I?m running short on time (still have 2 weeks) but I?m still not sure on what to get her. She?s turning 24, and I am already 24.
Background: We?ve been dating 5 months, but we?re really serious. Neither of us have much money. This will be the first birthday gift in the relationship (mine isn?t until November) so I have to go first! Crap! She is not materialistic, and won?t be impressed with a high dollar present. She has said that she doesn?t even want a present, she just wants to be with me. But we all know that that?s not true! But it was a nice thing to say. Also, even if I did get her a really expensive gift, it would be kind of awkward, because she?d feel bad about me spending so much, and then she?d feel obligated to spend a lot on me when my b-day rolls around. I?m willing to spend around $100.
My sister had this idea: buying a really nice picnic basket and picnic blanket at Pier1, filling it with kick ass food and a bottle of wine (we love wine, especially Pinot Noir), and taking her on a picnic for her birthday. I could couple that with a bouquet of flowers. Then she could keep the basket and blanket as gifts, but the true gift would be the thoughtfulness and effort it would require. I could buy fancy cheeses and bread and some really tasty food, and I could time it for dusk. I thought that was a pretty good idea, but would like your opinion. To all women dopers: would you like to receive this gift?
Ant other ideas? She?s an exercise science major, but since she does that every day I think I?d like to stay away from anything exercise related. Other than that, she loves crafts like soapmaking and candlemaking.
Thanks for your input!