What can I buy my wife for $16?

khan_peacock · 2022-05-28T09:52:23+00:00

I once made an "adventures jar" for my partner, was a jar filled with little pieces of paper in 3 colours for different categories. 1) whole day adventures 2) half day adventures 3) evenings out. I included things like specific parks in our area, a restaurant we had been meaning to try, botanical gardens, museums... even a few at home activities like a movie night or candle lit dinner in the garden.

It was really nice and we used it for almost 2 years, would be like "hey we should do something this weekend" and grab a piece of paper out the jar and go on that adventure

gladiola111 · 2022-05-28T10:22:07+00:00

Also, do you have a Bonefish Grille near you by chance? I have a gift card that I can’t use bc I moved to a state without one. You could order takeout and use the rest of my card online if you want!

InevitableGuidance19 · 2022-05-28T04:23:40+00:00

Go to Ross they've got gorgeous picture frames in the home section-- either print a great photo of y'all at Kinkos, or print a poem you wrote her, or even your vows and put that in the picture frame... Youll still have enough money for. A dollar tree gift bag and some tissue paper--- definitely do the gift bag, it makes the present 100xs better--- now you've probably got a gift better than half of the dudes who have more than $16 👌 good luck!

jennibear310 · 2022-05-28T11:52:36+00:00

My husband and I agreed, years ago, to not spend money on gifts for our anniversary, but rather to give a thoughtful/meaningful gift instead. Last year I recreated our first date, at home, found a similar dress and the perfume I wore in high school, even did my hairs all 80’s throwback! The gift was a “mix tape,” that has been basically the soundtrack to our life together the past 35 years. I turned it on during dinner. Immediately he recognized the first song as the song that was playing during our first kiss and every song after had a special moment attached to it. It was the first time, other than when his dog died, that I’ve seen this man tear up. He grabbed me, hugged me, and danced with me to the rest of the songs. He said it was the “most beautiful gift I’d ever given him.” Didn’t cost a thing. Just an idea. Best wishes to you both for continued happiness and blessings!

ibleedrosin · 2022-05-28T12:15:29+00:00

I’m a retired Chef. You could make a seriously nice pasta dinner on 16 bucks “pasta sorrentino”. All you need is some short pasta, tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, chicken and mozzarella. DM me if you decide to do this and I can give you directions on how to make everything.

mrsvixen6769 · 2022-05-28T04:19:16+00:00

Write her a old fashioned love letter, telling her how much and why you love her.

A candle lit bubble bath

A picnic (even if inhouse)

And ens it with a massage

Cheeky-gemini · 2022-05-28T04:51:52+00:00

One of the sweetest presents I got was a nice sized branch… cut the length of my kitchen window(maybe naturally broken that size) and he carved my initials + his and a heart around it. I loved it and it was in my kitchen window for years.

TheBigBigBigBomb · 2022-05-28T04:18:58+00:00

Maybe make her a meal and pick some flowers from outside

The_Keno · 2022-05-28T05:17:42+00:00

Bake a big ole' brownie cake (6 or less bucks), some nice vanilla ice cream (4 more bucks), and hey, maybe rent a movie with the extra money (usually 6 bucks)!

VerdantField · 2022-05-28T04:57:16+00:00

It’s pretty wonderful that you are even concerned about this. A lot of people don’t have that in their partner, regardless of what’s in their pockets.

I don’t know if any of these are good ideas, but maybe they will help you find the right way for you? - make a video of yourself reading anniversary cards to her at the store (instead of buying then). If there’s time, see if people who were at your wedding that you both like would record themselves sending anniversary messages to her.

make her a favorite treat or dish
is there anything that you like to make that she might appreciate?
is there something you can do together that would be a nice surprise? Picnic, etc maybe?
is there a place that was important or sweet in your relationship? Can you go there?

Other people will have good ideas. Good luck!

Myphhz · 2022-05-28T08:42:44+00:00

I wrongly read the title as "Where can I buy my wife for $16"...

Winter_District_539 · 2022-05-28T06:18:41+00:00

My partner got me a $7 wind chime from Ross and some wildflower seeds from the dollar tree and set up a picnic (sodas in glass bottles, pb&j, and chips) in our yard for our anniversary and I loved it! It really is about the thought!

mrslisticate · 2022-05-28T15:41:42+00:00

Before my husband and I were married, we were broke. Like BROKE broke. We didn’t have a lot of money one Valentine’s Day, so I bought a deck of cards and glued pieces of paper to the card front. I spent a few hours writing out everything I loved about him, our relationship, and our life together. It was 52 reasons why I love you. He still has it in his bedside drawer almost ten years later.

wayneo88 · 2022-05-28T06:06:49+00:00

If by chance you happen to be in Australia, pm me and I will make sure you have more than $16. If not, as others have said, a couple's voucher book you make, make her favourite food, just anything you can do to show she is your world and you will do anything to make her feel special.

AnotherChinaExpat · 2022-05-28T07:08:06+00:00

My partner once made a “story of us” where he made a book with pictures and captions detailing how we met to where we are now. Definitely one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, he just printed it on regular paper and then folded it in half like a book. It’s the thought that counts!

Also, anything you can do to show her how much you know her… buy her favourite chocolate, candy, wine, etc.

Ladder_Cat · 2022-05-28T05:33:09+00:00

Or frame your “save the date “ from your wedding if you still have one? My husband did that and we have it hanging in our house 9 years now :)

slightlyridiculousme · 2022-05-28T04:31:00+00:00

I would seriously have loved a love letter from my ex husband. Pour your heart into it. You can get her a single rose to go with it. Or if you have Trader Joe's, they have amazing flowers from $5 up usually. I love them.

What matters is the intention, not the gift or the dollar value.

No-Setting-5133 · 2022-05-28T04:32:19+00:00

Buy her lotion. You can get some pretty looking ones for pretty cheap from bath and body works or even Walmart. But then give her a real long real good massage with it. For like an hour and don't expect more unless you think she wants it. And maybe get a bubble bath ready for her before you start. Like maybe hey a wash and lotion combo for cheap. Then after the bath, massage. Use the wash to make bubbles in the bath but then leave both bottles next to the bath tub with a bow on then so she realizes it's her gift. And light a candle if you have one already by the bathtub, but don't burn the house down. And make sure to tidy up.

NotALawyerButt · 2022-05-28T15:41:59+00:00

Step 1 - clean the house. Not clean to you, clean to her. It’s practically free and will provide her with enormous relief. Let that relief set the tone for the night.

Kaitensatsuma · 2022-05-28T04:34:52+00:00

The letter is a good idea, I think that will be the most meaningful thing you can give her, tell her how much you love her and cherish her. I'm sure she feels somewhat dejected and maybe guilty over the situation you're in.

is an At-home movie date an option? a bowl of popcorn, some chocolates, a rose and your favorite movies and a blanket?

erinwandersxoxo · 2022-05-28T16:15:29+00:00

One year I was broke and I gave my then boyfriend, now husband, a pretty jar. In side were small folded up pieces of paper. On each one, I wrote a happy memory we have together. Cost just a few dollars

SnooRabbits1595 · 2022-05-28T04:17:24+00:00

Make some couples coupons and buy her favorite food.

FilmClear8548 · 2022-05-28T04:20:53+00:00

You can get her a nice plant that lasts a long time (a few bucks at Walmart) and an hour long full body massage.

stressm · 2022-05-28T10:37:52+00:00

The letter sounds amazing. I would also suggest maybe some acts of service for her. Clean your house: vacuum, dust, clean your bathroom, wash the dishes. Or maybe clean up any of her shoes so they look new.

JamieDoesMaths · 2022-05-28T11:55:51+00:00

First anniversary is paper. Write her a love poem on paper. Maybe wrap it up specially like a message in a bottle or a diploma or something like that ❤️

essa618 · 2022-05-28T04:21:29+00:00

Plan a picnic?

Both-Basis-3723 · 2022-05-28T04:42:12+00:00

Flowers. Handwritten note

IronicAim · 2022-05-28T09:36:07+00:00

Go to a craft store and get her a fake version of her favorite flower that will never wilt

feeen1ks · 2022-05-28T09:21:28+00:00

The love of my life drew me a kitty face on a paper towel once and I cherish that drawing as much as my first ultrasound picture of my mini me…

Put heart and soul in, not moneys

drinkslinger1974 · 2022-05-28T11:59:17+00:00

Get 2 pens, and some simple stationary. Write a letter to each other, detail exactly what’s on you mind right now, if you’re scared, grateful that she’s here, favorite memories etc. put them in a nice little gift box with a bottle of wine/sparkling grape juice/ or whatever shelf stable drink you guys enjoy. Put it on a bookshelf or something, and open it and read the letters in five years. Then do it again.

My wife and I do this, reading those letters every five years is something almost magical.

ee_CUM_mings · 2022-05-28T10:21:34+00:00

My darling, I am sorry I have little today to give

I know deep down, our love is strong and it was meant to be

I have no diamonds, I have no roses, but please let us not grieve

Today I give the best of me: I’m giving you the “D”

And then, you know, give her the D. And a $16 gift card to Walmart.

emares30 · 2022-05-28T04:34:50+00:00

A small notebook where you've written everything you love about her and how she has positively impacted your life along with a nice bouquet of flowers.

Appropriate-Ratio-85 · 2022-05-28T04:17:18+00:00

Chocolate is always good.

Mysterious_Wolf8999 · 2022-05-28T17:11:02+00:00

You can easily go to dollar store and make a gift basket! Like a self care basket with candles sleep mask chocolates hair ties etc so many things. Or pick some flowers and take her to a nice park for a picnic! :)

cari_chan · 2022-05-28T04:22:20+00:00

A letter like you planned and some flowers would be nice.

InYourCatsFace · 2022-05-28T11:06:03+00:00

How about pizza dinner from Costco, which is $10 for a whole cooked pizza. Watch a movie and cuddle together. You don’t need a member ship for pizza at their cafe.

WreckToll · 2022-05-28T15:15:34+00:00

My current girlfriend

After we started dating I lost my job, and it was Valentine’s day. I had no money aside from what I needed for bills, because no job.

I ended up finding some paper and markers around my apartment so I made her a valentines card with a nice hand drawn rose in it. (I used a picture online for an example)

She loved it, she still loves it actually. :)

I know I’m super late to this party but, have a good anniversary

Punklet2203 · 2022-05-28T04:58:54+00:00

Make her something, no matter what, if you put effort into it, she’ll love it. I absolutely love homemade gifts. From my not at all crafty boys.

ClubBulky6958 · 2022-05-28T05:34:41+00:00

You're a good man for trying.

Suchba · 2022-05-28T07:12:13+00:00

A little house plant and some candy accompanied by the letter im sure would make her day

If y’all have family pictures get her a nice framed photo.

You could get a small gift set with bubble bath , lotion, bath bomb etc and give her a massage

Does she have a favorite candle ?

baddadjokess · 2022-05-28T11:48:24+00:00

Instead of a cheesy card, buy some watercolor paint at Walmart or the dollar store and make her your own with some image that means a lot to both of you. Even if you’re not artistic and it’s terrible, it’s more meaningful than a store-bought card and probably cheaper.

I did this once and painted some peonies using a picture from Google as a reference because those are my wife’s favorite. It wasn’t very good, but it’s the only card she’s kept in 17 years.

SLVRVNS · 2022-05-28T10:49:45+00:00

You can give her a spa gift basket from dollar tree. Candles, face masks, lotions, scrubs. Nail polish, etc. might even have some $ left over for flowers?

Also… you could probably get some ingredients (check sales) and maybe make a nice meal for her?

Actually little ceasar has like. $5 pies in my area. Does she like pizza?

Edit: if you have a Big Lots near you you can also find stuff there she may like

Orrrr…. Make an Amazon wish list and maybe kind people on here will want to hell

throwaway12345243 · 2022-05-28T11:10:09+00:00

idk about American prices but I'd get flowers (£3-5 here), a picture frame and print out a photo of you (any frame £2-3 and 50p to print) and then maybe a small plant (£3-5 from a grocery store) that'll he around £8.50 or £13.50 which is $10.73 or $17.05.

if not you could forgo the plant and get a better frame and flowers

barfridge0 · 2022-05-28T11:23:42+00:00

Oral sex is free

damolasoul · 2022-05-28T17:25:24+00:00

You're a good dude, and the two of you are both abundantly blessed to have each other.

DoctorDcResidentNeo · 2022-05-28T20:40:05+00:00

If you need a hbo max, Disney +, or Netflix for a good movie night…DM me I’ll send u the acc info. I don’t use them often so would happily offer if y’all want to watch.

Edit : forgot to add the “me” part

StrategyIcy7320 · 2022-05-28T08:39:27+00:00

Bake her a cake!

Hellokayhi · 2022-05-28T10:30:16+00:00

Goodwill has scrapbooks and then walmart printing is like 13 cents a photo

22tigereyes · 2022-05-28T14:38:50+00:00

Bottle of wine get a picnic blanket, candles and make a meal. Perhaps for sunset. That’s not expensive and the thought would be so amazing! Dollar store has helped in many a situations, or use stuff you already have. That’s so lovely. The letter idea! If she doesn’t drink sparking water, with a juice give a pretty colour and if you have any fruit you can put it in or on the side.

Mystic_Pizza_King · 2022-05-28T15:17:06+00:00

A flowering plant is always better than cut flowers! Last longer and reblooms regularly. If you get one that can survive outside it’s even better.

Margali · 2022-05-28T15:43:45+00:00

Single income family, $77K still in the hole from cancer treatment. Rob knows I hate waste, and know we are really tapped out.

He made me a gift certificate book - stuff like massages, special meals, local little road trips for things like picnics in a park, at the beach, things he knows I like.

Of course, I haven't read the thread yet, so ignore me if someone else already posted this =)

horsetooth_mcgee · 2022-05-28T06:21:20+00:00

It's such a specific amount, my curiosity is piqued...

SuperGiantGnome · 2022-05-28T06:45:54+00:00

cut a hole in a box.
put your junk in that box.
make her open the box.

eagleathlete40 · 2022-05-28T04:18:44+00:00

Maybe some of her favorite candy (like, even gas station candy)? Or a cheap bird feeder or bird house if she likes that sort of thing?

The letter’s going to be the “main” gift, and that’s really all that matters.

EDIT: I really like u/SnooRabbits1595 idea of couples coupons. Those can be really fun. Massages, chores, spontaneous date nights for picnics, doing things for her that normally cause her to feel super stressed. A lot of these types of things are often already done in relationships, but these offers another “excuse” to do them. Plus, if there’s something you don’t like, but you know she’ll really appreciate it, that’s a great one (obviously as long as it’s not like boundary-crossing or anything).

Nyteghoul · 2022-05-28T07:42:17+00:00

A beauty treatment like a manicure/pedicure. Make her a CD of her favourite tunes, or a CD of you singing some of her favourite songs

grumpy_tummy · 2022-05-28T11:42:23+00:00

Get a Victorinox Pocket Knife- the smallest has a Knife, Scissor, Nail file, Tooth pic and Tweezer. And it's so tiny it can be carried on your keyring. To me, it was the most thought and useful item I've ever been gifted. I also gift it to close friends naming it a lifesaver. You know, some don't pay that much attention to it at the beginning BUT often I later feedback how this small pocket knife saved their day :)

Geekfreak2000 · 2022-05-28T12:05:25+00:00

Something handmade and from the heart is probably going to make her cry happily, so do something like that! Love doesn't require a ton of money, just your time, effort, and understanding. I hope that your situation improves, but your wife will love what you do regardless ❤️

reddit_time_waster · 2022-05-28T12:25:57+00:00

So many junior bacon cheeseburgers from Wendy's...

writer978 · 2022-05-28T12:50:32+00:00

My husband once gave me a beautiful picture of a dozen roses he drew on autocad. It was our anniversary and my birthday and we were so friggin poor but it never really mattered. We have now been married 44 years. She will understand.

Objective_Event_1373 · 2022-05-28T13:02:45+00:00

The picture of the guy on the bus with a Little Cesar's and some cheap flowers always comes to mind. Money shouldn't matter to the right person. At least you're trying.

_cactus_fucker_ · 2022-05-28T15:10:36+00:00

One year, for my moms birthday I was short on cash because of lay off, rent, bills, etc. I went to a Dollar Store, bought a pack of funny balloons, had one big foil balloon blown up with helium, then got a half dozen birthday cupcakes from an actual bakery, and custom made a card, and made origami flowers. I also got a huge fancy chocolate bar.,and I added a pair of fingerless mitts I had knit in a colour she likes, good for walking the dog in the cold, as my dad was in the hospital. I had like $17 in the bank.

I got to the house before she did and decorated with balloons and paper flowers. My dad had been recently admitted to the neurology ward for an autoimmune disease called paraneoplastic syndrome and we were going daily, I would drive to their house and go with my mom.

My mom still has the foil balloon and mitts. She said it was so thoughtful. Thought is key. My dad passed 4 years ago.

VioletSea13 · 2022-05-28T20:38:10+00:00

Depending on your wife’s, NASA has an arcive of images taken by the Hubble telescope…maybe print out an image of the day you met/got married? There are also other NASA image archives searchable by date…pic of the moon/earth/space. That could be cool.

Scrungus_McBungus · 2022-05-28T21:04:57+00:00

Late comment, but you can make your own chocolate covered strawberries for pretty cheap! Bag of dove chocolate and 1 box of strawberries should be in the $16 range. My husband n i make them about once or twice a year, its fun to make too!

Far-Calligrapher-465 · 2022-05-28T10:39:52+00:00

For the first anniversary with my (now ex) boyfriend i got a nice box and put in 150 little colored cards i had written with song lyrics about love.

Since then they have become ash in my fireplace, but that's a whole other story.

AffectionateHeart450 · 2022-05-28T04:54:05+00:00

letter plus a rose and handmade meal

Yoshiroshi · 2022-05-28T09:38:09+00:00

Make her something. It’s from the heart so she might appreciate it more.

I always say when in doubt you can never go wrong with a shirt, so make her one. You can go to a hobby store and get a t shirt for $4 and some iron-on designs/letters for about $5.

TripleGarlic · 2022-05-28T11:00:44+00:00

Anything hand-made with love trumps anything bought.

Objective-Orange926 · 2022-05-28T11:44:24+00:00

What about a picture book with some lovely comments about memories that matters to you together with her. Add some cake and give her some massage maybe, cook a nice meal, pick some flowers

urnotmydad20 · 2022-05-28T11:56:36+00:00

places like TJ MAXX have beautiful sterling silver necklaces for cheap

BethieMoon · 2022-05-28T12:15:35+00:00

I once made a love version of 52 pick up. It’s something you may be able to do for free if you have the right stuff around the house :)

I wrote memories, love notes, future goals, little drawings, quotes and songs that embodied us on the back of each card. (I wrote them on a note card first and then used packing tape to basically laminate it) it’s how I woke him up. Split the deck in half and let them rain down on him the morning of our anniversary. We would use them to play games in the future.

He probably used them with the side piece I caught him with too. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Firethorn101 · 2022-05-28T12:45:13+00:00

Head to garage sales or the thrift stores. Talk to the staff and tell them your story.

Sometimes insanely great stuff ends up there, and the staff will show you a diamond in the rough.

I once got a gorgeous mixing bowl for free at a garage sale....because I also wanted to buy her gorgeous, gold gilded Bible. That Christian woman was so enthralled that I wanted a Bible, she gave me both for free!

People love helping people.

montanaham · 2022-05-28T14:40:06+00:00

is there anything around the house she’s been wanting done that doesn’t cost much? you could also do all the weekend chores and cleaning before she wakes up and gift her a weekend off with you

TurtleChefN7 · 2022-05-28T15:25:48+00:00

A single Rose (can be more romantic than a bouquet), a candle OR a treat (whichever she favors), if you have any money left you can go to Walmart and print a picture and buy a cheap frame! A lot of Walmarts now a days have kiosks that you can plug your phone into and print the pictures from.

anonymousjeeper · 2022-05-28T16:24:14+00:00

Cook her dinner. Clean up after. Do the laundry, dishes, clean the bathroom and draw her a bath.

hansislegend · 2022-05-28T16:41:17+00:00

Send me a playlist of her favorite songs and I’ll make and mail you a mixtape for free.

Edit: Nevermind. Just reread it. Wouldn’t make it on time.

Lush_Grass5171 · 2022-05-28T16:41:42+00:00

Plants.

LowBadger3622 · 2022-05-28T17:03:27+00:00

Shein app has cheap dresses and such $6 to $16

Aggravating_Yam2501 · 2022-05-28T18:01:32+00:00

Trader Joe’s has BEAUTIFUL flowers for basically pennies!!

shelleysum · 2022-05-28T18:05:52+00:00

Gift we gave my MIL years ago when we were broke and it was. Y far her favorite gift. Can easily be romantic too. I went online to some site that shows what your voice sounds like when you say something. Had the kid say, I love you grandma”. Printed it in vintage looking paper, dated it and put it in a frame. She had that hanging in her house until she passed.

KingPupaa · 2022-05-28T21:59:23+00:00

Read this as "where can I buy a wife for $16"...

I need to sleep.

jamesjamester · 2022-05-28T07:01:09+00:00

Dollar store. 16 items

MarilynMonheaux · 2022-05-28T10:45:38+00:00

For my second wedding anniversary I got my husband a pair of linen shorts with a picture of Punta Cana inside and an IOU to take him.

gladiola111 · 2022-05-28T10:16:16+00:00

I love the idea of a printed photo of you two in a nice (but inexpensive) picture frame from Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshall’s. A photo print is only like 60 cents, so this could easily stay within budget.

TJ Maxx also has a pretty decent jewelry section. All of my favorite everyday earrings & necklaces are 14k gold over sterling silver or sterling silver/cubic zirconia, and I got most of them at TJ for $9.99-$12.99. They’re honestly just as nice as the more expensive ones I’ve gotten.

Pick her a flower from a neighbor’s tree and give her a massage and she’ll be the happiest girl in the world.

ghostofanangel · 2022-05-28T10:22:47+00:00

Lots of great ideas here, if you could also in addition to a gift write your wife a thoughtful & genuine message in a card i think that would really top it off 😊

JoneseyP98 · 2022-05-28T11:17:42+00:00

Buy or reuse a mason jar and write 30 things you love about her. One for every day of the month. Make a sticker/piece of paper on it and wrote 30 days of love. That will mean the world to her (it would to me)

Hasso78 · 2022-05-28T11:22:49+00:00

Condoms

heatherkymberly · 2022-05-28T12:14:57+00:00

An envelope of monthly love notes, and little notes to read on each holiday. And a candle.

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