I need advice on a present for him. The first year we were together, I gave him a day pass to Whistler.  I came up with the idea myself, he hadn’t hinted at it, and I wrapped it up with a card that said something like “What I want to give you more than anything is happiness, and I know how happy being on the mountain makes you. I hope that when you use this pass you are filled with happiness and maybe, just maybe, think of me.”

I’m awesome.

It was such a big hit that I gave him the same gift last year, even though it felt like a bit of a cop-out to get him the same gift two years in a row. But he loved it.

And so now, it’s his birthday in a week again. His 40th birthday. I’ve asked him what he wants and he said, unsurprisingly, “ski passes”. I want to get him what he wants, but I also want to make this birthday special, and I don’t want to give him the same present every year for the rest of his life.

Another idea I had was to get him a Bluetooth headset for his phone. He is in his truck, speaking to clients, all day long. Early next year a law will come into affect making cell phone use illegal while driving, except with a headset.

I know this would make a crazily un-sexy gift, but I also know he will HATE to part with the money to buy one himself.

If I was a lesbian and had a girlfriend, I would know, for certain, not to buy this for my partner as a birthday gift. Practical is not what we chicks want in a birthday present.

But what about men? Would he appreciate not having to spend his own money on a head-set? Could it be seen as a new toy? What about the fact that I’d be buying him the gift of “No Tickets” and “No Jail” and maybe even “Not Dying”?

As I write this, I’m leaning towards maybe giving him this as a Christmas present, instead of a 40th birthday present. But that leaves the question of what to get him for his birthday open.

Help me! Men – are practical gifts appreciated or lame? Women – what have you bought your significant others lately that they really loved?

Any help would be appreciated – thank you in advance!