Unique Gift Ideas for Your Wife Based on Her Hobbies and Interests
From the Martin family archives: a photo of my parents on their wedding day
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In my younger, single years, I assumed that when I was in a long-term relationship with someone, gift-giving would be effortless. I drew the seemingly logical conclusion that the more I knew someone, the easier it would be to come up with a meaningful present. How wrong I was.
Now, on the other side of a decade together with my husband, I know that gift-giving ease and relationship length often have an inverse relationship – the longer you are with someone, the harder it can be to think of a good gift. Why? Because by the time you have been with someone for multiple years, you have already gifted all of the low-hanging fruit.
If you are struggling to think of a gift for your wife, girlfriend, or fiancé, fear not, for I have put together this gift guide organized by interests. So, whether the woman in your life is a reader, crafter, baker, traveler, or homebody, you can find a thoughtful present that she’ll love.
Gifts for the Wife Who Loves to Craft
If your wife is a crafter (be it a knitter, sewer, embroiderer, quilter, or what-have-you), one thoughtful gift idea is to introduce her to a new craft. For instance, if she already knows how to knit, you could buy her a punch needle kit so she can try out a new craft. Alternatively, you can buy her accessories related to her current hobby.
Punch Needle Kit
Punch needling is not only an incredibly relaxing but also an easy-to-pick-up craft. So, regardless of whether your wife is a seasoned or novice crafter, she will be able to enjoy it. There are a ton of punch needle kits available online, but I have purchased and liked the ones from Chloe Art Crafts on Etsy.
Beginner Embroidery Kit
Another relaxing craft is embroidery. Embroidery is a bit trickier to pick up than punch needle, but once you do, the sky’s the limit. You can add a bit of fancy stitching and personalization to clothing, blankets, towels, and more, or you can use your needle to create threaded masterpieces. This is the exact kit that I used to learn how to embroider.
Intermediate or Advanced Embroidery Kit
If your wife already knows how to embroider, then consider purchasing an intermediate or advanced-level embroidery kit. Jessica Long Embroidery on Etsy has a wonderful selection of such kits.
Magnetic Needle Case
A magnetic needle case is a must-have for embroiderers. It keeps your needles organized and easily accessible.
Custom Hand-Embroidered Tote Bag
Another must-have for embroiderers is a tote bag to store all of their projects in. What I love about this tote bag is that it is hand – not machine – embroidered. It would make for a thoughtful and unique gift.
Beginner Knitting Kit
Knitting a scarf is a rite of passage for every knitter. It’s the perfect way to learn how to knit. There’s no need to worry about dropping or adding stitches – you just knit (or purl) the same number of stitches every row. This lovely kit comes with everything you need to knit your first scarf: yarn, pattern, and needles.
Yarn Bowl
Every knitter needs a yarn bowl, for there are few things in life more annoying than trying to knit with an unwieldy ball of yarn. Avior Pottery on Etsy offers several gorgeous hand-thrown yarn bowls. I’m partial to this turquoise one, but they are all beautiful.
Personalized Yarn Bowl
How cool is this personalized yarn bowl? You can have your better half’s name included on the bowl via a cutout design.
Harry Potter Knitting Magic: The Official Harry Potter Knitting Pattern Book
If your wife is a Potterhead who loves to knit, then this is the perfect gift for her. This book features over 25 patterns for Harry Potter-inspired clothing and keepsakes, including the Hogwarts house scarves and Mrs. Weasley’s Christmas sweaters.
Outlander Knitting
Or perhaps your wife is more of an Outlander fan?
The Fellowship of the Knits: The Unofficial Lord of the Rings Knitting Book
What’s that? She’s more of a Tolkien fan? No problem, there’s a knitting book for that too!
Star Wars: Knitting the Galaxy
Yes, there’s even a Star Wars knitting book.
Toothbrush Rug Needle
Rug making, specifically rag rug making, is such an underrated hobby. If you or your wife has a lot of old clothing or sheets that you are thinking of donating, don’t. Instead, upcycle the fabric into a pretty and unique rag rug. All you need to get started is a toothbrush rug needle, scissors, and fabric. To learn the technique, watch this rag rug tutorial by Barri-Jayne Makes on YouTube.
Gifts for the Wife Who Loves to Travel
The gift possibilities for the traveling wife are practically endless. You can go practical (e.g., packing cubes) or more sentimental (e.g., travel poster). Here are a few of my recommendations (and as a woman who travels, I’d love to receive them all).
Personalized Luggage Tag
If your wife travels a lot, then a luggage tag is not only a thoughtful but also practical gift. As someone who has flown a fair amount, trust me when I say that there will come a time when your luggage gets misplaced during transit (it’s happened to me), and a luggage tag provides peace of mind. Sure, airlines place paper tags on your checked luggage, but what if those get damaged? Having a sturdy tag with your name and contact information provides an extra layer of security.
Apple AirTag
Add even more security with an Apple AirTag. Pop one in your suitcase to ensure that you can track it at all times. I also like to keep an AirTag on my keys so that I never have to worry about misplacing or losing them.
Leuchtturn 1917 Notebook
One of the best travel-related decisions I ever made was to start documenting all of my trips. In addition to taking plenty of photos, I set aside time at the end of every day to write a full account of everything I did and saw. Whenever I crack open one of these travel journals, I am able to relive the trip.
Uni-Ball One Pen
Of course, you can’t gift someone a journal without also gifting them a pen. My husband recently bought me a set of Uni-Ball One pens, and I’ve been loving them. They write smoothly and are also compact, making them ideal for travel.
© Two East
Vintage Travel Poster
Does your wife have a favorite travel destination? Somewhere she has fond memories of? If so, then one thoughtful gift is a vintage travel poster for that destination. Shameless plug time: my husband digitally restores and sells vintage travel posters on his Etsy store, Two East. He takes the time to painstakingly restore the posters so that they look as close to new as possible. I might be biased, but I think he does a wonderful job.
Plug Adapter Cube
I know this isn’t the most romantic of gifts, but the next time your wife is traveling and needs a plug adapter, she’ll thank you. What I love about this adapter cube is that it includes adapters for several of the most frequently visited countries and regions, so it negates the need to pack separate adapters for each area (which when you’re trying to maximize your suitcase storage is a huge plus).
Compression Packing Cubes
Here’s another not-so-romantic-but-super-practical gift: compression packing cubes. I was skeptical about packing cubes, but after trying them, I can attest that they not only save room (not an earth-shattering amount, mind you) but also keep my suitcase organized. I can keep my shirts in one cube, pants in another, etc.
© Aviator
Aviator Jeans
Aviator Jeans are made for travel. They are the perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality. Moreover, they are made in the USA and come in several styles and colors. If you want more information on the company and their jeans, check out my recent review of their Fly Straight Jeans. If you decide to purchase a pair, use the code BOOKISHWAYFARER for 20% off your order.
© Going
Going Membership
My husband and I have been using Going for several years, and through it, we have found some truly great airfare deals. After signing up and entering your airport, Going will monitor prices for flights out of that airport and send you alerts when they drop. You can sign up for Going for free to gain access to continental US deals, but a membership (Premium or Elite) provides additional perks, including international deals and custom destination alerts.
© Allbirds
Allbirds Flats
Allbirds’ flats are my go-to dressy shoes for travel. Not only are they stylish and comfortable, but they also take up minimal space in your suitcase. And as an added bonus, they are washable.
Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones
If your wife travels a lot and doesn’t already own a pair of noise-canceling headphones, then look no further for your next gift for her. I have a pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones, and they have significantly improved my flight experience by dampening the various cabin noises (chattering, snoring, crying babies, etc.).
Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When
Give your wife the gift of inspiration. This super cool book by Lonely Planet recommends destinations based on the time of the year. I own a copy of this book and frequently refer to it.
Gifts for the Wife Who Loves to Read
Does your wife always have a book within reach? Is “one more chapter” a frequent refrain of hers? If so, then scroll no more and peruse these gift ideas. I also recently wrote a Valentine’s Day gift guide for readers, so you can check that out for even more gift-giving inspiration.
Kindle Paperwhite
If your wife either travels a lot or has run out of room for all of her books, then a Kindle might be the perfect gift. I recommend paying a little extra for the “without lockscreen ads” option to avoid having ads displayed on the Kindle’s lockscreen.
Kindle Case
If you decide to purchase the Kindle Paperwhite, I highly recommend buying a case for it to protect the screen. This is just one option; there are plenty of others available on Amazon and elsewhere.
Kindle Unlimited Subscription
Another Kindle-related gift is a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, which is like Netflix but for books. For a monthly fee, you get access to thousands of titles. If your wife plows through books like there’s no tomorrow, then this subscription could pay for itself in no time.
Bookish Tote Bag
If your wife prefers physical books, then consider a bookish tote bag for her to lug all of her books around in.
Barcode Scanner
I know what you’re thinking – a barcode scanner, really? But bear with me. If your wife has a massive book collection and frequently forgets whether or not she owns a book, then this barcode scanner can be used to inventory all of her books. Various software and/or websites allow you to scan a book’s barcode and upload all of its information, including title and author, to a list or database.
Thumb Page Holder
This thumb page holder is ideal for someone who tends to read paperbacks. It allows you to hold a book and keep it open using only one hand.
Personalized Book Embosser
Most of us bibliophiles fantasize about one day having our very own library. With this book embosser, you can give your wife a taste of that dream.
Book Light
If your wife is a nocturnal reader, primarily reading at night in bed, then a clip-on book light is a must-have. This particular light allows you to not only control the brightness but also choose from three different color temperatures (warm, natural, and white).
Novelty Bookmark
There are two things a bookworm can never own enough of: books and bookmarks. Add to your bookish wife’s bookmark collection with a unique, handmade bookmark. Etsy is chock-full of such bookmarks, so I’ll let you peruse them and find one that best suits your other half.
Book Purse
Let your wife showcase her favorite book with a purse of that book – well, a purse made to look like that book.
Gifts for the Wife Who Loves to Cook or Bake
If your wife enjoys cooking or baking, then congratulations – there are a ton of gifts to choose from. What follows are my top recommendations.
Thermapen
The Thermapen is one of my favorite kitchen tools. Why? It is an instant-read thermometer, which is incredibly useful when you are cooking or baking and need to check the internal temperature of something. When baking sourdough bread, I no longer have to guess whether the bread is truly done or not; I verify that it is done by checking its internal temperature with my Thermapen.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
My Le Creuset Dutch Oven is the workhorse of my kitchen. I use it for soups, stews, curries, pastas, and even breads. Le Creuset Dutch Ovens come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet
I am also a huge fan of Le Creuset’s cast iron skillets. I have tried other cast iron skillets, and they inevitably lose their seasoning and start to flake.
Double Oven Mitt
I first learned about this style of oven mitt while watching The Great British Baking Show. I kept seeing contestants use it, and before long, I wanted a pair for myself. I love the double-mitt design because it not only protects your arms but also allows for easy storage (I loop mine over the oven door handle).
Double Oven Mitt, Bird Nerd Edition
If your wife also happens to love birds, then consider one of Sarah Edmonds’ humorous bird-themed oven mitts. Personally, I’m a fan of the “Boobies” design.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
From mixing cake batter and whipping up egg whites to kneading bread dough, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a versatile kitchen appliance.
KitchenAid Pasta Roller and Cutter Attachment
Another thing that I love about the KitchenAid Mixer is all of its available attachments. This particular attachment allows you to roll and cut pasta dough so you can make your own homemade pasta.
KitchenAid Grain Mill Attachment
What’s that? Your wife wishes she could mill her own flour? Voila! I present to you the grain mill attachment.
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Okay, I swear this is the last KitchenAid attachment I’ll talk about, but how cool is this? If you’ve always dreamed of making your own ice cream but don’t have the space for a separate ice cream maker, then fear not – you can purchase this ice cream maker attachment for your KitchenAid Mixer.
Cuisinart Food Processor
Like a stand mixer, a food processor is another versatile kitchen appliance. You can use it to chop nuts, mince vegetables, or even prepare pesto. There are different sizes and colors available from Cuisinart, so pick whichever one works best for you and your better half.
Handmade Wooden Cutting Boards
If you don’t already own a set of quality cutting boards, then consider this your sign to purchase some. These handmade walnut and/or cherry cutting boards from Walker Woodworking ME are stunning.
Vintage Pyrex Mixing Bowls
A truly unique gift is a set of vintage Pyrex mixing bowls. Every home cook and baker who I know either has a set or desperately wants one.
Wüsthof Knife Set
I love my set of Wüsthof knives; they cut with ease and have a nice weight to them. Plus, with proper maintenance, they can serve you well for years (I have owned my set for over 10 years).
Handmade, Vintage-Inspired Apron
It wouldn’t be a cooking gifts section if I didn’t include at least one apron. I love this handmade, vintage-inspired apron from Max and Stella New York; it has a timeless design that your wife is sure to love.
Gifts for the Homebody Wife (a.k.a., the Wife Who Loves All Things Cozy)
Does your wife’s ideal night consist of a night in curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book or movie? If so, then you have come to the right section of this gift guide.
OXO Tea Infuser Basket
Level up your wife’s tea game with a tea basket so she can start brewing loose-leaf tea (a.k.a., the best type of tea). This is the tea basket I own and use on a daily basis.
Harney & Sons Tea
Of course, you can’t gift your wife a tea basket without some loose-leaf tea to steep in it. One of the teashops I buy my loose-leaf tea from is Harney & Sons. My favorite tea of theirs is the peppermint herbal; it’s a refreshing, well, herbal tea.
Hand-Thrown Mug
You might as well round out your tea-centric gift with a handmade mug. Etsy has scores of gorgeous handmade mugs to choose from, so click the button below and peruse until you find one that is just right.
World’s Softest Socks
Every homebody needs a pair of soft, cozy socks to lounge about the house in. I own several pairs of World’s Softest Socks, and they live up to their name.
Beeswax Pillar Candle
A quintessential cozy item is a candle, and my favorite type of candle is beeswax. Unscented beeswax candles burn more cleanly than traditional candles, owing to their lack of additives and fragrances. They also produce a subtle, pleasant smell and a soft, warm glow.
Pillar Candle Stand
If you decide to purchase the beeswax pillar candle, you’ll also need to buy a stand for the candle to rest on (otherwise, you might end up with a damaged counter or table surface). This handmade candle stand from Jordan B Ceramics has a gorgeous, muted design that will complement almost any décor.
Chunky Knit Blanket
Once she has that candle lit, she’ll want to curl up with a soft blanket. Enter this chunky knit blanket.
Star Projector
If your wife loves to read in bed before going to sleep, then this star projector would make a wonderful gift. I have one of these in my bedroom, and I love to turn it on while reading at night. It makes the space super cozy, and its ambient lighting helps to soothe my mind and wind me down for sleep.
Whimsical Night Light
Speaking of ambient light, here’s another option: a whimsical night light featuring a mushroom forest. How cool is this?
Comfy Sweatshirt
A homebody can never have too many comfy sweatshirts. I own several sweatshirts by Emma & Anna, and they are all soft and cozy – perfect for wearing around the house on a cold day (or inside an air-conditioned home). They have a ton of cute designs to choose from, so you should be able to find a design that your wife will love.
And I think that just about does it for this gift guide. I hope that it helped you find a gift for that special someone in your life!
-Julia
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