It's that time of year again when my partner gets upset with me because I'm not the kind of person that ever wants anything...
My partner always wants this or that. They mention things they want all the time. So I write down what I hear. Gift holidays are covered easily because I try to pay attention.
I feel bad though. I know it's hard when I don't talk about things I want. And when asked, I don't know what to say. It only ends up causing me anxiety.
This is so dumb. What does a person who doesn't want things want for their birthday?
Full disclosure, I peeked at your comment history.
How about those phone mounts and maybe a neat 2-in-1 tripod/monopod for your binoculars? Or a shoulder sling?
Otherwise, my go-to is an experience like others suggested. Escape room, paint nite, afternoon of pool/ bowling/ mini golf, Top Golf, cooking class, museum visit, comedy night, hockey game, roller skating, hiking, music bingo/pub trivia, or consider a hotel room nearby for the night with an indoor pool or my absolute favorite...a cabin weekend with a hot tub and a real wood-burning fireplace.
Damn it! I clearly want things! Why don't I think to write these things down!?
You're only slightly creepy for looking at my comment history, but also pretty dang smart for doing so.
It would take some research, but maybe they can help with that. I think that's the frustrating part for them because they don't know the first thing about these things, but hey... they are the ones who want to get me something. Haha.
Years ago, they bought me clamp on lenses for my phone, but it did not fit. I have a new phone now and I would love lens that I could mount to it. There's a company that makes custom cases so they easily attach. I didn't want to bother getting a new case, but my partner might want to do just that.
And if I don't dig it, we can always return it and try again. Hopefully that wouldn't be too offensive. I've done that in the past and never ended up buying a replacement item even though I promised I would. π¬
So yeah, an attachable lens or mount that would affix my phone to my binoculars when birding. And I think there are monopod stands, kind of like a tripod but only one leg, which can be used to keep things like binoculars stable. Maybe something like that if it isn't too weird looking. Lol
Thank you, creepy internet sleuth! It's so funny that I wrestle with what to think of when I know I've expressed interest in things. I don't know why I couldn't think of that on the spot. I very rarely actually get those things, but others might want to go that extra step and actually get them as a gift!
Mines comin up as well... I always struggled to be in the "here and now" and been too busy for years and dropped most of my hobbies, found a very old camera that I bought in 2010-11 from the storage room... Its too big, started looking at what is currently available, found Ricoh griiix, saw some forums with the sensor results and pocketability; might get me back into photography, back into "here and now"..... Take a look if you are into that.. Just leaving this thought here....
It's one of those things that you hide away for most of the year, but every now and then, when your partner's forgotten about it, you move it to the bathroom in the middle of the night π
Use it as an excuse to strengthen your bond I guess. Just say something like "all I want is to do (XYZ thing you know you both like: dinner, movie, whatever.) with you, I don't need anything more." If that even is something you'd even want to do of course. Don't force it if it isn't what you want.
Just be honest with them, you could even possibly try to explain the anxiety you feel about it all and let them know you're happy just being with them in whatever way.
Either that or pick a food you like lol for me I'd probably just say "get me a big ol' bag of chocolate covered pretzels and I'll be in heaven." :P
I always go with experiences over stuff. I want to do something with the people I care about and collect memories instead of things. It gives people the freedom to be as frugal or lavish as they want and I don't have to store or return anything.
Pick something you already have and use often, like a phone charger or an office chair or a pair of shoes, and ask for a higher quality version of the same thing. Something that will last longer or be more comfortable.
With my partner, we usually gift time/knowledge. As in, one person wants to buy something but doesn't have the time/expertise to read up it and find the perfect thing. So the other hops in and does the research for them.
This valentine's my partner helped me decide on a new gaming keyboard, while I got him a custom web domain and email setup.
So maybe if there's a thing you've been meaning to research/buy, let your partner do it as a gift?
Not a bad idea. I just have to want a thing first. I really need to wrack my brain. Ugh. I know there's something I can pull out of there. Something that I wouldn't be a huge control freak over, something that they can fully research and figure out without me minding the details. The poor spongy mash is crawling on fumes because of how busy work is and what life seems to have done to my poor gray matter.
Ha! I so very rarely go for drinks, mainly because I don't wanna pay for it. Lol. If only I married someone who was independently wealthy. Oh well, no take backsies. π
Lol my wife isnβt rich either. She works as an insulator, so me makes decent enough money that she can buy me 60 bucks worth of beer once a year tho.
I have the same problem when I need to come up with things on the spot. So instead I keep a list that I add ideas I get for things I want over time. That way if someone asks I can show them that and I don't have to think on the spot about what I want.
This is literally what I do for other people. Not sure why I've never thought of this for myself. I mean, I have to want things now and again, right? I usually don't get those things because I ultimately don't really care and there are more important things I need to spend money on. Budget only seems to get more tight over time.
Anyway, it will be tough to remember to do this, but I just have to remember I'm doing it for them and not me. I will be more likely to actually notate things then. This can work moving forward. Thanks!
Yeah I definitely still have problems with remembering to do it, especially if I get an idea when I'm not at a place where it's easy to note the idea down. But even having a few things on there can be enough and sometimes help with jogging my memory about other things I wanted when it comes closer to an event.
I don't know what those are, but I did damage some pants recently which I was going to fix. But fixing things annoys the hell out of my spouse because I can usually endlessly keep things going on forever when... we could just go shopping... which would make them excited. I could use a couple t-shirts as well.
I hate shopping... and it drives me nuts that i would need to do it on my birthday... But my birthday is an opportunity to bring joy to my family. People love giving gifts!
I know this sounds all weird and backwards. I just don't really want things, but there are things that I could use which seem mundane to me but can be fun for others to pick.
Ha! To which they will then melt in my arms and kiss me and tell me just how wonderful I am... only to then punch me in the arm and say... "now tell me what I can get you, dammit, or I will hurt you more!" π