Need Help From Orchid Wives

[Gwenchanter]

I agree you should get her a gift which is something she really likes or is interested in. Perhaps you can say something like, now see how happy this makes you, orchids make me that kind of happy.

Personally the happiness to cost ratio of a new orchid for myself is a very good ratio. A $35 dollar orchid will make me just as happy as some of my friends are when they buy a $200 Coach purse. You really have to put things in perspective.

[Cassia]

I hate it when my husband gives gifts that he ends up using himself. It's so self serving.

I am in complete agreement, too.

Perhaps you can say something like, now see how happy this makes you, orchids make me that kind of happy.

I'm not so comfortable with this suggestion. To me, it sounds like the giver is only giving me the gift to make a point about his wants/needs/desires, rather than to make me happy. If you really want to make her happy, figure out something she will really, really enjoy for a long time (and NOT a new vacuum cleaner or other household appliance, PLEASE!!)--something she will treasure just as you treasure your orchids, but don't make any comparisons when you give it to her. Later, some time a few weeks in the future, if she says something about how much she's enjoying her gift, you can say something like, "I'm so glad! I know how much I enjoy my orchids, and I wanted you to have something you would enjoy that much!" and don't add another word. Even if she doesn't say much, it will stick in her head.

Good luck!