Gift Giving Stories & Ideas

Do you have a romantic or unique story to tell about a gift that you received or one that you gave to someone? If so, we would like to hear about it. We will be posting stories on our website, so send us your story at th@ateho.com.

Memorable Gift Giving Stories and Ideas

Are you gift challenged?  If so, you’ll want to continue reading.  If not, please continue reading anyway.  You might get an idea you hadn’t thought of before.  While this information is mostly written for men, with a little imagination, women can use several of the ideas as well. 

When it comes to picking out the right gift it’s important to find out her likes and dislikes.  Listen to what she says because she will drop hints.  Find out her favorite color, flower, scent, does she wear gold or silver.  For most women the presentation is as important as the gift itself.  And remember never, ever give appliances as personal gifts.

•     If you are not sure what to get someone (such as a wedding or shower gift) and you want to give them money or they have requested money, buy a picture frame and place the money inside.   

•     Place a piece of jewelry or something small in the center of a box of hand packed chocolates or candies.  Be sure to wrap it (or have it wrapped) in beautiful paper.  Present it to her after dinner or surprise her with it at work.  Most women love to show off their new jewelry.  Just be sure you don’t leave the box sitting in the car (chocolates do melt).

•     Wrap (yes, with wrapping paper) between 5 and 10 boxes inside each other.  Place a note inside each box with sayings such as “almost there”, “getting closer”, “your getting hotter”.  Then in the last box place a note where she can find the gift.  This could be anything from jewelry to purses to tickets to her favorite band.  Make sure it is wrapped as well!  This one is probably best done at home.

•     Most women like to wear their birthstone, so a piece of jewelry with their birthstone in it is a good choice.  If you're not sure what her birthstone is, go to http://www.ateho.com/birthstoneofthemonth.aspx for a list. You will however, need to know when her birthday is.  A great way for you to present this gift is either before going out for the evening (so she can wear it if she chooses) or while at a restaurant, after the meal. 

•     For a very thoughtful gift, go through your photo’s, ask family and friends for copies of photo’s and place them into a grouping, collage or maybe a picture screen.  This is a gift that will make lots of points for you and she will treasure it for a long time.  Presentation could be tricky with this one.  Unless you’re good with decorating, you probably shouldn’t hang the pictures.  Let her decide where they should go.   You could have her follow the rose petal path, having various stops along the way for a glass of champagne, some appetizers, maybe a card with a hint of what she is in store for.  Have the path lead to the pictures and then on to you in the bedroom with rose petals around you.  I’m sure you can use your imagination from there.   

•     If you just have to give a gift card or cash you can dress it up by putting it inside a purse, wallet or a business card holder, depending on who it’s for.  The business card holder works well for business gifts.

•     Plan a surprise picnic lunch. If you’re on a budget, the surprise alone will be enough.  If you plan this on a work day be sure to enlist the help of her boss or co-workers.  Make sure to use real dishes, silverware, napkins and a tablecloth.  If you’re not a chef you can stop by her favorite restaurant and pick up something to go or stop at the local deli for a variety of dishes to choose from.  For a really great impression have two candles on the table and don’t forget to light them (unless the wind is blowing). 

•     Surprise her with tickets to her favorite band, sports team or play.  To make it a very memorable event, don’t tell her about the tickets until you arrive at the venue.  Just be sure to let her know how she should dress (blue jeans or formal).

•     Surprise her Christmas morning with a special tree.  Take a small tree of any kind and hang one or more pieces of jewelry from it, either alone or in a small stocking.  Fill in the rest of the tree with ornaments or...? 

•     Instead of going out to dinner for Valentine’s Day you could fill the bedroom with balloons that have something in each one, such as love notes or promise notes, and don’t forget to include a special treasure such as jewelry.  You could make a game out of it by writing on the notes something the other one has to do, like a back rub, etc.      

•     Leave clues as to where to find charms for a charm bracelet or other treasures such as a scarf hanging on a stuffed animal, a pendant in the candy dish, a gift card in one of her purses in the closet.    

•     If you’re planning to propose, meet with the chef of a nice restaurant and have him make a special presentation with the ring such as standing it up on top of a chocolate dessert. I wouldn’t recommend hiding the ring in a drink or food.    

•     A great gift for mom on Mother’s Day is a picture of the two of you in a beautiful picture frame.  Just make sure to choose a frame that goes with her décor.  And to add that really special touch, include a gift certificate.   

•     If you’re going to a restaurant, have the waiter make a special presentation on a platter after the meal. Arrange with a restaurant ahead of time to have a special decoration on the table with the gift camouflaged in the decoration.  If she doesn’t spot it by the end of the evening then you will have to drop some hints.  This would work well with any kind of jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet, watch), a small evening purse, a scarf, gift cards, even a beautiful vase with flowers.                                

•     Tie a small ribbon around charms or other pieces of jewelry and hang them from a tree such as a jewelry tree.

•      Go for a drive to your favorite spot (the top of a mountain, the beach) any place you can watch the sun set.  Before the sun disappears, give her the gift.  This would also be great for a marriage proposal.