Dating Someone New? Tips for Christmas Gift-Giving

Although it is romantic to be in a relationship during the holiday season, relationships can often come with a lot of stressful expectations. One of these expectations, of course, is gift-giving. It can be challenging to find the perfect present for your significant other, especially if you are in the early stages of a relationship and don’t know him or her very well. Your gift needs to be thoughtful, appropriate, and (usually) stay within budget. Sometimes, it can seem impossible to find something that meets all of your needs and sends the right message.  Hopefully, this list of ideas will help you narrow down what you might be putting under the tree for your boyfriend or girlfriend.

1. If You Just Started Dating. So you've been on a few dates...but nothing serious yet. Try something cute and inexpensive, but don’t do the gift card thing. Gift cards are always impersonal and can be kind of awkward because you know exactly how much the person spent. Instead, find out what his favorite beer is (all it takes is going out for drinks) and get him a six pack. Or, if you’re feeling more ambitious, bake some cookies to go with it. Who doesn't love delicious food at Christmas? For the guys, you don’t have to overdo it either. Going on a few dates doesn't constitute purchasing jewelry or anything too permanent. To be honest, I think most women would appreciate something small but thoughtful, like a scarf or cute winter hat. If you feel like it, you can always do something similar to what I suggested we ladies do for you—bake something!
2. If You've Been Dating a Few Months. You’re in a relationship, but it’s only been a few months. You don’t know him or her that well and are afraid to either spend too much money or get something they totally hate. What I recommend is to go for stuff that everyone appreciates, but won’t break the bank. If you are shopping for him, go for something classic that also suits his style. Check out nice sweaters or a pair of good slippers (who doesn't love to get cozy around the holidays?). The nice thing about these kinds of gifts is that you can go up or down in price. The important thing is to get something that shows you care, but doesn't necessarily say “commitment” if your relationship isn't there yet. Now, for the guys, I would recommend something a little bit different. Women’s clothing sizes are all over the place and it can be harder to choose something that will fit her and also make her happy. (In addition, I know it can be awkward if you get a size that is too big for her…) So instead, try to pick up on the books she likes to read, the movies she loves, or some of her other hobbies. If she loves a particular author and you know they are publishing a new release soon, head on over to Barnes and Noble. You can always pair a good book with a nice blanket or a cute mug to make the gift really cozy and sweet. Throw some hot chocolate packets into the mix and she will be really impressed.
3. If You've Been Dating for a While. Now for those of us who have been in a relationship for a while. It’s been a year or more, and you know each other really well. Now is the time to get creative with your presents. Guys, it’s definitely okay to buy jewelry now, and ladies, it’s appropriate to spend a little more money on him, too. But my favorite gifts come from memories. Snapfish is a great place to create adorable photo gifts and scrapbooks. If you feel like your relationship is on that level, upload some pics and make a photo book of all of your favorite dates. Prices range depending on how many pages/what type of book you select. If being that creative isn't your style, get her that necklace  or get him that watch. The good thing about long term relationships is you have plenty of time to get to know them—shopping should be much easier now!

 The holidays can certainly usher in a lot of worry when you are dating. Use this list as a quick way to find presents, or to inspire your own ideas. Either way, it’s all about letting him or her know you thought of them and care this Christmas.