this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2025
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It's that time of year again when my partner gets upset with me because I'm not the kind of person that ever wants anything...

My partner always wants this or that. They mention things they want all the time. So I write down what I hear. Gift holidays are covered easily because I try to pay attention.

I feel bad though. I know it's hard when I don't talk about things I want. And when asked, I don't know what to say. It only ends up causing me anxiety.

This is so dumb. What does a person who doesn't want things want for their birthday?

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You want a purple rubber dildo

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If your partner is a craftsy type, you could suggest that they craft something for you. It was always those gifts that meant the most to me when I was with someone craftsy. It doesn't have to have utility, or be perfect, it just means the world that someone spent time and thought creating something for you.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Now this is a great idea and why i asked this question in the first place! Not sure why I wasn't thinking of it.

They once made me an incredible crocheted dice bag. It's a crocheted bottle and cork with a baby red dragon wrapped around it protecting it. It took time and effort, looks super cool, was cheap to make, and I love it! This is the kind of thing that would make them feel great in giving and I love it too!

Win-win!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

To list of things anything you could want:

  • Goods
  • Services
  • Relationship time, that is your partner doing things for you,
    which can be subdivided into 10 more types of wishes.
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You want a 6npack of BIC medium black pens

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Near perfection. 😁

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I have the same problem when I need to come up with things on the spot. So instead I keep a list that I add ideas I get for things I want over time. That way if someone asks I can show them that and I don't have to think on the spot about what I want.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (2 children)

This is literally what I do for other people. Not sure why I've never thought of this for myself. I mean, I have to want things now and again, right? I usually don't get those things because I ultimately don't really care and there are more important things I need to spend money on. Budget only seems to get more tight over time.

Anyway, it will be tough to remember to do this, but I just have to remember I'm doing it for them and not me. I will be more likely to actually notate things then. This can work moving forward. Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Get a hobby. You'll always need/want stuff if you become a photographer or a fisherman or a pnp-player or a ...

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Food? Everybody likes food, right?

Or an experience - a trip, a night out, whatever

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

You want a fun day trip that you don't have to plan?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Consumables are great. It opens up for repeatability and the receiver is never stuck with dust collectors.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

With my partner, we usually gift time/knowledge. As in, one person wants to buy something but doesn't have the time/expertise to read up it and find the perfect thing. So the other hops in and does the research for them.

This valentine's my partner helped me decide on a new gaming keyboard, while I got him a custom web domain and email setup.

So maybe if there's a thing you've been meaning to research/buy, let your partner do it as a gift?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (4 children)

A pair of Calico Cut Pants

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Maybe a really nice edition of a book you already love, from a luxury publisher like The Folio Society or Easton Press?

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Beans

Jamon Iberico

Life size model of Captain Picard

Escape Room

8000 Hamsters

Ketamine

Dinner at a fancy restaurant

Art

Bathtub of chocolate pudding

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 month ago (1 children)

An escape room with 8000 hamsters and ketamine. Now that's a birthday

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

My partner gifted me a pottery class recently, which we are doing next weekend and im VERY excited about. Maybe do that?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Pick something you already have and use often, like a phone charger or an office chair or a pair of shoes, and ask for a higher quality version of the same thing. Something that will last longer or be more comfortable.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I always ask for the same thing.

A rare steak and messy anal.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

Best I can do is a meatball and an over-the-pants tugjob.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Full disclosure, I peeked at your comment history.

How about those phone mounts and maybe a neat 2-in-1 tripod/monopod for your binoculars? Or a shoulder sling?

Otherwise, my go-to is an experience like others suggested. Escape room, paint nite, afternoon of pool/ bowling/ mini golf, Top Golf, cooking class, museum visit, comedy night, hockey game, roller skating, hiking, music bingo/pub trivia, or consider a hotel room nearby for the night with an indoor pool or my absolute favorite...a cabin weekend with a hot tub and a real wood-burning fireplace.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

A small island nation to crush beneath the heel of your boot.

Or, if you don't have boots, you can ask for those.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Use it as an excuse to strengthen your bond I guess. Just say something like "all I want is to do (XYZ thing you know you both like: dinner, movie, whatever.) with you, I don't need anything more." If that even is something you'd even want to do of course. Don't force it if it isn't what you want.

Just be honest with them, you could even possibly try to explain the anxiety you feel about it all and let them know you're happy just being with them in whatever way.

Either that or pick a food you like lol for me I'd probably just say "get me a big ol' bag of chocolate covered pretzels and I'll be in heaven." :P

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (5 children)

I also don’t like receiving gifts from my spouse. So I just tell her to buy my bar tab for the night.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

An experience, like going axe-throwing.

A favorite food.

A music playlist made especially with you in mind.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Well played.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 month ago (1 children)

don’t knock it until you’ve tried it

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