Choosing the perfect birthday gift for that special lady doesn’t have to be a gut-wrenching experience. Take note of these easy guidelines, and you will be on the right track in no time. This guide is guaranteed to keep you out of the dog house and maybe even help you score some bonus points to buy the birthday gifts for girlfriends & wives.
Birthday Gifts Ideas for Girlfriends & Wives
Buying Blunders
Congratulations! You’ve avoided the worst blunder of all; forgetting her birthday. Robert Frost once said, “A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.” Most women will agree that this is good advice. Our birthday gift guide will help you tactfully avoid other everyday birthday mistakes.
The first dilemma is that men and women have different views on gifts. While men believe gift giving should be logical (i.e. “But we really needed a new shower curtain!”), women prefer gifts that express feeling. Listed below are some commonly-made BAD gift choices.
Domestic Household Items:
(vacuum cleaners, blenders, toasters, etc.) Unless she specifically requests one of these items for her birthday, they should be avoided at all cost. She may really love to clean, cook and take care of the kids, but these domestic items don’t work for birthdays.
You wouldn’t give a business woman a new pencil sharpener for her birthday, so don’t give your wife or girlfriend anything that requires the performance of a job (or chore) either. These items are necessities, not gifts, and they may come off as more suggestive than thoughtful.
General Gift Certificates:
Women like thoughtful gifts, and for the most part gift certificates aren’t very personal. While service gift certificates (i.e. for massages or spa services) are perfectly acceptable, general monetary gift certificates for stores and malls are not a good gift idea.
Gift certificates show her that you couldn’t pick out a gift yourself, and worse, you’re making her do it for you. Don’t give her added responsibilities for her birthday.
Read more: Summer Gift Guide: Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Beloved
Clothing:
Most men know very little about women’s clothing, and therefore giving it as a gift is likely to backfire. The first problem lies in the size. While you may have a general idea of what size your wife or girlfriend is, the sizes vary between different styles and clothing brands.
If you choose a size too small, she may be embarrassed it doesn’t fit. Choosing a size too large may lead her to believe you think she’s fat. Another potential problem is picking something she’d actually wear. This depends on how closely you’ve been paying attention to her wardrobe.
Sure, she was wearing clothes last time she left the house (you’re pretty sure), but did you notice what styles, fabrics and brands she wears most? If not, don’t take a shot in the dark with a clothing gift.
Must know: Ways to make it Up forgetting Girlfriend’s Birthday
Lingerie:
Lingerie may be a good gift idea for anniversaries and Valentine’s Day because those are couple’s celebrations. Birthdays are a personal celebration, so give her a gift that is just for her.
If you do decide to buy a lingerie gift, make sure to choose something she’d be comfortable wearing, and finding the right size is also important. As a word of caution, lingerie shouldn’t be considered as a gift for any occasion if the relationship is new.
A gift that over-steps her boundaries will be taken offensively and imply that your interest in her is purely physical. It’s safer to wait and pick out lingerie together, which also eliminates sizing problems.
Read more: 7 Amazing Gift Ideas for Your Lovely Wife
Cosmetic Products:
(i.e. makeup, hair products, hair tools, etc.)While relaxation and spa sets make great birthday gifts for women, makeup and cosmetic products don’t. Cosmetic products may insinuate that you aren’t happy with the way she looks or that her beauty routine isn’t working for her.
The last thing you want to do on her birthday is insult her, so don’t take the risk. Instead try a bath & body or aromatherapy gift that is designed to improve the way she feels.
Exercise Equipment:
Unless she asks you to get her the Pro-Stepper 3000 for her birthday, a gift of exercise equipment will probably be misconstrued. As with cosmetics and clothing, an exercise gift likely suggest you think she’s fat or needs improvement. Avoid gifts that will leave her questioning your motives.
Read more: 6 Best 1st Anniversary Gift Ideas for your better half!
Last-Minute Gifts:
On her birthday she wants to know you care about her. Picking up some half-dead roses from the gas station down the street isn’t going to show her that. She’ll be able to tell if you don’t put time or thought into her gift, and it will hurt her feelings.
To compensate you will have to buy a gift twice as expensive and sincere, and she may still give you the cold shoulder for a few days. Save yourself the trouble and take time to find a thoughtful gift the first time around.
Premium Purchases
The trick to finding a great present and birthday wishes for your sister, wife, girlfriend or mom is as simple as opening an ear. You’re eating dinner, and sure you nod between bites, but have you been really listening to what she’s saying? In daily conversation she gives you numerous clues to things she likes and dislikes.
Listed below are a variety of woman-approved birthday gift ideas. They’re guaranteed to make her feel special on her special day.
Find more: 8 Birthday Gift Ideas for Lady Love of your Life
Personalized Gifts:
Buying a personalized gift for your wife or girlfriend shows her that you spent time and effort choosing it, which in turn scores you bonus points. However, engraving her name or initials on something doesn’t necessarily make it a great gift.
She probably wouldn’t appreciate a monogrammed golf bag if she’s never played golf. Gifts must reflect her hobbies and personal tastes, not yours. Instead consider placing a bouquet of her favorite flowers in a vase personalized with a loving message. Women always appreciate romantic gestures and cherish mementos.
Relaxation Gifts:
Whether she’s a businesswoman, student or stay-at-home mom, she probably battles a great deal of stress in her everyday life. She would appreciate a gift that will help her unwind and put her responsibilities on the back burner for awhile.
Pamper her with a massage oil set or a bath & body basket, and then follow it up with a back massage or a candlelit bubble bath. While a day at the spa is nice, a relaxing evening at home with you is better.
Choosing products with scents like lavender or chamomile will enhance the calming effect.
Read more: Kraft Gift Bags – Perfect For Any Occasion
Gourmet Food:
You could take her out to dinner, again, or you could prepare a delicious meal for her with an all-inclusive gourmet food basket. Many of these baskets include the necessary cookware, utensils and spices.
If she loves sushi, get her a deluxe sushi basket and prepare her favorite dish. She’ll be impressed with your thoughtfulness and careful planning. Just remember to do the dishes too! It’s not much of a treat if she has to clean up.
Home Décor:
If she enjoys decorating and accessorizing her house, a home décor gift might be perfect for her. Again it’s important to pay attention to her style, decorating themes, color schemes and artwork.
A woman who decorates with Feng Shui would not appreciate a hand-painted rooster lamp or a gothic wizard oil burner. If she collects figurines or art, add a valued piece to her collection, just make sure it’s a piece she doesn’t already have.
Choose an original painting or vase to accent her living room or bedroom, or give her a decorative frame with a photo of you together. She’ll display these items in her home, and she’ll be reminded of you every day.
Jewelry:
Jewelry is a classic and timeless gift that most women love. Choosing the right piece may be difficult, but if you take a look at her jewelry collection, you’ll get a good idea of what styles of jewelry she likes.
If she only wears silver, don’t buy her yellow gold. If her jewelry is trendy, she would not like a brooch. Lockets, promise rings, mother’s rings and other sentimental pieces of jewelry are female favorites.
See more: Where To Find Indian Traditional Jewelry Designs?
Jewelry with her birthstone and personalized pieces also make great gifts. Make her feel special by choosing a piece that is just for her.
Warning: If you’re to the stage in your relationship where a marriage proposal might be expected, don’t give her a ring, unless it is engagement ring. She may misconstrue the gift and then be very disappointed.
Candles & Accessories:
Candles can be used for fragrance, decoration, relaxation, improving mood and creating romance. The versatility of candles makes them a great gift choice for women.
Candle holders, burners, tea light lamps and other candle accessories come in many different styles and designs. Find a holder that fits her décor and a fragrance that will achieve the desired effect.
Choose a rose or ylang ylang scented candle if you want to set the mood for romance. Light fruity scents and food scents are popular choices.
Gift Baskets:
When in doubt, choose a gift basket. You might be cringing at the screen in confusion thinking, “A gift basket? I know she doesn’t like tubed meat or cheese!” But gift baskets have come a long way since then.
You can find gift baskets in a number of themes, and some websites even allow you to design your own. Either way giving her a gift basket that appeals to her hobbies or interests is sure to please. Anything customized or designed by you is a good gift idea.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Leave a comment