It’s always a little awkward when you’re deciding what to get your boyfriend for the holidays. If you’ve only been dating for a few months, you don’t want to spend too much money and look over eager. If you’ve been dating for a long time, you don’t want to go overboard with a fancy gift that doesn’t have any personality or might seem insincere. So, here’s some advice to avoid the awkwardness. I guarantee that these are the top ten best boyfriend gifts that will never fail to snag you a huge smile – and hopefully a nice gift in return! – from your man.
1. The Tool Box
Hopefully by now, you and your man have a few good inside jokes going. A cheap, easy, and thoughtful gift you can give him is to turn those jokes into objects. Go to Walgreens and pick up some cutesy wrapping paper, a few sharpies, and about six or seven goofy presents that represent your relationship with your beau. Wrap an old, fairly large shoe box in the wrapping paper and write little jokes on the box.
2. The Scarf
Every Gossip Girl watcher secretly desires a Chuck Bass sense of fashion in their boyfriend. Let your man look and feel like Chuck this chilly holiday season. Purchase him a warm scarf that he can rock with a leather jacket. Word to the wise: stick to basic colors, like blacks, blues, grays, and whites.
3. The Book
Even though you might think your man only cares how you look, he also cares how you think. Share with him your favorite book – the gem that you’ve read more than once and have four copies of. Write him a cute note in the beginning, and tell him why you love it.
4. The Baked Goods
Every boy I know loves some hot chocolate chip cookies in the dead of winter. Either use an old family recipe or head to Schnucks and buy some cookie dough. Throw a batch in the oven and bring them to him while they’re hot. He can share them with his friends and you’ll sweeten his day.
5. The MANicure
This may sound bizarre, but deep down, every teddy bear boyfriend just wants to be pampered. Take him to your favorite nail place for a manicure and a pedicure. Tell him to trust you; promise him that they’re just hand and foot massages, and that he’ll feel relaxed and wonderful after.
6. The Music
A mix tape is classic, some would even venture to say overdone. So, this time, do something different. Pick 12-15 of your favorites songs – but songs your man might not know – and share them with him. Use the rest of the CD to add songs you both love. Then, at the end, record yourself wishing him happy holidays with a personalized message.
7. The Sweater
Holiday season is freezing! Keep your guy warm (aside from cuddles, of course) by snagging him a nice Polo sweater. V-necks are key, and don’t buy wool – boys think it’s scratchy. You’ll have your man looking fly and feeling cozy in no time.
8. The Sports
If your man is into sports, he’s going to want you to be into sports – or at least to appreciate his love for them. Take him out on the town one night – on you. Buy the two of you tickets to a game in your college town and plan a nice dinner at his favorite restaurant beforehand. He’ll be touched that you planned such a lovely evening – full of things he loves – and he’ll be relieved that it’s on you this time!
9. The Picture
We all know that if you’ve gone public, you’re proud of your guy. And you want everyone to know he’s yours. Print out your favorite picture of the two of you and get a nice, plain black frame. He’ll put it on his desk as a reminder of your beautiful face and everyone will see how cute you are together.
10. The Scrapbook
Ladies, this one means business. It can stand alone. Do not attempt if you haven’t been dating for at least a year – no one wants a scrapbook with three pages. Use this book to document your time with each other – the trips you’ve taken together, your favorite restaurants, TV shows you always watch with him, etc. Go to Michaels, be creative, and make each page gorgeous.
Feel free to mix and match any of these gifts, they’re all very different, but they go well together and will show your man how much you care.