What To Get Your Girlfriend For Christmas

The Gift Giving Season is upon us and everyone is scrambling to get the perfect gift for their loved ones. If you have ever thought it was tough getting gifts for people you have known your whole life, think how hard it's going to be to impress the girlfriend you are trying to get to know.

How Well Do You Know Your Girlfriend?

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You should know the basics about her if she is your girlfriend, and by that, I mean: her favorite color, her pet preferences, her jewelry preferences, is she into sports, does she work out, what kind of food does she like, is she a "do it yourself" type person, what kind of job does she have, and what's her favorite relaxing times?
"Just getting to know you" stage requires a lot of thought into the perfect gift because you don't want to get her a "friend" gift or a "let's get married" gift because it wouldn't be appropriate.  You don't want to offend her but you don't want to give her more than you are ready for.  Really take notice of what she is "into".  Is she a girly-girl who wears minimal jewelry or lots of jewelry?  Does she love lace and ruffles or she is more into sports?  Is she a "Susie Homemaker" type who might like blankets, or picture frames?  You want to get something that definitely suits her.  What can you get her that she will use all the time and remember that special thought that went into the gift from you?  You could always ask her family or friends, but that is a double-edged sword.  If you get help, they won't think you spent enough time looking for that perfect gift for their loved one OR they will think you wanted to get the perfect gift and took the time to ask what to get your girlfriend for Christmas instead of "winging it". If you don't know those basics, then print out the list and make it a priority to find out those things about her. It will make your gift giving so much easier.

What Stage In The Relationship Are You?

If you know what stage you are with your girlfriend, you can match one of the previous categories with your stage and then move on to the budget stage to get that perfect gift.

Do You Have A Budget?

We all have budgets especially during the Christmas season.  Do NOT put your girlfriend on a $10 or less budget that you save for your family or office pool unless you are 13 years old.  Even at that age, you need to save your money to get really special gifts or have a homemade gift planned out.

Low budget gifts include gift cards to department or specialty stores, picture frames, etched stemware, monogrammed fluffy bath towels in her favorite color, sweater or scarf and handmade gifts such as a basket with Christmas ornaments, cookie recipe in a jar (your favorite and her's) and her favorite group's new CD or even a compilation you make of her favorite music burned on a disc.  Throw in a great smelling candle and you have a night of baking, decorating, and relaxing with a person you love being around.  Making a basket for your girlfriend shows you took the time to think about what she loves and incorporating it into a "not so expensive" gift just for her. If you include Christmas ornaments, be sure to give it to her before Christmas so she can enjoy it through the season.

examples: Food basket, wine basket, relaxing bath/pamper basket, movie basket, crafts you can help her make basket, stuffed animal basket (throw blanket and stuffed animal).

Medium budget (up to $100) this range can include everything from jewelry to car detailing gift certificates.  If she's a sports fan, a jersey and tickets to see her favorite team will fall in this category.  If you are still in the "getting to know you phase", the jewelry options would be earrings (non-diamond) or a bracelet.  A gift card to get a new pair of shoes or purse is nice but not very personal.  Do not get her a gift certificate to a restaurant.  That can come across wrong in so many ways.

No budget (over $100) this is a wide open category.  Electronics such as a eBook reader or new cell phone are in this category.  Real metal jewelry is in this category as well (not gold filled or plated jewelry).  A spa treatment relaxing weekend or even a weekend get away for the two of you can be planned with this budget.
To Recap The Choices:
1.  Gift Cards
2.  Personal Home Gifts (picture frames, blankets, or kitchen / bath gifts)
3.  Gift Baskets you put together
4.  Clothes
5.  Jewelry (bracelets or earrings non-diamond)
6.  Sports team or concert tickets
7.  Electronics
8.  Jewelry (real metal and diamonds)
9.  Spa treatment for either her and girlfriend or you and her
10. Weekend get-a-way for both of you

Hope this list and explanations help with your shopping for this special person in your life.  Don't over think the gifts but don't make them so generic that she doesn't appreciate your thoughtfulness. Good luck and Happy Holidays!