The 5 worst wedding anniversary gifts to give a woman

What NOT to buy your wife for your anniversary (or any occasion for that matter).

 

Buying an anniversary gift for your wife can be an intimidating experience. You want to get her something she'll love, something that expresses how much you love and appreciate her, but most of all, something she won't hate. Although many women won't always tell you what they want, what they don't want is pretty much agreed upon. Anything that plugs in. This includes electronics as well as household appliances. A gift of a toaster oven or blender implies that there is cooking to be done, and a vacuum cleaner suggests more work. While a stereo or DVD player may be practical and entertaining gifts, they are lacking in the romance department. If you're going to go that route, make sure that you are absolutely positive it's what she wants. Gift card. Nothing says "I couldn't be bothered to get you a gift" like a gift card, or worse, cash. An anniversary gift should be a thoughtful expression of love and gratitude, not a payoff. If you find yourself at a store about to buy a gift card, take a few extra minutes to walk around the store. When you see something that reminds you of your lovely wife, you have found her gift. Make sure it meets all of the other requirements outlined here, and if it is clothes, make sure to get the right size! If you don't know her size (shame on you!) it's always better to under-estimate, but make sure the store's return policy will allow her to exchange it if necessary. Sporting equipment. This is not the time to purchase camping gear or matching blowing balls. A gift of sporting equipment may come off as an attempt to buy yourself something and pass it off as a gift to your honey. Worse yet, it may suggest that weight loss is in order, and there is no shorter path to trouble than implying that your wife should, perhaps, lose a few. Maybe she really needs new running shoes, but this is not the appropriate occasion. Anything from a drugstore. Yes, many drugstores do carry perfume and other "gift" items. However, unless you are seriously strapped for cash, stay away. The goods here are often cheaply made, and your wife will probably be able to tell that you only spent $15. A drugstore-bought anniversary gift also will say "I remembered our anniversary on my way home from work, and this was the only store in the vicinity." You may as well present it to her in the plastic bag it came in. Save the drugstore gifts for your grandma, and go to a jewelry store for your wife. Anything that reminds you of your mother. Your wife is not your mother, and if you want an angry wife on your hands, just try confusing the two. Does your mother collect kitten figurines? Then that is not an appropriate gift for your wife. Does your mother wear angel-themed jewelry? Don't buy it for your wife. The gift you choose should show that you were thinking of your wife, not demonstrate that you can't tell the difference between the two women who have picked up your dirty socks all your life.