Comments on: He Said She Said: Can a Household Necessity be Given as a Gift?

By: *Bibliophile

*Bibliophile — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:32:00 +0000

I can't BELIEVE how many insensitive oafs (read: donkeys) are out there! Any man who doesn't know what gifts to get his wife is simply too self-absorbed. If you just pay attention when you're out running errands, or just sitting at home, even what seems like idle conversation will reveal her preferences and desires. If you're shopping and she says an outfit looks cute, urge her to try it on, then leave the store together and find a pretense to leave her for a few minutes and go back and buy it immediately (if she liked it). Same with perfumes she likes, or jewelry, or books, or music, ANYTHING (but try to be sneaky, we like surprises you know!).

If you are seriously too retarded to remember to bring along a paper and pen to surreptitiously write yourself notes (what item, what size, what store, etc.) while you're shopping with her, then get used to buying things on the spur of the moment and saving them for special occasions (in-laws are great at storing presents for you). BTW, you don't have to wait for a birthday, Valentine's, mother's day, or Christmas to give her something you noticed her wanting.

And steer away from household items unless, for instance, she loves to cook and she's been eyeing some new kitchen gadget that isn't necessary, but fun. See, that's the key to good gifts: things that are not necessary, but have merit merely in being enjoyable or fun.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:31:00 +0000

Seems like there could always be SOMETHING special that the donkey for find as a gift—look for pretty jewelry, or a nice CD or ipod, or something a bit on the splurgy side. Even a good book for heaven’s sake! Then, give another, more practical gift if need be!tin0002

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:45:00 +0000

Wow! I don’t know who “Khurt Williams” is – but I didn’t know there was anyone who was a bigger…ahem…donkey…than The Donkey out there! There’s no need for rudeness.

By: Khurt Williams

Khurt Williams — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:27:00 +0000

How about this? How about a spouse who loves you and getting a gift for both of you. Pre-paid baby sitting for year so you can go out and spend time together. The donkey and his whiner ( that’s alll she appears to do on this blog ) can spend some time reconnecting.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:13:00 +0000

There is no way that I would give my wife a household item (again) as a gift. This Christmas, besides the list she gave me, I had the choice between a couple other things that she mentioned. On one occasion, she said she wanted a Nintendo DS... on another she said she wanted a new vacuum cleaner.

I went with the DS and she was as happy as ever. I told her, later that it was a hard decision between that and the vacuum. After inciting violence at the fact that I even considered the vacuum, she was thankful that I made the right choice.

I honestly would never have bought anything that would be associated with "work" (except possibly a dishwasher). I learned, long ago that when giving gifts to women, the item needs to be something "personal". Personal things are especially important on birthdays, since the whole day is all about them.

Don't ever buy her a car stereo to put in your car, claiming that she listens to music more than you do. ... hey... I was young and foolish... and I learned!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 05:01:00 +0000

I don’t think that you can count a household item as a gift, unless it’s something really special and was specially requested. Why? Because a household item is for the entire family. It’s not FOR your wife. No, it’s for you. You’re actually requesting her to do something. There are special instances when that thing is something really cool, like a Kitchen Aid or something. But that’s rare. If I was a guy, I’d take years of observing my parents and NEVER give my wife a household item as a gift. Give her nothing if you’re going to be an idiot, it’s a better choice.

By: phillyz

phillyz — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 06:46:00 +0000

i like litemike’s style, is it the donkey’s fault he beat you to getting yourself the “gift” it could have been a normal shopping pickup but since he was on the ball he turned it into a gift. can we give this guy some kind of award- BRAVO sir BRAVO

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:13:00 +0000

Concerning the toothpicks, who says she has been peeking? She knows what is on her shopping list, that’s all. A gift should be something you would dearly love to have but don’t need. Anything on a grocery list definitely does not count unless it is everything on the list and in that case it should still only count as “fillers” and not THE ITEM.Merry Christmas and hope you have time to redeem yourself this year.

By: Sarah Marie

Sarah Marie — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 01:08:00 +0000

Hi guys – love your blog! I wish there was an in-between option for this poll. My husband – then boyfriend – once stuffed a stocking for me with everyday things like gum excedrin (I get a lot of headaches), and I thought that was sweet and thoughtful. But he also gave me a boxed DVD set I love, and a board game. So I think a few daily household items are fine, but essentially doing the grocery shopping for your wife isn’t much of a Merry Christmas! by the way, I wonder if the phrase “lose ALL THIS weight” will land you sleeping on the couch anytime soon, Donkey!

By: cworth

cworth — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:37:00 +0000

i think a household item can be given as a gift, but not the only gift. i would be willing to bet that the wife gave the donkey a good wishlist (she’s a list maker you know) and i bet he “misplaced” it, as in promptly put it out of his mind because he would never spend money on any of those things anyway. sorry Wife, i voted with The Donkey again… yikes!