What to Get Your Girlfriend for Valentine/Birthday/Anniversary

Most attached guys I know face this problem: What to get your wife or girlfriend for her birthday? Or Valentine’s Day? Or your anniversary? Oh, that’s easy, some of you might say. Get her some flowers and chocolates. Sure, that works fine the first few times, but after a few years of courtship (assuming your girlfriend stays with you that long) you start running out of ideas.

There are those who never face this problem. That’s because they never buy their girlfriends anything. Why? I dunno. I suppose there’s a few reasons. Boyfriend is an ultra-cheapskate. Guy has a incredible ability to forget every important date (Most likely to get dumped). Girlfriend has an intense phobia against receiving gifts (OK, this one only exists in men’s dreams).Couple are hard-pressed for money and are saving for more important things together (OK, in this case, it be acceptable).

But for the rest of us, we have to shop around for good gifts 3 to 4 times a year (including Christmas for some people). But first let me say that I’m the type that loves shopping for gifts for my wife, heck, I just love shopping. I find it a thrilling challenge to seek out a really hard-to-get or ingenious present that will absolutely delight her. It’s not always an expensive item, sometimes a small meaningful gift can mean far more than an expensive one.

But for those prone to frantic, last minute shopping at the nearest petrol station mini-mart, here are some semi-precious tips, some I picked up myself, some I learnt from other masters:


Don’t buy her gift vouchers – The first unwritten rule. I don’t really know why this is so, but I adhere by it. It’s probably because the recipient can immediately tell how much you spent on it (and whether she thinks you’re a spendthrift or a cheapskate). The other problem might be it doesn’t take any effort to shop for it. You just walk into the store and buy it. So unless you’re buying RM1000 worth of vouchers at Salvatore Ferragamo which is her all time FAVOURITE store, remember this rule.


Listen to her – Right I know this might be like asking most guys to donate a liver, but believe it or not, most girls like to talk (yes, believe it or not). And while they talk about everything and anything under the sun, they will also talk about what they like, or suddenly let slip something they really wanted to have (you know, like a Freudian slip). To catch what she said, remember it, six months later presenting it to her (after scouring half the city) will score more marks with her than you will ever hope for. Remember that pearl pendant Ross bought for Rachel’s birthday in the first season of Friends? I have done it a few times, (opportunities like this don’t often come), but you’ll have to ask my wife about it.


Get it while you can – Sometimes you see something you know she will love, get it immediately (if the price is right) even though her birthday is 5 months away. Keep it in a secret place (just don’t forget where) then you can be assured of an awesome gift when the time comes. I once had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy this great collector’s edition of a Barbie doll (retail price RM200, I paid less than 20% of that price). Since the source was rather clandestine, that opportunity will never come again.


Decide first, then look – Make sure you know what you want to buy, or at least 2 or 3 possibilities, then go look for something that sells it. Don’t wander around Isetan trying to think of something, you’ll get more misses than hits. Then as time runs out, you’ll start getting panicky. Decide what to buy, then go and get it. If you can’t find it, have a backup. If not, then you can panic.


Never tell her the price – the greatest golden rule. Hide your credit card statement. Better yet, pay cash (Remember folks, use Mastercard, not Visa). Keep receipt in safe place. Like, in a compartment in your car engine. Ahahaha. Never tell. Even if she asks, begs, cajoles, bullies. (actually if she bullies, you might consider your long term prospects with her…)




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