Like the majority of the male sex, I have to admit to not being very good at buying gifts for my wife. It's not that I am not romantic - although I am sure there could be some discussion about that - nor is it that I don't care. I just seem to get so involved in the other aspects of life that personal matters are not top of my priority list - even when they should be. Added to that, again like most males, I am a world class procrastinator outside of the work regime, so personal things tend to get left to the last minute - or even later!!
Sure, you may say, that makes me such a bad husband, but, in my defence, as weak as it is, I am not alone!!
Then, even if you do get something in time for the big event - whether it's a birthday, Valentine's day, Easter, Christmas, an anniversary, etc, there's the dilemma over what to buy! Diamonds might be forever, or be a girl's best friend, but you don't get much for a large amount of money! Lingerie, while good for you, is frowned upon as sexist or chauvanistic - apart from often being downright uncomfortable. Then there's the size issue - when is an 8 not and 8? When it's a 6 or a 10, or any other number you care to choose from! And clothing is just as fraught with quandaries! Apparently, I have the knack of being able to buy the fuddy-duddiest of styles that not even my grandmother would be seen in! Gift cards indicate a lack of imagination and an abdication of responsibility! Make her buy her own gift, that's right! Chocolates and candies are a dietary no-no, indicating you want to make your beloved wider, while buying anything to do with the household or the kitchen indicates your belief that a woman's place is slaving over a hot stove, or vacuuming and dusting, or washing and ironing your clothes!
And, of course, flowers wither and die, despite their temporary beauty! And who can trust restaurant food any more, let alone find a decent, romantic eatery?
In recent years, though, I do have to admit, to having bought for my wife what I consider to be the best gift I have ever bought her. "What is this wonderous item?" I hear you ask with baited breath! What marvel have I uncovered that has achieved such a pinnacle of success?
A laptop computer!
That's all? A laptop computer!!
Yup! So, you may ask - and I know you will - what makes this laptop computer so much more successful as a gift than any of those other items listed above?
It's really quite simple. My wife has used that laptop every day since the day I gave it to her, over 3 years ago! How many dresses get worn every day for over three years? Unlike men, women don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday. Jewellery is kept for unusual and/or special occasions, and food and chocolate would have long been flushed away down the proverbial you-know-where!! Lingerie would have worn out, or been thrown out, and kitchen and household utensils would have been thrown back at you - and deservedly so!
Sure, the laptop is far from perfect! It has its moments and weaknesses - crappy power supply, memory-hungry software, filthy viruses spread by small-minded malicious morons, etc, etc, etc! But, nevertheless, it has been resorted to every day as often as possible, whether for research in home decor, utensils, appliances, design, or communications with long-lost friends and social networking, or just playing games for light relief, or finding a myriad of childhood and teenhood tunes on Youtube - it's ability to satisfy requirements is endless!
It is, beyond doubt, the best gift I have ever bought for my wonderful wife, who deserves so much more from me than I tend to give! (That's her being nibbled by that giant serpent behind this posting!!! ;>) And I know how much she appreciates it, because she still uses it every day! Who knows - maybe as a thank you, I can get her to use that cat-o-nine-tails on me I bought last Christmas, hmm? ;)
And now all I have to do is find a new gift for her upcoming birthday that will be every bit as popular and useful as her laptop!!
Fat chance of that!!!
Sure, you may say, that makes me such a bad husband, but, in my defence, as weak as it is, I am not alone!!
Then, even if you do get something in time for the big event - whether it's a birthday, Valentine's day, Easter, Christmas, an anniversary, etc, there's the dilemma over what to buy! Diamonds might be forever, or be a girl's best friend, but you don't get much for a large amount of money! Lingerie, while good for you, is frowned upon as sexist or chauvanistic - apart from often being downright uncomfortable. Then there's the size issue - when is an 8 not and 8? When it's a 6 or a 10, or any other number you care to choose from! And clothing is just as fraught with quandaries! Apparently, I have the knack of being able to buy the fuddy-duddiest of styles that not even my grandmother would be seen in! Gift cards indicate a lack of imagination and an abdication of responsibility! Make her buy her own gift, that's right! Chocolates and candies are a dietary no-no, indicating you want to make your beloved wider, while buying anything to do with the household or the kitchen indicates your belief that a woman's place is slaving over a hot stove, or vacuuming and dusting, or washing and ironing your clothes!
And, of course, flowers wither and die, despite their temporary beauty! And who can trust restaurant food any more, let alone find a decent, romantic eatery?
In recent years, though, I do have to admit, to having bought for my wife what I consider to be the best gift I have ever bought her. "What is this wonderous item?" I hear you ask with baited breath! What marvel have I uncovered that has achieved such a pinnacle of success?
A laptop computer!
That's all? A laptop computer!!
Yup! So, you may ask - and I know you will - what makes this laptop computer so much more successful as a gift than any of those other items listed above?
It's really quite simple. My wife has used that laptop every day since the day I gave it to her, over 3 years ago! How many dresses get worn every day for over three years? Unlike men, women don't wear the same pair of shoes everyday. Jewellery is kept for unusual and/or special occasions, and food and chocolate would have long been flushed away down the proverbial you-know-where!! Lingerie would have worn out, or been thrown out, and kitchen and household utensils would have been thrown back at you - and deservedly so!
Sure, the laptop is far from perfect! It has its moments and weaknesses - crappy power supply, memory-hungry software, filthy viruses spread by small-minded malicious morons, etc, etc, etc! But, nevertheless, it has been resorted to every day as often as possible, whether for research in home decor, utensils, appliances, design, or communications with long-lost friends and social networking, or just playing games for light relief, or finding a myriad of childhood and teenhood tunes on Youtube - it's ability to satisfy requirements is endless!
It is, beyond doubt, the best gift I have ever bought for my wonderful wife, who deserves so much more from me than I tend to give! (That's her being nibbled by that giant serpent behind this posting!!! ;>) And I know how much she appreciates it, because she still uses it every day! Who knows - maybe as a thank you, I can get her to use that cat-o-nine-tails on me I bought last Christmas, hmm? ;)
And now all I have to do is find a new gift for her upcoming birthday that will be every bit as popular and useful as her laptop!!
Fat chance of that!!!
