Choosing a gift for a man can be tricky at the best of times, but when it's for an ex-husband it can be downright stressful. Is buying him a gift a good idea or something totally stupid? You may have good intentions, but will he see it that way? He might think you are vying for his forgiveness or he might feel manipulated. Is that the message you want to send across to your ex-husband with a gift?
What Kind of Gifts Should I Give to My Ex Husband?
Before you decide on giving a gift to your ex-husband, consider the following:
- Is your ex still upset about the divorce? If he is, a gift will be like salt on the wound.
- Your ex might not feel the warm fuzzy feeling you hoped he’d feel.
- If you feel the time is not right, it might never be right.
Give Him Something Simple
- If you feel it’s time to put your differences aside, go right ahead and get him something simple. We’re saying simple because you don’t want to get something sentimental, intimate, or something that reminds him of the past. You need to choose a present that reveals your best wishes, not something that hints at even the faintest of amorous intentions.
Your Gift Should Not Be a Reminder of the Past
- More often than not, divorce leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The last thing you want to do is ply him with expensive gifts. But if giving something in good faith establishes a good relationship for the future, especially if there are kids involved, do it.
You already have a fair idea of his likes, dislikes, and interests. Steer clear from gift items that might evoke unpleasant memories for either of you. Choose gifts that are in tune with his likes and dislikes but come with no baggage of the past. Stick to impersonal items, like the latest album of his favourite artist, or you could get journals, belts, wallets, etc. You could also get funny gifts or gag gifts that takes a dig at your ex-husband, given that he will find it funny too.
Buy Something You May Hate, But Your Ex Loves
- There may have been things your ex-husband loved that drove you up the wall. For instance, you could have hated a band he absolutely loved. Now that you’re no longer together, you could get him the things he loved but you hated. It’ll show that you remember, not in a weird way, but in a good way. It sends a message that you care, and that you’re sending a gift with good intentions.
Don't Buy Anything Romantic
- You don’t want your ex-husband to think you still have the hots for him, do you? That’s exactly what he will think if you buy him a romantic gift. It will be an even more terrible idea if he’s with someone else or has remarried as his current partner will definitely not appreciate it. Keep it simple or funny, you don’t want him to think that you want him back. Even if you do, it’s never a good idea to let your desire known so openly.
10 Simple Yet Meaningful Gifts for Your Ex Husband
Best Ex Husband Greeting Card
This greeting card is the perfect example of keeping it simple. It’s noncommittal, impersonal and unromantic. This greeting card has got a sweet, funny note to it too – ‘Best Ex-Husband Ever’. What’s more, it comes in three different size options too: note card, greeting card and X-large greeting card options. You can choose a matte or glossy finish. Choose this simple and friendly card from Cafepress where it is priced at Rs.227.
Cute Ex Husband T-shirt
If both you and your ex-husband can exchange funny gifts and have a hearty laugh about it, there’s nothing like it. Show your funny side through this self-deprecating t-shirt that comes with the saying ‘I’m not with stupid anymore’ to your ex-husband. This top-quality short-sleeve crew-neck T-shirt will be a hit among your ex-husband’s family and friends too. You can purchase this from Cafepress for Rs.1,165.
Your Mistakiest Mug
After going through a divorce, developing mutual respect, let alone friendship isn’t easy and doesn’t happen too often. If you and your ex-husband share a rare friendship where you can exchange gifts that take digs at each other – appreciate it.
If you’re comfortable giving funny gifts to each other, without hurting each other’s feeling, then this ‘You were mistakiest’ mug is perfect for it. However, if you don’t share that kind of a relationship and you’re looking for a sweet revenge gift that you can give your ex-husband – this is subtle, but will definitely get the message across. You can buy this mug from Cafepress for Rs.710.
Rustic Grooming Kit Box
Old things often have a wonderful charm, like this Rustic Grooming Kit from The Purple Turtles. The wooden box opens to reveal compartments and a mirror that can be propped up. Modelled after the traditional barber's box, it's distressed finish gives it an old world appeal, perhaps symbolic of your old relationship. It's handy and can be used to store small things apart from a shave kit and is a perfectly adequate gift for most men you know, including your ex. Buy it for Rs.963.
Bar Cart
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for the ex-husband you routinely swap gifts with, look no further. We’ve got the most fantastic, unique Pullman Industrial Bar Cart that’s made from reclaimed wood. This bar cart, that can be used both indoors and outdoors, comes with portable boxes, wine rack, and drawers to store your drinks and glasses in. It also comes with an extendable rack to place your accompaniments, and hooks on the side to hang your towels from. This can be for the ex who gives you thoughtful and elegant presents and who you'd feel cheap giving a mug to. You can purchase this beautiful piece of work from Yellow Door Store for Rs.23,870.
Personalised Leather Passport Cover
A passport cover is a generic gift that you can give your ex-husband without going overboard. This personalised tan leather finish passport cover from The Junket will reveal your perceptive selection without making it appear overtly personal. What’s more, the faux leather cover can be personalised to have names, initials, and a charm on the cover, and it comes in a gift box. Get this amazing cover for just Rs.610
Funny Ex Husband Alligator Purse Postcard
Tickle your ex-husband’s funny bone with this hilarious post card. If you’re on good terms with your ex-husband and you’re in the mood to be witty, this Funny Ex Husband Alligator Purse Postcard makes a hilarious gift. You could send just this or throw this along with something else to take the sting out of it. It is available in both matte and glossy finish, comes in full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides. You can purchase this funny postcard from Zazzle for approximately Rs.65.
Whack An Ex Custom Photo Golf Balls
Is your ex-husband a golf enthusiast? We’ve got just the thing for you. Allow your ex-husband to get his anger out with these Whack An Ex Custom Photo Golf Balls. These golf balls can be personalised to have a face printed on the ball, and it is a sure way to get all the anger and sorrow out of someone. The golf ball is built with a high energy core that transfers all the energy from the swing into pure, straight distance off the tee. Your ex-husband will be able to go long and straight at every hole and get the distance to win the game. And every time he sinks the hole-in-one, everyone around him will know whose ball it is. Buy this pack of three golf balls from Zazzle for Rs.1,210.
Portable Wireless Speaker
Choosing the right gift for your ex-husband requires a delicate blend of consideration, restraint and caring. You don’t want to go over the top, but you don’t want to come across as if you’re holding on to the purse string too tightly either? We understand. The Boat Stone 650 10W Bluetooth Speaker is a good solution for your problem. It’s not too expensive, neither is it economical. He can take it anywhere with him, on trek, camping trip, or even in his car. It’s water resistant which makes it more irresistible. You can buy it from Amazon for Rs.1,994.
Whiskey Wedge
Does your ex-husband like his whiskey on the rocks? Give new meaning to whiskey on the rocks with a Whiskey Wedge. The Whiskey Wedge is an artful way to perfectly chill a drink. Your ex will never have a watered down drink once he tries the Whiskey Wedge. When you freeze the ice using the Whiskey Wedge, it forms a wedge shape on one side of the glass. When you pour the drink in the remaining space, the wedge slowly melts which will help retain the drink’s full flavour. It comes with one double old-fashioned whiskey glass and one silicone ice form for freezing the wedge of ice into the provided glass. You can get this from Amazon for Rs.4,153.
Don't Go Overboard
If you’re not looking to win him back, do not go overboard. Even if the both of you are in good, friendly terms, when it comes to buying gifts for your exes keep it simple, practical, noncommittal and unromantic. You don’t want your ex-husband to get the wrong message. You might be doing it with good intentions, but you need to consider how he feels about the divorce or separation too. He might be still hurt and angry, if you buy an expensive or intimate gift for him without knowing this; he’s going to go be livid. If you buy him a gift that you might find funny, he might not receive it well.
Think well, and consider all the implications before you buy anything for your ex-husband. Good luck shopping ladies.
- 8 Beautiful Rakhis for Brother and 10 Creative Rakhi Gifts for Sister (updated 2019). Plus A Look at the Traditions Surrounding Rakhi
- Celebrate Makar Sankranti the Traditional Way: What to Do and How to Do It Plus 10 Great Gifts to Give Family and Friends (2019)
- Best Rakhis for Brother in 2020: 13 Rakhi Gifting Ideas to Celebrate Your Beloved Brother
- Top Diwali Gifts for 2020 to Give to Family, Friends and Associates
- 10 Perfect Rakhi Gifts for Sister: Cool Gifting Ideas That Will Make Your Sister Happy to Have a Brother Like You (2020)
Exercise Caution
Divorces are more often than not messy business and even if you parted in a civil manner, the demise of a marriage is not a pleasant experience and not something anyone would like to be reminded of. Giving a gift to an ex husband may seem like an innocent gesture but examine your own motives and every possible reception your gift may receive. Do not stir troubled waters needlessly.