Birthday gift for wife...

Low&Slow

Low&Slow

Ancora imparo
So the brunette will be celebrating four decades on this planet in early Feb and I'm not sure what I'll get her yet. She is a very beautiful woman and is a super wife and mother.

For sure she will get roses and chocolate (she always does and I'm sure she knows it's coming). We'll probably go out to eat somewhere too. Not sure where though. Japanese steakhouse? Italian? Live show with dinner? We live between South Bend, IN and Kalamazoo, MI and I'm open to recommendations. Chicago isn't too far either.

I'm also looking for suggestions for a special gift for turning four-oh. Nothing tacky or degrading (I hate all those stupid over-the-hill things), but something classy and nice. This gift should be all about her.

Thanks.
 
What is she into? Sports, activities, etc? Make the day all about her.

If you have kids, get a sitter for day. So you guys can be alone.

Does she have a lot of family or friends in the area? If yes, you could end the day with a surprise B-day dinner at a nice restuarant.

Try a cruise dinner cruise on the Spirit of Chicago, if it fits your schedule
http://www.spiritofchicago.com/ch/pricing.jsp

Nice weekend at a quiet Bed and Breakfast

IMO Jewlery is overdone, unless she is really into it.
 
Every girl I have ever met has liked diamonds, she likes them too. I was thinking about that...maybe some ear rings and a matching necklace pendant or something, but if I did that, I would want it to be something unique and I don't know if there is enough time for a jeweler to make something.

She's very family oriented and loves Jesus. Her hobbies are sewing, cooking, quilting, and making jewelry and gifts for other people. She doesn't like movies so much, but she likes to read. As far as sports goes, she didn't know anything about sports at all when we met, but now she knows more about football, baseball, and wrestling (real wrestling, not WWE) than her brothers or her father. She keeps score at baseball games too, I know LOTS of guys that don't know how to do that. I wouldn't say she is a sports nut, she just loves to get involved and/or watch our kids play.

She is very quiet and shy so she doesn't have any friends, except our next door neighbor, whom she only talks to for a few minutes every once in a while. She's friendly and courteous to strangers, but she just doesn't have friends that she goes out with. Part of that probably has to do with her preference to stay at home with us (family oriented). Her family lives about 8 hrs away driving.

The cruise looks interesting, but I wonder how bad the ice pack is in L. Michigan at Chicago. It's pretty bad here. I will look into that a little more.

We did a B&B before, but didn't really feel too comfortable because there were quite a few people there and we didn't know any of them. It was a nice place though. I thought about going to Florida or Arizona for a weekend, but not yet sure how much that would cost. I'd have to look into that. Neither one of us are drinkers, smokers, or partiers, and she's not the "Vegas" type and has said she has no inclination to ever visit there.

She is trying come out of her shell and not be so shy, but is struggling with it. Bandit, If you go to the Michigan M&G this Sunday in Ann Arbor you will meet her as we are planning on going as well.
 
modernicarus said:
Every girl I have ever met has liked diamonds, she likes them too. I was thinking about that...maybe some ear rings and a matching necklace pendant or something, but if I did that, I would want it to be something unique and I don't know if there is enough time for a jeweler to make something.

She's very family oriented and loves Jesus. Her hobbies are sewing, cooking, quilting, and making jewelry and gifts for other people. She doesn't like movies so much, but she likes to read. As far as sports goes, she didn't know anything about sports at all when we met, but now she knows more about football, baseball, and wrestling (real wrestling, not WWE) than her brothers or her father. She keeps score at baseball games too, I know LOTS of guys that don't know how to do that. I wouldn't say she is a sports nut, she just loves to get involved and/or watch our kids play.

She is very quiet and shy so she doesn't have any friends, except our next door neighbor, whom she only talks to for a few minutes every once in a while. She's friendly and courteous to strangers, but she just doesn't have friends that she goes out with. Part of that probably has to do with her preference to stay at home with us (family oriented). Her family lives about 8 hrs away driving.

The cruise looks interesting, but I wonder how bad the ice pack is in L. Michigan at Chicago. It's pretty bad here. I will look into that a little more.

We did a B&B before, but didn't really feel too comfortable because there were quite a few people there and we didn't know any of them. It was a nice place though. I thought about going to Florida or Arizona for a weekend, but not yet sure how much that would cost. I'd have to look into that. Neither one of us are drinkers, smokers, or partiers, and she's not the "Vegas" type and has said she has no inclination to ever visit there.

She is trying come out of her shell and not be so shy, but is struggling with it. Bandit, If you go to the Michigan M&G this Sunday in Ann Arbor you will meet her as we are planning on going as well.
Click to expand...

My wife and I are going to definitely try and make it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I won't be on a trip that day. If she isn't already on the board she may like JetGirls which is run by Kristie.

Depending on the weather the cruise may be nice and have the parents there too as a surprise or to local establishment by your place. Also try setting it up a little too. Start leaving clues as to what the event may be or where. The Chicago Blackhawks are usually entertaining too.

Hope to see you guys Sunday.
 
Hi. I used to live in Campaign Urbana. IL was not my favorite state to live in so I used to take my wife and Kid on long drives. One day we ended up at Chattanooga TN. It was great. For a small town they have alot of tourist attractions.

They have an underground water fall that you have to go underneath a mountain and walk about a half a mile until you get to it. It is beautiful and there is alot to see on the way there. www.rubyfalls.com

They also have a zoo, Murder Mystery Dinner shows, Aquarium fresh and salt, And so much more. You cant get bored there. And the view is amazing. If you drive there you can drive around the mountains witch are beautiful. I used to be a truck driver and every time I drove threw there I wished I could stop and enjoy myself.


But if you want to stay close to home I am sure you can find something to do. Chicago has plenty of things to do. You could always to the dinner/theater, or dinner and a mystery. Just remember that most women do not like turning 40. So try to be sensitive if she isn't feeling well on her birthday.

Good luck and tell us what happend.
 
how does she feel about turning four-oh?

When i turned "of age" (haha), i felt like i wanted to do something young....so we went to disneyland. it was a hoot because on your birthday, it's free admission, you get a birthday button and everyone says happy birthday to you all day long...i think they're still doing that type of promo. but i had a BLAST and made turning old(er) a lot easier.
 
The airplane would be a great gift that she would love, but it will be for us both when we get one again. I had a C172 a few years ago, but I couldn't take the whole family in one trip (us two plus four kids). She wants me to get one that can carry us and our four yutes to TN to visit her family and to AZ to visit some old friends. She has been looking at airplanes online and wants a C402, they're nice, but I think they're kinda thirsty and I think it'll be too much to maintain. I suggested a Piper Twin Comanche. We are still in "negotiations" while she tries to figure out how to afford the 402.

As far as turning 40, she hasn't indicated it bothering her in any way. She still looks like she's 30-something, almost always has a smile, and stays pretty active. Disney is a great idea, but going to Disney without the kids just doesn't seem right. Maybe we can bring them with, I'll have to look into the cost. I'm trying to keep her birthday under $1000 and I think airfare alone would probably wreck that budget. I wish I had an airplane. Anybody know if there are any really good airline deals from SBN, KZO, ORD, or MDW to Orlando and back or know of any good websites I can look?

I've thought of taking her on a short cruise or a flight to Europe, but not sure it will be affordable or if I can fit it in a weekend, even if I left on a Thursday night (I need to be back to work Monday morning). I would leave the kids at home if we did something like that. Maybe I'll save that plan for our Anniversary and go for a week or so.

Oh, another hobby she has that I forgot to mention is home demolition and construction. It seems like she is constantly tearing the house up and then fixing it up. She loves power tools and construction tools. Maybe I should start looking at Lowe's.

I've thought of sexy lingerie too, but I have a policy of not ever buying clothes for women (not even my daughters). First problem is I would have to go clothes shopping (:whip:). Secondly, in my experience, clothes shopping for women is too complicated and it's too easy to screw it up and/or offend. Thirdly, men have no business buying clothes for women, mostly because we are clueless about it (see reason # two). And finally, lingerie for her is really a gift for me isn't it?

I really appreciate the brainstorming, thoughtfullness, and help y'all are giving here. Thanks!
 
O.K. so my wife and I are working on 22 years. You have to ask yourself what she would like. I've had the best luck with jewelry. Although I do buy her cloths when I see something she would look good in. Don't overthink it.
 
modernicarus said:
The airplane would be a great gift that she would love, but it will be for us both when we get one again. I had a C172 a few years ago, but I couldn't take the whole family in one trip (us two plus four kids). She wants me to get one that can carry us and our four yutes to TN to visit her family and to AZ to visit some old friends. She has been looking at airplanes online and wants a C402, they're nice, but I think they're kinda thirsty and I think it'll be too much to maintain. I suggested a Piper Twin Comanche. We are still in "negotiations" while she tries to figure out how to afford the 402.

As far as turning 40, she hasn't indicated it bothering her in any way. She still looks like she's 30-something, almost always has a smile, and stays pretty active. Disney is a great idea, but going to Disney without the kids just doesn't seem right. Maybe we can bring them with, I'll have to look into the cost. I'm trying to keep her birthday under $1000 and I think airfare alone would probably wreck that budget. I wish I had an airplane. Anybody know if there are any really good airline deals from SBN, KZO, ORD, or MDW to Orlando and back or know of any good websites I can look?

I've thought of taking her on a short cruise or a flight to Europe, but not sure it will be affordable or if I can fit it in a weekend, even if I left on a Thursday night (I need to be back to work Monday morning). I would leave the kids at home if we did something like that. Maybe I'll save that plan for our Anniversary and go for a week or so.

Oh, another hobby she has that I forgot to mention is home demolition and construction. It seems like she is constantly tearing the house up and then fixing it up. She loves power tools and construction tools. Maybe I should start looking at Lowe's.

I've thought of sexy lingerie too, but I have a policy of not ever buying clothes for women (not even my daughters). First problem is I would have to go clothes shopping (:whip:). Secondly, in my experience, clothes shopping for women is too complicated and it's too easy to screw it up and/or offend. Thirdly, men have no business buying clothes for women, mostly because we are clueless about it (see reason # two). And finally, lingerie for her is really a gift for me isn't it?

I really appreciate the brainstorming, thoughtfullness, and help y'all are giving here. Thanks!
Click to expand...


Most of the time, yes. However, some women ;) are very excited when their man buys them lingerie. It shows that you're still interested in them and you haven't lost that spark for each other. (Now if your sex life is crappy, I wouldn't recommend a lingerie purchase!) That would probably be seen as a not-so-subtle hint and most likely won't be looked upon kindly.
 
Get her a full sized version of your signature, I know I can't stop watching and laughing at it! :laff:



But I would buy her a whole day spa package and probably some type of meaningful jewelry.
 
pullup said:
But I would buy her a whole day spa package and probably some type of meaningful jewelry.
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:

I'm poor and could only afford a haircut at a nice salon/day spa, and she loved it.
 
Qgar said:
Most of the time, yes. However, some women ;) are very excited when their man buys them lingerie. It shows that you're still interested in them and you haven't lost that spark for each other. (Now if your sex life is crappy, I wouldn't recommend a lingerie purchase!) That would probably be seen as a not-so-subtle hint and most likely won't be looked upon kindly.
Click to expand...
That's my point. Buying clothes for women is too complicated and it's too easy to screw it up and/or offend. I'd wear pretty much anything she bought me and not question motives or subtle hints that aren't really there, or get upset and/or wonder if she thinks I'm getting fat if it was the wrong size. I don't care too much about coordinating clothes either. Hell, everything goes with a pair of jeans or khaki cargo pants and my tan army boots or cowboy boots. But...I dye grass, perhaps that is all a topic for another thread at another time.

t-cart said:
Oh man, I'm thinking a 402 would be perfect! She will love it.
Click to expand...
Yes, she would be thrilled out of her mind! I'd like it too, but I just don't know if I could afford to operate it without a partner or two.

I_Money said:
You said she was over 40 - how about a plastic surgery consult, that is what I plan to get my wife.
Click to expand...
Hahaha! That was very funny...you ARE kidding...right??

She will be 40, but still looks early to mid 30's. She is still a looker and plastic surgery would be a disservice to her natural beauty.

Kristie said:
Day spa's are a great idea!!!! a couples spa and a nice relaxing day away from the kids
Click to expand...
Maybe if it was private, just us and nobody else around. She is very shy. I almost got her a massage once, but bought her jewelry instead and she was extremely relieved that I didn't get her a massage. She said she would be too nervous, uncomfortable, and tense to be undressed and have anyone other than me touch her, even if it is a masseuse giving a massage. If she ended up with a masseur, she would just leave.

Bandit_Driver said:
Any home improvement or buildig shows in the area?

Try an get on one of the home improvement shows that are on DIY?
Click to expand...
Home building shows would be great. She wants to build a BIG pole barn so I can build an kitplane in one part (I really, really, really want to build a Bearhawk), restore my '53 Ford in another part of it, and have another section that we can put our chickens in. It will also have an upstairs office for me to teach groundschool in and a craft room for her to sew and quilt in. One problem is I live in Michigan and it is late January right now, her birthday is Feb 5. It's too cold, wet, and snowy to pour concrete and build a pole barn right now. Besides, don't those shows only go to people that have lots of money, live in California, and/or are famous?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top