How to Find a Gift for My Husband On His Birthday

Birthday gifts for your husband may be challenging if he doesn't know what he wants.

It can be challenging to buy gifts for your husband. Even though you know quite a bit about him, that doesn't always help. Where women excel in passing hints, men are less inclined to either use hints or to understand them, according to Dr. Gary Smalley, author of "Hidden Keys of a Loving, Lasting Marriage." If you want to know what he really wants, you have to ask.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Telephone
• Catalogs

Instructions

If he has suggestions

1. Ask him to help you out with a gift idea a month prior to his birthday. Hand him about five or six small slips of paper and ask him to place one item he would like to receive on each slip of paper.

2. Take the slips of paper and check out the items he listed. If one of the items seems especially appropriate, you may have found your gift idea. If not, proceed to the next step.

3. Investigate the items. Check local stores, catalogs, and online sources to see what is available that fits your price range. Anticipate any delay you may have in getting an item that is not easily available.

4. List the pros and cons of getting each item if you have not yet determined which item best fits your gift choice. Select the item the best meets your requirements based on this list.

5. Order the gift and determine delivery based on how to maintain the secret if you want the gift to be a surprise. Ship the gift to your home if secrecy isn't a priority.

6. Wrap it and present it on his birthday.

If he has no suggestions

1. Ask his friends, parents, close work associates, or the kids for suggestions. Specify that you want something he has indicated that he wants at some point in the recent past.

2. Collect the suggestions and weed out the duplicates and items that aren't appropriate.

3. Investigate the items. Check local stores, catalogs, and online sources to see what is available that fits your price range. Modify the list to remove any items that aren't affordable.

4. Present him the list and ask him to weed out any items he may not really want. Ask him to indicate any item that may be at the top of his list or to add an item if your list has helped him come up with some suggestions. Check out the amended list and make a determination based on pros and cons.

5. Locate a source for the gift and order it. Wrap it when it is delivered and present it on his birthday.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out any catalogs or magazine he receives for items he may have marked.

References

• "Hidden Keys of a Loving, Lasting Marriage;" Dr. Gary and Norma Smalley; 1993.
• "For Better or For Best: Understanding Your Man;" Gary Smalley and Steve Scott; 1992.