not everything from the famous Tiffany & Co. has to break the bank. The line has a range of items for around $100. You can't go wrong with the classic Elsa Peretti Open Heart Pendant, but we're partial to the Tiffany Notes Alphabet disc charm pendant. It's simple, it's elegant, and all her friends don't already have it. (tiffany.com, $115; heart pendant $125)
9. Lingerie. So you'd like to get her a pretty little thing you'll both enjoy? Move carefully in this territory: While the right thing will have her feeling sexy (and in the mood), an ill-fitting piece may just leave her feeling insecure and unhappy. The best idea, check her lingerie drawer (a chore, we know) to figure out what she likes—and more importantly what size she wears—and move forward from there. A silky pair of French knickers is always a good choice, and a baby doll is great if she's self-conscious about her belly. Or go for something that doesn't require a size, like these silk Spoylt cuffs, and tool belt, which comes with a blindfold and wrist-ties. When in doubt get help: The gal at your local lingerie store should have some suggestions. (spoylt.com, Infatuation cuffs, $52; seduction tool belt, $62.50)
10. Personalized Coffee Table Book. What's more touching than turning your relationship into a high quality coffee table book? Simply cull her favorite photos, log on to Blurb, and use their magic, easy-to-use software to put together a beautiful book that will sit on your coffee table for years to come. Don't know where to begin? How about finally putting together that honeymoon album she's been talking about for years? Or sort through the photos she's always taking of the kids and create a retrospective. You could even skip the photo route altogether and create a custom cookbook. Get her mom, her sister, her girlfriends to send in their favorite recipes and put them altogether for her. Come to think of it, you could print multiple copies of that book, and her friends’ men would be forever indebted to you. (blurb.com, from $22.95)
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Ladies, help a guy (and his wife or girlfriend) out and tell us: Which gift is your favorite? If you don't like any of 'em, what would you want instead?
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