My husband is SO hard to shop for--and his birthday is coming up next week. I'm looking for ideas for small gifts and ways to make a big fuss out of his birthday. He really isn't into "things" so more ideas for making a special day/event for him would be a huge help. We have a 2 year old daughter and I'd love to make her a big part of the planning. Any ideas would be a big help!
What about getting your daughter's portrait taken, with her holding a cute sign that says something like I (heart) my daddy! Or My Daddy's #1!!
Or a shirt that says that would be cute, too.
Then frame it and give it to him as a surprise. :)
Edited to add: You could even take the picture yourself if you think you could get a really good one. :)
I got an awesome locket from picturesongold.com with a pic of both our children on each side.
Lingerie : )
He'd probably like the type of present you would have given him before your daughter was born : ) (in addition to the great ideas below). Not to be crass, but I think that kind of attention goes a long way.
If he's into sports you could make it sports theme, or get tickets to a sporting event, or a theatre event if that's what he likes, or you and your daughter could do a little play for him. also maybe a gift card for a restaurant near where he works, or dunkin donuts, something that would be of use to him on a daily basis...
Let's say he's turning 35 years old - have a list of the 35 things you will do for him that day, yes some of them may be things he'll get as a gift (a bday card) but you could stretch out 35 things for the day I bet.
1. We'll make you breakfast - scrambled eggs with cheese (if he's going to work, have a small OJ and breakfast bar ready for him to eat in the car).
2. You get to watch whatever you want on tv today.
3. We're going to give you 35 hugs and 35 kisses today.
4. Photo (give him a photo of you and your daughter to keep in his car on the visor or at the office)
5. Lunch - we're taking you out to lunch today to your favorite pizza place
6. Beer - we'll buy you a beer at lunch!
35. (the last one of the night before bed) After daughter goes to bed, a special gift from me - specially wrapped for you to unwrap (if you catch my drift, A.).
I have a 2 year old and a three year old and the same problem. I have the girls paint him a picture or two every year and have started an album to keep the pictures in. This year for his birthday I also cleaned/organized the garage for him. Getting him stuff is pointless, so I try to take over something for him that he doesn't enjoy doing but needs to be done. He appreciated that far more than any of the things I've gotten him. Hope this helps.
Ask him outright for 3-5 ideas for a birthday present, within your price range. The next day, find a picture of the present, or write each idea on a card and place it in the envelope. Small priced items can be combined for 2 in one envelope.
Show him the envelopes and have him pick one. Then you go out and buy what is in the envelope.
M.
Maybe you could all go to ball game or other sporting event together.
Make a cake with the 2yr old and get helium balloons in dad's fav color and make daddy's fav meals for the day! Don't forget the hand drawn card from the kiddo too. In our we also put up a Happy birthday sign! A;; the little things that make the day special with out $pending lots. Have fun
I did one of these for my hubby
The music cards for the year a person is born are fun. You could get a copy of the newspaper of the town and day he was born. Have your daughter pick out the party favors...if it is Dora that will make it more fun. Make cupcakes and decorate them or pick up an ice cream cake. If it is a nice day or weekend near the birthday take your daughter to the zoo for her Dad's day. If it is in the winter go to a Children's Museum. Since she is two it will help to take her in a stroller or wagon. You could give him framed art that your daughter did with her handprints and hearts that you help her with. Have fun.
My husband isn't into things either so I threw him a party with some close friends. The theme of the party was All About Ricky. We had his favorite food, took a quiz about him, and I had pictures of him all over the house. I also had stickers made of his face that everyone (including our son) wore. You can see more here. http://moderndayrickyandlucy.blogspot.com/2010/03/rickys-...
It was a really fun evening.
