Buying girls’ gifts nothing to be afraid of

By Satya Shanmugham

Giving gifts to girls from girls is hard enough, but then there are gifts from guys to girls. In order to give the perfect gift, guys, you should consider her interests, hobbies, fashion style or sense of humor. But what about your budget?

Don’t worry. We are college students, so don’t think you need to spend a lot of money. One nice item tends to be a better alternative to many things she does not need.

Flowers may seem old-fashioned, but girls still like them! Just make sure she is not allergic to them. Otherwise she will sneeze all over you and you will both feel embarrassed. Candy is also a tasty gift, like Marshall Field’s Frango mint chocolates.

Jewelry is still a classic gift, and you do not necessarily need to empty your wallet. Ask her girlfriends to help you choose something that she will actually wear. If you want to get her earrings, find out if her ears are pierced.

You may want to give gifts less common than stuffed animals or bath and body products. A magazine subscription for a year or mp3 player accessories work well. Check what mp3 model she has before you get that cool-looking case.

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If you are looking to spend time together, you could both play with a shot glass game set. Substitute with apple juice, of course. Movies or TV shows on DVD give her the option to spend time with or without you, so they are good for any level of relationship. Many people forget that some girls play video games too, and they can be another shared activity.

Depending on her taste in music, you can take her to a concert, musical, or play. Start looking now for upcoming events. You could also search eBay for vinyl records or make her a CD. It sounds clich‚, but you can design the cover, perhaps with a photo of you two.

Online, you can make her a photo calendar at shutterfly.com. Gift cards to mall or online stores like amazon.com can be purchased online, and you can get them personalized with a name or photo.

Have you ever caught her sketching in her notebook during class? Get her a journal with acid-free paper and brush pens, which are fairly easy to use.

Does she need to fix something at home but lacks the tools? Get her a pink mini-tool set.

Perfume has also been a common request from girls. Ask her friends about her taste if you are not sure, or describe her to a young person at the perfume counter. Victoria’s Secret is popular for their perfume, and it’s a bonus for you to walk in the store.

If you absolutely know your girlfriend will accept lingerie, please know her sizes. Ask a salesperson if you are unsure about her size. Or, if you are fortunate enough to travel to Holland this holiday season, there is a wall of fake silicone breasts to aid you in finding her size. Otherwise, you can get her a gift receipt or take her shopping.

There are tons of great gifts that you can buy, but keep in mind that a good gift can also come in the form of a favor or a good deed. If you are up to it, you can give her a personalized coupon to take her out to lunch, watch a cheesy movie with her or give her a massage, depending on how close you two are.

People often say the wrapping does not matter, but that does not mean you can use the Daily Illini and bottled glue. Look for complimentary colors in the wrapping and bow or ribbon. You can even use multiple patterns or textures, but there’s a chance it will look tacky. If you need help, some stores like The Container Store have displays, and will even do the wrapping for you.

If she gets angry with you for not giving her an expensive-enough gift, maybe you are dating the wrong person. Then again, she can be a Rockette for a day for only $10,000.