Buying a Birthday Gift for an Ex-Husband

Choosing a birthday gift for a man can be tricky at the best of times but when you are looking for something to give your ex-husband, it can be downright nerve-wracking. The gift will have to be impersonal but not ironic. It cannot be cheap but at the same time you wouldn’t want to spend a packet on a guy who probably left you. However it is possible to find a way out of all these complications. Some tips on buying the right birthday gift for your ex-husband.

Stick to impersonal items

Choose something for your ex-husband that would reveal your best wishes for him without hinting at any amorous intentions. Go for items like belts, wallets and briefcases made from superior quality leather. Diaries, pen-cases and organizers are other smaller products in the same genre. These exclusive gifts will reveal your discriminating taste without making them appear personal in any way. However if you feel that these are too formal and are only suited for corporate gift purposes, add your own special touch by having your ex-husband’s initials engraved on a wallet or choosing leather folder in his favorite tan color.

Keep away from intimate gifts

Perfumes, colognes and personal use products are best avoided when choosing gifts for an ex-husband. The same goes for intimate jewelry, innerwear or adult games and toys. You don’t want your ex to think that you still have the hots for him. And even if you secretly want him back, it would never do to make your desire known so openly. There are other ways of getting back your ex but giving him an intimate present is not one of them.

Use your shared past to advantage but be cautious

Gift buying for an ex-husband should not be so hard because you already have a fair idea of his likes and dislikes. Steer clear from books if you are aware that your ex is not much of a reader. Go for golf accessories if you know his passion lies that way. However what makes the process hard is avoiding those items which may evoke unpleasant memories for either of you. For instance if your ex is fond of Impressionist art but lost one of his prized paintings as settlement to you, making a present of a Monet or book on Impressionist painting is going to rake up unhappy associations. Again you may want to present him with the latest album of his favorite band, but if you had one of your worst fights at one of their concerts, maybe you should think of something other band. So choose gifts which are in tune with his tastes but come with no baggage of the past.

Go for electronic items

Most men are suckers for the latest gizmos. You could buy a card DVD player for your ex-husband if you know that he spends long hours on the road. Or you could settle for the latest high-definition wall-mounted TV set if you are feeling particularly generous. The best part of electronic items is that they come in various types and budgets and cannot be mistaken for a deeply personal gift.

Be practical

The best gift for a guy is something useful and practical. There is a whole mindboggling range of gadgets out there from which you are sure to find something right for your ex-husband. Go for a handy GPS device if he is fond of trekking or hits the road very often. Or you could try a state-of-the art cooking range if your ex is a mean hand in the kitchen. Getting him something practical like a tool set will not only mean that his current partner will have nothing to object to, but will also mean ensure that the product will actually be used.

Make an extra effort

If you are on good terms with your ex-husband, you may be willing to go an extra mile to indulge his tastes. If he is a connoisseur of spirits, you could present him with a set of exclusive wine glasses or stylish cocktail mixer. Again if know your ex likes to travel, how about gifting him membership to a travel or hospitality club? However when making such generous gifts, be prepared to accept that he may enjoy them with his present partner and not necessarily ask you over when opening that bottle of vintage ’96 Dom Perignon that you may have painstakingly sourced for him.

Don’t be ironic

When buying gift for an ex-spouse it is easy to give in the temptation to be sarcastic. This is especially true if the break-up had been a messy one, or had been caused by your ex-husband. If you both had broken up on account of his cheating with his office caterer, you may be sorely inclined to give him a set of frying pans or cook book. However it is best to refrain from being ironic since it's his birthdaty after all. So give in with genuine feeling and both will feel much better for the experience.

Be safe with a gift card

If you have had a difficult break-up but now are willing to let go of the past, it is best to settle for a gift certificate or gift card as a birthday present for your ex-husband. This way you will be able to avoid memories of days when buying a gift for the same person was a happier experience and at the same time be able to move on to more cordial ties with your ex.

The most important thing to keep in mind when buying gift for your ex-husband is how your present may be interpreted by him. The best bet is to choose a gift that is practical and thoughtful of his tastes but not overtly personal. This way your gift will send the right message that though you have split, you are ready to move on and be on good terms with your ex-husband.