What a Man Wants?
Mr. Eye Candy’s birthday is coming up this month and I’m a little nervous. This will be his first birthday that we’ll share together and the first time I will be responsible for buying HIM a gift and/or planning an activity FOR him.
Since we’ve “officially” been seeing each other (around December-ish), he’s been the gift buyer, the surpriser, the planner, and the doer. Prior to that, I lusted after him for the better part of 7 months. LOL I’m sure most of you remember my inappropriate thoughts during meetings and behind the privacy of my office door. *sigh* Since then, I’ve been coasting along for the ride.
All year long, he’s been genuine and never disappoints (my birthday, V-day, farewell party, summer vacay, date nights, just because, etc.), so the pressure is on. I won’t try to match the price of his gifts because I’m working with Andrews, he’s got Benjamins, but I must reciprocate his sincerity and generosity.
Can you guys help me out with some ideas?
If I had to describe him, I’d say he’s a workaholic who spares no expense when it comes to quality. He lives and breathes his business and almost everything he wears is some kind of name brand. He’s a suit and tie wearing brother Monday through Friday, but thugged out on the weekend. Like your typical man, he loves sports, his truck and his mama. LOL In his spare time, which is rare, and when I’m not pouting because we don’t spend enough time together, he’s on the golf course or basketball court. Between me and you, I don’t think his game is that good. Please gawd, don’t let him read this post! LOL But anyway, we both share a love for old skool hip hop, dining at hidden gem restaurants, and personal finance.
So tell me readers, especially any male lurkers, what does a man want for his birthday?
My budget is only $100.
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This may sound corny, but when I started dating my current boyfriend (who almost perfectly fits the description you provided), I, too, was in a different income bracket when the first time I had to do anything significant came up for him. So what I did was simply took him out to dinner to a place I was almost certain he had not been yet and I crafted a keepsake by hand.
Basically all I did was purchase one of those set of index cards that are spiral-bond. This one had a hard plastic blue cover on it. I believe there were 100 cards bond together. Then I purchased markers, different stickers. Then on each index card, I wrote down what I loved about him, how he makes me feel, and how I want to be there for him.
He told me that he was touched by it and that it was the most unique gift he’s ever received from anyone. He was close to speechless (which is hard for him) and I could tell by his reaction and his body language that he really was sincere about how he felt about it.
We’ve been together a little over 5yrs since then and he still keeps that little “book” I made in his home-office desk drawer.
Might I suggest a weekend away…………some place with a 2-3 hour drive and then have a couples massage and give him a gift certificate to a suit store.
I know you said your budget was $100……..a suggestion for that would be a watch, cuff links, an engraved clock or time piece from things remembered
I asked the source. For his intersts and your budget, he suggests personalized golf tees. You can get them with his initials or some saying that means something to both of you.
I would also second the idea of a nice dinner that he has not experienced before. Good Luck!
personalized golf gear.. tickets to a wizards game against his fav team if it isn’t the wizards (callme FIRST if u go with that option), maybe a shirt, tie & cufflinks.. OR cufflinks from Tiffany’s (under $100) then again he may already have that..
I’ll email theothers.. they aren’t web appropriate LOL
I was thinking of something inappropriate as well :-) BK
I think I will E-mail too
Get his car detailed for him. He’ll remember it every time he gets in!
ROFLMAO @ BK & Rufina
I read your emails. Scandalous! But I like. :-)
My birthday is the 15th of October, and I got a nice dinner today, since I’ll be working that day. You can’t go wrong with that.
A watch is a good idea, but I am pretty sure he goes for the high end brands. If not, that’s a good option.
Cologne, the safe bet for this is dating for 2 years.
Clothing, again if you’ve been dating for a while.
Tickets, football tickets are always fun, but if the team is losing, then I doubt it would be a good experience.
Business book are also good, but this need to be tailored with something like a dinner.
Also his favorite bottle of rum, scotch, vodka, wine, etc.
-Edgar
Hi Edgar, thanks for giving me ideas from a male’s perspective. I will consider the liquor paired with something else. Thanks. [-SM]
What about a book of photos – kind of a scrap book, with little stories about what he was doing in the photo, or if it’s a picture of you, what you were doing in the photo?
I had a birthday and my husband took me to a books store and I roamed for about two hours. As lame as that sounds, I NEVER get to just do stuff like that – so I loved it. Maybe finding out what he would love to do, but doesn’t make time for might be a good idea to try.
Another thing that’s kind of fun is organizing 3 full but different nights and then allowing him to choose, by just a one word or one sentence description. For example, you might plan sushi & a movie, a game and a bar afterwords, a concert and cocktails. Then find a clever way to describe them without him knowing the entire plan. The part that’s fun is that he knows you took time to figure out a few ideas and more than anything, men usually want to know that you spent time thinking of them – or so I think. ;-)
Singlema,
This prolly isn’t the best suggestion, but I’ve been reading your blog for months so I feel it’s my duty as a guy to post SOMETHING.
Think outside the box here. I mean some of the things others have mentioned are good, but they AREN’T “Single-Ma good!” If you are creative at all, I agree with the make him something bit…yes, I know you’re busy, but that makes the fact that you took time to make him something just that much more special. Avoid the expected gifts, cuff links, golf stuff, etc…he’d expect that…and you’re not supposed to be predictable!
It might be neat to plan something you can do together to celebrate…although I’m fresh outta ideas right now.
Darrin, thanks for coming out of lurkdom to share your manly wisdom. LOL!
LOL @ “Single Ma good!” Ha! I like that! All of the suggestions were helpful. Collectively, they’ve given me a GREAT idea. Think an entire week of teasing leading up to one BIG day. ;-)
Yes, with only $100. [-SM]
I agree with the dude. It needs to be something special and I admire you for making a budget and sticking to it. So, what about making dinner for him at his house or giving him some type of spa treatment? You’ve got a lot of option and hopefully others will weigh in with something more definitive than I’ve provided.
Here is a sure fire way to get ausome brownie points! Cook him dinner, but not just any dinner. Make it of all his favorite foods, deserts and beer. If his favorite food is from a out of reach resturant, call and ask what the heck is in whatever he likes. I’ve been surprised with how many chefs will talk to you over the phone. They might not give you their secret receipe but they’ll guide you along enough. My husband is always impressed when I just cook with him in mind. Like Mama always said, the fastest way to a mans heart is through his stomach. :)
there is a spa for men in Tysons and DC called the Grooming Lounge, he could get a facial (especially if he is a bruh with any ‘bumps’) and massage and mani/pedi, but its not girly or froofroo. You could also hire a personal chef to come to his or your place to cook a banging meal. (and teach stuff to you both)
Girl, you sure can stretch $100. LOL! [-SM]
BK and I-great minds think alike
I hope that both of us combined gave you enough food for at least 5 years worth of birthday presents to your man :-)
How about picking up a couple of hip hop cd’s that you know are missing form his collection.
Hey single ma,
This is what i did once for someone whom i was dating and he loved it..
Whatever day his bday falls on start a week in advance and send a small gift each day up until his bday. I sent a note on day one which said something like “Happy Bday week! You are just too special to only celebrate one day! ” or something to that effect that isnt too corny.lol
Then each day I sent him a small gift that was symbolic of something I liked/loved about him. I spent way more than $100 but you can buy the symbolic gifts according to your budget:
this is what i did…
Day 1 :A sweater “Your presence warms my heart”
Day 2: Cologne ” You got my nose wide open”
Day 3: Remote control car “You make my heart race”
Day 4: bag of sexy things ” You bring out the freak in me”
Day 5: Flowers ” Our friendship is blooming into something beautiful
Day 6: Personalized key chain “You have the keys to my heart”
Day 7: His bday -took him to atlantic city – ” Loving you is no Gamble”
Another idea – dont know if this is too out there but – you can create a personalized calendar for him with pics of you on each month (sexy and classy pics of course, or not so classy..whateva suits your style ! LOL)
Umm, wow! That sounds expensive! I hope this guy is now your husband. [-SM]
Most of the things I would think have already been mentioned here – something sportsy or food-y. Does he like to wear jerseys? Is there a certain player he’s mentioned? Is there something you cook that he loves? Something he loves that you don’t know how to make, that you can learn how to make, just for him?
a scrapbook listing 10 things you like about him (including pics and words)
sorry..i’m a big romantic and guys might act all macho but everybody LOVES looking at pictures of themselves.
My sweeties bday was in September, and like you and Mr. Eye Candy we’ve not dated a year (November 07) so I was reluctant to spend a lot. He did a lot for my bday, especially since at the time we had only been dating 3 months so I felt obligated to do something. For his bday, we didn’t do anything special just our normal weekend stuff. However, I called in a favor from a friend and got him FREE tix to see the Cowboys play the Rams in St. Louis this weekend. It’s been about 3 weeks since his bday so this is just an extension. Since I travel so much for work, I’ll use my Marriott points so our room is free. We live in Memphis which is only a 3.5 hour drive from St. Louis so the most I’m out of is gas! Call in some favors, use the free perks with some of your credit cards, etc.
I hope you guys have as much fun as me and Handsome this weekend!
I had the same problem with my man. When he wants something he just buys it, so for his birthday, rathre than buying him gifts I try to create experiences. Now if you are feeling like blowing your budget I reccomend getting a suite at the Savoy in Georgetown. Otherwise I reccomend doing like a scavenger hunt in your house. You can get really creative with what you leave at the different spots, and then have it lead to a bubble bath for two. A bottle of chocolate covered strawberries. And then give him a massage after. If you really want to spice it up, buy something sexy for yourself to wear ( an a pair of your highest pumps) while your giving hiim a massage and then you have a reason to treat yourself too. All for under $100
I think you’ve already decided but I was going to suggest a photo tour/safari where you can tour a city with a professional photographer. I came across a site while researching an upcoming weekend. I’m impressed with the price $60 for 4 hours (this isn’t for the D.C. area however).
Men like sports stuff, food and nudity. lol Feed him his favorite food, buy him something personally sports related. An autographed something, a book on ‘how to’, or a photo of some kind.
I’m SO happy for you… enjoy your blogging break.
i apparently didn’t pay ANY attention to the price limit lol… my bad. i’m sure you made it a ‘fabulous’ weekend for UNDER $100 anyway!