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If you
have not established
exclusivity, you are just
dating and this is not a committed relationship, even if
you are sleeping together. Treat the relationship as
you would any other new friendship or associate. Until
exclusivity is established, this is just another friendship. Non-Exclusive: Budget ($30 or less
Men or Women)
Exclusive: Budget ($30 or less Women, $50 or less Men)
Exclusive:
Appropriate gifts are anything homemade, CD's, Video's, books and clothing. Keep it under $50 men and
$30 women.
Candles, Bath & Body kits, Hobby
related gifts if he/she collects or has a passion are always
appropriate.
Non-Exclusive:
Keep the gift under $30.00, nothing
too romantic or too personal. Candles, Bath & Body
kits, Hobby related gifts if he/she collects or has a
passion are always appropriate.
Our Love Games Store has great gift baskets for this stage. The best
gifts in this stage are homemade cookies, fudge or other
items you've made or his favorite liquor (WOMEN).
Homemade CD's (you create it for her) tickets to an event or
perfume and a bottle of wine (MEN). Gift certificates
are very appropriate in this stage for facials, massages or
manicures.
Giving to Women:
GIRLFRIEND STORE 0-3 MONTHS
Giving to Men:
Boyfriend Store 0-3 Months
His/Her Children:
If your date or new relationship has children it is
appropriate and recommended to give a small gift under $20
per child (stuffed animals and matchbox cars are always
good. For teens, gift certificates to music stores).
In the 0-3 month stage it is perfectly acceptable to give a
card to your date and small gifts to the children.
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TOGETHER 4-6 Months:
Not too Serious Yet ($80 or
less Women, $100 or less Men)
This is the toughest part of any relationship
because most won't survive through six months. During this
period you are beginning to see your partner's faults; you'll
decide if you will become exclusive and your lives are beginning
to intertwine. Keep gift giving subdued, but appropriate.
No lingerie; it is too presumptuous at this stage.
Giving to Women:
GIRLFRIEND STORE 4-6 MONTHS
Small
jewelry items (earrings, costume jewelry),
perfume and simple clothing
items like sweaters, shirts, scarves, gloves,
hobby related items and hats. Services like 1-hour
massage, facials or manicure/pedicures are also great gifts.
Anything you've made like drawings, wood or metal working, poems
or short stories.
Giving to Men:
Boyfriend Store 4-6 Months
Money clips, pens, sweaters,
gag gifts, tickets to events,
hobby related gifts if he/she collects or has a passion
(Golf or
Sports) are always appropriate. Anything you've made
like drawings, items sewn or knitted, poems or short stories.
Car gifts are good too.
Together 7-9 Months:
You're Committed! ($175
or less Women, $300 or
less Men)
If you've made it through and past six
months, you've got a good thing. This is the negotiation
phase of a relationship where you learn to be a team through
give and take. You'll be defining your roles as we during
this time.
Giving to Women:
GIRLFRIEND STORE 7-9 MONTHS
Give something tangible that marks your
relationship's status. Lingerie
is appropriate at 6 months as are more expensive gift items like
fine jewelry (Under
$250),
watches, trips
and interesting items for
the home. Guys: stay away from the kitchen
appliances, cleaning items or anything matronly unless she's
specifically asked for one from you. These are good
gifts when you're married, but they are really disappointing to
women when you are not. Anything you've made like drawings, wood
or metal working, poems or short stories.
Personalized gifts are very appropriate for
both he and she, especially jewelry with an engraving.
TOP
Giving to Men:
Boyfriend Store 7-9 Months
Nice
watches are our favorite gift in this stage. Dream
experiences like the chance to be a race driver for an hour, a
fishing trip, Pre-paid green fees, maid service for a day etc..
Clothing items like sweaters, sweatshirts and ties.
Jewelry items like cufflinks,
tie pins,
engraved money clips, engraved pens or engraved anything
are also good. Anything you've made like drawings, items sewn or
knitted, poems or short stories.
10 Months to a Year:
($500 or less
(Men), $300 or less (Women);
exception is engagement rings)
This is the final stage of a new relationship
where you are now a team and operate as one. You have both
short and long-term plans together and your gifts can and should
reflect this longevity. You will most likely be spending
part if not all of the holidays together.
Giving to Women:
GIRLFRIEND STORE 10-12 MONTHS
Fine Jewelry, something very nice and unique
that is made of real gold, silver or platinum with precious
and/or semi precious stones. Make it something she can wear
every day like a necklace,
locket, watch or ring. Unique dress watches or a
favorite print from an artist are also appropriate. Perfume can be given, but only as an add-on gift. The one year
mark needs to be special, which is why we recommend jewelry.
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Click
Here for Companies that Personalize
Gifts:
Click Here
for Companies with Unique
Gifts:
Giving to Men:
Boyfriend Store 10-12 Months
Give something he can use or wear every day
to remind him of you. A gold engraved money clip, a unique
clock, something for his
business or something that reflects his family history
(We like the Family Name History found at
Personal
Creations). The key is personalization.
This gift needs to be personal and unique. If you think you will
be proposed to within a year, hold off on the watch. Most
women give a nice watch as an engagement present once he
proposes. Tie clips just don't have he same pizzazz.
Anything you've made like drawings, items sewn or knitted, poems
or short stories is always appropriate.
Thinking of
proposing
this holiday?
Most experts recommend that you date a person
for at least a year before proposing. The reason for this
is that each of the four stages: 0-3 months (infatuation), 4-6
months (disenchantment) 6-9 months (negotiation) and 9-12 months
(unity) have their own pitfalls and prizes. You need a
full year to see the good, bad and quirky sides of your partner.
If you are going to propose, do so on Christmas Eve, (together
in private away from the family) or Christmas Evening, again
together in private. Better yet, do it on the 26th.
If she says no for whatever reason, you don't want Christmas to
be a yearly reminder.
Why not do it in front of the family and
guests? Opening an engagement ring in
front of the family is a lot of pressure and can be quite
embarrassing for her. She will not want to disappoint or
embarrass you and may want to ask you several questions before
accepting. It's also the most important decision she will
ever make. Burying the event in the midst of the holiday
hoopla diminishes the importance of it. Take her for a
drive, go for a walk, retreat to a private room to ask.
It's your moment, the two of you. Give her the opportunity
to share it just with you before the rest of the family becomes
involved. TOP
Final Note:
Don't forget to send Thank You Cards by Snail Mail
(e-mail does not cut it!) within two weeks to:
- The Hostess if you were invited to dinner, party or
to several days with the family
- To anyone whom gave you a gift, gift certificate or money.
For a Full
listing of Stores and a description of their product offerings,
click here
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Happy
Hanukkah,
Merry Christmas
& to all
humanity a
Prosperous,
Peaceful New Year!
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