The Guide To Girlfriend Gift Buying

The Basics

1. Wrap it. In the present day of in-store gift-wrapping services, there is no excuse for not having a beautifully-wrapped gift awaiting her under the tree...or wherever. Likewise, rest assured she will not think it’s cute for you to hand her anything wrapped in newspaper, magazine ads, or old shirts. You are not ten, presumably. You live in the vicinity of a Duane Reade and should act accordingly.

2. Jewelry means you’re serious. Do you want to be serious? How serious? Yes, gifts like jewelry are sure-fire winners. But you need to be sure to pick something that is appropriate to your relationship at this stage, whatever it is. Expensive presents such as jewelry, laptops or iPods send the same message as, say, meeting the parents. Don’t stress; rather, if you fear the gift might be too momentous, it probably is.

3. “Honey, you dropped something. Oh, it’s a hint!” Or maybe she isn’t dropping it so much as beating you over the head with it. Girls exhibit varying degrees of subtlety when it comes to gifts, so try to get an idea of her family’s traditions. Once everyone realizes letters to Santa are purely a creative endeavor, the etiquette of gift-giving changes. Some families blatantly tell each other what to buy, some exchange lists of some kind, but unfortunately most leave you literally and figuratively out in the cold. In this case there’s nothing wrong with asking her what she’d like, but regardless she’s most likely been hinting at it since Labor Day. If you think you may be in a dropped-hint situation, affirmation is necessary. The phrase “was-that-a-hint?” works fine.

The Hunt

1. Pay attention. Taking note of everyday behaviors can lead to a fantastic present. Does she take forever to get ready? She likes to pamper herself, so treat her to a day at the spa! Does she like to stay in? Create a package of gifts ideal for a cozy night at home, like a bottle of wine, comfy pjs from Victoria’s Secret, and her favorite movie on DVD! Figure out what makes her tick, and gift accordingly. The key is to keep it simple.

Next Page