Okay, ladies, we tend to think of ourselves as knowing how to shop. It’s an art form and one that most of us have down pat. We also tend to be good at gift giving. However, sometimes when women shop for men that isn’t the case. Instead of buying something that he really wants, some women prefer to give a man what they want him to have.
My recommendation is to avoid asking what he wants for Christmas (or any occasion) if you have no intention of getting it for him, because he’ll be disappointed. If he asks for something specific, and you buy something else instead, he’s probably not going to be too excited about your choice. If it’s do-able, consider giving him what he asks for and then giving what you want him to have as an extra.
One man I know has asked for sportswear with the logo from his favorite team for several years in a row. Because his wife doesn’t like football, she refuses to purchase any of those items for him. She buys him dress shirts and clothing that she would like to see him in and most of those items sit in his closet untouched. It doesn’t really make a lot of sense. I’ll bet if she bought him a team shirt and gave him a dress shirt as a side gift, he would be more willing to wear the dress shirt.
The same issue may apply to video games. Some men enjoy them, while some wives think it’s silly. If he has fun playing video games why not let him have his fun? You may even want to check out some games and see if there is one you might like. If so, you can surprise him with it aside from the game he asked for, and then the two of you can play together sometime.
His taste in music may differ as well. He can listen to it when you’re not around or in the car or when he’s working in the garage. You don’t have to listen to it if you don’t like it, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to listen to what he enjoys. My husband likes loud, hard music. I don’t. We do share some favorite bands and songs, but he listens to that heavy stuff when I’m not home or when he’s out somewhere while he’s driving, and I listen to “girlie” music when he’s not around.
Most people seem to think of women as excellent gift givers. However, it doesn’t always work that way. Remember, thoughtful gift giving is a two way street. If you refuse to give him any of the things he asks for, don’t be surprised if the package from him that’s awaiting you looks suspiciously like a vacuum cleaner…
Related Reading:
First Christmas as a Couple? Here’s an Idea!
*Guys! Check back tomorrow for Shopping for Her, and Gift Ideas for Her.