One thing I still try to do for my wife even after nearly 10 years of marriage is surprise her with little “just because” gifts. Even though these gifts have included everything from flowers to jewelry, my monthly budget does present some limitations and, as a result, I usually have to look for something that is affordable.
One particular gift category I’ve started looking at recently is hair accessories. Much like jewelry, hair accessories allow her to add some shine to her appearance and give her something to be complimented on. But, at least most of time, they are considerably less expensive.
However, as I learned through trial and error, this is a type of purchase that can either be hit or miss depending on her specific tastes. As a result, I came up with three basic rules to help make the right choice.
First, you have to know what works with her hair color and style. This part was one of the hardest for me, especially since my wife constantly changes her hair. But, it also is a pretty important rule because some accessories just don’t work with certain colors or lengths.
The easiest way I found to get around this is just by looking at the models on the packaging and seeing if any match the hair color/style my wife has. You can also ask a store employee but, from experience, I can tell you it’s best to get more than one opinion just to be safe.
Second, make sure you understand how the hair accessory is used. When I buy something like this, I want to get something I know my wife will wear. And, I’ve learned she won’t wear it if it is overly complicated (for example, if it requires her to style her hair a certain way). As a result, one of my general rules is not to buy something if I don’t understand exactly what it is.
Last, take the time to make it personal. One of the big temptations when it comes to hair accessories is just to buy a mixed bag of them. And, I’ll admit, I’ve considered that route a couple of times. However, just like if I were buying her a piece of jewelry, I found it’s best to personalize it as much as possible so the gift means more. This is why I’ll look for items that have her birthstone (peridot) or match a new outfit she might have purchased. It really doesn’t require much more effort and it shows her I put some thought into it rather than just grabbing a random item.
As I said before, surprising my wife with little gifts is one of the ways I try to be a good husband. And, by following these rules, I’m able to save money while picking out something I know she’ll get some use out of.
