Its the same story every year. The holidays come rolling around and you dont have a clue as to what to get the special woman in your life. You tapped your creative juices for her birthday, Valentines Day, Mothers Day and your anniversary. Now that the
holidays are here your creative well has run dry.

Youve asked what she wants and she tells you a sweet answer like, Whatever you get me will be fine, honey but deep down, you know it wont be. We both know if you get her that set of pots from QVC shes been raving about, shell love the pots but will be upset because its a gift that benefits the entire house, not just her. And while a sincere and sweet gesture, it could land you a nice cozy spot on the couch for several weeks.

If you try to get more personal and buy her a robe in her favorite shade of purple, shell see right through your I-didnt-know-what-to-get-you-so-I-got-you-this gift and rack it right up there with toothpaste and dental floss. And guess where that lands you? You got it - the couch.

Gift giving for the opposite sex can become pretty complicated when you think you know what shed like, only to learn after several unpleasant hours in a crowded mall that it isnt even remotely close to what she wanted. And if shes pregnant or its that time of the month - just forget it! Shes almost certain not to like anything you put in front of her. Sad, but in many cases, true.

So, do you risk spending your entire holiday and the days to follow getting the cold shoulder and one or two word answers when you ask her a question all because you didnt know how to tap into the inner workings of a womans mind? Whats a guy to do?

When Was the Last Time You Said Thank You for the Little Things?

It doesnt seem like a big deal, but as a husband, you probably overlook some of the most mundane and simplest tasks your wife performs on a daily basis. Most men do. You come to expect it, instead of realizing that your wife chooses to do the things that she does not because she has to, but because she wants to. This isnt meant to be a guilt trip, but take a step back and think about the things your wife does:

* Cooks
* Takes care of the kids
* Cleans the house
* Wipes up your middle of the night, sleep-induced bathroom misses
* Prepares dish contributions for your office potlucks
* Grocery shops
* Takes the kids to all of the birthday parties theyre invited to
* Closes cabinet doors because you have a bad habit of leaving them open
* Quietly and politely removes your sweaty gym socks from the kitchen counter
* Listens to you gripe about work, your best friend, the neighbors or whatever
* Supports you when youre troubled
* And the list could go on!....

The point is, if you have a good wife, chances are she doesnt breathe a word about any of this. Wouldnt it be nice to show her how much you appreciate her, not only for the big things, like carrying and birthing your children or agreeing to relocate the family across country for a great job opportunity, but for the little things too?

Give Her the One Thing She Truly Wants But Doesnt Get Enough Of

Theres one thing wives are screaming out for across the country this holiday season. Theyre talking about it on mom forum websites, in blogs, in playgroups, at lunch with girlfriends, in the cafeteria at work and at in-home parties. And in order for you to know what a woman wants, well, quite frankly, it would require that you be a woman. Since you dont have that advantage, Im going to help you out here. The one thing a woman truly wants and desires is:

ME TIME

Thats right, she wants some one-on-one with herself. No you, no kids and maybe not even her best girlfriends - just much needed time alone. It doesnt matter if shes a mom with six kids or a career woman with a six-figure salary and no kids - she needs some time solo. She spends so much of her time seeing to the details of everyone and everything else in her life that she puts herself last on the list. If only for an afternoon, shed like to be first for once.

Of course youre thinking, Well I gave her that last week when I took the kids to the park - no, that doesnt count. She spent the whole 45 minutes you were away cleaning and figuring out dinner for that night. What you want to give her is a smorgasbord of time to simply just be. If she wants to lie out on the couch in her underwear and watch TV all day - great! Its her day to do with it as she pleases. To give you an idea of what she needs, here are some of the basics of Me Time:

* A clean empty house all to herself
* Long, hot bath
* Facial
* Paint fingers and toes
* Favorite movies, or ones shes never seen
* Wine, champagne or both
* Relaxing music
* Favorite food indulgence

So How do you Turn Me Time Into the Perfect Holiday Gift? Easy!

Take another look at the list of what women like to do when they (we) have Me Time. We like to relax. We want to forget the laundry, dishes, errands and stacks of bills and work and just go inward. We want to lose ourselves in ourselves and the best way to do that is through relaxation. So when youre thinking about appreciating your wife for who she is and all that she does to enhance your life, think of how you can enhance the quality of hers.

Simply think of ways that you can support her desire to reconnect with herself. If that means giving her a new juicy novel and a freshly ground bag of her favorite java blend from Starbucks, go for it. If shes spiritual and needs an afternoon to meditate - buy her a CD of soothing Native American flute melodies and a journal and wish her well on journey to regaining balance.

Whatever it is that will support her getting back in touch with who she is at her core, give it gladly to your beloved in abundance and with gratitude. Guaranteed your gift of appreciation will be greatly appreciated in the weeks that follow and will come back to you tenfold.