It’s a bit of a minefield, and as the internet forums which always seems to spring to life around times of gift-giving, not everyone is as good at giving gifts as they seem to think they are. It is harder than people think, finding the best present ever.
But there is hope! This article will detail some of the best presents to get in greater detail, but for now, some general points: what is true for people in general will most likely also be true for your girlfriend – she would probably prefer a gift of something she wants rather than something she needs in her day-to-day life (the cliché of getting a woman a hoover as a present is a cliché for a reason, after all). This is obviously something which varies from person to person, and you will know better than a random article writer, but generally, women don’t like to be reminded of everyday things and needs on the day which is supposed to be dedicated to her feeling special.
You should definitely listen for hints as to what to buy your girlfriend for her birthday – she will make sure you know what she likes, and what she wants – but don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything your girlfriend mentions is something she wants to be given!
Jewelry
Do we really need to explain why jewelry is a good gift? Of course we don’t, but let’s go ahead and review: jewelry is pretty, and so sparkly….it is also something that many women might not buy for themselves, since it is not strictly a necessity, which makes it ideal to buy for a gift.
There are so many different types of jewelry as well – there are rings (be careful with this one, though!!), necklaces, bracelets, earrings, with there being seemingly endless permutations on those basic categories. Costume jewelry is generally cheaper (and showier, hence the name) than other kinds of jewelry, because of the materials used in its construction, but the internet has opened up a wider avenue of possibilities to the average buyer.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a safe bet for probably the same reasons that jewelry is, as can be shown in the appropriate sections like the personalised gifts from Gifts To Last. There are probably even more types of alcohol than there are types of jewelry, though the guidelines on which type of alcohol to get which person are at least less stringent.
In addition to the alcohol itself, there are endless amount of paraphernalia which can be given to people who enjoy their drinks – glasses, cocktail shakers, measuring cups, recipes…
The list goes on.
There you have it! This is only the beginning, but hopefully this article will give some indication of what to do (and not do) when it comes to buying gifts!
James Hendrickson is an internet entrepreneur, blogging junky, hunter and personal finance geek. When he’s not lurking in coffee shops in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find him in the Pacific Northwest’s great outdoors. James has a masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a Bachelors degree on Sociology from Earlham College. He loves individual stocks, bonds and precious metals.