The Private Exchange - What to Get Her...

Hey fellas. Below is a compilation of gift ideas that, in practice and in speaking with my wife of five years, have helped me achieve "favorite husband status". It seems to me that thoughtfulness is the call of the day, regardless of the product you purchase for her. If you plan on exchanging gifts on the night of the rehearsal dinner, then let this list be a guide unto you about the right things to get someone of the female persuasion. In case you're wondering, I went with #2 and it worked out fine, even after five years!

1) Sexy Negligee - I didn't think of this one myself - this comes straight from my wife. I wouldn't feel comfortable picking one up but in the small chance you do, they don't mind receiving a gift for themselves that's actually more for you if you think about it. Proceed with caution however, and don't fall into the thinking that 'weird sexy' is 'romantic sexy'. Keep it clean and thoughtful and she'll love you for it.

2) Throw - TV blankets are a great general choice for any lady. Almost all enjoy some time in front of the tele and a good throw is a great substitute when you're away from home or need some face time in front of your computer or XBOX. A nice quality throw would do well over the years, think along the lines of $50 - $100 if that's possible. I got mine a throw and we still have it and use it regularly.

3) Targeted "Niche" Gift Card - Women have a lot of niche stores they show at, so there's no sense in warning you to stay away from stores like Menards or Best Buy. They like the dainty stores we wouldn't be caught dead in like Bed, Bath & Beyond or Victoria's Secret. If you're brave enough, you can skip the gift card and get a nice gift package from one of the aforementioned dainty stores (see #1 above).

4) Health Spa Gift Card/Gift Certificate - Not on par with the targeted niche card listed above, as this gift card is a one time service-type gift, not something she'll have physical proof of when she eventually uses it. These will ALWAYS do the trick. Women love to be pampered, even by strangers. Get this gift and send her away for a few hours. She'll come back refreshed and so will you! Caution should be stated however, that the effects of the spa treatment are only temporary, as will her appreciation of you and the gift - so be ready with something else a few weeks or months later. Maybe keep sending her back if possible or just settle for option #2 above and be done with it.

5) Jewelry Box - You may not know if she owns any or you may not even see them on her when she's wearing them but chances are she's got a collection of trinkets that need a home. Achieve "favorite husband status" by nailing down that perfect gift of a finely crafted and expertly detailed jewelry box from somewhere like Bombay Company. Watch her eyes light up!

6) Tea Set - Tea drinker or not, a gift or tea things will give her something to use or something to display in the china cabinet she'll have you buy a few years down the road. tea drinking is not an overly expensive hobby and it's soothing to her with all those dainty flavors like Earl Gray and Lady Gray. Eventually, you might at least try the English Breakfast kind - hold the accent please...

7) Personalized Stationary - Get her something she can use to rediscover the fine art of writing letters and thank you notes to all the friends and family! Nothing makes that possible like a beautifully decorated stationary with her initials all over it!

8) Specialized Baking Pans - Start her off on her new hidden passion - baking! Available to fine stores like Sur La Table (Sur-la-tob), try to find something with a little flare like special bundt cake moldings or muffin pans - you get the picture.

9) Jewelry and Wearable Trinkets - Give her something to put into that aforementioned jewelry box (see #5). Women love their silver and gold and nothing says I love you like a dainty heart-shaped pendent or slinky-cool bracelet. It's a safe gift that still shows that you care about her being a woman.

10) Bathrobe/Pajama Set - The fact that you care about her comfort at the beginning and at the end of the day will speak volumes when you gift her a soft robe and slippers set. She'll feel like the very hand of King Kong is wrapped around her in a warming embrace - and who doesn't like a nice warm pair of slippers at the end of the day?