1st Christmas: Gift ideas for wife?

Ooookay,

First of all, exwitless, don't read this thread!

I mean it!

Shoo!

Thanks in advance to anybody who wants to help!

This will be our first Christmas since we DA'd.  I have never been all that creative with gifts, especially under pressure.  I LOVE to give gifts for people when I find out spontaneously that they need or want something, but the "expected" gift giving times like holidays, weddings, etc. have always been a huge problem for me (back before I was in the borg and celebrated holidays, ofcourse).

Anyway, I hope that I can get some cool gift ideas from all you nice people, pretty please, if you don't mind, 'cause my wife is really special and she deserves to be surprised and happy.

I guess I should say that we aren't all that wealthy, but I can spend a moderate amount on gifts.

OK, let's see, she likes music, and is an aspiring vocalist.  We have invested a little bit into recording and such like gear so that she can pursue that.  I would say that is her main hobby at the moment.  The recording is done on our computer, so if anyone has ideas for that, that would be neat.  If you need specifics on our current hardware/software, I'll give that as needed.

She doesn't really wear much perfume or a lot of jewelry, and over the years that we have been married (all in the borg), for our wedding aniversaries I have many times given jewelry, so that seems over done.

I'm not even sure what other info to provide.  (other than she's smart and pretty and I luv her and she makes me happy, and if she's reading this then I'm going to have to give her a stern look)

Also, if this thread turns into a general help thread for any other clueless husbands like me, then that is fine too, since it will probably help stir up ideas.

Thanks everybody!

LDB

Awe that is so sweet!  I had no idea you two were married!

Awe, mush alert!  What a guy!

Good idea to stick with some thing you know she likes I think that would be your best bet.  I haven't a clue about recording or singing (I can't carry a tune in a bucket) but you might listen really carefully to her and I bet you'll get a hint at what she would like in that regard.

Wow Ladies!

Amazing ideas one and all!

Thank you very much.

It means a lot to me that you all took the time to give me help, and so quicky too!

I will run with these ideas and see what I come up with.

If you think of anything else, please share!

Thanks a million-gazzilion,

LDB

Two suggestions:

• Find the best voice coach in your area - for the kind of music your wife likes to sing - and pay for a few singing lessons. Call it a "consultation" or "master class" if she's sufficiently advanced.
  
  
• Surprise her with an account at a site like ArtistServeror ArtistLaunch, and help her put an album together!

gently feral

Here are a couple of CD's suggestions:

Queen Latifah made a jazz CD called the Dana Owens CD which is really, really good

Alison Krauss sings like an angel, has won over 20 grammy's  CD's recommended  New Favorite, Forget About It

How about concert tickets to her favorite performer ?

For Xmas, I always get her gift certificates from the boys for Bath and Body Works, Borders, Best Buy or Dillards. Dillards (department store like Macy's) is good because then she can go to the after Xmas sales and get what she wants.

Stuff her Christmas stocking with a bunch of little things that she likes. Perfume, her favorite candy, her favorite flavored coffee. (If she doesn't have a Christmas stocking, then buy a really good one and stuff it full of cool stuff).

Take the time and get her a nice card or create a homemade one telling her that she is the only woman for you, etc....

If you have no money, but a lot of heart and a little technical expertise....do a photos to video montage of your life together with appropriate background music (nothing will pull on the heartstrings more).

My partner and I nealy always give 'events' as gifts rather than things, so that the house doesnt get cluttered up with lots of small things.

These dont have to be expensive, its more the thought and planning that goes into the event than the cost.

So we buy tickets to see something - a group, a singer, a comedian.  If its local its usually not expensive at all.

My partner has arranged a day for me that involved going to a local farmers market in a cute town followed by going to the cinema to see a film I wanted to see (that he really didnt, but made the sacrifice of sitting through it with me!) followed by dinner in an affordable restaurant.

He has also arranged for me a day trip to London where he looked up some real nice places on the internet to visit, like a posh bar in a mega posh hotel where we had just one drink and ooggled all the rich people, a visit to the Temple church mentioned in the Da Vinci code, a look round Harrods and picnic lunch in the park opposite Buckingham Palace. 

I have arranged for him a visit to Bristol where we looked at Clifton Suspension Bridge, followed by a look at the Camera Obscura (£2 entry), a look round Clifton village then pizza in a lovely looking pizza restaurant.

Good luck.  If you plan a whole day, even if its looking at free things it still feels special because it takes some careful planning.

Now see, this is what I'm taling about.  I couldn't have thought up even a tenth of all of those great ideas!  Thanks so much everybody.  For instance, I has completely forgotten about stockings and how much fun they are when there are little presents inside!  I have a lot of fun planning to do.   

Ha, Ha!  Um... gotta make sure some gifts aren't given when the youngin' is around.

I can see it now....(wifey unwrapping strangely shaped box)... Hey Dada, hey Momma, what's that?   

Thanks everybody!

LDB

Does she like to shop? Then a gift certificate or a gift card.

How about a metronome? I've always wanted a good metronome.

Sometimes the charm is in the presentation. My stepmom squealed when her small gift was presented to her in a giant can. You needed a can opener to get it open.

I luv xmas, absoultly my fav hol.

anything red, jeweled or romantic/puppies inc.

no not let anything said by org ever let x mas stop.

Hey, maybe I can leave some hints here for my hubbie.

Jewelry was a big item for our first Christmas.  Does she like a certain stone?  Why not get her a ring one year, then a necklace, then earrings.

Mostly, buy something for her she won't buy for herself.  Have you every heard her say, "I'd like that, but...."

Does she read certain books, mysteries, history books, science fiction, self-help?  Why not get her the latest one by her favorite author.

My suggestion too would be to get an ornament that has special meaning for you each year.  I have friends that are Star War fans and every year...

Blondie

And you can never go wrong with chocolate.

Here is one more idea, but you may need to save for  for next year....

On the internet there are last minute bargain trips that have not sold.  We took one about 18 months ago to Puerto Rico.

4 days 5 nights in a 5 star hotel, facing the ocean, with air fare included.  It was about 800.00 total for the two of us.  It did not include food but we had the time of our lives.  We purchased about 1 week in advance.

My husband surprised me with the trip.

r.