40 thoughtful gifts to give on Wife Appreciation Day - or just because she deserves a little something
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September 16, 2018 marks Wife Appreciation Day. It's one of the more obscure holidays that you probably haven't seen any commotion around, let alone even heard of.
But let's face it, no matter the day, everyone loves to know that they're appreciated. As our days become full of the realities of work, family, and all other aspects of our lives, it can be easy to forget to show our appreciation for the ones we love.
Of course, the best ways to show your appreciation for your loved ones can't be bought. Nothing can top showing your gratitude with patience, support, and love. When it comes to the tangible, though, gifts can enhance the gratitude we show through our actions. So, if you feel that your spouse needs to be shown some extra appreciation - on September 16th or any other day of the year - here are some thoughtful gifts you can give to show them you care.
In honor of Wife Appreciation Day, shop our list of 40 thoughtful gifts that show your wife you care:
Something small but sweet
Bees Knees Spicy Honey, $14, available at Uncommon Goods
This sweet and spicy honey will be a welcome addition to your kitchen. It's a thoughtful gift for an adventurous foodie who'll appreciate this hand-infused, locally made update to the classic sweetener.
A DIY dinner date
Blue Apron Meal Kit, two-person plan starting at $47.95
Nothing shows gratitude like giving your partner time to sit back and relax while you prepare them a delicious meal. Blue Apron meal kits make it fun (and much easier) to try your hand at more gourmet recipes — and they're perfectly portioned for two.
An exciting new read
Book of the Month membership, $44.99 for 3 months, $79.99 for 6 months, $149.99 for 12 months
For the wife that loves to read, give her the joy of getting lost in a book. Book of the Month curates some of the best new reads and has your pick delivered to your door as a hardcover each month. It's a great way to discover great new books and authors, plus if you sign up now you can get a free book.
A super soft cashmere hoodie
C by Bloomingdale's Cashmere Hoodie, $198, available at Bloomingdale's
Showing your appreciation for your wife will make her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and with this cashmere sweatshirt, she'll feel the same way on the outside too. It's a cozy, luxurious upgrade from a regular hoodie that anyone is bound to love.
A cute, custom phone case
BaubleBar x Off My Case iPhone Case, $78
A new phone case is always a fun little accessory update. Give her one that can be customized to say something that matters to her; think names, initials, favorite foods. You can get creative with what you want the case to say, as long as it fits within the 12 character maximum.
A thoughtful piece of home decor
Hand Embroidered State Pillows, $184, available at Uncommon Goods
Give her some state pride with one of these beautiful pillows hand embroidered with each state's cities, towns, famous sites, cultural icons and more. Pick a state that means something to her like where she was born, went to college, or where you met. These vibrant pillows are so unique; they'll look great in your home and are definite conversation starters.
An eye-catching print of her favorite city
City Prints by Carolyn Gavin, $40, available at Uncommon Goods
If you don't want to commit to a whole state or a big pillow, these smaller prints of big cities are another decor option that mix the same location nostalgia with beautiful artistry. Revisit favorite travel destinations, hometowns, or even cities you hope to visit soon, all printed as these fun, colorful pieces.
A necklace with meaning
Dogeared "All Good Things" Moonstone Pendant Necklace, $62, available at Nordstrom
Give the gift of the elements with this dainty necklace. There are four small pendants that represent empathy, energy, magic, and calmness. Together, they are meant to bring your loved one balance and success.
A monogrammed mug
Anthropologie Petal Palette Monogram Mug, $10, available at Nordstrom
This monogrammed mug is anything but basic. Adorned with pretty floral designs, it'll be her new go-to for morning coffee or tea.
A delicate, personalized bracelet
Dainty Initial Bracelet, starting at $18, available at Etsy
You can put up to ten initialed disks on this dainty gold chain. This means there are endless possibilities to how you can personalize this bracelet. The initials of kids, pets, or just the two of you are all thoughtful, personal takes on this delicate piece.
A cute and unique succulent arrangement
Live Succulent Arrangement, $35, available at Etsy
If you want to skip the flowers but want the same sentiment of giving a beautiful floral arrangement, go for succulents. These plants last far longer than flowers, are much easier to care for, and add a nice, natural look to any space.
A socially conscious shirt
Everlane 'The Human Woman' Muscle Tank, $22
Show your wife you appreciate her with a product that supports gender equality. When you purchase this shirt—or any other in the 100% Human Equality Now Collection—Everlane will donate $5 to Equality Now, an organization fighting to promote equal rights for women everywhere. Not only will she look great sporting this socially conscious message, but you can feel good about the fact that part of your purchase is going to a great cause.
A set of face masks for some pampering
Fresh Mini Mask Party, $58, available at Sephora
Treat her to some pampering with this set of Fresh mini face masks. It comes with three of their best selling masks to soften, smooth, and brighten skin. The mini sizes are just right for travel too.
A classic chocolate gift box
Godiva Assorted Gift Box, 19 pc, $29
You can’t go wrong with chocolate; it's a classic gift for a reason. Pick a box with multiple pieces for ample tasting (and maybe even sharing) opportunities.
A cute, custom gift box
Greetabl gift box, starting at $12
Greetabl is the spot for times when you want to give those "just because" kind of gifts. The box also functions as the greeting card, to which you can add your own personal photos. Then you can pick two small gifts from a group of curated items like Sugarfina gummies or sweet-smelling soap. It's a small gift with the opportunity to add a lot of personal touches.
A wine-tasting experience
1742 Wine Bar Wine Tasting for Two, $49, available at Groupon
Plan for a night full of good food and good wine with a wine tasting for two. Learn about how to identify different wines as you taste an array of three whites and three reds. It's a fun evening and you will hopefully both leave with some wine knowledge. Check out groupon to find deals on wine tastings like this one somewhere near you.
A 'just because' toast
La Marca Prosecco, $13.99, available at Wine.com
You don't need a special occasion to pop open a bottle of bubbly. Show your partner you care about her with a festive toast, any day of the week.
A relaxing massage
Bliss Spa Massage, $99, available on Groupon
A massage is a great escape from all the stresses of everyday life, giving you time to just unwind and relax. Give your spouse the gift of relaxation by booking her a massage. Check out Groupon to find deals on massages near you.
A pair of simple hoop earrings with a twist
Jewelry is a classic gift and these hoops are a timeless pair. The coiled design adds some intrigue to a style she'll want to wear everyday.
A fun art class for adults
Muse Paintbar Paint & Wine Night, $48, available at Groupon.
Test your artistic skills together at a paint and sip night. It’s a fun way to spend some time together, drink some wine, and you get to leave with two new pieces of artwork. Check out Groupon for deals on a paint and sip night near you.
A quirky tee
Professional Enthusiast Round 7 Short-Sleeve Tee, $29, available at Of a Kind
Let her own who she is with this quirky t-shirt. Fill in the blank with one of her favorite things, either with a marker at your own will or custom printed through the site.
A beautiful bouquet of flowers
Benchmark Bouquets Big Blooms with Vase, $39.13, available at Amazon
There's so much to love about flowers: they're aesthetically pleasing, colorful, and emit lovely fragrances through your home. Surprise her with a pretty bouquet of her favorite types of flowers.
A cozy pair of pajamas
Papinelle Floral Crop Pajamas, $79, available at Nordstrom
A comfortable pajama set can make bedtime much better. Sometimes, though, its hard to justify spending so much on an outfit you’ll never wear outside of your house. Since they might not be something she would buy herself, but you know she'd enjoy them, treat her to a cozy pair.
A super-hydrating sheet mask
Skin Laundry Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask, $10, available at Bloomingdale's
For only $10, this little luxury will make her feel like she's indulging in a spa experience. Simply leave this mask on for about 20 minutes to refresh and soften your skin. You might want to get two or three since she's probably going to like these— and you probably will too.
A fun read for a wine lover
This book is a great gift for a wine connoisseur, or someone who is trying to get there. Written by a master sommelier, it uses the scratch and sniff method to make understanding the basics of wine a little less intimidating and a lot more fun.
A collection of your best memories
Snapfish Photo Book, starting at $19.99
Even though it has become so easy to scroll though old photos with your phone on Facebook and Instagram, there is something special about a tangible photo book that you can look at. These are nice to leave around the house, flip through every now and then, and be reminded of the memories that fill the pages.
A pretty planner
Stacy Giron Paperback Planner, $8.99, available at Amazon
If you know your spouse loves to keep an organized schedule, surprise her with this pretty floral planner. It goes through December 2019, so she can keep track of everything she is doing in the coming year. It's a simple gift, but one that'll she'll actually use every day.
An old fashioned movie night
Movie Tickets, price dependent on location, available at Fandango
Sometimes it seems like Netflix, Hulu, and the multitude of other streaming services have made nights out to the movies obsolete. The ever-increasing prices definitely don't help either. If Netflix and your living room couch are your idea of movie night, consider changing it up and heading out to a theater for the real movie experience, complete with some buttery popcorn and candy to share.
A gift to satisfy her sweet tooth
Sugarfina Custom Candy Bento Box, starting at $26
Treat your wife to some of the cutest sweet treats around. Sugarfina makes adorable gummies inspired by—and sometimes infused with—things like champagne and rosé. They're just as pretty to look at as they are delicious.
Wine glasses for drinking outdoors
Outdoor Wine Glasses (set of 2), $22, available at Uncommon Goods
If she loves picnics, but also loves your nice glassware too much to bring it outside, these glasses make a great gift. They're balanced on acrylic stakes that can be placed in snow, sand, grass, and can even float in water. You can say goodbye to red solo cups and finally drink out of a proper wine glass.
A trio of calming lavender products
Lavender Essentials Set, $54, available at Uncommon Goods
Lavender is revered for its calming properties. Give your partner all the tools she needs for a calm night with this lavender essentials kit. This trio of lavender soap, bath salts, and body oil will wash any stress away and bring on major relaxation.
A nostalgic trip down memory lane
Create Your Own Reel Viewer, $29.95, available at Uncommon Goods
Dive head first into some nostalgia with a reel viewer like the ones you had as a child. Customize the reel with pictures of your favorite memories. It's a really fun way to reminisce about the past and is sure to get you and your partner feeling sentimental.
Coffee from around the world
World Explorer's Coffee Sampler, $32, available at Uncommon Goods
At the intersection of globetrotter and coffee connoisseur is this sample set. This box contains four unique coffees sourced from around the world, which vary depending on the season and other conditions. It's a great gift that'll make morning coffee a little more exciting.
Quirky and comfy slippers
Haflinger Cat Slipper, $84.95, available at Nordstrom
These slippers add some fun and whimsy to time spent just lounging around the home. They're made from a soft, natural wool with a cat applique that cat-lovers will adore. If she's more of a dog person, don't worry, they have those too.
A statement candle
Voluspa Japonica Gardenia Candle, $28, available at Nordstrom
This candle has a mix of gardenia, tuberose, and Tunisian clove fragrances. If you're not familiar with candle fragrances, all you need to know is that this will make a room smell delightful. Beyond the scent, the embossed glass jar is the final touch that makes this such a great gift.
Breakfast in bed
Wayfair Basics Wooden Breakfast Tray, $21.60
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I say it's best served in bed. Use this tray to give her her favorite breakfast treats without ever having to leave the room. This tray pairs best with a delicious, home-cooked meal and a lazy Sunday morning.
A refreshing body scrub
Kiehl's Gentle Exfoliating Body Scrub, $36, available at Nordstrom
This refreshing scrub is gentle and leaves your skin smelling great and feeling soft. She'll thank you for this indulgent product that yields great results.
A cooking class to take together
Sur la Table Cooking Class, starting at $25
Pick up some new cooking skills together at a cooking class. Sur la Table offers a wide array of cooking classes at their stores around the country, many of which have themes such as cooking for date night, knife skills, and more. It's a fun activity to share and one that you'll both benefit from.
A modern twist on love letters
How Do I Love Thee From A-Z, $20, available at Uncommon Goods
Fill in the blanks about why you love your spouse. This little book holds 26 prompts, from A to Z, that let you express why you love and appreciate her. It is all bound together as a small book that she can have as a thoughtful keepsake forever.
A plush bathrobe
Natori 'Nirvana' Midi Robe, $59, available at Nordstrom
This is everything you want and need in a robe— lightweight, soft, and warm without being heavy. Even though robes are meant to be worn after showering, while getting ready, or lounging, she'll wish she could wear this fleece one more often— it's that comfortable.