Husbands Birthday

My husband is a workaholic and hates for me to spend money on him for his birthday because he feels like it would be a waste of money. So instead I buy him something that I know he wants or likes, wallet, cologne, new shaver etc thats not too much money. Then I try to create his favorite past time meal and let the kids help. We have a wonderful meal and then the kids and I give him a massage. Kids grab the feet while I grab the arms or etc. It always seems to mellow him out and keep him from thinking about work or money situation. Then he always feels refreshed the next day. Because after all men rarely take time for themselves.

Well I have given my husband a gift then the next day celebrated it with our kids...
For his "special" gift from me I tried to remember one of his umm... fantasies and well took it from there. He loved it lol!
The next day we went out to eat with both kids and just spent the day doing things as a family. I had our kids scribble a little note in the card and had all his family call and tell him how much they loved him. By the end of the day he was almost in tears.

Whenever I ask mine what he wants, he always has a reply that is totally out of my hands, like "a winning lottery ticket." That's his answer for every holiday/birthday. :::rolls eyes:::

So this year, I decided I was going to come up with some fabulous and I totally pulled it off! We got a babysitter and I took him (and another couple) paintballing! It was SO MUCH FUN! My husband had always been a fan but hadn't been able to go in like 10 years. I had never been but had always wanted to try and we had the best time! He said it was the best birthday he had ever had and I am totally hooked on it now. We plan on trying to go at least once a year... maybe more though because it was so much fun!*

I would think this would be an especially good gift for people that are into video games. We went to Splatter Park, north of Columbus. (www.splatterpark.com). It's really not that expensive... you can do it for as cheap as $25 a person, which includes lunch. I'd rather spend $50 on that than $75 on dinner and a movie/snacks! It's definitely an all-day thing though (I think they are open 10-4, though you can leave whenever you like.)

*Yes, it can hurt. If you are afraid of pain, got in early spring or late fall when it's chilly so you can bundle up. I wore long underwear and jeans and the balls didn't hurt that bad. Stung at first, yes, but nothing horrible. I was having so much fun I didn't care anyway!

I'm already racking my brain for future presents. I might see if I can find someone who can take him up in a helicopter or small plane. He'd love to fly a plane, but my guess is that lessons are out of our price range. I know he went white water rafting once, too, and loved that.

How about a list of reasons why he's special? If he's turning 30, for example, you'd list 30 reasons. It's thoughtful, and you could type it up & print it on special paper -- maybe even frame it. Or if your 5 year old writes well enough, he/she could write it out.

Have fun! =)

My father in law is the SAME WAY. He will say in one breath how much he hates his bday but then if you dont do anything for him, you can tell he was hurt.
I am always trying to think of something special to do for my hubby. But now with the kids its more difficult. Try to think of something HE Likes to do. what does he watch on TV. My husband loves to watch the big trucks races, (Gravedigger kind of trucks) Loves Hockey and he loves the outdoors. So for his bdays I have bought tickets to a truck show, or a hockey game (plus dinner) or a weekend camping or just going for a nice long hike with a picnic break in the middle with a small cake for him. If all else fails I think you should get a sitter for a couple hours and go buy him (and yourself) a nice couples massage and then go a nice dinner afterwards. While the kids are with the sitter, have then make something homemade for him (draw a picture, make a pen holder out of a soup can etc)
Good luck and happy bday!!!

I helped my kids make stones with their footprints once. The kits can be purchased at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. My husband loves tools so I can never go wrong with a Sears card.

I'm taking mine to a baseball game.

My husband is the same way. But you have children and to children birthdays are important. So you could have the kids make a card or get a keepsake kit from Michaels or JoAnne and have you kid make an impression of their hands. A nice dinner and a cake is always a hit in our house.

I usually choose a theme for my husband's birthday presents and then run with it. One year he received barbeque tools, a light to attach to our barbeque grill, and a special (manly) apron. Another year, I gave my husband concert tickets and the CD for the band that we are going to see play live and an itunes gift card. And then a couple of birthdays and father's days were all about camping equipment. For father's day this year, I'm planning on booking a camping site at our favorite national park and plan on giving him something related to the trip -- probably a book about the park will be included.

Since having kids, we usually have birthday celebrations at home with a special home cooked meal.

Oh how I wish my husband was like yours. Mine is a baby about his birthday! It is his special day and he should be celebrated with presents and a party and blah blah blah. He is worse then the kids. And the bad thing is that his birthday is a week after our sons (who was due on his birthday.....think goodness that he was early) so I am usually birthday and partied out.
This year (he turned 30) and I planned a surprise party for him. I think he knew but never admitted that he did. All family and friends (including kids) were invited. It was a luau, tropical party theme since it is the beginning of March and still snowing here in OH (as you know). So everyone was told to wear something tropical. Break out the flip flops early and lets party. We had tropical themed food, drinks, and music. I had lights every where in the house and cranked up the heat so it felt quite tropical. His present from the kids was a tropical print shirt (he is a black t-shirt kinda guy so he wasn't too sure about his one) and was encouraged to wear it by his buddies once he got home. He worked that day......... which was surprising because he usually would not have so everyone was at the house and we were all set up when he came in. Later he got his own private hula dance. I think this year he was actually satisfied with his birthday (unlike usual when we don't make it a big enough deal).
Hope this helps :)

Keep it very simple. Have the kids make him a card. Then make his favorite meal for dinner.

I'd have the kids make him cards, serve him breakfast in bed, have the kids sing him a song, etc.

Let the kids use fun heart stickers, etc on the card. This is something he can keep in his heart & mind FOREVER. I wouldn't worry about getting him something as much as making a special time to be together. People don't remember gifts as much as they remember experiences.