Wife's birthday coming up - totally at a loss as to what to give her

[Tab]

She's mid-40's, reads a lot (yes, owns a Kindle), does a lot of social media, can't cook for shit, likes comfy clothes. I'm thinking in the comfy clothes direction (can't go wrong with comfy clothes). Loves animals, dogs in particular. Likes a nice bottle of wine. Likes a nice dinner out.

We've been together for 10 years; I feel pathetic I'm even asking this in DU lounge, but I hope someone is more inspired that I.

[Sedona]

1. Puppy! Jewelry!

From a shelter of course. That might not be practical so....

An antique piece of jewelry, doesn't have to be spendy. Old jewelry is classic, unique and beautiful.

Find it at antique stores.

You're not pathetic for asking! It's charming you're thinking of her, care enough to ask and ahead of time too.

Give it to her over dessert at that nice dinner out.

[Tab]

4. Not a bad idea

Not too many shelters nearby sell puppy jewelry, but maybe I can stick my head into a few antique stores.

Thanks for the good advice!

[Scuba]

2. I have no idea what to get your wife, but my birthday is this month and I'd love one of these ....

http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/bose-sounddock-series-ii-digital-music-system-p12930?man=bose&model=sounddock-series-2&id=w108228&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_term=sounddock-series-2&utm_campaign=bose&utm_medium=comparison

[Tab]

5. Ask your wife for it. N/T

[Scuba]

8. Yeah, and a new Tesla S too. That'll work.

[LonePirate]

3. How about treating her to a spa day, if one is available?

[Tab]

6. She might like that

She doesn't often get to indulge herself

[Lochloosa]

11. I gave my wife her first one a few months back. She loved it.

[2theleft]

7. Your wife sounds like me!

You cannot go wrong with comfy clothes. Especially if the comfy clothes can be comfy AND worn outside of the house for quick errands or such. Leggings and oversized shirt/sweater/sweatshirt, etc.

I'm not sure what your budget is by there is a guy ken baily who does really "charming" dog art... I have a boxer, and I love wine. I have a print of the boxer bordeaux in my kitchen. Prints are not expensive on art.com or you check out his site directly.

You say she can't cook, but does she want to cook? Would she like cooking lessons? Sur Le Table does couples cooking classes that some friends have done and they have all said they had a great time. I don't know if that is something either of you would be interested in, but is a cool break from the traditional birthday dinner - they teach you to cook it before you eat it.

I agree with the post above about a PUPPY if you don't already have a dog, or do, and have the time and patience for another. My boxer was a birthday gift to me. BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER...

Happy birthday to your wife. I'm sure she will love whatever you decide to do.

[Tab]

9. Thanks for responding

No, she doesn't cook and has no real interest in cooking (and honestly, zero talent); I do all the cooking in the house. She freely admits it too. She'd rather be fed than feed others.

I don't believe there was a post above about acquiring a puppy - I thought it was about puppy jewelry. We have three dogs already and aren't adding another until likely two of them depart.

I will check out art.com - thanks!

[Bertha Venation]

16. dog jewelry

http://tinyurl.com/klsgmpk

Best of luck in your search/decisions! And happy birthday to your wife.

[mnhtnbb]

10. I don't know how much you want to spend...

but I met a local artist--we sat next to each other when Michelle Obama came to Chapel Hill last year--
who does portraits of people with their pets--either from photos or in person. You can see her website
here: http://www.weinsteinart.com/

Or...look into hiring a local photographer to do a portrait of you both with your pets.

[CTyankee]

12. hubby and I like the same thing for birthdays, anniversaries, mothers/fathers day:

we love going to a leisurely Sunday brunch in a lovely cafe across from a beautiful city park here in New Haven! We never eat out so it is a real treat and we both love the food we get at brunch places. They make wonderful Bloody Mary's and their food is delicious.

[Xyzse]

13. Alright, a few suggestions

What is her current hobbies?
When dealing with special women, I tend to think on those terms, as well as shared interests.

You can still go right with comfy clothes, and a nice dinner out.
However, that is something pretty common.

So, at times, I would look at the time frame as to when things are and make plans through living social, meetup or groupon. I would find an activity to do, and buy a small token that could be kept as a reminder of that time.

An idea I have is to go around trying to find either a brush looking necklace or earrings, and schedule something like this:
http://www.groupon.com/deals/paint-nite-16
http://www.groupon.com/deals/merlot-s-masterpiece-2 - Art Classes with WINE!!!

Maybe even add something like this on the mix:
http://www.groupon.com/deals/fabu-art-com-washington-dc

So basically, I would package it in to dinner, an activity and a small gift that would be a reminder of that day.
Good luck!

[hack89]

14. Power tools are always a good bet

[Tab]

25. You're not married, are you? n/t

[trof]

27. If so, not for long.

[hack89]

29. Four times. Why do you ask?

[mythology]

31. How about a nice vacuum cleaner?

More seriously, I would recommend planning a day around her. It doesn't have to be expensive. But focus on things she likes. Maybe it's watch an old movie and go out to dinner. Maybe it's go to a museum or a play. You said she likes animals, maybe spend the afternoon volunteering at the pet shelter. You can't adopt any more animals you said, but you could help those animals in need of adoption.

But gifts should always be personalized based on the person. It's why I don't like giving clothes. It's too impersonal.

For an ex, on her birthday, we had a fire, I played her favorite music, on vinyl, read her favorite poem, planned a dinner around her food tastes (in spite of her being British, she had much more varied tastes in food than I do).

If somebody were doing something for me, I'd like them to take advantage of the fact that I live in Boston, take me on a history tour, hit a pub for lunch, and then a quiet evening in watching an old movie and enjoy a bottle of wine with good company.

[riderinthestorm]

15. I've got too much stuff and love to buy my own comfy clothes

so what I really want is either the completion of a long-standing "honey do" project as a "gift" or the chance to go out and do something together. One year he researched kayaking on the Chicago river and we went and did that for example, another year we spent the day together at the Art Institute which included a lovely dinner at the end.

So for me personally, I'd be all about theater tix or finally having the ceiling fixture installed in our bedroom (I've waited 6 years for that particular project... )

[ret5hd]

17. Tell her you have decided to be less materialistic and that you can't buy the important things!

Later, please tell me how it worked.

[Raffi Ella]

19. I don't know where you live but

I'm thinking comfy clothes...something cashmere, it's special enough for a birthday gift and feels amazing against your skin. I lucked out and was able to get a hooded zip up cashmere sweater after Christmas last year from Lord & Taylor for $4.29! It was originally $150.

I love it, wore it all throughout Spring and am looking forward to taking it out when the weather gets cooler.

[Kali]

20. YES

comfy and nice! great idea - another direction might be some kind of sarong or kaftan in a beautiful fabric/print.

another thought related to wine - if budget would allow, personal wine storage like this: http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3741521

[Raffi Ella]

24. Oh, that would be an awesome gift too.

It would be something they could add to throughout the year, really use. Very cool idea.

[RebelOne]

21. Give her your credit card and tell her to go shopping. n/t

[steve2470]

22. Tell her you love her in a way you never have before

Mean every word of it. I think that will work

[Paulie]

23. Pajamas

Always comfortable and sizing is easier.

[Callmecrazy]

26. Shave your back.

[ZombieHorde]

28. Get her an awesome day or weekend.

Flowers, her favorite restaurant, a zombie movie, a massage, a walk along a river, et cetera.

[MiddleFingerMom]

30. In the 90's, I lived in a GREAT platonic "Three's Company" situation with two women...

.
.
.
... that I worked with at a call center. I got them each a half-day trip to a local
spa where they were pampered like you wouldn't believe.
.
.
Every woman at work then wanted to be my friend/housemate.
.
.
.
But, as you can imagine, my two housemates were not ABOUT to give me up.
.
.
.
And for quite a while... I could do no wrong.
.
.
.

[curlyred]

32. Best treat for me lately

Is the pedicure. I am telling you, there is nothing like the foot massage, all the softening and such, and the lovely soft feet.

[Kennah]

33. Get her an orgasm. Amazon has them.

[applegrove]

34. Google gift ideas or top 100 gift ideas

I did and found great insperation.

[MrsBrady]

35. how about something romantic...

date her.

[DFW]

36. I know the feeling

My wife is quite different (another country, another culture, another generation), but very much content with her life. Doesn't much care about fancy clothes, totally indifferent to jewelry or cars, allergic to dog and cat hair, and can cook like a master chef. What do you give a woman like that for her birthday? I've been pretty much slogging my way through for the past twenty years (we've been together for almost forty).

[Turbineguy]

37. Some sort of interesting and fun experience?

In Seattle they have this:

http://dreams.zinzanni.org/

[B Calm]

38. Take her fishing, all women love to go fishing.