So if you’ve been following What Should I Get Her for a while, you may have seen this post that goes into detail on what NOT to get your wife or girlfriend. (If you haven’t checked out that post, check it out now, then come back and finish this article. We’ll wait.) Now we’ve taken it a step further and put together a list of 10 gifts for your wife (or girlfriend) that she’ll really love. Let’s get to it!
So, while it’s always a great idea to get your wife or girlfriend a sweet little present to open (and we suggest giving her at least one gift that she has to physically open), it’s becoming more and more popular to give her an experience as well. We call them “making memories” gifts, and those are gifts she will hold dear. Think about what she likes to do but hasn’t had the time to do for a while. If your budget allows, maybe you can pick one out for her birthday, or for Christmas, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day — or just because — and watch her face light up!
Experience Gifts For Her
Girls’ Weekend Gift Getaway. Is your wife or girlfriend in need of some serious downtime with her besties? If you’ve ever seen the movie Steel Magnolias, you know this is a must for women (as well as men) from time to time. We’ve listed this as our first idea because if you can afford to do this for her, she will NEVER forget it. (In fact, if your budget supports it, making it a yearly gift would be ah-mazing.) Our panel says they’d love to receive a card with a note that says ” I want you to schedule a girls’ getaway weekend at your favorite nearby beach, mountain, or city (within driving distance) that you love. I’ll take care of the house, pets, kids, etc. Here’s $___ amount to make it happen. Love you.” Keeping it nearby keeps costs down, but more importantly, gives her more down time to relax. (She won’t spend the weekend in the airport.) If you need to, include a dollar amount for the trip, such as $400, $500, etc. Be sure to factor in at least 6 meals, hotel, transportation, and some spending money.
Spa Gift Cards or Gift Certificates. Giving your wife or girlfriend a spa gift card will give her a day to refresh and rejuvenate. She’ll be able to pick from lots of different services, such as massages and facials, hot stone massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and more. She’ll come back relaxed and grateful that she had some “me” time. If you don’t know what spa she would enjoy, covertly ask some of her friends where they go, or try using a service called spafinder.com.
Mani Pedi Ideas – Nail Salon Gift Cards. If the girl you love enjoys getting her fingernails or toenails done, then you probably are aware of the nail salon she loves. Get on over there and purchase a manicure & pedicure (mani pedi) package for her to use when she needs it most. If you have kids, make sure to tell her the gift includes you taking care of the kids so she can have uninterrupted time to relax.
Hair Blow Out gift card. New hair “blow out” salons are cropping up all over the place and are immensely popular. They offer a shampoo, special blow drying, and styling. (no colors, cuts, perms, etc.) Some offer special nourishing treatments for the hair. Women everywhere love them, because it’s very relaxing and also helps their hair to look it’s best for longer periods. One popular chain to check out is Drybar. She might not splurge on this herself, so gifting this to her is extra special.
Maid or Housecleaning Gift Services. This one might be a little touchy, so it’s best to proceed with caution. If she’s mentioned that she would really like this as a gift, you’re in the clear. But if she hasn’t, you want to be careful not to imply she doesn’t do well in the house cleaning department! Our panel recommends nonchalantly asking her if she would ever use or like a maid or housecleaning service before you spring for this one. Most of our panel says yes, they would gladly welcome this gift, as long as they know the spirit in which it is given. 😉 Check with friends for a reputable company or use a well-known & respected maid service.
Date Night In. Now there’s a monthly date night box specifically designed to help you connect with your mate during a “date night in” at home. Date Night In boxes come with items to create “a complete experience”. For example, they each include a specific theme and date night menu or easy snack to fix together at home, conversation starters that bring the two of you together through reminiscing, activities and/or games, and an activity to do to remember the night together. This one got a big thumbs up from our panel! Be sure to order before the cut-off dates to get that month’s “theme”.
Photography Gift Certificate or Gift Card. Gifting a couples or family photo shoot to the woman you love is the epitome of memory making! If it’s your girlfriend, she’ll love it. And if it’s your wife, we’re sure she will, too! Most women never stop to get in the picture with their families, and now is the time to tell her you want to change that! Our panel loves this idea, and most wish they did it more often. If your wife or girlfriend is hesitant about having her photo made, remind her how beautiful she is to you (and to your children, if you have them). Many photographers now work with makeup artists & hair stylists that can pamper her and help everyone look their best for the photos. If you choose this gift, here are a few tips to make picture day run smoothly:
- Pick a reputable photographer. In this age of digital cameras, many people claim to be “professional photographers” when they are not. Word of mouth is usually the best way to find a great photographer. Do your homework and ask friends who they use and are happy with. Check the photographer’s social media pages & reviews to look at the quality and style of their work, and if there are any unhappy customers. If you’re doing a family photo shoot, NAPCP is a great place to start!
- Ensure nothing else is scheduled for that day. This includes sports events, birthday parties, etc. Be sure there’s nowhere that you have to be, so that you can be relaxed and arrive to the photoshoot in a happy state of mind.
- Relax. Whether it’s a couples shoot or a family shoot, try to relax and be yourself. A photo session usually doesn’t last that long. Just keep in mind you are doing this as a lasting gift for the woman you love. 😉
- Plan some fun afterwards. Plan on taking her (or her & the kids) out to eat at a fun place afterward. Also, telling the kids about those fun plans ahead of time usually has the added effect of putting them on their best behavior. Going to a special place afterward extends your time together and solidifies it into a great family bonding memory for everyone. Who knows? You may decide to make it a yearly tradition.
Gift Box Ideas for Her – Pampering Beauty Boxes
Fabfitfun. Subscription gift boxes are truly the gift that keeps on giving! Fabfitfun is an extremely popular gift box, and the proof is in the pudding – it regularly sells out! It’s a curated box filled with all sorts of pampering products for her. Fabfitfun ships out to her 4 times a year, right around the times the seasons change. According to their site, “each box is filled with 8-10 full-sized premium products that are normally a $200 value, for $49.99 (at the time of this article). She’ll get “beauty, wellness, fashion, & fitness products” four times a year. Every time she opens it, she will think of you and your thoughtfulness.
Birchbox. Each month she’ll get 5 samples of haircare, beauty, and makeup products to pamper herself with. One of the great things about Birchbox? The $10 a month price tag!
The following are affiliates with links included for your convenience.
Meaningful Jewelry – Necklaces with Special Meaning
Many women love jewelry, and especially unique and meaningful pieces. Check out the necklaces below for something she will love and always treasure.
Quick Tip: Before purchasing a necklace, be sure to notice what type of finish she prefers- silver is very popular, but some women prefer gold or rose gold. Also take note if she likes shorter or longer length necklaces.
Personalized bar necklace. She will love this, especially if you include something meaningful to the two of you, such as the date you met, the words “you & me”, etc. Be sure to look through the examples for inspiration. We’ve even seen these inscribed with the longtitude and latitude of the first place you met. Now that’s memorable. 😉
Initial and birthstone necklace for mom. If she has kids, she will love this necklace that features the initials of your children, as well as their birthstones. (You just have to include their first initials and the month they were born.)
Meaningful Art – Personalized Wall Art Gifts For Her
Romantic Heart Shaped Stones Art. Ok, guys. Our panel went crazy over this one. (We suggest the beige/neutral colored background choice – it’s more likely to match most decors.) This art is made with two small stones, naturally shaped by weather and the elements into heart shapes. It includes your names and a date that is special to you. It could be the date you met, your engagement date, wedding date, and so on. This one is extra special. Trust us.
Now that you’ve read our picks for gifts she’ll love, be sure to tell us your ideas in the comments -we’d love to hear. And while you’re here, be sure to check out some of the popular gift guides below!
Joanna Gaines & Fixer Upper Gift Guide
15 Pioneer Woman Gift Guide Ideas She’ll Love
15 Gifts for Christmas Movie Lovers!
