THE PERFECT GIFTS HE'LL LOVE
My husband and I have been married for a few years now and we share finances. If we want something, we talk about it and usually buy it for one another. So how do we do gifts? It’s hard! Trust me! I’ve bought stuff for my husband and returned it after Christmas because he didn’t like it. Some people would think, “how rude.” But if he’s not going to use it, I’d rather him return it! So what do I get him? Experiences! We both love going out and doing things together! So I’ve put a list together of my go-to gift guide for my husband or any man (that they will actually love)! These are the “perfect gifts he’ll love” no matter how far along you are in a relationship or how much money you have in your bank!
PERFECT GIFTS UNDER $500
1. Weekend getaway – Depending on where your home base is and how expensive hotels and/or flights are, this will really vary. But overall, I’m sure you can find a night or two away for less than $500. I am a hotel snob, so I like to splurge a little bit depending on where we are going, but overall, I’m sure you can find your happy medium on a nice weekend getaway for less than $500! One of the best ways I find great flight deals is through Google Flights and their explore feature! Be sure to also follow your favorite airlines to find the best deals!
2. Nice night out on the town – stay-cation with a nice dinner – One of our favorite things to do in the city is go to a nice restaurant. Not only do you get to enjoy amazing food but you get to spend several hours with your loved one. And yes, set aside several hours because once you spend more money on food, they treat it as an experience. You get to enjoy every plate with an amazing ambiance and staff that really makes sure you are enjoying yourself. Plus, if you have more room in your budget, there is no better way to book a night in a hotel room and really enjoy your city as if you are a tourist! One of my favorite romantic restaurants in Seattle is Pink Door (be sure to book well ahead of your preferred date night as it books up fast!). Fun fact about Pink Door, they have aerial entertainment a couple days of the week! Check out their website for more information! One of my favorite hotels in Seattle is the Thompson Hotel! I think they have one of their best (seasonal) rooftop bars in Seattle! Be sure to grab a drink there before or after your dinner reservation!
3. If you are in Seattle, check out hot tub boat! – I know, so random, but how fun would it be to check out the hot tub boat while sailing around Lake Union?! No matter what time of year, you can stay warm cuddling in warm water while sailing around the iconic lake. Win-win if you ask me! More information can be found here.
GIFTS UNDER $250
1. Scenic flight around your city – better yet, flight school! – If you are looking for something fun and exciting, check out a scenic flight around your city. In Seattle, you can take a scenic flight to dinner, then take it back to the city. How romantic, right?! Please note, this option will cost more than $250! But either way, this a great gift that your man will love! Located in the Seattle area? Check out Seattle Seaplanes!
2. Concert or try out a jazz hall! – Who doesn’t love some live music?! I think this is one of the most fun date night ideas out there! One year, my husband got me Dixie Chick concert tickets (even though he’s not a fan of country music) and we had a blast! Is there no concerns coming up that your significant other would want to go to, check out the local jazz hall or local concert venue to see if you can find a new band you both can enjoy!
3. Sail around – If you are close to any bodies of water, if you ask me, there is no better way to enjoy a nice day than a boat ride. Something about the salt water (or fresh water) in your hair and really just enjoying the calm seas. I grew up on the hood canal where boating was a necessity. So getting back on the water is where I feel most at home.
4. Glass blowing class – interested in trying something you’ve probably never done before? Try out a glass blowing class. If you are located in the Seattle area, there are multiple different classes you can take from local glass artists. Plus, you get to bring something home to show off to all of your friends and family!
GIFTS UNDER $100
1. Skydiving or iFly (indoor skydiving) – If your significant other is an adrenaline junkie, this is the perfect gift! No only do they get to go out and try something (probably) new and something that your significant other will remember forever but they also get to experience the rush of a lifetime!
2. Pub hop – Is your significant other a beer lover? Close to a bunch of pubs? Why not do a little bar hopping and do some tastings! There are plenty of breweries around the Seattle area that you can either walk, bike or uber between! Please just don’t drink and drive!
3. Surfing lesson – My husband loves surfing (but isn’t the best – don’t worry, he’d admit that also). No better way to spend the afternoon at the ocean for a quick surfing lesson. Plus, while they are surfing, you can put your toes in the sand or get out there with them!
4. Cooking class – Nothing like getting your hands dirty and enjoying some good food along the way! I think this is one of the most fun things you can do together! Don’t know where to start? Why not check out a Sur La Table cooking class!
GIFTS UNDER $50
1. Recreate your first date! – How fun would this be? I’m also assuming your first date was not at a 5-star restaurant! Anyways, my husband and I recently “re-created” one of our first dates, walking around Green Lake in Seattle, and we had a blast going down memory lane!
2. Skeet shooting – My husband enjoys a little “man time” and going skeet shooting. So why not give him a gift certificate to either one of their favorite things to do or something new they can do with their buddies?
3. Driving Range – Your significant other a golfer? Mine is not but we have a bunch of friends that love golfing and what a fun afternoon hitting some balls at the driving range! Plus, if you need some help, you can ask them to teach you a thing or two! Located in Seattle, check out the Links at Interbay! If you have a Topgolf close, those are always a fun time!
GIFTS UNDER $25
1. Coffee tasting – We are big fans of coffee. Literally big fans. One of the best things about Seattle is the coffee. So why don’t you find a few coffee shops around the city and taste some of the cities best?! If you need a few ideas, check out my post about the best coffee shops around Seattle here. Another great place to go to is the Seattle Starbucks Reserve Roastery. They have their own coffee flights tasting bar! Plus you get to enjoy the flights in a beautifully romantic coffee shop! Not coffee lovers? Try wine tasting or beer tasting!
2. Arcade – Who doesn’t loves going back to their childhood and playing the old arcade games you spent all of your allowance on?! Well, you can do it again! If you are looking for a fun night out, check out 8 Bit Arcade Bar. It has multiple pinball machines, retro arcade games and a small bar to really amp up your skills! It’s a little far from Seattle (in Renton) but well worth the drive!
3. Long car ride to check out a new town – I love a good car ride. Something about finding the right music to get you going, picking up your favorite snacks and checking out somewhere new that neither of you have ever been. Not only do you get to have the most private and crazy karaoke but you get to really experience something new together.
FREE GIFTS
1. Game night at home – who doesn’t love a game night? First off, you can turn on your favorite music station, pour yourself your favorite glass of wine or beer and spend the evening with your favorite person in the comfort of your own home! I think that’s an all around win for the both of you! Plus, why not put a couple bets on the table to spice things up!
2. Picnic in the park – Depending on where you live and the time of year, this can get tricky. When we lived in San Francisco (where it was sunny majority of the time), we loved grabbing a few of our favorite appetizers and our favorite bottle of wine and going to our favorite park to enjoy the sunset.
3. Hiking – Who doesn’t love some outdoor time?! They say that nature is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. It’s the fresh air, away from the digital world and enjoying one another company.
4. Bike ride – If you have a bike handy, this is a great way to really get your endorphins going and get (again) some fresh air. Plus, why not strap the bike rack on your car and check out a new area? Then maybe swing in to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat at a restaurant along your path?
5. Play his favorite video game with him – This one may be silly but if your significant other is a gamer, I’m sure he’d love for your to spend the afternoon doing something that he loves! Plus, you might be surprised how into it you may get!
