Holiday Gift Guide |
Mission Possibleby Ken Ilgunas |
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Gift-buying for a significant other can be a painful and difficult process. While you might be able to get away with getting mom a toaster and some oven mitts this holiday season, slacking on a gift for your better half could be relationship suicide.
Gifts to Give Him
1. Practical gifts are good gifts. Guys want what they need. A wallet and watch are practical, affordable presents that he’ll appreciate. You could even throw a picture of yourself in the wallet to add a sentimental touch. Clothes are good ideas, especially for fashionably challenged males who hate doing their own shopping. Leather wallets ($25-$35, Little-Bro’s Custom Leather, 2500 Walden Ave.); Unique belts/belt buckles ($20, Urban Threads and Sleds, 736 Elmwood).
2. Stay simple. Framing a picture of the two of you, or just of you, will be an invaluable ornament for his desk. Brainstorm gift ideas according to his interests. A video game or a sports gift would be a pleasant and thoughtful surprise. Or casually ask him what his favorite movies, musicians, and authors are and then scour his collection while he’s in the john to see what he doesn’t have. For new books up to 70 percent off, try the Book Outlet (908 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield). For rare or collectible titles, head to Avenue Book Exchange () or Old Editions Bookstore (). Other good bets: Resident Evil 4 (PS2) or Halo 2 (Xbox)(both $39.99 at Game Crazy (100 Niagara St. Tonawanda).
3. Combo gifts. Don’t spend all your money on one thing that he could potentially dislike. An article of clothing along with a DVD or CD is a full-proof combo. A good bet: Music is Art 2005, a four-disc album featuring all local musicians. ($17, Home of the Hits, 1105 Elmwood.)
4. Buy for him, not for you. Even if his apartment is an absolute mess, he doesn’t need you giving him Asian tapestries and 19th-century Victorian wall art to send the not-so-subtle hint. Not only is this insulting, but it’s a viable reason to end the relationship.
Gifts to Give Her
1. Listen. It’s easy to daydream while she’s talking about her latest fight with her best friend or about a deceased relative, but these everyday testimonials may contain crucial information about favorite bands, movies, and books that are missing from her collection. For some easy, non-commital laughs, pick up a copy of “Seinfeld” Season 5 DVD ($49.99 list) or Retaliation, Dane Cook’s Comedy CD ($18.98 list), both at Record Theatre (1800 Main St.)
2. Map out a plan. The last thing you want to do is aimlessly wander from store to store looking for that “perfect item.” Chances are that item does not exist, and she’ll be disappointed with whatever you get her anyway. Do yourself a favor by locating items, stores, and then print out a network of directions for all your stops.
3. Gauge the status of the relationship. Do you have long-term intentions, or is this just a relationship that you don’t want to elevate above the friends-with-benefits status? If the latter, find a humorous gift in order to avoid misleading her. Check out the Miracle Jesus Action Figure ($12.99) at New World Record (765 Elmwood Ave.)
If it’s serious and you feel you must resort to jewelry, choose your shopping destination economically. Local thrift stores and especially antiques shops will often have decent and sometimes rather trendy costume jewelry at extraordinary prices. (But, unless your girl’s a thrift-store junky, you may want to keep the product’s origin a secret when she asks where you bought it. Assorted vintage costume jewelry (Goodwill, 2655 Delaware Ave., and Moda Antiques, 616 Elmwood Ave.)
4. Never succumb to the temptation of the gift certificate. While that Sunoco or Jiffylube gift card looks like it may be a solution to your holiday problems, resist it at all costs. If you fail to adhere to step 4, prepare to spend New Year’s alone.
5. Be creative. Bring out your übersexual side. Drawings, poetry, photographs or anything that involves the creative, sensitive mind is more affordable and appreciated than the most ludicrously priced piece of jewelry. If you’ve been in the relationship for a while you could make a scrapbook of old pictures and memories, or you could buy a scroll to write down all the reasons you love her. While doing this, you may feel like you should be switching over to Lady Schick’s, but a good gift can do wonders for a relationship. Scrapbook ($20-$40, Scrapbook City, 3063 Sheridan Dr.)
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