Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 It'll take a bit of picking out - but it's a one stop shop thing and as she is a girly type will look personal to her. It'll make it look like you put some real effort in! When I get the good stuff it can come to around £30/$40 but I've also spent just £15 and it's turned out good. Yes, I like that it's a personal gift and it'll really looks as if I've put thought into it. 30 pound is fine, at least like 3 times cheaper than a spa day alrady haha. Wish I could take you with me to go shopping because you seem to know what to get - but will try my best . 2
Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 I have never put anything that tricky to choose in there - best avoided IMO. Lightly tinted lip stuff is much easier - unless of course she wears very heavy dark lipsticks. Nail varnishes - many of us tend to use pinks/reds/purples on our toes even if we don't do our nail varnish on our hands ourselves so again - you pretty much can't go too wrong. I know the colours of nail varnish that she wears - so should be good ! 1
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Yes, I like that it's a personal gift and it'll really looks as if I've put thought into it. 30 pound is fine, at least like 3 times cheaper than a spa day alrady haha. Wish I could take you with me to go shopping because you seem to know what to get - but will try my best . I'd be happy to help! Lol! My one thought - mirrors - don't go for the cheapest option in compact mirrors if you decide to get one - about £4 up will be a decent one and will likely be easy to open and also have a normal and a magnifying side to it as well. I've bought myself the cheapest before and cheap can be utter rubbish! Edited to add - write a list of the suggestions I gave you - or you'll forget and feel bombarded when you get there! Edited March 5, 2017 by GemmaUK 1
Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) I'd be happy to help! Lol! My one thought - mirrors - don't go for the cheapest option in compact mirrors if you decide to get one - about £4 up will be a decent one and will likely be easy to open and also have a normal and a magnifying side to it as well. I've bought myself the cheapest before and cheap can be utter rubbish! Edited to add - write a list of the suggestions I gave you - or you'll forget and feel bombarded when you get there! Will PM you my location Edit: doesn't seem like this forum has a PM feature, I'll just do my best . Thanks, will keep that in mind! And yes, that's what I was planning to do indeed, and will probably ask for help from a female staff member if I don't manage . Thanks so much for the great advice, I'm sure she'll love this, and it's so much better than a more generic gift of e.g. perfume. Edited March 5, 2017 by lover01 1
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 The more you post the pM option kicks in. Come back and let us know if she liked it - but I am pretty sure she will - and she'll have lots of little things to open too - which is always fun! The other side of it is you'll have a story to tell about it too - having an idea (say it was your idea) and then having to ask for help is - well - sweet! Have fun! 1
Miss Spider Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Macaroni picture and just like a gift basket of random stuff she likes or any woman can use like bobby pins and lip balm 1
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Just a few more tips - only because I have made mistakes myself. Go looking in both shops for the bag first - and you want something medium sized and zipped - not drawstring. If you can't find a bag you like go to somewhere like Debenhams - more expensive but the bags will be nicer. Once you have the bag then go looking for the bits to fit in it. Fill it enough so don't go for expensive of everything - Max Factor and Rimmel are OK for varnishes - Superdrug also do some tiny varnishes which are very cheap so you could pick several - but the quality is better with the likes of Max Factor/Rimmel types. You can spend a quid or £20 on a nail varnish or in fact most of these items so watch your pricing and the sizes of them as you go to make sure they will all fit in the bag once wrapped and kept in their packaging. They have lots of travel sized things in both shops - they just take a bit of finding. Tissue you can find in any card shop and then you can wrap up each item, plus the bag and then get a gift bag and top it up with the tissue also - makes it look pretty. Give yourself plenty of time - you will be back and forth from the sections in the shop - it's bound to happen! It's half of the fun though - especially when you get to an end result you're pleased with. 3
todreaminblue Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) I know her for a year though - it's not like she's a complete stranger to me. And yes I know I shouldn't overdo it, but buying someone perfume is nothing overly crazy, is it? It's not like I'm buying her lingerie. I just want to make her feel special on her birthday, that's all. i think you should follow your heart and blow what anyone else says...... the written note with dinner for two cooked by you sounds lovely.... you know i dont remind anyone when its my birthday... ill let it go completely if no one remembers..... thats why my ex reminds everyone.....because i have let it go....and i never ask for anything......if i get asked i always say you dont have to buy me anything....so i never really get much at all...people around me dont have a lot of money.... i ask for one thing if people remember my birthday i ask for one day of peace.....where i am not asked to sort out disagreements.....or hear them...just music and reflection....and peace....and to be treated with respect alllllll day...smilin what i do notice from me never wanting anything when i do get something...i treasure it...i got soap last year from my daughters.....and it wasnt just a bar of soap it was a bar of my favorite lush soap..called karma soap...unbelievable smell....and i slice a sliver off when i want to treat my skin.....make it last.....and sometimes ill even slice a sliver off ....for others to try.....lol that one is hard though....its my bar of soap i make last for months and only use on special occasions..... whatever you buy her....a real woman...would appreciate the effort and your thoughtfulness..three weeks or three years..thoughtfulness still remains to be thoughtfulness...personally dont make it too expensive that is where uncomfortableness can rear its head..........follow your heart......and good luck....psssssst just read gemmas idea and it is an awesome idea.......you will rock the birthday girl....)..deb Edited March 5, 2017 by todreaminblue 3
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Thanks Deb! I used to do a similar thing for my Dad (the man who had everything he wanted!). Difference with him - he would get a bix boxful of things - he was my Dad after all! I'd get him his shaving foam, his razors, canned and pickled foods he loved, one year a Roberts radio (the best IMO) - some of it was cheap as chips and some more thoughtful, more expensive - even kitchen gadgets to make his life easier - things I knew would help him as he was older and not in great health. The first time I did this for him was what made me think to do the same kind of gifts for friends etc - just with different items - but all particular to that person. 1
CptInsano Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Three weeks is still an early stage of a relationship. If in doubt, ask her mom or her girlfriends, they will know what she likes or not. Perfume and spa treatments are fine, but they are the most generic gifts you can buy, as they apply to almost any woman. My last girlfriend really liked weekend getaways, but was far too picky with perfume and has never seen a spa from the inside. Unless you have better handle on what she likes, I would play it safe, and simply take her out on her birthday. (You will get bonus points for not forgetting her birthday or buying a "panic gift" at a gas station. ) 1
darkmoon Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 buy her a rose pink lipstick jumper or T-shirt, girtly girls like pink, my two cents 1
Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Just a few more tips - only because I have made mistakes myself. Go looking in both shops for the bag first - and you want something medium sized and zipped - not drawstring. If you can't find a bag you like go to somewhere like Debenhams - more expensive but the bags will be nicer. Once you have the bag then go looking for the bits to fit in it. Fill it enough so don't go for expensive of everything - Max Factor and Rimmel are OK for varnishes - Superdrug also do some tiny varnishes which are very cheap so you could pick several - but the quality is better with the likes of Max Factor/Rimmel types. You can spend a quid or £20 on a nail varnish or in fact most of these items so watch your pricing and the sizes of them as you go to make sure they will all fit in the bag once wrapped and kept in their packaging. They have lots of travel sized things in both shops - they just take a bit of finding. Tissue you can find in any card shop and then you can wrap up each item, plus the bag and then get a gift bag and top it up with the tissue also - makes it look pretty. Give yourself plenty of time - you will be back and forth from the sections in the shop - it's bound to happen! It's half of the fun though - especially when you get to an end result you're pleased with. I just finished shopping and gift wrapping everything. I soon realized that indeed it's very easy to spend a lot of money on just one thing, which would be less nice than having a mix of different items. I ended up buying a mix of more expensive and less expensive items, and gift wrapped each of them in pink gift wrap - and I then finally wrapped the bag in the same gift wrap as well. I was lucky, because when I finished wrapping everything I could with a lot of work only just zip the bag, an extra item would not have fit in. I ended up spending just over 40 pound, but I'm happy with the end result . The people in the store were totally unhelpful, I made the mistake of asking someone behind the counter of a specific brand for help, and so she only wanted to sell me products from that brand. After that, I just decided to try it myself - I bought most of the items from your list and a few similar small things. I wouldn't be surprised if I spent an hour or more in the store in total, it's quite overwhelming for a guy who doesn't know where to look - got a few funny looks as well when selecting lip gloss etc. I really hope she'll like the end result! Really, really, appreciate your tips. Edited March 5, 2017 by lover01 2
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 I just finished shopping and gift wrapping everything. I soon realized that indeed it's very easy to spend a lot of money on just one thing, which would be less nice than having a mix of different items. I ended up buying a mix of more expensive and less expensive items, and gift wrapped each of them in pink gift wrap - and I then finally wrapped the bag in the same gift wrap as well. I was lucky, because when I finished wrapping everything I could with a lot of work only just zip the bag, an extra item would not have fit in. I ended up spending just over 40 pound, but I'm happy with the end result . The people in the store were totally unhelpful, I made the mistake of asking someone behind the counter of a specific brand for help, and so she only wanted to sell me products from that brand. After that, I just decided to try it myself - I bought most of the items from your list and a few similar small things. I wouldn't be surprised if I spent an hour or more in the store in total, it's quite overwhelming for a guy who doesn't know where to look - got a few funny looks as well when selecting lip gloss etc. I really hope she'll like the end result! Really, really, appreciate your tips. You're a star!!! You did it on your own too! That is not easy being a guy! Lol! Must admit I forgot about counter people - my local Boots doesn't have them so it slipped my mind - bigger stores do - my bad! It is easy to over spend but sounds like you got a good mix. I just popped over to Boots myself and saw they had some pretty good bags in - perfect for a girly girl. I know you've only dated 3 weeks but you have known her for a year. I had only been dating a guy for a week when my 23rd birthday came around back in the early 90's and he spent around £30 on earrings for me and took me out for a curry. He got me gold earrings and I don't wear gold but - he tried! Bless him! I wore them just for him anyway. The point was he spotted I wore earrings - that's where his idea came from and he thought about it - that is what counted. Plus he didn't spend too much, It was just right. You sound like you've done a fantastic job! £40 is fine - more than a generic token and less than an extortionate spa day. You did good! well done! You HAVE to come back and say what she thought...I reckon she is gonna love it! I know I would! 2
Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 You're a star!!! You did it on your own too! That is not easy being a guy! Lol! Must admit I forgot about counter people - my local Boots doesn't have them so it slipped my mind - bigger stores do - my bad! It is easy to over spend but sounds like you got a good mix. I just popped over to Boots myself and saw they had some pretty good bags in - perfect for a girly girl. I know you've only dated 3 weeks but you have known her for a year. I had only been dating a guy for a week when my 23rd birthday came around back in the early 90's and he spent around £30 on earrings for me and took me out for a curry. He got me gold earrings and I don't wear gold but - he tried! Bless him! I wore them just for him anyway. The point was he spotted I wore earrings - that's where his idea came from and he thought about it - that is what counted. Plus he didn't spend too much, It was just right. You sound like you've done a fantastic job! £40 is fine - more than a generic token and less than an extortionate spa day. You did good! well done! You HAVE to come back and say what she thought...I reckon she is gonna love it! I know I would! Thank you for being so nice, it's really great getting help from someone as attentive as you, I'm quite sure that I would have ended up with a much more generic and less apreciated gift if it wasn't for your great advice ! Can't wait to gift it to her now actually, this kind of got me excited to see her reaction! Hope her schedule clears up soon, might just end up giving it sooner because she'll be working on her birthday - but let's see. Really hope she'll like it! I'll let you know if it was a success ! 1
GemmaUK Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Thank you for being so nice, it's really great getting help from someone as attentive as you, I'm quite sure that I would have ended up with a much more generic and less apreciated gift if it wasn't for your great advice ! Can't wait to gift it to her now actually, this kind of got me excited to see her reaction! Hope her schedule clears up soon, might just end up giving it sooner because she'll be working on her birthday - but let's see. Really hope she'll like it! I'll let you know if it was a success ! You are very welcome! Glad you liked the idea and I'm impressed you ran with it! She is a lucky girl! I always prefer to give gifts before a birthday if at all possible rather than after - especially as she will be working. But if that's not possible - no biggie. Even if it's a brief date be there for when she opens it though. Then after her birthday you could treat her to dinner. I'll keep my fingers crossed all goes well for you. 2
Author lover01 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Posted March 5, 2017 You are very welcome! Glad you liked the idea and I'm impressed you ran with it! She is a lucky girl! I always prefer to give gifts before a birthday if at all possible rather than after - especially as she will be working. But if that's not possible - no biggie. Even if it's a brief date be there for when she opens it though. Then after her birthday you could treat her to dinner. I'll keep my fingers crossed all goes well for you. I'm the lucky one - she's a special girl, you'd understand it if you knew her ! Yes, I agree - I'll see if we can meet up in the next few days. Thank you - I'll keep you updated! 2
todreaminblue Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 Thanks Deb! I used to do a similar thing for my Dad (the man who had everything he wanted!). Difference with him - he would get a bix boxful of things - he was my Dad after all! I'd get him his shaving foam, his razors, canned and pickled foods he loved, one year a Roberts radio (the best IMO) - some of it was cheap as chips and some more thoughtful, more expensive - even kitchen gadgets to make his life easier - things I knew would help him as he was older and not in great health. The first time I did this for him was what made me think to do the same kind of gifts for friends etc - just with different items - but all particular to that person. your thoughtfulness shines through......one reason why i come to love shack is to read posts like yours ...they make me smile......just perfect thought posts......)..love what you did for your dad ....what a beautiful daughter you are......keep rockin on gemma..you make the world a better place........debxo 1
todreaminblue Posted March 5, 2017 Posted March 5, 2017 I'm the lucky one - she's a special girl, you'd understand it if you knew her ! Yes, I agree - I'll see if we can meet up in the next few days. Thank you - I'll keep you updated! please do .....keep us updated ...would be lovely to read a positive follow on story....deb 1
Author lover01 Posted March 6, 2017 Author Posted March 6, 2017 Believe it or not but she was called today to replace someone to go on a business trip tomorrow, so she'll be spending her birthday and the rest of this week away from home (yes, really...). I told her I got her a small surprise gift and she thought it was really nice and said that she thinks I know her well enough to know what she likes. I'll tell you whether she liked the gift by by the end of next week at the latest ! 2
GemmaUK Posted March 6, 2017 Posted March 6, 2017 It's a shame but duty calls! All will be fine and I have no doubt you've picked out all things that she'll like! 1
d0nnivain Posted March 6, 2017 Posted March 6, 2017 $40 (I don't have the pound symbol) is a lot for a birthday gift after only dating for such a short period. I understand you have known each other longer. Good for you for being understand about her need to work. Do enjoy the celebration you have prepared.
Els Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 (edited) Uhhh... not sure whether or not to say something, given that you've already spent all that money. But personally, makeup and nail polish is the kind of gift that I'd like to receive from a girlfriend or a guy that's "one of the girls"... not the kind of gift I'd like to receive from a boyfriend of 3 weeks. It just gives off... "girly" vibes to me on the part of the giver, I guess? Not romantic/masculine vibes. If it wasn't for a birthday or you guys had been together for much longer than that, it might be okay, but from a new guy it just gives a... how do I put it... "BFF" impression instead of "BF", IMO. But, that's just me, everyone is different. Just putting a different perspective out there, you can consider and decline if you decide I'm wrong. Edited March 7, 2017 by Elswyth
Author lover01 Posted March 7, 2017 Author Posted March 7, 2017 (edited) Uhhh... not sure whether or not to say something, given that you've already spent all that money. But personally, makeup and nail polish is the kind of gift that I'd like to receive from a girlfriend or a guy that's "one of the girls"... not the kind of gift I'd like to receive from a boyfriend of 3 weeks. It just gives off... "girly" vibes to me on the part of the giver, I guess? Not romantic/masculine vibes. If it wasn't for a birthday or you guys had been together for much longer than that, it might be okay, but from a new guy it just gives a... how do I put it... "BFF" impression instead of "BF", IMO. But, that's just me, everyone is different. Just putting a different perspective out there, you can consider and decline if you decide I'm wrong. Oh well, too alpha to worry about this. I tried hard and if she won't appreciate that, then so be it and she can find someone who I'm sure will do things a lot better. This may sound rough but reactions like yours are exactly the reason why men stop trying. Sure, you can have your preferences, but I honestly don't get why you wouldn't just appreciate the fact that someone made an effort to do something for you instead of overanalyzing what they did. I can tell you that it took a lot of balls to as a man buy all of that stuff with everyone looking at you like you're a freakin' weirdo - if that doesn't show manliness than I don't know what does. You can never win if you follow fora like this. This thread can be closed, just wanted a gift idea, not an analysis of everything else. GemmaUK, I might PM you next week - thanks to those who responded. Edited March 7, 2017 by lover01 2
GemmaUK Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 I can't wait to find out what she thought. I would love this type of gift. The last guy I dated whilst it was my birthday got me flowers - this was after telling him well in advance that I didn't like cut flowers. This compares to the guy I dated long term who always got me things I really liked - why? Because he had obviously put effort in to finding things that he knew I would like. His gifts were always thoughtful, often quirky ideas but perfectly suited to me. He too was an alpha. 1
Els Posted March 12, 2017 Posted March 12, 2017 Oh well, too alpha to worry about this. I tried hard and if she won't appreciate that, then so be it and she can find someone who I'm sure will do things a lot better. This may sound rough but reactions like yours are exactly the reason why men stop trying. Sure, you can have your preferences, but I honestly don't get why you wouldn't just appreciate the fact that someone made an effort to do something for you instead of overanalyzing what they did. I can tell you that it took a lot of balls to as a man buy all of that stuff with everyone looking at you like you're a freakin' weirdo - if that doesn't show manliness than I don't know what does. You can never win if you follow fora like this. This thread can be closed, just wanted a gift idea, not an analysis of everything else. GemmaUK, I might PM you next week - thanks to those who responded. Whoa. Defensive much? There is no overanalysis involved, just a description of the gut feeling I'd have if a brand new romantic partner gave me a box of girly stuff. Also, note that I have never advocated showing no effort or "not trying" - not having the same opinion as yours on what constitutes a good birthday present does not mean that I'm saying you should ignore her birthday or give her coal in a sock. I'm not sure why you don't think there's any other possible way that a man could demonstrate effort on their woman's birthday, when plenty of men manage to do so. Like I said, though, you know your girl better than I do, so it's possible we're both just different people. You should absolutely do what you feel best, but in general it's a good idea to learn to receive well-intended suggestions.
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