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You've got plenty of options to show your girlfriend how much you care about her by getting her the perfect gift. It's important to remember that the most important part of buying a gift for anyone is to make them feel like you really know them. With a little consideration, you can be sure to see a happy face when she opens the box.

3

Consider a practical gift.

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  1. Many people appreciate practical gifts. Be careful with this option, though; you don’t want to give something too boring or mundane. A good question to ask yourself is, “Is this something she will eventually wind up buying for herself if I don’t?” If the answer is yes, don’t buy it. A good gift should be something she loves and/or can use, but she would not buy for herself.[1]
    • For instance, maybe she keeps eyeing a fancy kitchen gadget, but she never has the extra cash to shell out for it, which would make it the perfect gift.
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10

Create some homemade bath bombs.

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  1. Pick an essential oil she'll love to scent them, and she'll be in bliss.
    • To make a bath bomb, simply mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of citric acid, and 1 3/4 a cup of baking soda by shaking it through a sieve.[4]
    • Fill up small spray bottles with water. If you want to color your bath fizzies, add 6 drops of food coloring.[5]
    • Measure out 1 cup of powered mixture. Use the spray bottles to add small amounts of water to the powder. Mix it up after each spray. The mixture is ready when it holds together when squeezed.[6]
    • Add in the essential oil. For an essential oil with a heavy fragrance (such as peppermint), add 5 drops; use 6 if it's lighter (such as lemon). Stir the fragrance in. Put the mixture in small baking molds, preferably ones that hold about 1/4 cup, enough for one bath. If smaller, use two bath bombs per bath. Repeat for the rest of the dry mixture.[7]
12

Make her food.

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  1. You could make her brownies (mixes make brownies very easy), and you customize them by adding chocolate chips, caramels, candy, or raspberry preserves, anything she'd like. Don't forget to take her allergies and likes and dislikes into consideration. Alternatively, if you want to step it up, try making a whole meal.[8]
    Ina Garten
    Ina Garten, Television Personality & Cook

    Cooking is an act of love. "Cooking is one of the great gifts you can give to those you love. It says “you’re important enough to me to spend the time and effort to cook for you."

16

Find something in line with her passions.

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  1. For instance, if your girlfriend loves drawing, art supplies are definitely an appropriate choice. However, so is a book about art, or a painting by her favorite artist (if you can afford it). Have the gift line up with things she loves.
    EXPERT TIP
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC

    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC

    Marriage & Family Therapist
    Moshe Ratson is the Executive Director of spiral2grow Marriage & Family Therapy, a coaching and therapy clinic in New York City. Moshe is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC). He received his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona College. Moshe is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF).
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
    Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
    Marriage & Family Therapist

    Make your girlfriend's birthday special with a gift that reflects her interests. For example, travel lovers would adore a trip to a dream destination, while music fans would love tickets to an in-demand concert. Plus, try adding a personal touch to gifts, like pairing flowers with a heartfelt poem.


18

Try picking something you can do together.

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  1. Instead of giving her something she'll set on her shelf, try giving her something you can go out and do.[10] Whether it's something you both love or something you don't like as much but she does, it will make an unforgettable gift.
    • For instance, try getting tickets to a musical or play. Alternatively, you could buy tickets for a local symphony.
    • Another option would be to book a couple's massage or a weekend getaway, depending on how long you've been together.[11]
19

Consider giving her a more long-term experience.

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20

Try a small trip.

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  1. It doesn't have to be super expensive, as long as you think about what you your girlfriend likes. For instance, if she isn't super outdoorsy, take her for small getaway in a nearby city or quaint small town.
    • For an even smaller getaway, try staying one night at a fancy hotel in town.[12]
    • Another option is a "staycation." Basically, you both take a day off from work and make fun plans in the city you live in. For instance, you could make her a picnic and go to a park or go to a concert at the botanical gardens.[13]
21

Consider the occasion.

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  1. While it might be nice to give a girl a sweet, handmade card to celebrate your 1-month anniversary, a huge romantic gesture will probably freak her out and put too much pressure on the relationship.[14] Likewise, a handmade card will probably not cut it for a 1-year anniversary. However, you have to consider what your girlfriend wants, too; some girls like to make a big deal out of events like birthdays and Valentine's Day, while others prefer to keep things more casual.
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23

Don't fall back on clichés.

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  1. Popular culture is full of depictions of men giving women teddy bears, heart necklaces, and roses. While some girls may appreciate feeling like they are in a romantic comedy, most will prefer a gift that shows you really know them, and don’t think of them as a two-dimensional stereotype.
    • If you are out of time and ideas, at least consider buying a stuffed version of her favorite animal instead of a generic teddy bear, a bouquet of her favorite flowers instead of roses, or a necklace that somehow reminds you of her instead of just a typical heart pendant.[15]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My girl does not have feelings for me, what will I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You should move on. You cannot make someone love you or have feelings for you. She may realize that you are good for her if you give her some space, but she also may move on as well. The right person will love you for you.
  • Question
    Can I give her a watch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yeah! Make sure you have some idea what her personal style is, though. If you're not sure, ask one of her girlfriends, or bring along a woman you know, like a friend or sister, to give you advice.
  • Question
    I'm going to ask a girl out really soon, and she likes me. However, I am not allowed to date, have a girlfriend, or buy anything. Nevertheless, what would a fifth grade girl like as a present?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can get her chocolate, candy, or a cute stuffed animal.
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  1. Julianne Cantarella. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.
  2. Julianne Cantarella. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.
  3. http://thoughtcatalog.com/christine-stockton/2014/11/gifts-you-should-buy-your-girlfriend-this-holiday/
  4. http://thoughtcatalog.com/christine-stockton/2014/11/gifts-you-should-buy-your-girlfriend-this-holiday/
  5. Julianne Cantarella. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview. 6 August 2021.
  6. http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/surprise-your-girlfriend

About This Article

Julianne Cantarella
Co-authored by:
Dating & Relationship Coach
This article was co-authored by Julianne Cantarella. Julianne Cantarella is a Dating Coach, Certified Life Coach, Licensed Social Worker, and the CEO and President of New Jersey's Matchmaker. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping women heal from a heartbreak and create healthy long-term relationships. Julianne created a comprehensive transformational date coaching program From First Date to Soulmate™ that has helped hundreds of women find love. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University. Julianne has contributed to numerous media such as Your Tango Online Magazine, 24Seven Wellness Magazine, and Talk of The Town Magazine. She has also been featured as a relationship expert on CBS, iHeartRadio, and PBS “This Emotional Life Project.” This article has been viewed 2,328,746 times.
5 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 116
Updated: July 10, 2024
Views: 2,328,746
Categories: Long Term Dating
Article SummaryX

The most important thing about getting a gift for your girlfriend is to show that you know what she likes. Think about recent conversations to see if she has dropped any hints, like a piece of jewelry or a kitchen gadget she likes. You could also try looking at her social media accounts, like Pinterest or Facebook, to see if she has posted pictures of things she’s interested in. If your girlfriend has a particular passion, buy her something related to it. For example, if she’s into drawing or painting, get her some good quality art supplies. Alternatively, organize an activity you can do together that involves something she likes or an interest you have in common, like going to the theater or paying for her to take a class. For tips on how to make your own gift for your girlfriend, read on!

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