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Dating for less than a year, what to get him for x-mas?
My boyfriend and I have been dating for 8 months, and while that seems like a long time, it's hard to pin-point the *perfect* gift for our first exchange.
A few ideas I've had from listening to him rave about things:
He was at H. Depot yesterday and mentioned his buddy has his drill, but his buddy doesn't think he has his drill (so refuses to really look for it). I thought, hmm, that's a good gift, but what if I don't get him the kind he likes or his buddy finds his drill.
Second, then he saw a dremmel and said "i've always wanted one of these." Okay, I have no clue what they cost, but I assume it's pretty expensive, and then in the end I'm getting my boyfriend a tool for our first exchange. Is that okay by men? Would they rather just get something like a cool tool, then something meaningful? I don't know. I'd be happy if he got me anything but a tool. So. hmf. Help me out here folks.
Another idea I had was getting him his favorite tree. I'd have to order it because it's kind of rare. He has talked about always wanting this tree but they are expensive. Now, here is the deal. Winter is a good time to plant because it does less harm to said tree. However, he'd pretty much have to plant it himself, b/c I wouldn't know where he'd want it nor the stregnth to get through solid frozen ground. (he's a landscaper so he has the tools to do this and know-how) Then, I think, overall it would be weird to get someone a tree for christmas.
It would be really cool to get him a bonsai of this tree. However, I've not been able to find any that are still for sale. (want to help me with this).. weeping blue atlas cedar bonsai.. seems they are all sold out. (he's mentioned he likes bonsai)
Otherwise, I'm at a loss. First exchanges are so stressful!
Re: Dating for less than a year, what to get him for x-mas?
(DH actually wants this: http://tinyurl.com/yfku5xl for Christmas, heh)
The tree is also a really neat idea, but my googling for the bonsai version turned up the same results as yours seems to have - Sold out.
Oh, I think most guys would be happy to have tools as gifts. You'll be the "cool" gf that didn't get them something wussy like a matching sweater vest set.
The tree is also a good idea.
When DH comments on what he wants, through out the year, I write it down or put a note in my phone. So, if he is telling you what he wants, then that's a great starting place.
I would go with the tree too. Although my husband loves getting tools, he's very particular about the brand. I think brands of tools are like brands of purses to us... I dont speak tool and my husband doesnt speak purses. I think the tree gives a good combo of casualness and sentimentalness. Just dont refer to it as a "Love Tree" ala "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"... (although that would be fantastic".
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The tree idea is pretty cool, but the Dremel Multi-Max is freakin' awesome. I think I might pick one up for my H for Christmas, as it would make certain aspects of his job easier (and safer) and I want to be able to play with it.
As far as the drill is concerned, I'd take a peak and see what kind of tools he has now. If he's a "brand guy" they'll probably all be a similar colour, yellow for Dewalt, blue is wither Bosch or Ryobi, red for Makita, orange for Rigid, etc. Depending on how much you want to spend there are lots of options. My husbands favourite new "toy" is his impact driver. They usually come in a set with a regular drill for about $200.
We'll just not tell H about this little fact, m'kay?
Sorry, I'm going to scrooge on this.
A dremel is a great tool, but the good ones are a bit expensive, a bit more expensive than what I would spend on a guy I've been dating less than a year. I think a HD gift card is a good idea, he can decide which tool to buy and the gift card doesn't have to cover the whole amount.
I'd say the Dremel. The nice thing about that over the drill is that Dremel is it's own brand so you can't get the wrong kind. They aren't all that expensive. I think even the most expensive one is about $100.
The tree is a cool idea, but some guys might see it as a "test" present. Of course, that might just be in movies...
I would go to Home Depot and talk to the guys there. They know so much about that stuff. I didn't know what a Dremel was, either.
If all else fails...buy him the Wii and be done with it. He'll love you forever.
"Don't marry a man unless you would be PROUD to have a son exactly like him." ~ Unknown
The Dremmel or the full sized tree sound like really great gifts. I don't think guys care for "sentimental" gifts although I think the tree could be considered one. Just write a sentimental card if you must.
Also, it sounds like he would enjoy planting the tree the way/location he wants. Just tie a big bow on it.
Have either of you had birthdays in the last 8 months that would give you any hints for how he approached gifts?
*Gulp*
A test present? Please explain?
i think it means it's a test to see if he will take care of the tree, to see how responsible and caring he is, etc. it was in "how to lose a guy in 10 days" the tree dies and she's all "does this mean you are going to let US die?"
I'd go with the tree. When DH and I were first dating our 1st Christmas fell around our 9-month dating anniversary. We're both big saps and we decided to go with something that meant something rather than just another item we wanted. He bought me a gorgeous Willow Tree figurine and I made him a scrapbook of our 9 months (pictures, songs, random dates, favorite hangout spots, etc). He still has that book and he loves it. I thinking getting something his favorite tree is a cool thing that shows how much you pay attention. The tools are cool, but save those for the future..(Haha, now our Christmases are more on the "this is exactly what I want" side rather than the "sentimental" items.)
That's just my opinion. Again, I'm sappy looking for the meaning.
I was just trying to say that you should save the really sentimental stuff for a bit later in your relationship and I think it would be more appropriate for a wedding gift b/c a lot of people like plant a tree the year they get married. Your bf has made it pretty obvious he would like a Dremel. It's a no fail gift.
Oh.. Gotcha. I loved that movie too. I should have got that. I guess as long as I don't call it the "love tree" then I think I'm safe.
Ha! No Problem. I've just been married and divorced.. so the "M" word kind of gives me shell shock.
There is a dremel under my tree as we speak. Its a 4000 model for like $90 from Lowes. There was a 300 for half the price at HD. HD did have a high model but it wasn't the 4000 but the same price. I also got "$300 worth of attatchments" for $40.
I love the tree idea for all the reasons pp didn't like it. But, if you did buy it where would you plant it? Is he living in his "dream home"? Other wise you are bound to move then there is just a tree for someone else to enjoy or cut down.
FYI I got my husband a game of Risk our first christmas. We had been dating two months and he kept telling me how much he loved the game. I listened to him.
Why not make up your own traditions? The first Christmas DH and I were together we'd been dating MAYBE three months. We got each other incredibly mushy cards. I got him some stuff to go with the bar he was building at the time.
Every Christmas we try to see who can find the mushiest card. It's been fun.
Dremel tools are always useful.
Also consider a quality multitool (Leatherman or Gerber). I have a mini Leatherman called a "Squirt P4" (the pliers version) on my keychain, and it's come in handy often.