For All the Men

Recently I read on Kristin's blog (fadedprairie.blogspot.com) about her little son giving her a wheelbarrow for Mother's Day. This did not shock me, he's a farm boy, and I have similar experiences with these types in my life. Lucky thing is, he's still a little boy and there is room for growth in his precious little life.

The first Christmas my husband and I spent together I unwrapped a gift to find a Mark's Work Warehouse box and laughed and said, 'Oh, good idea to put something in a box like this to trick me...' Nope, the gift was from Mark's Work Warehouse.

Today I called up a good friend of mine who lives on a ranch two hours east of us. I started off the phone conversation with something like this, 'Uh hey, G, would it be okay if I tossed Bud under the bus on my blog?' Her prompt reply, 'Oh yeah, go for it!' Okay, it wasn't exactly like that, but she did phone Bud and ask him if it was okay, and I asked her if Bud knew what a blog was...

Anyway, last year when my dear friend was pregnant with their second baby (a time our husbands come with us to a few doctor's appointments and talk with the doctors like this is no big deal because they have calved out a lot of cows) her husband showed up with a birthday gift for her. Bud bought her a PITCHFFORK and FENCING PLIERS. This was not a joke. I kept laughing because it was so outrageous...but Bud really thought it was nice, and thought she really would want her own pitchfork. REALLY?! I told her Bud was crazy-REALLY.

I promptly wrote up a little sheet for Bud to post on the fridge...a sort of guidelines if you will. I thought I would share it on here because after reading Kristen's post, I think this may be something many wives/mom's should print off and give to their husbands. Good luck to you all!

BUD'S GIFT GIVING GUIDELINES
-always consult guide before buying a gift
-NEVER disregard ANY rules in guide
-post somewhere you will never lose or forget about it

A)If you can write it off-do not even consider this an option.
B)DO NOT look in stores like Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, UFA, Peavy Mart, or Mark's Work Warehouse. If a store sells similar stuff as the above listed stores walk, no RUN away!
C)Consult with your mom or sisters until you have the hang of gift giving-if they say it's terrible-IT'S TERRIBLE-don't go ahead with the plan!
D)Listen for hints...some hints might not be intentional and they may not be direct at all. Listen for phrases like "Maybe I'll wait for January sales to buy that rusty star!" Take heed!
E)Wrap with care (or get your sister to.) Putting time and care into wrapping, and a card makes it more personal. It makes it look like more thought was placed into it, rather than just picking something up at Cactus Corner while you fueled up.
F)If it cleans up the yard, house, vehicle...helps a person cook...do laundry, etc, this is a STUPID idea. No matter what, a gift should not involve ANY work or be any kind of household appliance. Gifts should be some kind joy and luxury...not work. This is a KEY rule-tears or anger may result if ignored.
G)Gifts should be bought at girly shops that make you uncomfortable and makes you keep your hands to yourself, so you don't break anything!

Good luck Bud & G.....

Bud, be careful, or G might use the pitchfork on you!