<p>My son wants to give his girlfriend a “one year” anniversary gift. They’ve agreed not to spend a whole bunch ($50 or less?).<br>
She always does such a nice job with her gifts- she’s very artistic and creative and usually “makes” something really nice.
Son doesn’t want to look really boorish and uncreative with his gift, but doesn’t have any real artistic talents.
No jewelry.</p>
<p>Any ideas??</p>
<p>I don’t have daughters so it’s hard for me to be any help…</p>
<p>Don’t do the whole picture frame thing. It will suck if they break up. For the last xmas, I gave tickets to a Coldplay concert (we both love them) and it was awesome to just spend time with him, plus the concert was in March so it’s not like “oh here’s you present…week later it’s done”. He had 3 months to think about my present =P It cost me $60 a ticket, but I figured it really only cost me $60 because I benefited from half. He gave me Tiffany’s in return, so I guess it was fair =P For his bday, I got him a hat of his college, a movie that is his favorite and the first movie we watched together, and something else but I don’t remember.</p>
<p>So, here are a few tips: buy something that he knows she loves, or something that is special between them. If you go the tickets route, find a funny way to give it to her (I went to the dollar store and got a cd that was called “inspirational reflection” with a photo of clouds and religious symbols, and he’s not religious at all. I then put a cd burned with Coldplay songs and wrote on it “Live Version March 4th, 2006” or whatever, and it was great watching his expression change to horror when he saw the cd cover, but was so happy when he realized the real gift). Also, making a fun card would be nice, just get some heavy paper and stickers or the foam stickies and decorate it. But as long as it doesn’t look like he just went out and spent some money for something (or a gift card…worst!), but actually took time to think about what she likes or something that is personal to them, it’s fine, whatever it may be. He could also do the massage gift certificate and then take her out to eat for dinner that night, as that’s the only acceptable gift card.</p>
<p>What a coincidence, since tomorrow is my D and her boyfriend’s “one year.” She wanted to do jewelry but he wasn’t interested. She’s just doing a card and a nice, long personal letter (she had bought him a hat at an anime convention this past weekend, so I think that counted). What would she want from him? Probably a book, and wouldn’t mind a book store gift card. She likes mangas (?) and books about animal psychology,and doesn’t have the Deathly Hallows yet…</p>
<p>How about an iPod Shuffle loaded with songs that he knows are special to her (or them)? They’re down to less than $50 now.</p>
<p>My D’s boyfriend sewed her a little heart shaped pillow that he made out of two pieces of felt and sewed with his minimal skills. It was definitely homemade and she still has it even though the relationship is long over. I think it came with a nice long note, flowers and candy.
Along the same line as the IPOD shuffle he could burn a CD with songs that have meaning to them.</p>
<p>My d’s boyfriend (2 boyfriends ago) created a build-a-bear for her - I thought that was sweet. D once bought tix to a ballgame for most recent boyfriend and that was a hit. Breakups are no fun, photos or not, and so if all else fails, a photo of the two together isn’t a bad fall-back idea.</p>
<p>So DD did this instead of an S but making one of those movies with the music out of pictures has been special for her freinds. Most have pictures on their computers now along with music so can he can make a combination of their songs and pictures to make it special.</p>
<p>These are great suggestions!
I’m going to collect them all up and let him read them.<br>
Keep’m coming!</p>
<p>THANKS everyone!</p>
<p>How about something active. Canoeing? Sailing? Snorkeling? Picnic on the beach to go with?</p>
<p>Things my kids have done…(S and his gf have been together almost three years now, and D and her bf over 2.5 years)</p>
<p>Photo blanket (VERY nice and can get them fairly reasonably on ebay)</p>
<p>Hand sculpture (D and her bf had their entwined hands molded out of plaster and mounted for their 2.5 year)</p>
<p>DVDs with personal pictures and specially selected music accompanying</p>
<p>Necklace or other pretty jewelry</p>
<p>Dinner out and tickets to an event they would both enjoy</p>
<p>A scrapbook with any pics documenting their relationship</p>
<p>Exotic chocolate! :)</p>
<p>My D just helped one of her male friends make a photo pillow for his girlfriend. It was a great idea and the girlfriend loved it. </p>
<p>He picked their favorite picture and transfered in to the special iron on paper… The printer has a setting to reverse the image. Then he picked out a nice soft pillow and nice case, ironed picture on the case. For “sweet dreams” :)</p>
<p>What they ended up doing…</p>
<p>The ended up spending the afternoon at the beach. Then that night they went out to dinner (Italian). Son made a pillow with a photo (this must be a pretty popular thing to do). He sewed it up himself! I taught my sons how to use my sewing machine a couple years ago (just straight stitch).
And he gave her some nice perfume.</p>
<p>I guess it’s socially acceptable nowadays to give someone perfume. My grandma told me that papa gave her a bottle of perfume when they were courting and it was considered an insult!</p>
<p>Your son sounds like a thoughtful guy. He went to a lot of trouble to make the day memorable for her. Pretty neat!</p>