The holidays are here, and with all the excitement can come a healthy dose of gift-giving anixety. No matter how long you have been with your bae, getting the perfect gift can take a lot of thought and energy -- until now. Here are some suggestions for making this holiday season simple on your stess level but extra special on your love life.
How Long Have You Been Together?
#Friendzone
If he hasn't realized how amazing you are and is still keeping you in the friendzone, then coal. Just kidding -- kinda. Don't get him coal, but get him nothing. Focus your holiday spirits on yourself, the other great people in your life and finding another potential hottie under the mistletoe this season.
We just met
Bust out your cooking and baking skills and make your man the best brunch of his life.
- Fluffy ricotta pancakes topped with organic fruit and honeycomb butter
- Build-Your-Own Bloody-Mary bar (mini-version)
- Spicy Spanish- or Moroccan-inspired scramble with chorizo or merguez
- Peppered bacon from your local butcher
- French pressed coffee (Have sugar, soy milk, creamer and flavored creamer on hand.)
Go to town! Of course his personal tastes may vary, but the idea is to present an assortment of items that can't go wrong. If your skills are a little shaky, then watch some YouTube videos and prepare a "practice" brunch for your friends to make you confident and finalize your menu items.
We're Totally Smitten
Good for you. You are the couple we are all jealous of, but secretly cheering for, too. I bet all you want to do is spend time with this person during the holidays. Speaking of time, this is the perfect instance to buy him a watch. Depending on how smitten -- or loaded with cash -- you are, there is an "I-want-to-spend-time-with-you" watch for everyone:
- Wearable Tech Watches
- Sport Watches (Golf, Surfing, Running)
- Classic Watche$$$ (Movado, Rolex, Tag)
- Pocket Watches (You can get one at a vintage shop or thrift store and engrave it.)
- Fun Watches (Think a calculator watch or a throwback to his youth--TMNT, Nintendo, etc.)
He's the One!
If you are confident he is the one, then you've probably spent a lot of time -- or a lot of money -- on many birthdays, holidays and anniversaries together. Instead of spending a boatload of money on more tangible gifts, spend it on a boat. (OK, so not a real yacht, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience that's completely new for the both of you, like a sailing trip.)
Splurge with your holiday bonus or check out sites like, LivingSocial and Groupon to save on vacation package deals.
- Safari in Africa.
- Sail in Croatia.
- Stay up all night at a Full Moon Party in Thailand.
- Sip pisco sours in Peru. (Take a bus to Machu Picchu if you're too lazy to hike. Not judging.)
- Swim with the dolphins in Mexico. (Southwest now flys to Mexico and Central America.)
- See your favorite band/musician/DJ at an international music fest/venue.
The memories always outlast the clothes you buy for him. A vacation might be more expensive, but it will bring you closer together beyond the holidays -- and that, my friends, is priceless.
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