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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Romantic Gift

23 replies

Mantis1975 · 19/10/2016 01:22

I'm trying to think of a romantic Christmas present for my wife but nothing is giving me much inspiration. Most seem either cheesy and clichéd, sex based or too expensive.
We've agreed a budget of £80 but can probably push it to £100.
Anyone have any tips about where I should look?
Thanks.

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legotits · 19/10/2016 01:25

What does she like?

legotits · 19/10/2016 01:29

Not what gifts but what things.

Shopping?
Fashion?
Food?
Animals?

Y know a couple of areas of interest.

wonderingsoul · 19/10/2016 08:24

Something really cheap

A box fillied with notes off why you love her.

More expensive but can be paid at alatter date

Get away to venice flights there and back say in january will cost 80 pounds ( there cheap if you book innadvance)
Then book a hotel for 100 but if you book from booking they have hotels that you dont have to pay for till you check in.

wonderingsoul · 19/10/2016 08:25

Ment to add hotel is a 100 for two nights

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Mantis1975 · 19/10/2016 11:55

legotits Firstly, fasinating username. Is there a story behind it?
She's really into music. Singing mostly.

Wonderingsoul
Thanks for the ideas.
The box of notes idea is wonderful. Unfortunately I used it for valentines day last year, but she did love it.

I'd looked at taking her to Munich for the Christmas Festival there but with Brexit tanking the pound I decided best to cancel.
The main reason for the price cap is we are saving to take the kids away to Disneyland..

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Woodifer · 19/10/2016 14:34

How old are kids. I would be made up with offer to get up in nights for me. :-D

ReginaPhalange87 · 19/10/2016 14:36

She likes singing? Is there anywhere in your area that offers a day where she could record her own single? A couple of the bigger cities close by me do this. You get a singing lesson then record a song. I'd love that if it was me!

Original poster
Mantis1975 · 19/10/2016 14:46

Unfortunately the kids are fairly good sleepers. A book of task tokens might be a good shout though.

We are fairly rural with the nearest city about 3 hours away. It's a thought though. She'd probably love that if I could arrange it for next time we are there.

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Whatsername17 · 19/10/2016 15:18

Tickets to the theatre? My dh did thus for me once. Bought me the musical soundtrack for a West end show with the tickets inside. It was a couple of months away and we then decided to book a hotel room and he took me out for a nice pre-theatre dinner. It was lovely.

WindInThePussyWillows · 19/10/2016 15:30

I have a necklace with my twins first initials on, I love it and wear it everyday. Could you do something personalised like that?
Doesn't have to be a necklace or children based but personalised gifts are always so thoughtful, perhaps look at Not on the high street for inspiration Smile

Romantic Gift
legotits · 19/10/2016 21:01

National choir of the Year final is 3rd December in Cardiff.

Could you budget that?
Because I am a master of skint I would:-

Check for somewhere within budget and travel time in the UK.
Book the night of 3rd.
Make sure they have great free WiFi to watch the final with a takeaway, peace and quiet and a foot rub.
If you can afford two nights or a trip the next day even better but the camp in doesn't force you to cardiff at peak rates.

Original poster
Mantis1975 · 19/10/2016 21:44

Legotits Sounds excellent. Thanks.

Windinthepussywillows Thanks for the NotOnTheHighStreet suggestion. Have had a look and added a few more possibles to the list.

Whatsername17 I am absolutely desperate for The Lion King to come on tour nearby so that I can take her to that. She's wanted to go for ages but London is a bit far to travel. Great idea though.

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ReginaPhalange87 · 19/10/2016 22:39

It's so lovely that you're asking for ideas and thinking of Christmas already. You'll need to let us know what you decide to do!

NotAMammy · 19/10/2016 23:09

A friend of mine showed us a scrap book that's like a combined couple bucket list and memory book, so they put stuff in it that they'd love to do (everything from a picnic to going to Disneyland) and then leave loads of space to fill it up with the memories and pictures when they actually do it. It was absolutely gorgeous and something that will become more and more precious the longer the keep it. So maybe something like that, a notebook with some things you would like to do together in there, including the Disney trip and things that you haven't planned but might want to do in the future, plus a page with the details of a trip or event that you book for her/you both as the bigger part of the present, if that makes sense?

I would be absolutely chuffed to bits if my DH did this for me but I can't see it happening any time soon and he'd not appreciate it!

Original poster
Mantis1975 · 20/10/2016 12:43

I love the scrap book idea.
I'll try to find some photos and things of stuff we've done together and see if I've enough to do something like that.

Just so this isn't a one way street a few ideas I've used previously are:
Advent calender of reasons I love her. (with a jar of 100s & 1000s for the other 100s and 1000s of reasons)
Comic book made with photos of the kids for each panel.
A spa weekend away.
A hand crafted (by someone else) sign of her favourite quotes.
I carved landscape of a view from a holiday we'd taken together. (surprisingly easy to do this)
A book of funny (though less than I'd hoped) , naughty (and shit) poems I'd written about her.

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bootygirl · 20/10/2016 17:24

What about an antique/vintage box that's a memories box. Put some of her favourite photos or mememtos into it? It need nt be expensive. I still have the jewellery box my husband bought me our first Xmas I keep the DS scan photos in it as well.
You could put a love letter/poem in it or cd of songs that have special meaning to you.

NotAMammy · 20/10/2016 19:28

Aw Mantis, those are lovely things that you've done in the past!

legotits · 20/10/2016 19:33

If you like the jewellery box idea and can't find the right one a stacking one that you buy trays for to add to it could work.

Then buy a new tray each year, when you are flush you can stick a bit of sparkle.

Make a tradition.

Original poster
Mantis1975 · 20/10/2016 23:53

So I'm looking for a box. I've made a photo book today of all our couples photos and things we've done together. Amazing how few pictures there are of the two of us together. All 1 and the kids or the other and them.
Also looked through mp3s and picked out a few significant tracks. Will put these in the box once I find one. (I'm sure I've got ticket stubs & similar things knocking about that can go in it too.)

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bootygirl · 21/10/2016 18:17

Ah Mantis that sounds great! What about a list of the little things she does that make you smile/appreciate her?

happsymum · 22/10/2016 02:27

my DP's BIL printed off his wedding vows and framed them. they made every person ball their eyes out at their wedding as extremely special words said its sat in their lounge now and i smile every-time i see it so can only imagine what sister feels! something small but lovely.
for a box - hobbycraft? they have little wooden ones you can personalize. or etsy already personalized?

lots of lovely things you've already done!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 22/10/2016 07:53

Some lovely jewellery? I'm a bit of a tightwad and have found some beautiful Pandora earrings on eBay, brand new, £25 instead of RRP of £70. They are last years collection but my friend adored them for her 40th birthday.

Original poster
Mantis1975 · 22/10/2016 12:21

The wedding vow idea sounds lovely.
We just said "I Do" but I'm going to offer that up as an idea to anyone who asks.

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