My girlfriend's birthday is coming up and I'm facing the same problem we all face in this situation: What should I get for her? However, mine is a somewhat unusual situation. I'm not saying it's a wholly unique problem, but it certainly isn't the norm.
For Jenna (my girlfriend), it isn't a question of "What do you get for the person who has everything?" It's a question of "What do you get for the person who doesn't WANT anything?" I wouldn't go so far as to call her a minimalist, she certainly has more than a bed and some clothes, but she doesn't care much for the burdens that come along with owning things. And while I can appreciate that, it doesn't make shopping for her very easy.
She's no Quaker, but she doesn't care much for electronics (She doesn't even own a TV and she only uses her computer once a month to pay bills and check email - Thank goodness she at least uses it often enough to visit TorsoPants, or I'd still be single). She doesn't care for jewelry (And I'm not just saying that to avoid buying an expensive gift, I actually bought her a necklace for Valentines and she forced me to return it).
As if that doesn't make things impossible enough, she says she "has enough clothes," doesn't care for perfume or accessories, and absolutely can't stand the cookie cutter gifts from Bed Bath & Beyond (The "Basket O' Smells" as she puts it).
So I guess this isn't so much a blog for the sake of informing or entertaining as it is a simple request: Keeping all of the above information in mind, what are some interesting gift ideas I may have overlooked? Any advice is welcome. Thanks. (And you can't suggest I just give her all my love. That qualifies as giving her a pair of TorsoPants. Ha ha.)
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13 comments:
Perhaps a homemade present... can you cook dinner? Bake a cake? It doesn't always matter how it turns out, just that you tried. That might save money too - gas money.
does your girlfriend have a long-lost twin? she sounds just like me. i don't wear jewelry, rarely even watch television (though i do own one), don't care for flowers or such... so my advice is what my husband gets for me: 90 minute masages. just drive her to the place and wait while she gets it, then take her out to her favourite restaurant (or cook for her, that's a sweet gesture) and let her feel all wonderful and relaxed.
You might try the Etsy Gift Guides (http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/) for some inspiration. Or like hkhm said, a massage, or a day trip to a local or semi-local place o' interest. Something that makes memories.
I'm a Quaker, and I use electronics. We all do! :-) It's the Amish that mostly don't.
I agree with dinner/massage idea. Also, I find that minimalist types tend to be less minimal with books and/or music.
Cheers
zoo pass
Yeah - the day at the spa thing. Find one that does not focus on make-up and hair-dos. Should be one with the "natural" mud mask and hot rocks on the back.
My MIL is like this. Everything I have given her she turns around and gives it back "here, honey, you can get better use out of this than I can". B**ch
The only thing she has not given back is a photo album I created with pictures of her grandkids and captions and mementos of the occasions in the photos. Do that for your lady. Dig up the photos and put the book together yourself.
You're a relatively talented sort of guy. Consider writing her a passage about what she has done for you, how she makes you look at things differently, how she has opened your eyes to new vistas, how she makes you 'feel'. A 'one from the heart' piece.
Then memorize what you've written and take her somewhere nice, a park, a lake, a place with a visual presence, make her comfortable and read it to her.
Women always want something, often it isn't a 'thing' at all, but simply recognition for the things they bring to those who are special in their lives.
If I found one like that, I'd bridal that babe and ride her off into the sunset.
You are very lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend. Write her a story or a poem, draw her a picture, tell her a joke, tickle her feet, mow her lawn, rotate her tires, do an interpretive dance for her, carve her an ice sculpture, draw a picture of her on the beach at high tide and take a video of the ocean taking it back, then give her the video and remind her that it can be recorded over whenever needed, comb her hair, comb your hair, give her your vote for president (i.e., let her tell you whom to vote for, so she essentially gets two votes), name something after her, or make a huge donation in her name.
I have to concur with the spa idea. Or dinner, dance classes, gift certificate to a doggie accessories store (obviously, only if she has a pet), or art supply store. Food? Concert tickets? Being a minimalist doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy life.
name a star after her, one that you dont need a telescope to see!!!
Take her out for a meal or something. Or give her a good porking.
:P
gestures are great, trips, dinner, massages.. great too. Books and music, even better idea.. my favorite thing.. pampering. Wait on me hand and foot, do the dishes, make me lunch, let me lounge and do absolutely nothing, all the while the things i would normally do are still getting done
I'm kind of like that. Kind of...
I'd put a dollar in pennies in a box in a bigger box, and a bigger box, and bigger box, until you end up with a tightly packed refrigerator box, wrap it bright red paper, dump it on her lawn, and then cover it up (like you're hiding it) with shrubs and army camo and stuff. Then dress up in camo and paint your face army colors, and hide behind it with a waterpistol, and when she comes out jump up and start squirting her.
For me, that would be the best birthday ever. :P
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