Laura and I are celebrating 15 years of non legally biding wedded bliss in November. 17 years in total! Next week we will be staying in Oakland, CA at Mills College, where we met. We had our ceremony in the Mills chapel. I would like to give her a gift while we are there.
I am having a hard time thinking of a suitable gift. I am getting a MotoFizz clock for my Monster ( I hope). I say what I want, provide the www or catalog and then wait. Not so easy with Laura. You would think that after all these years I would know what to get. All the great ideas I have would be not be what she would like. No jewelery, no flowers, nothing sentimental, etc. I am thinking of a new leather coat. She has been wearing the same one for the last 8 years and it starting to look dated and worn.
Any ideas? Don't let the fact that you do not know her stop you from shouting out ideas. My creative energy is at a low right now. Too much work and family crap....
Mary
I once paid an art student $100 to do a charcoal sketch based on a photo of my wife and myself, another $50-$100 for a simple but tasteful frame and you have one of those "meaningful gifts" that they get all mushy about.....
These days you could probably get the whole shebang done for $100 total.
Quote from: rgramjet on October 16, 2008, 09:39:33 AM
I once paid an art student $100 to do a charcoal sketch based on a photo of my wife and myself, another $50-$100 for a simple but tasteful frame and you have one of those "meaningful gifts" that they get all mushy about.....
These days you could probably get the whole shebang done for $100 total.
Problem is that I am the mushy one. Not a bad idea though.
If the non-standard gifts are out....
What does she like to do? List her hobbies.
Here's the traditional and comtemporary gifts for a 15th Anniversary
15th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Traditional Anniversary Gift: Crystal
Modern Anniversary Gift: Glass/Watches
Travel Anniversary Gift Ideas: Switzerland, Austria
Can you work something with these?
Quote from: somebastid on October 16, 2008, 10:14:01 AM
If the non-standard gifts are out....
What does she like to do? List her hobbies.
She likes to garden, move dirt and rocks around, and look at gardening/plant books. We are redoing her folks property. They are paying for everything so 2 yards of dirt is out as a gift.
I got her Falco pruners one year and a weed flamethrower another year. I can't think of anything she needs or wants right now.
Quote from: SheMonster on October 16, 2008, 10:27:39 AM
Here's the traditional and contemporary gifts for a 15th Anniversary
15th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Traditional Anniversary Gift: Crystal
Modern Anniversary Gift: Glass/Watches
Travel Anniversary Gift Ideas: Switzerland, Austria
Can you work something with these?
I looked at this too. She does not wear a watch and we have all the crystal we have room for. Travel that far away is out of the question right now.
How about combining the love of gardening with traditional crystal? :)
Found on http://www.romanceher.com/
Crystal Rose
A beautiful small rose, captured in three dimensions, from stunning cut glass.The rose measures 6 inches long by 1 and 1/2 inches in depth and height. Comes with a gift box and bow, and can be delivered with your message.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u178/shemonster_01/crystalrosesmall.jpg)
Quote from: czaja on October 16, 2008, 11:22:45 AM
She likes to garden, move dirt and rocks around, and look at gardening/plant books. We are redoing her folks property. They are paying for everything so 2 yards of dirt is out as a gift.
I got her Falco pruners one year and a weed flamethrower another year. I can't think of anything she needs or wants right now.
I know it's a flower, but, my mother had gotten my dad an amaryllis as a gift a terribly long time ago. It blooms every spring. Might not be bad for someone who is into the gardening thing.
(http://www.flowersgrowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/amaryllis-flower.gif)
you can't go wrong with diamonds!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: lytehouse on October 16, 2008, 02:37:44 PM
you can't go wrong with diamonds!!!!!!!!!!
I am the one that would like diamonds. Laura only wears one ring and wants no other jewelry.
How about a spa visit, would she like that?
congratulations mary :)
a plant or plants for her garden would be good, but be sure to get her more than one in case it should not make it...
Quote from: DuCaTiNi on October 17, 2008, 03:57:59 PM
congratulations mary :)
a plant or plants for her garden would be good, but be sure to get her more than one in case it should not make it...
We do not have a garden at our condo. She is redoing her parents yard and they pay for everything.
I would like a gift I can give her at the chapel while we are at Mills reliving the good old days. It would be great to get married there again in a legal way! She wants to wait until it is legal in all 50 states. We may be very OLD by then. I am not holding my breath.
I would be happy with jewelry, a new watch, shoes, or anything for the bike. Laura is very hard to shop for. I may just make her a card. A very nice card. One year for Valentine's day I stole a road barricade, painted it, and then moved it all around Emeryville, Berkley, and Oakland. It had hearts, her name and I forget what else. She almost wrecked the car!
Quote from: czaja on October 16, 2008, 09:17:31 AM
Laura and I are celebrating 15 years of non legally biding wedded bliss in November. 17 years in total! Next week we will be staying in Oakland, CA at Mills College, where we met. We had our ceremony in the Mills chapel. I would like to give her a gift while we are there.
If its not too late, why not a a legally binding ceremony at the same chapel?
Quote from: czaja on October 17, 2008, 06:04:24 PM
I stole a road barricade, painted it, and then moved it all around Emeryville, Berkley, and Oakland. It had hearts, her name and I forget what else. She almost wrecked the car!
From someone who teaches people how to save lives!
That's hysterical (not to mention classic and way cool).
Sure hope no one drove off the road where that barricade once was!
Congratulations to you and Laura! [clap] [wine]
Quote from: Stella on October 21, 2008, 04:28:12 PM
From someone who teaches people how to save lives!
That's hysterical (not to mention classic and way cool).
Sure hope no one drove off the road where that barricade once was!
Congratulations to you and Laura! [clap] [wine]
lol... i didn't pick up on that part of czaja's surprise [laugh]
Quote from: Stella on October 21, 2008, 04:28:12 PM
From someone who teaches people how to save lives!
That's hysterical (not to mention classic and way cool).
Sure hope no one drove off the road where that barricade once was!
Congratulations to you and Laura! [clap] [wine]
Job security for EMS peeps [thumbsup]
Can you get a tree planted on campus? Maybe in a park you visit often? Or how about a bench somewhere you've spent a few romantic moments?
*shrug*
Congratulations [thumbsup]
e
Your descriptions of your sweetheart could be describing me, so maybe this little story will help.... Couple years ago I had a "significant" birthday, and my dad wanted to buy me a "significant" gift. As the story was later told to me, my dad and his lovely wife went out shopping at the Gift Mart here in SF so he could look at fine jewelry. WTF? I don't even wear a watch! And you can't really wear diamonds and sapphires to the Saloon... His wife left him dithering over the bling and found a shop selling fine imported Italian leather and fur goods. Let me just say that the beaver fur and wool with leather trim reversible vest I got is AMAZING, and I wear it every chance I get. [thumbsup] [thumbsup] Waaaaaaay better than diamonds. ;D
I'm not saying you should get her fur, I don't happen to have any issues wearing fur, but I know some people do. But, a fine bit or imported-from-Italy luxury that's practical as well ..... :D Yeah, baby!
How about a donation to an organization promoting marriage equality in her honor?
Thanks for all the great ideas [bow_down]
We talked about my gift stress and Laura stated very firmly that she does not want anything. I am making her a card and I will make a nice dinner. Her folks gave us $100 to go out with!
Quote from: czaja on October 23, 2008, 09:50:55 PM
Thanks for all the great ideas [bow_down]
We talked about my gift stress and Laura stated very firmly that she does not want anything. I am making her a card and I will make a nice dinner. Her folks gave us $100 to go out with!
Now that's the sign of a wonderful relationship! [clap] I predict for you many many happy years together.
And, oh yes:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! [wine]
How about a rain chain? THey look pretty, and if there's a patio area, it would add to it's ambiance.
http://store.guttersdirect.com/rachcotu8fe.html (http://store.guttersdirect.com/rachcotu8fe.html)
http://www.backyardbirdsdiscoverycenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=GD-466P (http://www.backyardbirdsdiscoverycenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=GD-466P)
There's also a potting table. It's a table with room under it for bins that store potting mix (trash cans work nicely ;D) and depending on the model, it can have an overhead shelf. Usually plastic (rustproof) and durable. Can fit in the shed, garage or corner of a patio.
If you're looking for something homemade, get tin cans, paint as you like, and nail them to a piece of wood so they stick out. Hubby did this for me, and I store gloves, small tools & things in them. Another homemade idea is to paint a bucket. The idea is that when you come home, and are in a rush to get out to the garden, it's easier to grab the bucket with all the appropriate tools in one space - rather than to hunt around for whatever you need. Kneeling pad, hand wipes, garden trowel, dandelion puller, etc - you get the idea!!
If you want something totally different - try Stan Dzedzy's pottery. I have a mug of his for work, and I absolutely LOVE him (named him Hermie....he just looks like a Hermie). He a local artist and does lots of things, not just dragons. Really puppetteerish - these things have personality!!!! Here's a link to some of his work at a showing. Not sure how it order his pottery, but I've got his phone number and can call or go over to his shop, and mail it to you.
http://www.naplesart.org/photologue/gallery/2008/jun/10/art-park-march-2009/ (http://www.naplesart.org/photologue/gallery/2008/jun/10/art-park-march-2009/)
Amaryllis are great!! They come back each year and are an indoors plant. Any other indoor plant would be good too!
How about going to a ceramic 'you-paint-it' place, and doing something personalized? An anniversary plate, a you are loved mug, chip & dip set that fit in together and put her name on one, and your name on the other so the two of you fit together?
Do they make heated pads for the car? I fell in love with the current car due to the seat warmers.
Arrange to borrow a friend's garage (that has a drain) and give her a couple of carwash coupons from you. Naked carwash coupons [evil]!! Soap, water and naked bodies....What could be better?
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108 Tel: 626-405-2100
it's where I learned that sprinkling a tobacco and water mixture over plants keep snails away.
We had a good visit in Oakland. We ate, saw old friends, met new ones, and relived old times.
I got a card and I gave Laura a coffee mug from Mama's Royal Cafe in Oakland. The card cost more than the mug. [laugh]
For me the highlights were having dinner with my academic advisor from Mills and meeting Paula and Dave. It was fun staying on campus and we spent about an hour sitting in the chapel talking about the past 17 years and what we hoped for the next 20. I will be happy and content with more of the same.
:)
Mary, it was great to meet you too, so glad it worked out. :)
For those of you who don't frequent TOSAT, here's a picture of us from dinner - Jamie (Jammen), Mary and me. Dave took the picture (he is a bit camera-shy).
(http://paularickert.net/albums/userpics/marydinner1.JPG)