Great news, women! Here are some top-notch birthday gifts for your man.
Show You Love Him, Keep It Simple On His Birthday
Last Saturday was my husband’s 27th birthday. Neither of us likes to make an epic big deal of our birthday, but I still wanted to do something special to show him I loved him. Here is a chronicle of my quest for a perfect gift, what I came up with in the end, and what I learned about gift-giving for guys.
I will begin by confessing that I am a terrible gift giver, especially when it comes to guys. I just never know what guys want. What do they want??
I was feeling pretty defeated after searching the malls and online stores and finding nothing gift-worthy. I should mention that I was also pretty broke. There were a few techy things I knew he would love – but I did not have $250 (or even $100). I began to panic.
While I was online, I saw a lot of cheesy “homemade” gift ideas that I definitely didn’t want to try… but two days before his birthday, I started to think outside the box. I brainstormed things he likes to eat, stuff he likes to do, and things he would normally not splurge for. Here is what I came up with:
What You’ll Need and What It Will Cost You
- You’re going to need a war/spy movie, some food, cheesecake, recognition skills, Kraken rum, and for the married…something else unmentionable 😉
- It will cost you about $75 and 3 hours of time.
Our Three Step Process
Step 1: Take Your Time, Begin The Hunt
So, that was my game plan. The day before his birthday I wrote 27 things I love about him on notecards. I hid them around the house and wrote “instructions” on a notecard tied to a bottle of Kraken rum (his favorite, mostly because of the funny commercials and bottle design). When he came home from work, he found the rum and the scavenger hunt ensued! I would probably classify this as cheesy – but he liked it. It was a great way to encourage him, since we all sometimes forget to tell our men how great they are.
Step 2: Movie Time
We also went to see Zero Dark Thirty – a movie he has been dying to see, and which I would never ever see if I wasn’t married to him. I didn’t complain either! I will say it was thought provoking, despite the graphic violence.
Step 3: Homemade Dinner
The next day, we hung out together and went kayaking at our favorite springs (see the DeLeon Springs date idea). We made pancakes at the Mill House and walked the nature trail. It was really relaxing! When we came home, I cooked his favorite dinner (chicken cordon bleu, scalloped potatoes, and green beans) and served birthday cheesecake with strawberry topping. Yum!
Our Grand Total & Finish
Women, it seems intimidating, but follow these few steps and you’ll make his weekend!
I spent $62 total (not including the Springs adventure), he was happy, and we got to spend time having fun together! Here is what I learned about guys and gifts: they are pretty simple. Food – the unmentionable (if you’re married!) – violent movies – funny rum commercials. And every guy loves to hear how great he is!
Bonus Ideas
- Get him a crossbow. This is what I got him for his birthday the first year we were married. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The gift was epic. Squirrels and neighbors, look out!
- This awesome gun mug. Can you tell my husband loves weaponry?
- Food – whatever he likes that you can make well.
- Do something active together. Go to a theme park, go fishing, find a nature trail, go biking or kayaking or whatever. Guys like girls who can get dirty once in a while.
- A pair of concert tickets or tickets to the game
- This cool guitar pick maker (his sister gifted this on Christmas and it was a major success. It’s the simple things in life, really!)
- If he likes parties, throw him a surprise party! Everyone loves surprise parties, right?
- Figure out what his favorite dessert is and make it for his birthday. It could be cake, or cheesecake, or pie, or crème brulee – whatever. But grown-ups like having a birthday cake, too.