Random musings: How to Give a Gift to a Woman #TBT

Thursday, December 10, 2020

How to Give a Gift to a Woman #TBT

Today's blog post was originally published two years ago:

We're coming into one of the main gift giving times of the year and this article from The Art of Manliness offers help for many of us who are a bit clueless in the art of gift giving.

Men have been giving gifts to women since the first Neanderthal offered his crush a polished wolf femur. In the millennia that have followed, homo sapiens invented the wheel, the laptop, the foam fan finger, and put a man on the moon. But men have not yet developed a system for buying the women in their lives meaningful gifts for special occasions. As a public service, I offer this gifting system for homo sapiens and homo inermis.

FYI - homo inermis means helpless man (I had to Google it).

Here are some ways to figure out what to give a woman in your life:

If you are starved for ideas, start a file somewhere with the answers to the following questions. Ask them occasionally and subtly (not all at the same time), and record her answers (including the why) carefully:
Her sizes.
Her favorite color (and why she likes it).
Her favorite flower.
Does she wear gold or silver?
What is her birthstone?
Speaking of jewelry, is there a culture or trend she loves?
Her favorite designer, if she has one.
Her favorite food or meal.
Her favorite animal or the animal she (or you) think symbolizes her spirit.
Her favorite author or book.
Her favorite movie or TV show.

Some other guidelines:

Buy her things that have a story.
You can also give gifts that make life easier — as long as they’re not too utilitarian.
Don’t forget that acts of service can make her heart sing.
Make dinner. Or reservations.
Buy her things whose only quality is that they make life more beautiful.

When to give is akso important:

Here is how to time your gift for optimal joy and appreciation:
Morning is a great time
Leave it for her in a place she’ll find it on her own (and in her own time).
Allow some time to pass after an argument or other emotional conversation.
Plan for a quiet moment.
Pick a day that would normally be sad for her.
Pick a date or day that has little or no expectations.

There are only 14 shopping days until Christmas, but with this guide you don't have to panic!