Picking out the perfect gift for someone can be incredibly challenging. People are picky, and everyone has a different idea of what a perfect gift is. The best feeling in all of the world is buying a gift for someone and being so unbelievably excited to give it to them, to see their eyes light up and to see immense appreciation flash across their face. You feel like all the stars have aligned and you've done your job right.
Girlfriends are especially difficult people to buy a gift for. As a girl, I know that I have a distinct idea of what I should be receiving from my boyfriend and what I certainly should not be receiving. I also know that I probably won't actually share those things with my boyfriend. It's not that I'm purposely trying to be difficult; it's just that saying "I don't know" or "I don't care" is a lot simpler than whipping out the Christmas List you've made for your parents.
So to help you fellas out, I've made a little guide.
Things You SHOULD NOT Give Your Girlfriend:
1. Any heart-shaped or love-centered jewelry.
Back in high school I received a diamond heart-shaped necklace and a ring with "Love" etched into it from my then boyfriend. I hated them both and never wore either one. I'm sure he spent a lot of money on them, but that type of jewelry is just cheesy, unattractive, and impractical.
2. Lingerie
I know you want to see your smokin' hot girlfriend in some smokin' hot outfit, but try and refrain. Her parents will inevitably ask what you got her for Christmas, and she can't possibly tell them that you got her something sexy from Victoria's Secret. If your heart, however, is set on this gift, then get her something else too. That way Mom and Dad will still (naively) believe you're actually a gentleman.
3. Something Disgustingly Girly
It's unclear why you boys do this, but for whatever reason it seems you'll see something in a store that is hideously pink and floral-patterned and you'll think your girlfriend will like it simply because it's girly. I hate to break it to you, but most girls don't want obnoxiously feminine things in their room or on their body. Stay away from this unless she explicitly says she wants it.
4. Something Your Mom Picked Out
I know you love your mom, and I know you probably think she can do no wrong, but you should probably think twice about including her while searching for your girlfriend's Christmas gift. If a middle-aged woman picked it out, your girlfriend probably doesn't want it. And honestly, do you want to think of your mother every time your girlfriend wears it or uses it?
5. Overly-practical Things
The same boyfriend that bought me the aforementioned jewelry also once bought me a car charger for my cellphone for Christmas. Did I use that gift? Yes. Was I happy about that gift? Absolutely not. In fact, upon opening it, I immediately launched into an angry and passionate diatribe about the ridiculousness and carelessness of his gift. Avoid the tirade and don't buy her anything even remotely related to chargers, towels, shampoo, etc.
Things You SHOULD Give Your Girlfriend
1. Tickets
This one is a win-win for you. Not only will you give her a something cool, but you'll get to enjoy the gift yourself while simultaneously getting brownie points for taking her out on a date. Just make sure these tickets are for something/someone she actually likes, not for some obscure sports team you're obsessed with.
2. Something Homemade
I will caution you with this one: not all guys can effectively make a gift himself that will pass the girlfriend test. If you do it right though, you'll be on her good side for a while. For my birthday last year, I received an iPhoto book from my boyfriend that contained almost all the pictures I had taken or that had been taken of me from my entire freshman year. He spent an incredible amount of time making this, even going so far as to texting all my friends for the pictures they had taken of me. I was brought to tears when I opened it, and I was one happy camper for weeks afterward.
3. Something She's Specifically Pointed Out
If you just pay attention and listen to what your girlfriend says (I know you probably find it difficult), you might actually learn what she wants. She'll probably drop some hints to help you out along the way, so write them down, text them to yourself, or do whatever it is you do to remember something, and then go buy it later when you're not with her.
4. Something Her Friends Suggest
Your girlfriend's friends undoubtedly know her best. They've probably been shopping together, and they might even share the same taste in things. Text them for some ideas and go off of that. Then, if worst comes to worst and she doesn't like what you bought her, at least you can blame it on her friends.
**Bonus Tip**
Include a handwritten, thoughtful letter with with your gift. Girls love that kind of stuff.
