And they say romance is dead....

[wheres_my_beard]

It may be me over thinking things, but when I am buying gifts for my family and friends, I don't usually get what people really need, as in practical things, I try and find things that people would really like. For example I often buy my sisters boyfriend challenging wooden puzzles, because he likes them (and I don't need to work too hard to find a decent one). For everyone else I try to find quirky things that make me think of them when I find them in the shop and will hopefully make them smile too.

Maybe it's because me and my girlfriend are getting older and thinking more practically, but this year she was very specific in wanting either a saddle or some tyres. I didn't think anything of this until I finally bought the tyres, which were the more expensive of the two things, and the least likely for her to get herself. Since buying them I can't help thinking they are a rubbish present, even though they are great tyres and exactly what she wants and asked for.

I have spent close to what we normally spend on each other, so don't have a lot left for much else.

I suppose I worry that there is no surprise/ mystery element to the gift giving/ receiving process, and half think she will be disappointed.

I am worrying over nothing?

Are bike components a decent present for you girlfriend/boyfriend/life partner/ special lady/gentleman friend?

 

[Cal]

You're worrying over nothing, the fact she's mentioned them and you've gone for the more expensive is the difference between gift and necessity. Just wrap 'em nicely.

 

[Chris-H]

It may be me over thinking things, but when I am buying gifts for my family and friends, I don't usually get what people really need, as in practical things, I try and find things that people would really like. For example I often buy my sisters boyfriend challenging wooden puzzles, because he likes them (and I don't need to work too hard to find a decent one). For everyone else I try to find quirky things that make me think of them when I find them in the shop and will hopefully make them smile too.

Maybe it's because me and my girlfriend are getting older and thinking more practically, but this year she was very specific in wanting either a saddle or some tyres. I didn't think anything of this until I finally bought the tyres, which were the more expensive of the two things, and the least likely for her to get herself. Since buying them I can't help thinking they are a rubbish present, even though they are great tyres and exactly what she wants and asked for.

I have spent close to what we normally spend on each other, so don't have a lot left for much else.

I suppose I worry that there is no surprise/ mystery element to the gift giving/ receiving process, and half think she will be disappointed.

I am worrying over nothing?

Are bike components a decent present for you girlfriend/boyfriend/life partner/ special lady/gentleman friend?

I feel the same way mate,when i ask my wife for ideas for birthdays/xmas she always tells me things she "needs" as opposed to "wants",i think its due to having kids and she wants the money to go further,the way i see it though is if she "needs" something then it should'nt be a present.I always end up finding her some things she would like AND need,this year she wants a Night Vision Evo jacket for xmas but why should that be a present?its for her safety so i'll get her one but also get her some nice goodies that she wont be expecting.You still have a few weeks to save a few quid to get a couple of other small things she wont be expecting,cd's,dvd's' etc

 

[MissTillyFlop]

It may be me over thinking things, but when I am buying gifts for my family and friends, I don't usually get what people really need, as in practical things, I try and find things that people would really like. For example I often buy my sisters boyfriend challenging wooden puzzles, because he likes them (and I don't need to work too hard to find a decent one). For everyone else I try to find quirky things that make me think of them when I find them in the shop and will hopefully make them smile too.

Maybe it's because me and my girlfriend are getting older and thinking more practically, but this year she was very specific in wanting either a saddle or some tyres. I didn't think anything of this until I finally bought the tyres, which were the more expensive of the two things, and the least likely for her to get herself. Since buying them I can't help thinking they are a rubbish present, even though they are great tyres and exactly what she wants and asked for.

I have spent close to what we normally spend on each other, so don't have a lot left for much else.

I suppose I worry that there is no surprise/ mystery element to the gift giving/ receiving process, and half think she will be disappointed.

I am worrying over nothing?

Are bike components a decent present for you girlfriend/boyfriend/life partner/ special lady/gentleman friend?

They are a great present which could only be improved by the addition of chocolate, perfume or diamonds.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Mate, you seriously need to get some "Rule V" in your life...

 

[rockyraccoon]

The most important thing is SHE spoke, YOU listened!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Mate, you seriously need to get some "Rule V" in your life...

I hate baseball.

 

[Cyclist33]

It may be me over thinking things, but when I am buying gifts for my family and friends, I don't usually get what people really need, as in practical things, I try and find things that people would really like. For example I often buy my sisters boyfriend challenging wooden puzzles, because he likes them (and I don't need to work too hard to find a decent one). For everyone else I try to find quirky things that make me think of them when I find them in the shop and will hopefully make them smile too.

Maybe it's because me and my girlfriend are getting older and thinking more practically, but this year she was very specific in wanting either a saddle or some tyres. I didn't think anything of this until I finally bought the tyres, which were the more expensive of the two things, and the least likely for her to get herself. Since buying them I can't help thinking they are a rubbish present, even though they are great tyres and exactly what she wants and asked for.

I have spent close to what we normally spend on each other, so don't have a lot left for much else.

I suppose I worry that there is no surprise/ mystery element to the gift giving/ receiving process, and half think she will be disappointed.

I am worrying over nothing?

Are bike components a decent present for you girlfriend/boyfriend/life partner/ special lady/gentleman friend?

You may have been irritating everyone all these years by buying them things that *you* think they'll like, and they've been too polite to say so!

 

[Night Train]

My most treasured gifts have been things I needed.

Tools* in particular have been well used and treasured and I always think of the person who gave them to me.
Niknaks and general tat amuse me for seconds and then are put aside.
Aftershave and comedy socks are just given away to charity shops.

I much prefer giving things that are 'needed' even if the needed thing is fancy soaps, perfumes or chocolate.

*I do stipilate never to buy me tools without checking with me first on both which tool and which brand to save buying something that is rubbish. Clubbing together to buy one quality tool is also a good plan.

 

[Red Light]

My most treasured gifts have been things I needed.

Tools* in particular have been well used and treasured and I always think of the person who gave them to me.
Niknaks and general tat amuse me for seconds and then are put aside.
Aftershave and comedy socks are just given away to charity shops.

I much prefer giving things that are 'needed' even if the needed thing is fancy soaps, perfumes or chocolate.

*I do stipilate never to buy me tools without checking with me first on both which tool and which brand to save buying something that is rubbish. Clubbing together to buy one quality tool is also a good plan.

+1

I get tired of all the useless stuff I get given that people think I will like rather than useful stuff I want and can use (and enjoy and remember the giver when I use it).

But don't forget to fold them properly before you wrap them so what they are is disguised.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

My other half is brilliant, but he never gets me what I ask for.

Maybe I should stop asking for Tiffany Jewellery.

 

[funnymummy]

The most important thing is SHE spoke, YOU listened!

+1

Every year my ex would ask me what I would like..One year I asked for a new drill set, I didn't got it.
The next March, Mothers Day I was again asked & again replied a new drill, Still didn't get it.
Come April, my birthday, I asked for the drill..Still no drill.
The reason I wanted/needed the drill was that he had borrowed mine, when his had burnt out & never replaced it, he was a kitchen fitter/carpenter.
After almost a year of asking for a new drill, I gave up..I got the Yellow Pages out & hired a man to come fix all the little jobs that I could have done if i'd had a drill, the little jobs that he said every week he would do come the weekend, but never did.
Roll a round few weeks later to Christmas, he sat there waiting for his present.. The look on his face when he opened the card to find the workmans invoice was a picture..Well - Afetr paying him I had no money left for a present!!

 

[Arch]

Are bike components a decent present for you girlfriend/boyfriend/life partner/ special lady/gentleman friend?

Of course, if they want them.

I always ask the family if there are any specific things they want - we're all of the age where we don't need a lot of stuff cluttering up our houses (or in the case of the nephews, I want to check I'm up to date with their latest crazes). But I usually find some unexpected little extras too, so why not do that? Either tyre related (puncture kit, levers, multitool), or completely off the wall.