Gift IdeasGift ideas for your wife
The gift she remembers is the one that shows you were listening. Somewhere in the last three months she mentioned something she liked. That is your answer.
A handwritten letter
Say three specific things you are grateful for. It is kept longer than any object.
A framed photograph of the two of you
Choose a photo they have not seen for years. Print it larger than you think.
A bunch of fresh flowers
Ask the florist what came in today. Fresh and simple beats large and tired.
Breakfast in bed and a day without chores
Costs nothing and is remembered. Do the dishes too.
A playlist of songs that mean something to you both
Write a line about each song. Share it on the day.
A scrapbook of your time together
Tickets, photos, notes. It takes evenings to make and is never thrown away.
A meal you cook yourself
Their favourite dish, a set table, phones away.
A jar of notes
Fifty small slips, each with a memory or a reason you are glad of them.
A warm shawl or stole
Wool for the north, light cotton or silk for the south.
A day out together
A film, lunch and a walk. Put the phone away for the day.
A fitness band, skipping rope or yoga mat
Only for someone who has started exercising, never as a hint.
A makeup or skin care set
Buy what she already uses. Shades and skin types are personal.
Earrings or a bracelet
Easier than a ring, because no size is needed.
A wall calendar of family photos
A year of pictures on the wall, one for each month.
A helper for a day
Arrange a cleaner, a cook or a babysitter for a day or a week.
A saree, suit piece or dupatta
If you do not know her taste, choose a classic colour and a fabric she already wears.
A handbag or wallet
Look at the one in use now, and choose the same style in better quality.
A wrist watch
A classic gift for a milestone: a first job, a wedding, a retirement.
Perfume or attar
Buy the one they already wear, or go together to choose.
Dinner at the place they keep mentioning
Book the table, arrange the travel, and pay before the bill arrives.
Tickets to a concert, play or match
For the fan of a band, a team or the theatre. Go with them.
A class or workshop
Pottery, cooking, music, dance, photography: something they said they would try one day.
A spa or salon voucher
For someone who looks after everyone except themselves.
A piece of gold or silver jewellery
Small and classic, such as earrings, a chain or a ring, is worn more often than large and elaborate.
A weekend trip
Choose a place a few hours away. Two calm days are better than a rushed long journey.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
How to choose for your wife
- Keep a note on your phone of things she points at or praises. Use it on birthdays and anniversaries.
- Jewellery and clothes are safest when you know her taste exactly. If unsure, take her along or choose something exchangeable.
- Do not give kitchen appliances as a romantic gift unless she asked for one.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good gift for your wife?
Start from what the person does every day and what they would not buy for themselves. On this page, "A handwritten letter" and "Earrings or a bracelet" are two ideas that suit most people.
What if I have very little to spend?
Choose the Token level in the filter. Handmade and personal gifts, such as a handwritten letter, cost little and are often the ones remembered.
Gifts for other people
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.