Do you have problems buying birthday gifts for people? I sure do. I try to talk to them weeks before. Usually I go shopping, and listen to what they would like. If you go with a man however, you might not hear that they like anything. They can walk through a whole mall, and say next to nothing about wanting anything. My husband isn’t one who dislikes shopping, he shops more than me, but rarely buys anything for himself. Every year I ask my husband what he wants for his Birthday, and he tells me cologne, or socks, or other such boring things. So I have to start earlier, and watch what he looks at in the paper, when we are out, and listen to what he would like. I don’t know about you, but my husband rarely talks about what he wants. So I have to initiate conversations about it. One year I hit the jackpot. He actually said he wanted this set that had a saw, drill, and other power tools all in one. I ran out and bought that set, and he uses it all the time. It was very satisfying to actually get him something he wanted.

My kids are easy to buy for. Months before their birthdays, they show me in the paper, take me to the store, and show me what they want. Usually, they show me things that are tech in nature, like an mp 3 player, or a web can, or a zip drive. All of those things baffle me. How can one fit all that music, or files on those little pieces of metal and plastic? Many times, they want things I can’t justify financially for a Birthday Gift. I have a budget concerning Birthday Gifts. I like to keep under $100.00, but most of these toys, are more than my budget. I try to tell them my budget before they take me out, then they know what to expect. My kids are adults so they understand economics.

My mother in law is another hard one to buy for. What do you buy for a woman who is 85 years old? She has everything, and doesn’t have hobbies, and sleeps a lot. I have bought her a beautiful down comforter, and she won’t use it because it’s to pretty, the same with nightgowns. She wears the same ones over and over, and has drawers of brand new ones, that are to pretty to wear. She loves diamonds, but doesn’t go anywhere to justify the cost. I bought her perfume, and she won’t wear them because she only wears perfume when she goes out. So what do you do? Buy something and hope for the best.

Birthday gifts are to tell the person you are glad they were born. I have found, taking people out and giving them your time to be the best gifts of all. For my daughter, we often go out to the show, and dinner. My son, dinner out is always welcome, he loves to eat. My husband loves the show also, so dinner and the show seem to be my favorite of all birthday gifts for my family. Sometimes I splurge, and take them out for a whole weekend away. Then however, my budget usually gets blown, but it is for only once a year, so sometimes it’s ok if you are stuck as to what to buy. I recommend giving your time.