Speaking of birthdays…

I thought it would be a good time to post a list of presents for various budgets which I think that any mother would enjoy, just in case there are any husbands reading whose wives might have birthdays coming up.  These gifts take a little bit of knowing your wife to get them right, but you can fake it with some research around your house once you have this list, and you will get major bonus points for paying attention.  Ladies, please chime in on the comments and share your ideas.  Male readers, feel free to start a list of your own in the comments, I would love some suggestions in the other direction!

As an aside, if you happen to be leaving her at home with six children while you attend a bachelor party on her birthday, note that thoughtful gifts can go a long way in making it up…

-nice pajamas

-a gift certificate to a salon or store and an offer to babysit

-a whole day to herself with no agenda

-perfume or lotion (these are luxury purchases for many women, so a shrewd husband can check her bottles and see which ones are close to empty)

-a pretty scented candle

-replacements for the various things which the children have broken in the past year or so, for example, gold post earrings, docking station, measuring cups

-the new Ann Patchett novel or several thoughtful free kindle downloads to show her you know what she wants to be reading when she has a moment to relax

-a subscription to a non-parenting magazine

-work out clothes if she works out — but not if she doesn’t, be careful, rummage through her drawers to check what size you need and what style she seems to prefer

-a homemade poster of her children’s handprints in a nice frame which she can hang in the living room

-a weekend away together

-a luxury bar of dark chocolate

-a digital photo album of some of her favorite family moments — she works hard on scrapbooks for the children, but what about memories for the whole family which she will keep after the children, and their albums, have flown the coop?