June 9, 2009

The T.V. Martyr/ Western Union Father's Day Giveaway!


Father's Day is fast approaching and I am struggling with gift ideas for my husband. What do you get a man who has everything? He already has a 19" inch television set purchased in the early 90s, a broken X-box, and a VCR from the Reagan administration.

My sister, who is visiting us this week, broke the news gently. "That TV is an embarrassment," she said. "I have to squint to see the picture, and I'm only three feet away."

The announcement that the only t.v. in our house is an eye sore (and may cause them as well) was not a news flash. My husband's desire for a larger television, preferably one with remote control, led me to purchase a 32" set for him last year for Christmas. After everyone appropriately praised the purchase, the object sat unopened in our living room for a week before my husband returned it. The guilt of spending so much money on an item that we really didn't need got the best of him.

Over the next few months, I felt increasingly bad about depriving my husband of such an important symbol of masculinity, so I purchased an even larger television for him for his birthday in March. As I dragged the box out of its hiding place in the hall closet, my husband's emotions of surprise and excitement quickly gave way to feelings of unworthiness and frugality. My husband politely declined the gift and I returned the television the next day.

"You know, at some point, Tim might actually decide to keep one of the televisions that you buy him," my sister reminded me last night. We were in the home theater section of the electronics store, where I was picking out my husband's Father's Day gift.

I threw back my head and laughed. "Impossible!" I replied. Owning a new t.v. for more than twenty-four hours (and actually removing said television from its original packaging) would elevate my husband out of martyrdom, and he likes feeling persecuted way too much to make that sacrifice.

******
FATHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY!

I'm very excited to be joining forces with Western Union to give the martyr in your life an awesome gift this Father's Day.

Western Union is giving one lucky winner $100 CASH!
No hidden fees, obligations, or commitments. Your winnings will be transferred to the Western Union agency of your choice (chances are, the closest one is your grocery store!).

Western Union makes it easy to send and receive money to loved ones with over 300,000 agent locations worldwide (44,000 in the U.S. alone). In this current economy, providing some extra cash may be one of the easiest--and in many cases, most appreciated--things you can do this Father's Day.

Did you know that Western Union isn't just for transferring money overseas? I've used Western Union to send money to relatives living in Spain, Mexico, and Brazil, but my dad sent money to me when I was in college and I lost my wallet in the middle of the Nevada desert (don't ask) and I needed money for gas. Western Union can send money in minutes, the next day, or directly to a bank account, either online or over the phone. Use cash, credit, or debit cards.

In addition to their money transfer services, Western Union makes it easy to pay bills, make purchases, and manage your budget with bill payment services and convenient money orders. Who knew?

To enter this special giveaway, all you need to do is leave a comment that includes your "best" (interpret this however you see fit) Father's Day Gift idea.

Contest starts NOW and ends THIS FRIDAY, June 12th at midnight EST. The lucky winner will be announced the next day. Want an extra chance to win? Post a link to this contest on your blog and leave a second comment!

GOOD LUCK!

440 comments

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Amy said...

Fishing waders.....he loves to fish.

I'm Heather said...

My hubby is a golfer (like big time, every spare chance he gets) so our son always gets him a new divot tool, something small that he can afford from his piggy bank, and daddy now has a pretty cool collection of them! Added to that a day on the course with his boy and he's a happy camper. Although, 100 bucks in cold hard cash would be pretty nice too!! Fingers crossed!!

Unknown said...

My hubby's perfect Father's Day present would be of the video game variety. Heck, with $100 he could buy about 1 and 3/4 games. That should keep him outta my hair for a few days.....maybe I could get the house clean...Maybe.

Andy said...

Seeing as how my youngest (18 months old) already recognizes Batman, cries "Yo, Joe" and responds to the call of "Thundercats . . ." with an immediate "HO!" I'd say that the 80s nostalgia stuff and/or comics would be great for Father's Day in my house.
$100 can go a long way toward making that happen!

Jennifer Owens said...

This year we are going for a digital picture frame for his office! That is the best we could come up with!
Thanks!
jenowens77@gmail.com

Lee said...

My best fathers day gift is taking my hubby and our son to a Cardinals game in St. Louis. Not the all star game but equally expensive. $100 for hotdogs and beer... P-L-E-A-S-E!

Stacy said...

With two birthdays and Father's Day all within three weeks of each other, I could definitely use the $100. Pick me please!

Mrs. Bennett said...

I bought a three pack of Hanes plane tshirts, and some fabric markers, and had my kids draw on the T for my husband. Pretty fun activity for the family and a nice shirt (or pj shirt) for dad. I would love to win!

KB said...

My best gift? He wants an iPod Touch but it's not in the budget.

However.... he's been such a help with me while I work on a fledgling business that I really want to get him one... I've been squirrelling $$ away wherever I can, but I'll tell you what, $100 would be a welcome surprise! Might even get dinner out of it too!

JGEM said...

Since my husband's in school - and consequently unemployed - he has a grand total of 10.73 in his personal account. I think the best gift for Father's Day would be to give him the gift and not make him pay the water bill with it :)

Cardon Times said...

I'm really not all that creative but since my husband will be college student for a few more years, I really need to be. Anyways, a couple years ago I compiled some pictures of my son and made a book about how great daddy is. It turned out really cute and I think my husband even got a little teary eyed.
Laura
cowpoke22@yahoo.com

Lindsey said...

Please count me in!!

My best father's day gift ideas (for my hubby) are for a tightened budget: spoil him with his favorite foods, a new DVD, and a guilt-free night of playing video games with his friends.

heather said...

My best father's day idea would be something handmade from the child

baby_radar(at)hotmail(dot)com

Heidi said...

My husbands best gift would probably be money

Heidi said...

Honestly, the best present is one that will make him cry (with joy). :) Hubby isn't a father yet, so luckily I have at least another year to amass some ideas!
heidib dot butler at gmail

Anika said...

The BEST Father's Day gift? Anything that has to do with fishing! $100 bucks would go along way!

June said...

I have 8 year old twin boys, and a 6 year old daughter, so for Father's Day this year, I got my husband a vasecotomy.

rusted sun said...

I am going to give my husband breakfast in bed and a card with the hand prints of our one-year-old twins.

June said...

oops, make that "vasectomy" ...

mom2ky said...

I think my dad would want some CASH for Father's Day!! :)

O'Loughlin Family said...

I think the best Father's Day gift is a tie. Do you know how many thrift store ties can be purchased for $100. My man would be the most stylish dad on Father's Day - and the rest of the year for that matter. Especially if I let my kids pick them out :)

The Robinsons said...

the best gift i can to my husband is an entire weekend w/ our 3 year old son while i lie around feeding my big fat pregnant belly. he'd probably enjoy cooking dinner for me, too.

Elise said...

Well $100 bucks sure would be nice!! :)

Anonymous said...

I figure I'll give him what he gave me.... I'll start dinner and then wander off and let him finish..... unless of course I win the $100, then maybe he can have half... maybe.

Denise
dndevans5@sbcglobal.net

Ruth M said...

Sounds like your husband needs someone to officially break the old TV for him. As does mine.

Evie B. said...

My idea is just smidge selfish. BBQ tools and cook book. My husband loves to grill and I'll take any excuse to get out of making dinner.

$100 would buy a lot of meat.

Jessica Brown said...

He's dying for a new basketball. Can't be a real baller without one.

mama rose said...

A great gift would be two tickets to see Paul McCartney in NY. $100 would get me two cheap seats. He already discovered the new socks and underwear I got for him so this would be way better.

pegzhere said...

Tough to decide but I really think my best Father's Day gift would be $100 cash!! :)

Valerie said...

hey maybe I could use the money to buy my husband a new TV

Momlissa said...

Best father's day gift for my guy? Letting him sleep in, tickets to a Giants game, a home cooked meal of some random recipe from his "Nawna" and some marital relations. I think he'd agree.

Unknown said...

The best gift for my husband isn't a tacky tie, cologne, or golf tees. The best gift for my husband is time away from our demanding children. A nice, quiet, adults-only dinner would be devine and greatly appreciated (by both of us).

Katie said...

My husband wants tickets to the college world series to see his team play!
contact dixonkatie@cox.net

Pam @FrugalCatholicMommy.com said...

My husband would love a 6 pack of Guinness and the remote all to himself--at least for a few minutes, then he'll be back outside with the kids playing kickball!

Andrea said...

The best Father's Day gift I ever gave my Dad when I was little was a tiny tin of Bayer aspirin - he said it was just what he needed! (I was the eldest of four girls)

Andrea & Ronnie said...

This is going to my my husband's 1st ever Father's Day... So, I was thinking that since him and our newborn son (now almost 2 months old) seem to have similar, shall we say "gestational issues" (aka: SERIOUSLY LOUD passing of gas!) I am thinking it will be fun to give daddy some Beano!!! :-)

And maybe some a new chef's knife -- although now that I think about it, perhaps a knife is not the best thing to gift with Beano... perhaps I should do something less sharp... like a tomato plant?!?!? LOL! :-)

Zhenya said...

Pick me! Pick me! My aunt in Russia thanks you!!!

Maureen said...

Sorry but the only gift he ever requests is me wrapped in a bow! (is that okay to say on a blog? but money is a good alternative!

Simply Vinyl Designs said...

My husband has a habit of picking and buying his own Father's Day gifts. This year he bought a new TV for our bedroom. At least I can benefit from this gift.

Janet said...

A day of fishing!
janetheron@hotmail.com

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