Planning a Gift for Your Spouse: 6 Clever Ideas

Finding the perfect gift for the person you love most can cause a lot of stress. You want your recipient to know just how much you care.

If you’re stressing over endless options, try one of the six clever ideas below.

1. Share an Adventure

If you want an irreplaceable gift, you can’t go wrong with more time with the one you love. After so much time spent indoors, why not book a couples’ getaway as a surprise? You don’t necessarily need tons of cash —  check out some of the nation’s best glamping resorts for a unique outdoor experience that won’t break the bank.

If you both share a passion for the outdoors, consider a gift that gets you out weekend after weekend. Those who live on the water might enjoy a kayaking kit with all the essentials: a map, first aid kit and water filter, among other items.

2. Go Sentimental 

Another way to make your gift meaningful is to select something that reminds your mate of the pleasant memories you share. You probably have tons of pictures saved on your phone or cloud account. Why not have one of them transformed into an oil painting to display on your living room wall?

Other ideas for sentimental gifts include those engraved with dates like your anniversary. You can find anything from Moleskine journals to pricey watches — it all depends on your partner’s tastes, although it’s wise to choose something they’ll use nearly every day. 

3. Cater to Their Interests 

Few things say “I love you” like taking an active interest in your spouse’s passion. Do they love nothing more than heading to the range on weekends? Even if you never shot a gun before, why not ask them if you accompany them the next time they go. You might not have ever considered yourself the weapons sort, but putting aside inherent bias and opening your mind to your partner’s ideas is a fabulous way to build trust.

What if you already know that you find their Sunday golf excursion hopelessly tedious? You can still show that you pay attention to their desires by getting them a links-inspired gift. If you know your loved one had a hard day, make them smile when they come home to find a new set of quality balls awaiting their weekend outing.

4. Be Practical

Sometimes, a practical gift is just what the doctor ordered, especially when money is tight. The critical point to keep in mind when selecting pragmatic presents is to stick with things they’ve repeatedly said that they want. Nearly everyone’s heard the joke about why you shouldn’t buy your wife a vacuum for her birthday, but the rule applies anywhere along the gender spectrum.

However, if all your loved one talked about throughout the 2020 lockdowns was how much they wished they had an instant pot or a new power drill, go ahead and surprise them with it. Who doesn’t like having their hearts’ desires granted?

5. Make It Recurring

Remember when Clark W. Griswold’s boss gave him a subscription to the Jelly of the Month club in “Christmas Vacation?” While the cinematic version was hilarious, many folks appreciate a gift that keeps on giving in real life.

Fortunately, you can find monthly subscription boxes for nearly any interest under the sun. You can find those dedicated to all things Harry Potter or even cryptozoology. They’ll thank you every time they open the mailbox.

6. DIY

If you are on a shoestring, who says you have to spend any money at all if your wallet is bare? You can create far better DIY gifts as an adult than you did back when you were in grade school.

Is your beloved always losing one cufflink or earring after leaving them lay haphazardly on the dresser? Why not weave them a set of rope bowls for a charming, rustic place to put small items they use daily. Anyone from painters to budding chefs can always use a new apron that you stitched yourself — or buy a plain white one to decorate with fabric paint.

Find the Perfect Gift for Your Spouse with These 6 Ideas

Finding the perfect gift for your spouse need not create unnecessary stress. Use the six ideas above to delight the one you love.

About The Author