How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Girlfriend

How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Your Girlfriend

Special occasion coming up? Win some boyfriend points by giving your girlfriend something to remind her how awesome she is.

Of course if you hate shopping, you might be tempted to mindlessly grab whatever knick-knack they sell at the store.

Don’t fret because if you truly want to make her eyes twinkle by giving her something sweet and appropriate, here’s a guide how to accomplish just that.

Aside from how much you’re willing to spend, the type of occasion you will be celebrating is also crucial. Below are some common occasions when you’ll be buying a gift for your girlfriend:

Gift for Her Birthday

Her birthday is probably the easiest occasion to buy a gift for, especially if you already have a fair idea of her personality, what her likes and dislikes are, and what she is passionate about. No matter what stage your relationship is at, her birthday is a good chance to give something meaningful to show her how special she is in your life.

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Anniversary/Significant Moments

This occasion is a milestone in your relationship as a couple. The most suitable gifts are the ones that would remind her of your moments together. Have gifts that show things you both love or showcase experiences you’ve collected in each other’s company.

Gift for Valentine’s Day

Valentines is all about demonstrating romance to your partner. Not everybody celebrates this occasion because you can practically celebrate your love all year round, but if you don’t want to make your girlfriend feel left out on this day, there are lots of gifts to choose from. The budget isn’t a problem because whether you get something affordable or something grand, the rule of thumb here is to choose the most romantic option available.

Holiday Gifts

Gifts for the Holidays are a tad more complicated because this event has a religious undertone to it and your girlfriend might be someone who doesn’t believe in celebrating this season. If you’re both into this tradition, the best gifts are items she’d be able to enjoy throughout the year. For most people, their gifts tend to be less expensive, but in multiple numbers. Unwrapping lots of presents, regardless of value, is a joy in itself.

If you need some inspiration, here are a few gift ideas:

·         Flowers – This is basically a traditional gift that’s suitable no matter what the occasion is. Elaborately arranged flowers can easily be bought from your local florist no matter what the season is. Just remember that during peak days like Valentines, small florists can run out of blooms. If flowers are not available, you can get edible bouquets (usually made of fruits or chocolates) or ornamental plants if she’s a garden enthusiast.
Estimated budget: low to mid-level (The more flowers you’ll include in the bouquet, the more expensive it will be).

·        Candies & Chocolates – A box full of sweet confections is another classic gift you should always consider. Most women love sweets even if they don’t eat a lot of it and giving sweets is universally recognized as a highly romantic gesture. There are many brands in different price ranges and they are also readily available everywhere.
Estimated budget: low

·         Beauty/Cosmetic Kits – Most women adore products that make them look amazing. Sure, you love her even without any make-up on, but girls generally put them on for themselves and not just to impress you. If make-up is not her thing, you can give perfumes, spa products, hair care, and even beauty tools like face massagers.
Estimated budget: mid-level (depends on the size of the kit and the brand of the products you’ll include)

·         Books – Is your girlfriend an avid reader? Don’t be afraid to give her books if she loves to read. You can either give an autographed copy of her favorite author’s most prolific work, or you can introduce her to a new writer or series. A book related to her hobbie, passion or interest may be a great idea as well. If you are going to buy her a book, ideally get a hardbound copy because even if it costs more, it will last longer.
Estimated budget: fairly low

·        Jewelry – You don’t have to be very rich to afford this type of gift. It’s a common misconception people make since jewelries are often synonymous with extravagance. For customary styles, look for available trinkets in your nearest jewelry store. To make it more personalized, most of these shops can engrave the jewelry with your message or her initials. If that sounds too typical for your taste, you can find unique baubles from online sites like Pinterest and Etsy.
Estimated budget: mid to very high

·         Experiential Gifts – If you are tired of giving material gifts, this is the right present for you. This is also perfect if your girlfriend has been dying to try something, but never really had the opportunity to achieve it. Aside from vacations, surfing, salsa dance lessons, and skydiving are a few examples of great experiential gift. Do note that most experiential gifts are meant for couples who are in a serious relationship. For instance, Traveling on a cruise is a remarkable way to experience life together and build memories, but it can also be stressful if you’re with someone you don’t fully know.
Estimated budget: high

·         Other gift ideas: fashion accessories such as a watch, purse, belt or handbag from a well-known fashion label, soft toys, concert tickets for her favorite band.Thinking about her passions and hobbies can be a great source of inspiration for gift ideas. What does she love to do? If she’s into gardening, for example, you could buy some high quality gardening tools she may not otherwise buy for herself. If she loves hiking or camping, some great quality gear for her trips would make a great present. For someone, who loves music, a high-end expensive headphones as a present would send her over to the moon.

You may have been told that with gifts, it’s the thought that always counts. This might be true, but there are still some gift-giving faux pas you should avoid. Some noteworthy ones are:

 1. Avoid giving her clothes, shoes, and even lingerie although she likes to collect them. You’ll need her exact measurements for these things so save yourself the trouble by giving her gift certificates instead. She can choose apparels that fit her comfortably, and have them in styles she really likes.

2. Don’t get your girlfriend a pet (unless it’s a pet rock) even if you’re both animal lovers. Pets, in all shapes and sizes, require accountability. She might not be ready for the responsibility of owning a pet no matter how adorable it is. If you’re still planning to give her one, don’t make it a surprise. Discuss this issue carefully beforehand, and make sure she’s 100% committed.

3. Unless she’s an avid foodie and she explicitly requested it, don’t ever give her kitchen supplies. The same thing goes for cleaning products. Gifts are supposed to be something special and personal, not blatant reminders of house chores. Though that vacuum or kitchen blender deal might look appealing, be a sweetheart and give her a homemade coupon for No Chores Week instead.

4. Don’t ever give her gifts you cannot afford. Kiss your savings goodbye if you keep buying her overgenerous presents. Men usually do this to impress their girlfriends, and this action can backfire greatly because once you’re buried in debt, you can end up in a bitter relationship. Give gifts within your means. Remember, there are a lot of inexpensive yet equally romantic options available to you.