Although I have only been married for two years, we have been best friends for five years. Throughout our friendship, I thought that I had to buy her extravagant things. In some cases, such as our first Valentine’s Day, I did (ha). However, as life progresses, there is going to come a time where buying an average gift or giving money is not going to cut it, so you have to be prepared to ensure that you get her the best gift. I have found that there are three keys to giving the best gift to my wife, and she is confident that other women will agree.

• Listen. Women communicate a lot, often dropping hints of things that she wants or at least doesn't want. This is the time to take a memo in your phone or write it down on a to-do-list to prevent forgetting what is being said. I remember my wife specifically saying, “I just want to play board games and be around my friends/family” so I made sure that she played board games and ensured that our friends/family were there for her birthday. This is also a time to pay attention to things that she does not want. If you hear her say, “I don’t want to stay in the house for my birthday” then you should be planning her big day outside of the house.
• Be thoughtful. Women love sentimental things, not convenience. In short, we cannot simply pick something out of the store and think that she will be satisfied all of the time. With my wife, I try to incorporate things that I know she would appreciate. This year, we tried to go to a restaurant in town for V-Day, but there were not any available seats. I knew that she still had a desire to go there, so I surprised her by making a reservation for us and 12 of our great family/friends. Whatever it is that you do, make sure that it has meaning. If you have a favorite spot, that may be a good place to revisit for her birthday.
• Make her feel like a queen. Every woman wants to feel like royalty and like they run the show (they really do run the show aha), so it is important that we make them feel like a queen. Feeling like a queen is her feeling like the most important woman in the world. She knows that she is loved and valued; there’s no question about it. When my wife walked through the restaurant doors and everyone screamed "surprise," she was overwhelmed with love and joy! My wife knew that she was the most important person to me that day, and she knew that I cared about her happiness. This is what every woman wants: to feel loved and valued. Whatever you do, make sure the attention is on her. Even if she does not want a party of 12, you should be giving her your undivided attention. This includes refraining from social media, texting, dialing or receiving unnecessary calls on your lady’s special day.

There is not a woman who is exactly the same as another woman, however when getting a gift for a woman, there are three things that can help ensure that you are getting her the best possible gift. We have to listen, be thoughtful, and make her feel like a queen.