Guys, I need a little help from the Africa Hunting Forum (see, I used the word "Africa" in this post, so it belongs here).

What do you get for a wife of 25 years on Valentines that is unique and she does not already have?

Help, please....


PS- Mr. Moderator, I posted here because most of the other forums are populated by Walter Wannabees and I doubt I would get much help there.

That's an easy one...... take her on a dream safari.

Steve,
You are a lot of help. Remember, this is for her, not me.

My Wife says something clear and sparkling.

funny - last year She didn't like that case of club soda I got her.

TerryR

Along with flowers and dinner out, how about a gift card for a one hour massage at a local spa?

You could take up Shakari's suggestion, but go animal watching. You know, watch 'em for a while... then start shooting!

My wifey's favorite was sending her to a chef's class. That's what I call win/win.

Good luck.

Jack

A spa day and as was already mentioned, something very shiny.
My wife is never un-happy when she gets diamonds.

Congrats on the 25 year milestone.

Dogcat, my boyfriend took me away for a two month safari in Kenya and we came back married. I have been waiting 15 years to go back. Finally next year we are planning a hunting trip to South Africa. I assure you she will love it.

Lisa

My wife wanted something with a lot of diamonds, so I got her a deck of cards.

Mine wanted something red, shiny and went from 0 to 200 in seconds.



I got her a bathroom scale

A nice double rifle in a girly caliber??

When my wife and I hit the 20 year mark I threw a suprise wedding were we renewed our vows.I invited all her best friends(you know the ones we can't stand).We had dinner dancing the whole thing. It got me some real serious browny points. For Valentines days they all want one thing ROMANCE! after 25 years you should know what your wife finds romantic...suck it up and do that no matter how unpleasant it may be.

quote:

Originally posted by elkfitter:
Mine wanted something red, shiny and went from 0 to 200 in seconds.



I got her a bathroom scale

She would then hit me with it...
Ouch!!

Mannlicher-Schoenauer Model 1903 carbine with set triggers, chambered for 6.5x54MS. I bought one for myself and my wife decided she wanted it. I would imagine your's doesn't have one.

On the plus side, you could borrow it anytime you want.

I say not one item...but a few. Make it a day for her....spa treatment with massage, earlier in the day so she can get ready for a dinner that evening...by candlelight at a nice, but unpretentious resturant...followed by a "small box" gift....a unique, but non-gaudy, chain, braclet, or ??
Done correctly, this is about a $5-600 affair excluding the small box. Not knowing you or your wife, I must defer to you to ascertain her tastes.

Good luck.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I like the Safari idea-for her. You go along as the observer!

By your lovely a 450#2 double rifle she will never expect it... I bought my wife a deep sea fishing pole and she has not used it yet...

Mike

Bling Bling then Bang Bang

How about a leopard skin purse or a nice new Zebra rug?

quote:

Originally posted by elkfitter:
Mine wanted something red, shiny and went from 0 to 200 in seconds.



I got her a bathroom scale

My wife said "Just give me something that makes me feel like a woman." I gave her a broom and a mop.

Can't go wrong with DeBeer's new slogan:

"Diamonds...that'll shut her up!"

You really are in trouble if you have resorted to asking this bunch what to get her.

I wish you luck!

Take her out for drinks and then "treat" her like you did 25 years ago......

Elephant hair bracelet in gold, silver, copper, or a mix. She'll love it and it will remind you of Africa every time she wears it!

Buy her a Photo Safari too South Africa, and include a trip down too Cape Town,

AND DO NOT MENTION ANY HUNTING

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
By your lovely a 450#2 double rifle she will never expect it... I bought my wife a deep sea fishing pole and she has not used it yet...

Mike

+1 it works like a bomb funny how quickly valentinesday loses importance for them

I used to buy my wife jewelry, but I got tired of that because she didn't seem to wear it as much as I thought she would and then I decided to buy her a new designer purse each year for our anniversary. She FLIPPED!

It's easy, I just go to Neiman Marcus, head straight to the fancy purse department and tell the young lady (it's always a young lady working in that department) and tell her what I'm up to. You'll be out of there (doesn't have to be Neiman's) in no time and if she wants to she can take it back and pick out what she likes. Trust me, wherever you go they'll have something she wants and you'll get unbelievable amounts of credit. She'll brag to all of her friends and they'll gush over it and you for months.

It's the equivalent of her going to a nice gun store and telling them she wants to buy a gun for you, even if it's not exactly what you want, you can take it back and get something you do want.

+1 ... 450/400

Great idea. Unfortunately it's been 10 years since I lived near [~5 mins from] the Houston-Galleria Needless Markup. Now, it would be about a 5+ hr drive to catch a "Last Call" sale to treat my helpmeet. I'm sure that the strategy would work here at our local dry goods distribution outlet.

On the other hand... my wife is not much into bling or things that can be purchased. [I know... I'm blessed.] Think: Shania Twain, "That Don't Impress Me Much."

Her "love language" requires that I do something that requires more than go shopping.

This discussion has reminded me that it would be nice to give some further thought and creativity to what she might really appreciate this year. [Thanks, dogcat.] In my reflections, I was reminded of ye ole "Five Love Languages."

A more full explanation is available at: http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/learn.html

Briefly, they are:

Words of Affirmation
Mark Twain once said “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” ...

Quality Time
Quality time is more than mere proximity. It’s about focusing all your energy on your mate. ... [It's 2x nice if y'all both enjoy sharing this time on a hunt/ camp/ hike trip.]

Acts of Service
Sometimes simple chores around the house can be an undeniable expression of love.

Physical Touch
Many mates feel the most loved when they receive physical contact from their partner. ... It is important to learn each other’s dialects. That way you can make the most of your hugging, kissing, and other physical contacts.

[and the traditional V-Day option...]

Receiving Gifts
Some mates respond well to visual symbols of love. ..."

You and your Valentine can take the 30-second assessment to determine your primary Love Language at: http://www.fivelovelanguages.com/30sec.html#love

Enjoy!

Admittedly... {albeit her "reciprocation" is not the primary motive for these overtures...} it would be a treat if my wife were to remember that a love language for me would include time afield with a big bore rifle.

elkfitter, what a romantic you are lol! A friend of mine's wife was at a Christmas party and the other wives we're hovering around her saying how much weight she had lost. Her husband, my friend Tom, says in a low sarcastic voice "look behind you, you'll find it ..." I think he was let back in doors around springtime ...

I'd go for something sparkly, that way when you walk in with a new gun or go on safari, there'll be no questions.



Chuck

i took her on her 1st safari, that was 8 safari's ago

quote:

Originally posted by 450/400:
I used to buy my wife jewelry, but I got tired of that because she didn't seem to wear it as much as I thought she would and then I decided to buy her a new designer purse each year for our anniversary. She FLIPPED!

It's easy, I just go to Neiman Marcus, head straight to the fancy purse department and tell the young lady (it's always a young lady working in that department) and tell her what I'm up to. You'll be out of there (doesn't have to be Neiman's) in no time and if she wants to she can take it back and pick out what she likes. Trust me, wherever you go they'll have something she wants and you'll get unbelievable amounts of credit. She'll brag to all of her friends and they'll gush over it and you for months.

It's the equivalent of her going to a nice gun store and telling them she wants to buy a gun for you, even if it's not exactly what you want, you can take it back and get something you do want.

I did the designer purse thing and MAN the reaction was huge. She loved it much more than any jewelry I've ever bought her. Just be prepared for the price tag.

It's cheaper than jewelry!

Yes, the purse thing definitely works. I was just at a charity function last night with my girlfriend. All she could talk about with her girlfriends there was the Gucci purse I bought her at Christmas. It was clearly a hit.

I try to do things that throws them off and makes them think. For example, this year I am sending her 198 red roses and 1 white one. It will drive her nuts trying to figure out what it means.

Of course, I will keep silent on what it means unless she really presses. Then I suppose I will have to break down and tell her that the white rose represents the number of times we have had sex in the last 199 days! LOL!

A lovely chain that attaches her bare foot to the oven.
Of course the lock should be heart shaped.

My wife wanted the perfect gift that will keep both her and you with an warm and fuzzy feeling...

I got her a new iron and ironing board.

Look at it this way. If your wife bought you a new big bore rifle in a different caliber by a different maker each year, how happy would you be? Not mention, each time you reached into your gun safe or went to the range or to the woods you would be reminded that you have a great wife.

I doubt anyone here knows your wife better than you do. My wife might like some of these ideas but not others. Yours is no doubt the same.

Take her away for the weekend to somewhere romanatic with no hunting or fishing, unless that is something she enjoys. Maybe that will do. A nice diamond anniversary ring or other suitable piece of jewelry to mark the occasion would make the trip even more memorable.

Again though, you know her better than we do.

and IOU for forty-eight hours of your time at the place of her choosing. The chocolates of course, and some RED roses.

If she is like mine, the time is one gift she will enjoy most; but the goodies are also required.

Rich
Buff Killer

So I asked my wife for something special, you know, something to remind me of those special times when we were dating....

She got me a new Hoover an a lube job.

Larry, the roses are a really sweet idea. Ya think that might improve the situation, though??