BrauchTalk

It seems like the holidays can really stress a marriage. It is hard to buy gifts for women. I always think “What do women want for Christmas?” I love Christmas. I love it for the real reason. Jesus was born in a manger, a Savior was born. Sadly, Christmas has lost the real meaning for a lot of people. It is all about the perfect gift, the hot item that every kid wants, and the new tech toy for every guy…etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying gifts just like the next person, but please try and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Ok, I am off that soap box.

It is hard for me to think of gifts for my wife when I am on my own. I have a few tips that may help the man out there who is pulling his hair trying to buy his a wife, girlfriend, or significant other a gift/gifts.

Layout the ground rules

Talk about what the plan is for Christmas. When are you celebrating? When can you get away and buys the gifts? Some couples have to have Christmas at multiple residences on different days. Know when those dates are so you can plan your own Christmas accordingly. Knowing when you can get away is important. My wife and I tried to go Christmas shopping for each other together. It was both exciting and dumb at the same time. We had to plan out routes and call each other when we were running to the car to put something in it. It helps to know when you can have some time alone and take your time to look for those perfect gifts or gift. Men, send your wife to get a massage or pedicure so you can go shopping. Women, tell your husband to plan a night with the guys.

It is also important to know when the house will be empty so you can wrap your gifts. Laying the ground rules for Christmas shopping is an important step.

Set spending limits

This is especially true for a married couple or dating couples. This limit will “keep the playing field level.” There is nothing worse than buying the gift you think would be perfect for your wife and she buys you something REALLY nice that is worth way more that what you got her. This works both ways as well. The value of the gift shouldn’t matter, but it does make the person who bought the lesser valued gift feel badly sometimes. At least it makes me feel bad and that I failed.
The limit will make buying the gifts exciting and fun. Some people take this limit setting route and then go buy one gift for the value of the limit. This can be a perfect choice! I like to take it the other way and get awesome gifts that fill the area under the tree. It was like a game for me. I had my list, which we will get to next, and I went out looking for the most items for the spending limit. It was like a contest the closer I got without going over was the winner. “The Price is Right” style…right?

We even set limits on our stockings as well. Give setting spending limits a try for this Christmas or the next. It makes life easier for both the man and the woman.

Give each other ideas and a list.

I don’t think I would do as well if Becky and I did not make lists for each other. The list is like a guide that will help jar your memory and get the creative juices flowing. Make you list have all kinds if choice on it with all kinds of dollar values. It is also good to put high valued items on there that are above and beyond the spending limit. This gives you ideas to buy accessories or things within that area of the high priced item. For example, Becky put a shotgun on her list. A shotgun costs way more than our limits is. It may have given me ideas that she may want to start hunting again or shooting clay pigeons. It may get ideas to buy her shooting glasses, a blaze orange pheasant vest, …etc.
The real benefit to adding all sorts of items to the list is that it gives your husband or wife ideas for other occasions. Anniversaries, milestone gifts like graduations…etc.

The main take away is that this list will help your loved one decide on ideas and gifts for you. You may not get anything off your list. Make gift buying easy on your significant other.

This seems to be an age old question that couples ask themselves… When should we have kids? Men and women tend to think differently when this subject comes up. The roles can be swapped as well. Some relationships can suffer from differing ideals about having children and the timing at which to pursue having kids. Romance can dwindle, sparks can sputter out, and the relationship can diminish fast if a man and woman are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Having kids can be a blessing and a hindrance from what I hear from some wise and well-traveled adults.

Timing is everything when deciding to have kids. Finances need to be in order so money is not a problem when the little one arrives or when you decide to pursue having kids. Some people dive right into having kids with no worry whatsoever about money and financial stability. These couples can either make it or struggle through life. Children are a blessing and can bring joy and happiness to couple if they are both ready.

Discuss the idea of having kids early in the stages of a serious relationship. The late stage of dating is a good place to ask this question. Do not assume that the man or women of your dreams feels the same way you do about having kids. It is always best to ask. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask this delicate question. Dating is where you find out if you are indeed compatible with one another. Why wouldn’t you want to learn everything you can about your potential life mate? After all, you have to live life with this significant other for the rest of your life. Do not go into a marriage/serious relationship without talking about having kids.

I have heard countless stories about couples feeling that they are ready for marriage and progress to that stage of life. They get married and the wife wants to have kids right away or the husband wants to have kids right away. Both individuals may have a different time table in their heads which they want to follow. It is important to learn these details so some common ground can be found. Don’t be stubborn and hard-headed. Compromise with your significant other and make a decision. Be happy with the decision that you both want to make right now. Continue reading ‘When to Have Kids’

Healthy competition in a relationship is good for the soul. Couples tend to spend a lot of time with each other and do not interact with other people. Healthy relationships are built with hard work, love, affection, and competition. The Nintendo Wii brings a new element to a gaming console. Flailing arms, jerky movements, and hard laughter come about when Wii Sports is played with a loved one. Watching your significant other playing a game can be funny and create a fun time together of laughter. I get too carried away when I bowl. I go through the motions and really sling my arm like I would with a real bowling ball. Becky laughs at me and we have fun. Laughter builds strong relationships.

We bought our Wii when they first came out. It was so much fun to play the free game that came with it. We played every night and we had a riot. I felt like I was twelve years old again. We were competitive and that was OK. Some couples can have problems with too much competition. Being competitive and having fun can turn a cold winter’s night or a rainy day into a fun time with your significant other.

Laughter is the medicine that soothes the soul. I was attracted to Becky for her fun laugh and sense of humor. Playing the Wii will generate a ton of laughter. We plan on buying some more games when the new Mario Kart and Mario game come out later this year.

We also enjoy having other couples over to play the Wii. We can play team tennis with them and have an awesome time. Some couples will want to buy the gaming console because they had so much fun with their significant other. I feel that video games on the Wii can now include more people than just young kids.

An article in the Chicago Tribune talks about Nintendo Wii’s finding themselves in retirement homes:

A lot of grandparents are being taught by their grandkids. But, now, some grandparents are instead teaching their grandkids.

The Wii has become so popular at Sedgebrook that on Sunday afternoon there will be a video game bowling tournament in the lounge. More than 20 residents have signed up to compete.

“We’ll even have a fan for people to dry their hands before they bowl,” said Dierbach, head of Sedgebrook’s entertainment committee.

If the retirees in Lincolnshire are any proof, video games are no longer just kids’ play.

My Grandma played Wii Bowling over Christmas and enjoyed it. She laughed harder than anybody in the room.

This is proof that video games can generate relationships and also strengthen them through a sense of fun and community with both couples, friends, and all ages.