Man Rule #1: Keep in Mind Who You’re Shopping For
• Ask yourself these questions when shopping for gifts: Who are you shopping for? What do they like to do? What’s their style? What’s your relationship to them? By keeping these points in mind, you’ll be sure to choose a gift that’s thoughtful and appropriate.
• Take a look at what she already owns and things she likes to do to find her style. If you notice she tends to wear vintage-looking jewelry and lots of gold, a modern Lucite and silver pair of earrings probably isn’t the best idea.
• It’s about the giftee, not the gifter. Just because YOU might love football and she enjoys going to the games with you doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily want a Giants jersey for a holiday gift.
• And be sensitive of your relationship status. If you and your honey have been talking about potentially saying “I do,” then do not give her a gift in a small jewelry box unless there’s an engagement ring in it… no matter how gorgeous the jewelry may be!
Man Rule #2: Do Ask & Do Tell
• Hey, there’s nothing wrong with asking us ladies what we want. If anything, we may appreciate the fact that you want to really get it right. Our Holiday poll revealed that 80% of women said they’d appreciate their man asking them what they want.
• But this doesn’t mean you’ve got a free pass! You still have to put some thought into the clues that she gives you.
• Also, make sure you don’t spoil all the fun and surprise and tell us exactly what we’re getting.
Man Rule #3: Dare to Repeat Your Successes
• Why not stick with something you know she’ll love, right? After all, she’s still talking about that weekend getaway or gold necklace you got her last year.
• But here’s a tip: Even if she’s still talking about how much she loved that gift, don’t do the exact same thing. Your best bet is to take the same concept but add a twist. For example, if she loved the necklace from last year, instead of gifting her another necklace this year, get her a matching bracelet to complete the look instead.
Man Rule #4: NEVER (and We Mean NEVER) Give These Gifts
• Anything suggesting they need to lose weight. This includes gift memberships to Weight Watchers, a gym membership and definitely not a bathroom weight scale. Even though she may be complaining about how she wants to get in shape, surprising her this holiday with a gym membership just won’t fly well.
• Something that’s really useful and needed. Um, no, new tires on her car do not count as a gift. Neither does a really fancy knife set (even if Top Chef is her favorite show).
• Cold hard cash. Money may be nice to have and all, but you need to know when it’s okay to give cash and gift cards. Cash is for doormen and dog walkers. Gift cards are okay for super-picky women in your life, like that overemotional teenage niece or your kid’s crotchety teacher…but never for your significant other or even your mother.
• A premade gift basket. These gifts are honestly meant for emergencies only…and by emergencies, we mean “oh shoot, my friend just gave me a gift, so I have to grab something out of my closet so I’m not empty-handed.” No significant other wants a prepackaged, cellophane-wrapped box of lotions and shampoo -- there’s no thought involved, even if she loves Bath & Body Works.
• Gifts that benefit the guy. Sorry, lingerie is not a gift for the lady; it’s a gift for the guy! Lingerie can sometimes be a nice surprise gift for an everyday occasion but not for the holidays or even a birthday.
-- The Nest Editors
Dec 09, 2010
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