This post goes out to my Daddy Friends (hugs). If buying a gift for the woman who heroically gave birth to your child(ren) is stressful and feels like a test, it’s probably because it is.
First and most importantly, please don’t limit yourself to shopping at Walgreens at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Take a few minutes, consider who you are buying for and try your best to avoid the following mom gift pitfalls:
Gifts Moms Don’t Want
1. Household appliances. Unless she specifically asks for that electric can opener, don’t buy it. She doesn’t want a salad spinner or new iron either. If she needs a household appliance, she’ll buy it on her next trip to Target, along with the toilet paper and coffee filters. The singular exception to this rule is probably a Dyson vacuum.
2. A piece of jewelry she already owns. I used to have a solitaire diamond pendant on a gold chain that I wore every single day. I never took it off; me and the pendant were one. A few years back Big Daddy P surprised me with an expertly wrapped little box on Christmas morning. Overjoyed, I ripped open the package to find…(wait for it, wait for it)… a solitaire diamond pendant on a gold chain. He said it looked like me, I said I bet it did and I pulled down the neck of my pajamas to reveal the exact same necklace. Merry Christmas.
3. Clothes. Unless you’re a gambling man, I’d refrain from buying clothes. Don’t buy your size 8 wife a 3X or vice versa. Tread lightly, include a gift receipt and don’t be offended if she takes it back (because she will).
4. A gift that is more for you than her. Don’t give her a cookbook when she knows you don’t like her cooking. Don’t buy her a cordless drill so you can finally hang those shelves on your Honey-Do List either. Bad gift form.
5. Knick-knack crap. Unless she collects this particular knick-knack crap, don’t buy it. Chances are this stuff will sit on a shelf and get dusted once a year…maybe.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive, don’t let those jewelry commercials pressure you into something you can’t afford. The best gifts are those that show that you listen, pay attention and took careful consideration in selecting.
If you’ve failed in the realm of listening, paying attention and careful consideration, go with a gift card (and not to Bass Pro Shop). While a gift card may seem impersonal to you, I assure you, it’s fabulous to her. The gift of shopping is a gift indeed. The gift of shopping without kids? Now that might even get you lucky.
Mommy Friends, let’s help our Daddy Friends find the perfect gift. What’s on your Christmas List?
MOMMYFRIEND 
Hilarious and so true. I hope this post made it in front of many men. 😉
LMAO! Good tips, all. I just wish my hubby could come up with some ideas of his own. He always insists he has no idea what to get me and wants me to tell him what to buy. Drives me crazy! When we were dating, he used to come up with all kinds of creative gift ideas. Somehow marrying me made him lose that talent.
the only appliance i would ever love getting would be a kitchen aide mixer.my list:http://goo.gl/fpYTF
Yep, only if I ask for an appliance. For example one of these days I would like a Kitchenaid mixer. 🙂
But, I do have to say, Kyle buys me clothes all the time. He has great taste and knows what I like and my size. He buys me mostly Victoria’s Secret stuff. From pajamas, blouses, sweaters, and yes of course cute undies. (One’s that he really likes and wants to see me in- nothing wrong with that). However, if your man doesn’t know, he better not get anything clothes. haha
this mom doesn’t want a dyson either.I told my dearest when we were very first married to NEVER EVER buy me any gift that has an electrical cord on it…UNLESS I specifically asked for it. The exception has only come into play once and he ended up making that gift come from the kid to be safe. Smart man!Usually we tell each other what we want. It works out really well in that no one has to stand in exchange/return lines.and yes shopping w/o the kids is an awesome gift!
All year long I remember gifts that my family just mention they want. Then I remember that at Christmas. Everyone is amazed. Nobody remembers that for me at Christmas. But that’s ok….They do other things throughout the year that are very important!I love your your #2! So funny!!!!