[mitchell_pgh]

So, I need to buy something that says "you are amazing" without going overboard... I know her so well, but need to think outside the box... rings are outside the question, but it needs to scream, You've changed my live, without being creepy. We're not getting married, but it needs to be significant. What do i get?

[Face Ache]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

I know her so well, but need to think outside the box...

Well there goes my suggestions.

[Peter]

a really good friend of mine had her birthday recently, I donated £x (serious amount) to the save the Iberian Lynx foundation. She was really overwhelmed by it.

[design219]

a hang glider

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

So, I need to buy something that says "you are amazing" without going overboard... I know her so well, but need to think outside the box... rings are outside the question, but it needs to scream, You've changed my live, without being creepy. We're not getting married, but it needs to be significant. What do i get?

For most women, nice jewelery is always significant. Some women aren't that impressed by jewelery. If you have one of those, marry her now, it will save money down the road.

Don't get anything approaching a diamond ring, of course, but there are a world of other possibilities which would qualify (but won't break the bank, either). Start by finding out what her birthstone is and finding a nice necklace or set of earrings. In fact, when you're looking, pick out a set of items that go together (earrings, necklace, ring) so that you have a ready-made second or third gift in the future. Looking for a set of items, but only buying one at a time, might even work to your benefit, since the salesman might cut you a break on the first piece in order to get you to buy the rest at his store, whether or not you actually intend to buy the other pieces.

Definitely look at a few places, prices can vary widely from store to store for the exact same thing. You can even look online if you like, but I'd recommend knowing exactly what you want before doing that.

It's funny, I used to consider shopping for jewelery a pain. After having a kid, though, I'd love to have the money and time to do it now.

Good luck!

[nonhuman]

Chicks dig puppies.

[theDreamer]

I know her so well

Well, we do not, so what are things she loves doing? What are things she enjoys doing on only special times, or a once in a life experience?
Or you can just buy her some jewelry.

[osiris]

A high powered nuclear laser always makes for a fine gift, but perhaps something like an iPod nano or lots of high quality chocolate may be more practical. If she frequently shops at a certain store, maybe a gift card?
You could also go the Van Gogh route...

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by osiris 

maybe a gift card

Uh, what? No chick is going to feel special because she got a gift card.

[Peter]

Watches are a great middle ground for jewellery without screaming "MARRY ME!"

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Uh, what? No chick is going to feel special because she got a gift card.

Apparently you've never seen a woman on a shopping spree at her favorite store.
But okay, go with the laser.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Uh, what? No chick is going to feel special because she got a gift card.

It all depends on the store. If it's a niche, specialty store with a lot of stuff she likes but she's the type that's normally too guilty to spend money on herself, then a gift card might be appreciated. I don't think Victoria's Secret counts here, either, since that's more of a gift for yourself anyway.

If it's a gift card for a more common store, she'll just think you're not being creative enough, which translates to you don't care enough.

In any case, I don't think a gift card for anywhere is going to convey mitchell_pgh's sentiment, unless it's a gift card for Tiffany's.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by Peter 

Watches are a great middle ground for jewellery without screaming "MARRY ME!"

Maybe, but remember that the nice watch will only be worn at events that are too uppity for her to be checking the time on her cell phone.

[davesimondotcom]

How about an iPod Touch with an engraving written to show how you feel?

[Nivag]

how about a STD, she'll scream and never forget you and it's free

[brassplayersrock²]

if possible, giftcard to her favorite store. that way you and her can go shopping together and she can buy what she wants, and you get to know her tastes more, AND you wont feel foolish for maybe buying her something she would want to return.

Alex

[Peter]

no way...

A nice Gucci watch or something that you can wear every day is a great present

[Nexus5]

Take a look at this. Extrem nice jewellery from finnland. She will love it!

nexus5

[Captain Obvious]

1) A very expensive and extravagant dinner and subsequent special date.

2) a weekend at a high end spa.

If you are trying to convey something to her that isn't suggesting marriage go for an experience like that above rather than an acutal gift.

[goMac]

No one has suggested this yet?

YouTube - Dick in the box

[Uncle Skeleton]

I think it was the first reply actually

[turtle777]

iVibrator ?

-t

[moonmonkey]

Get something from Victoria Secret, just don't get caught checking in her knicker drawer for the correct size.

[All_Insane]

As a woman, if I had any particular hobbies, I'd be touched if my guy got me something high-end pertaining to said hobbies. Jewelry's nice enough, but kind of cliche. It also depends on the occasion - is it a birthday? An anniversary? No reason at all? (FYI, I feel a little awkward getting gifts that aren't for a b-day/Christmas, and even then, I don't like getting anything extravagant. If I need/want something, I'd rather buy it myself then have someone spend a lot of money on me, because having someone give me an expensive gift makes me feel less independent, in a way. Hopefully she doesn't have the same hang-ups I have.)

[ort888]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Uh, what? No chick is going to feel special because she got a gift card.

I got my GF (now wife) a $365 gift card to her favorite clothing store on our 1 year anniversary and she loved it.

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by All_Insane 

As a woman, if I had any particular hobbies, I'd be touched if my guy got me something high-end pertaining to said hobbies. Jewelry's nice enough, but kind of cliche. It also depends on the occasion - is it a birthday? An anniversary? No reason at all? (FYI, I feel a little awkward getting gifts that aren't for a b-day/Christmas, and even then, I don't like getting anything extravagant. If I need/want something, I'd rather buy it myself then have someone spend a lot of money on me, because having someone give me an expensive gift makes me feel less independent, in a way. Hopefully she doesn't have the same hang-ups I have.)

I kind of think birthdays and christmas are the times when you should buy things / something for your wife which she wouldn't normally buy for herself.

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by Face Ache 

Well there goes my suggestions.

Step 1: Cut a hole in the box.
Step 2: Put your junk in that box.
Step 3. Make her open the box.

[brassplayersrock²]

:-) thank you mr. ort888 for making a point of my post

[abe]

theDreamer and everyone else who spoke of the needing to make a gift suggestion based on HER LIKES and needs is right.

Certain things are going to be nice and appreciated simply because they cost a lot or are fine quality examples of whatever the thing might be. The puppy or any other animal idea is nice because puppies usually last a long time. At LEAST until you drive down the freeway with them in the bed of your pickup and go over a bump.

But seriously, if you give us some running gags or meaningful experiences in your lives together I bet we could come up with a gift suggestion that would bring her to tears. For not much money.

[loki74]

Originally Posted by Peter 

Watches are a great middle ground for jewellery without screaming "MARRY ME!"

completely OT: im not 100% certain, but I believe that in Chinese culture, it is extremely rude to purchase someone a timepiece as a gift--the implication is that you're counting down the time until they die (more or less the equivalent of saying "I wish you were dead"). Which is really funny because as has been pointed out, timepieces are very nice gifts in Western cultures.

Just thought I'd throw that out there...

Anyway, I'm no expert, but in my observations and (very) limited experience, I find that creative things are much more effective than anything else. Women like to feel special, right? If the only thing "special" a gift has about it is its pricetag, that's not saying much. However if it has loads of sentimental value, that's something completely unique to your relationship (whatever that may be), and therefore at least somewhat special.

So I would try to make something. And make it incredibly high quality, too; I'm not saying to be a cheapskate here... they say "it's the thought that counts," but if you ask me, its the effort that counts.

[AngelaBaby]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

So, I need to buy something that says "you are amazing" without going overboard... I know her so well, but need to think outside the box... rings are outside the question, but it needs to scream, You've changed my live, without being creepy. We're not getting married, but it needs to be significant. What do i get?

Be original. A ring will make me scream, but is it worth paying the price for that? If you asked your girl what excites her most, and do something along those lines then you'll get an even bigger scream at a cheaper price.

[torsoboy]

I just got my significant other a really nice camera and a couple of good lenses... she has been wanting one for a really long time but could never justify spending the money. Now she loves me more

Find something she has maybe been wanting or dreaming about getting, but just hasn't been able to justify buying... it has worked for me more than once.

[mdc]

Originally Posted by ort888 

I got my GF (now wife) a $365 gift card to her favorite clothing store on our 1 year anniversary and she loved it.

It would've been perfect if her favorite store was a dollar store.

[ort888]

Originally Posted by mdc 

It would've been perfect if her favorite store was a dollar store.

Who said it wasn't?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by ort888 

Who said it wasn't?

What dollar store sells gift cards ?

-t

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by moonmonkey 

Get something from Victoria Secret, just don't get caught checking in her knicker drawer for the correct size.

Pfft, Victoria's Secret is for amateurs, get her something or a gift card from here. It's the gift that keeps on giving, usually.

[brassplayersrock²]

haha, that's a great pic. thanks for the link rumor

[Cold Warrior]

you should have put a NSFW disclaimer on that link.

[Rumor]

You would think the title would give it away.

[brassplayersrock²]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Pfft, Victoria's Secret is for amateurs, get her something or a gift card from LINK GOES TO ADULT TOY WEBSITE. It's the gift that keeps on giving, usually.

fixed

PS: "from here" is not an indication of NSFW

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

You would think the title would give it away.

Hardly.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

fixed

PS: "from here" is not an indication of NSFW

Rolling the cursor over the link will show the URL, which should be apparent as to what the content may be considered it was being called better than Victoria's Secret.

[brassplayersrock²]

i must have that feature turned off in safari. how do you make it do that?

[Cold Warrior]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Rolling the cursor over the link will show the URL, which should be apparent as to what the content may be considered it was being called better than Victoria's Secret.

Hmm..I use FF and don't have that feature. I do employ some javascript blocking. Nonetheless, NSFW would be good just to protect our fast-clicking colleagues who may or may not have the URL feature.

[BadKosh]

$500 gift card to Victorias Secret?? Help her buy nice stuff...

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

i must have that feature turned off in safari. how do you make it do that?

[brassplayersrock²]

thanks Laminar

[moonmonkey]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Those Tiger menus look so out of date.

[brassplayersrock²]

would you show us some leopard menus please?

[Laminar]

NDA!1!1 caps, please