Okay here we go again, we have Demetrius of Tao of Indifference here representing for the men. Men you know you hate getting gifts for the ladies as you over think it a bit. So here’s a guide to help you as you navigate through the process.
While the holidays can be a time for cheer, it can also be a nerve-wracking time of the year. Let’s say you’re a guy who started dating a wonderful woman, but you’re still fairly new into dating her. The holidays are right on the horizon and you’re getting anxious. Sure, you don’t have to spend 3 months worth of salary on a present, but getting nothing sends the wrong message. This is someone who you MAYBE might see yourself with down the line, so you want to impress her, but not overwhelm her. With that in mind, here’s how to pick a gift are some ideas to help you pick a gift.
First, remember that with gifts it is the thought that counts. You might be thinking that sounds cliché, but trust me, if you give a gift some thought, it will be appreciated. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t invest some money into your gift, but keep the dollar amount within a certain range. When looking to get a gift, make sure it’s a gift she’ll appreciate, not just a thing that someone told you to buy. It might be easy to buy a gift bag from Bed, Bath and Beyond, but putting some thought into your gift will go a long way. Think of what she likes and loves, and get a gift related to it. Think of your own interests, think of a gift you’d like related to those interests, and then try to consider an equivalent gift related to what she likes.
One thing you want to avoid is the practical gift. You might be thinking that a practical gift sounds good because if you’re a guy reading this, chances are you’ve got some practical gifts on your wish list. But trust me; a practical gift is not going to convey romance to your lady. Save the practical gift for a “just because” occasion. For the holidays, go with something thoughtful and maybe even something she’d never buy for herself.
As for how much to spend, well, that gets a bit tricky. You want to spend enough so that it doesn’t seem like a cheap gift, but spending too much is something you want to avoid as well. A good rule of thumb that I stick by is putting the price point of the gift right between the costs of one or two dates. If an average date costs you $100, spend somewhere between $100 and $200 on your gift. If your dates are closer to $50 dollars each, spend somewhere between $50 and $100.The money you spend on her gift should be relative to how much money you have, not a specific dollar amount.
Finally, remember that these gift ideas are for the woman in your life that you’re dating, not necessarily the woman who you’re in a long-term relationship with. If you’ve moved into the dating phase, be sure to up the price point a bit. Maybe make the money multiplier somewhere between the costs of 2 to 4 dates. If your dates are usually $100, spend $200 to $400. If you can afford to spend $50 on a date, spend somewhere between $100 to $200 on your date.
Now that I’ve given you price points, here are some basic gift ideas. They wont work for every woman, so think of how these gifts might be received: Spa packages can range anywhere from $50 to $200 and the lady in your life might enjoy some pampering. If she’s into a specific artist, see if you can get tickets to their latest show. This might get a bit pricey, but you can easily get tickets to major concerts starting under $100. If she enjoys the theater, look into getting tickets to a show that people are raving about. You can purchase same-day discounted tickets to Broadway shows at TKTS booths in NYC, and if you’re not based in NYC chances are good that your company has a discount program with ticket agents. You can buy a gift bag/basket, but make sure it’s tailored toward your lady. If you’re thinking of getting of getting a gift set, and her hair texture is coarse I’d recommend getting products from Carol’s Daughter. The price point is right around $50 for gift sets and I’ve personally purchased their products to give as gifts and highly recommend them. Avoid giving gift cards, and definitely avoid giving her cash.
Oh and finally, never, EVER, tell her how much the gift cost. It’s a gift and you want it to be received as such. Getting into the price will send the wrong message, so don’t do it.
Good Luck Out There.
