Perhaps I should have titled this post: My husband thinks I’m awesome & now I feel awesome. Because he does and frankly I do. I can’t lie, I love it.
Each year I struggle picking out gifts for my husband, Joe. With Christmas, birthday, anniversary, Father’s Day and even Valentine’s Day, it feels like I’m buying him gifts quite often. And most of the time I feel like a gift slacker. A totally safe gift giver who probably doesn’t take many risks. I try to be thoughtful but man, oh man, it can be tough buying for a guy.
Joe is a firm believer that gifts should be about what we want and not just what we need. I tend to go the practical route and ask for things I both want and need.
My husband thankfully has hobbies like running and reading. Buying items which satisfy both will always be a winner. But at times I feel like I’m playing it too safe for him and I usually just ask what he would like or pick from the usual choices. Don’t get me wrong, he was overjoyed when I surprised him with his Garmin Forerunner
But this past Christmas I decided that while I needed to stay at a lower budget than in years past, I would take a chance and not ask him what he wanted for Christmas. And neither did my mother. And we scored. Yep, a total slam dunk. My husband loved all his gifts and we rocked his own personal Christmas tree so to speak, even though I included safe items like clothing and a book.
So how did I do it? I paid attention to Amazon. If you were reading my blog or following my facebook page before the holidays you would have seen me posting deals left and right off from Amazon. I checked out those lighting fast deals which lasted only minutes sometimes whenever I could steal a moment.
And with it, I caught Mass Effect 2
If he didn’t like it I was out much money even though I was breaking a fairly unspoken rule. Do not buy a game unless my husband asks for it. And it paid off. My husband has been playing that game every spare chance he gets since Christmas and just beat the game yesterday. Now he’s on to playing it a different way. This has been totally worth the $10 and my husband was thrilled to get a new surprise video game.
And then of course was the New Syma S107 Mini Indoor RC Remote Controlled Helicopter. When I saw it, I figured what guy doesn’t love something with a remote control? So on a whim I bought it after seeing the rave reviews.
This was a hit with my hubby on Christmas day and all the kids loved watching him fly it. The only thing that stops the fun is when it runs out of a charge. My husband is like a big kid with this thing. Jackpot. Unless your guy is a total stick in the mud, he will think this helicopter is cool and it will bring out his inner child. Trust me.
And my mom bought him the mother of all gifts, the Kindle Wireless Reading Device
My husband has never shown an interest in a Kindle. In fact, he has admitted now that had he been asked he is not sure he would have said yes. But my husband adores that thing. He thought he’d never get away from liking the feel of books but that has long passed and now he enjoys the conveniences of a Kindle. And with so many books out of copyright , he has been reading classics like Tom Sawyer free of charge.
So the next time you are stumped what to get your spouse, look around. Do some research and watch for deals. Take a chance sometimes. Worse case scenario is you have to take the gift back. The upside is you have the chance to surprise your husband with something that he’ll love. And that my friends, is so worth it!
Kelly says
I always enjoy reading your posts Emilie!! Your great!! Your hubby is so lucky to have you!!
Elizabeth says
I was the total rockstar wife with that same remote contol helicopter!
Emilie says
I know, right? I’m totally going to buy another one next year if I draw one of my 3 BILs in our gift exchange. I never know what to buy them but this one is a safe bet! I can’t count how many times my husband has told me how cool that helicopter is. It would also be perfect for that hard to buy for teenager too!
Mimi says
Amazon is a great way to shop. I just bought my aunt an ice cream maker and there were some defects. I had some questions and they responded right away. I was shocked! My aunt in turn loves shopping there too. Its where she got all of our Christmas presents. So glad you found some great deals there. My dad got my mom the Kindle too. Lucky!
courtney says
great post! i love your scarf!
Emilie says
I have a bit of a thing for scarves. 🙂 I got it from Kohl’s but I’ve seen similar styles at TJ Maxx too!
Jaime P says
I’d love a Kindle
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
Aleksandra says
I love hunting down deals, too! Have you ever tried slickdeals.net? I love that site. You can set up a deal alert for a key word or specific item and it will email you when someone posts a deal.
Emilie says
I love slickdeals! But I no idea about that slick notification feature. Sweet! Thanks for mentioning it. 🙂
Aleksandra says
And I forgot to add – beautiful family picture!
blueviolet says
Ok, how cute are all of you?!! Last year they did the vote thing for great deals on Amazon and I did that. This year I also shopped Amazon, but I went right off my kids’ wishlists. I rely on people like you to find the deals for me though most of the time!
G Bailey says
I’m like you–I go with the safe presents. Maybe I’ll try to be more of a risk taker this year!
Donna B. says
You ARE awesome! 🙂 I scored several things on Amazon too this year. It sounds like your hubby had a great Christmas! 🙂 Not a tie, pair of socks or bowling ball in sight 🙂
Mari says
My dh would love the remote controlled helicopter. One gift that was totally impractical, but that he totally loved, was a wowee robot from radio shack.
Shop with Me Mama says
Oh! Some great deals you found! I love Amazon, they are always having some sort of deal.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says
Love, love, love Amazon and it looks like you totally scored! Glad your hubby was excited with his gifts.
Eve says
Im a safe gifter too, because I dont want to buy something a person might not want at all
Kate @ The Shopping Mama says
Go you! I am HORRIBLE at picking out things for my husband. Usually, I don’t even get the chance to get creative, though, because he always has a running list of things he wants! LOL
Tamara B. says
I was so thankful you posted all of those great deals before Christmas because I took advantage of them all thanks to you our Christmas was the best without going too far in the hole. Cheapest Christmas ever but everyone loved their gifts. So happy your husband loved his gifts too!
Emilie says
Really? That is AWESOME! I’m so glad that helped you out. It is amazing the deals that can be had if you can be flexible about what you give. I didn’t spend all that much on Christmas either but you’d never know it by all the gifts I was able to give! 🙂
brigitte jones says
i love this blog. its totally the truth! and i think all woman have the same problem and if they say they dont they r prob fibbing. i always seem to take the saft route myself and go with what he needs, however thanks to this blog, i will be taking a chance the next time i give hubby a gift! Thank you so much!
courtney says
ohh a kindle! jealous!:) love that scarf!