WARNING, DANGER, Will Robinson!!The dog and cat bowl look just right. But, If I buy the other set of SS bowls , I can give my wife the ones I don't want and get some points.![]()
Pops, I would not presume to offer you relationship advice, but your present course risks violating two spousal gift rules I received from my FIL He was a wonderful man, a loving husband, and an engineer. He had no innate talent for choosing spousal gifts and learned many lessons the hard way.
"1) By-product gifts are not a good idea." If you buy a shotgun and Browning sends you a free field bag that would clearly make a great purse, do not give it to the spouse as a gift. It is essential that any gift be, or appear to be, the product of a focussed, long, diligent search with her preferences as the only consideration. By-product gifts fail this test.
"2 ) Eschew practical gifts. " My MIL was, for years, brokenhearted to receive well-meant practical gifts. The straw that broke the camel's back was a Valentine gift of two dozen vacuum cleaner bags-- the kids still talk about the tears that resulted and the heart-to-heart talk that the adolescents had to have with their dad.
Obviously, you know your bride well, so do what is best. I'd stash the extra bowls in the appropriate cabinet. If I felt compelled to gift them, I'd fill 'em with bath salts, candles, incense, or some other ridiculous junk that nobody needs and wrap it up.
(Gift wrapping: Another thing my FIL had to learn to appreciate.)
Mark
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