5 Gifts Your Wife Will Hate

December 15, 2010, By 14 comments

5 Gifts Your Wife Will Hate

So what are you getting your wife for Christmas this year?

Maybe you're not sure what she likes? Or maybe finances are tight this year and you can't afford something expensive? Or maybe you're just a bad gift picker-outer?

No matter the situation, hope is not lost. I've got some great ideas to help you find the perfect gift for your wife from both you and your child this year! 

But first, some things should NEVER get your wife for Christmas!

1. A Vacuum – Even if your wife is a domestic goddess, Christmas is not the time to give her utilitarian gifts. I don't care how awesome the vacuum is. If she wants a vacuum, by all means get it for her. But you better have an awesome second gift in the waiting. Otherwise, you will NEVER live it down. Years from now, she'll be telling people of the Year She Got The Vacuum.

2. Ditto on pots or pans – If your spouse is a housewife or does a majority of the cooking, she may see cooking as a chore, not a joy. In which case, do NOT buy her things which will remind her of working in the kitchen. However, if your wife loves cooking and wants the best tools a chef can have, then by all means, buy them. If she's that kind of cook, she'll truly appreciate the thought behind the gift. Just make sure you do some research and be prepared to spend some money! A great set of pots and pans can cost more than that HDTV you've been eying.

3. A gift card – Save gift cards for office mates, friends who love shopping, and hard-to-buy-for teens on your shopping list. Buying a gift card for your wife is like saying, “I don't know you or what you want. I am a horrible husband.” Not the best holiday message.

4. Clothes – Unless you know your wife better than 99.9% of men out there, you probably have no clue what she likes to wear. At best, you get her a practical, but unromantic gift. At worst, you buy something freaky which offends her and makes her question why she ever married you. Some exceptions can be made if she's been hinting around about an expensive jacket, boots or shoes she really wants.

5. “Nothing” – Sometimes women can be tricky, in saying that they don't want anything. Maybe they mean it, and they don't want to trouble you. Or maybe they feel you should know what they want without asking. Whatever you do, don't fall into that trap! Women always want something. This isn't to say they're materialistic. But they want to feel loved, desired and appreciated. Even if you're not going to spend a lot of money, there are many gifts you can give which cost nothing or very little, but mean the world. 

Alternatively, here are 8 gifts your wife will love.

Got any gift suggestions –your own personal Do's or Don'ts? Share them in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Comments (14):

Thomas H. "Women always want something." Yeah. - 10/25/2011
Hannah N. The worst gift ever from my husband on Christmas was a new bathroom scale! This just a few months after giving birth to our second baby, knowing full well that I was carrying about 15 extra pounds. Thanks, honey! His gifts usually err on the side of bad or none. - 06/28/2011
Susanne M. Yes, I received the Bissell "Super Duper Pet Hair Picker Upper" from my beau of five years for Christmas last year. Although, I know his intentions were good, it still didn't make me want to do cartwheels. Plus, it turns out that the vacuum is very heavy to maneuver and is not practical for my house. To me, this is a personal item that should be tried out first by the person who will be using it. However, what irks me the most is that my beau always says, "I'M a practical person so I give practical gifts." Well, shouldn't the gift be for the person receiving it? My sister and I have a great system for gift-giving. She and I are total opposites. If she hates it, she knows I'll love it and vice-versa. It works. I must admit...I'm a good gift-giver. I like to give gifts that I know the person will like, but would never think of buying for theirselves. Sometimes, it can be an experience or a tour or an event rather than a material item. But, choosing the right gift for the right person shows thoughtfulness and consideration. Same goes for the right card! - 06/27/2011
Willow S. I am one of those weird women who are practical and would rather have something I can use than something that collects dust on a shelf, so if I needed something like pots and pans, I'd tell him what it was and that he could get it for me for Christmas. But don't do this for every woman. - 06/25/2011
Sue J. My friends dh gave her a trip to Paris for a week to attend culinary school. She loved it. No kids. No taking care of everybody. I joked saying, 'What? you cant cook?' but she loves to cook and this was her dream gift (she also majored in French in college) - 06/25/2011
Nicole N. I couldn't disagree more with this list! I've received most of these for Christmas and/or my birthday as some time or another. Knowing that my husband took the time to consider me and what I would like is enough. I'd much rather receive something useful like the things on this list than something that is going to sit around and collect dust! - 06/23/2011
Ben K. Let me add to this list: 1. Anything with the words WEIGHT and LOSS connected with it, even if she says she's been looking for it and hasn't been able to find it. These words do not have to appear on the product or packaging; it's enough if they come to mind. 2. Songbooks. This is true even if you have kids (who would LOVE to get these books). 3. Cookbooks. Bet you figure this just from thinking about it. Not me, nope. Anytime you aren't sure ask someone. My new rule is if I have to explain why my wife would love it even though any other woman wouldn't, change the plan. - 05/28/2011
Eric M. My wife tried #5 on me one time. Every time I tried to get her to give me a hint of what she wanted, she said "nothing". That's exactly what she got, too. Was she angry? You bet. I told her that if she really wanted something, she shouldn't have lied so many times. Didn't we get it drilled into us when we were growing up that "no means no"? - 05/18/2011
Will D. The exception to the vacuum rule might be one of those robot vacuums that she can watch run itself? I know if I recieved one of those robot lawnmowers I'd be just fine with it.. I'd sit out on the porch and smoke a cigar, drink a cold, frosty beverage, and watch it work. - 05/12/2011
Suzie S. We are expecting our first child in April and for some reason my husband thought it would be a good idea to get me a breast pump for my birthday. Thankfully his friends told him that was a bad idea. - 03/06/2011
Julie C. Scented pillar candles. Unless you know she hates them or is allergic--ask her mom if you're not sure (a great way to win brownie points with mother in law)--get the sales girl's help picking scents. If she says she wants "nothing" get candles, a natural sponge, massage oil. Later, light th candles, wash her back, rub her feet, give a backrub, accept sex if she offers but don't push. "Nothing" means romance instead of expensive. - 02/26/2011
Susan P. Through out the year when I come across something I really like I save it either in my "wish list" at a website, or print it out or pull out pages from magazines. Then around October or November I give it to my husband (along w/sizes, etc.) and he gets to "pick" what he wants. The $ amount varies from around $100 down to $5 or so for my stocking. It works great, he's grateful and he always adds a few items that he comes up with on his own. - 02/14/2011
Karen D. My husband knows about I spa that I love in our town, and when they had their 3rd anniversary party (which I forced him to attend with me) he bought me a gift certificate from them for 2 ninety minute massages. The man KNOWS what I like. Because I tell him. Then take him there and have him buy it for it me. Expecting anyone to read your mind when it comes to gifts is stupid. Tell them what you want ladies! - 12/17/2010
Eric B. My wife "accidently" bought a vacuum off a QVC app last week. I told her Merry Christmas. Last year, I did get her a baking dish and oven mitts. It's because she was in a baking phase. I think this year I'll get her an additional gift card to Walgreen's. At Walgreen's she'll be able develop the pictures from her new bad ass camera. - 12/15/2010

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