Buying a gift for your girlfriend can be tricky. You want to get her something she’ll love that shows how much you love and care for her. You also want to get her something she’ll actually use and enjoy. None of the ideas you come up with seem good enough for the most important woman in your life. 

If you constantly find yourself struggling with what to buy your significant other, don’t worry. You’re not alone. In fact, 9% of people admit to intentionally ending relationships just to avoid buying gifts. In a recent survey, 48% of people feel like they’re bad at giving gifts, and 60% said they always struggle with selecting the perfect gift. These statistics aren’t meant to overwhelm you, though. They’re meant to show you that everybody struggles with purchasing gifts, especially when it’s for their significant other. 

If you identify as a bad gift giver, there are ways you can turn it around. By following a set of guidelines, you can earn yourself a reputation as an amazing gifter. In this article, we’ll tell you how to select the perfect gift, and we’ll even give you some present ideas to help get you started. 

How To Be A Better Gifter

Did you know that there is actually a science behind giving great gifts? Researchers have studied what people appreciate being given most, as well as the negative impact giving the wrong gift can have. They’ve noticed that gift-givers expect there to be a correlation between the amount of money spent and the amount the recipient enjoys the gift. However, this really isn’t the case. Spending more on a gift doesn’t always mean the person will enjoy their gift more. 

There are a few key criteria that great gift-givers follow when shopping for presents. We’ve broken these down below.

Think Long Term

When shopping for a gift, it’s easy to imagine your girlfriend’s reaction the moment she opens it. You want her to be surprised and happy with the present you’ve chosen. However, the key to a great gift is ensuring she enjoys the item long term, not just in the moment.

Try to give your girlfriend something she’ll actually use in her everyday life, or give her an experience that will create a lasting memory. By giving a gift that becomes part of her daily life, she can enjoy your present again and again, and she’ll think of you with every use. 

Don’t Worry About Uniqueness

Many people get caught up in trying to find the most different, unique present for their partner. But there’s a reason that popular gifts are popular: because they’re well-loved. Just because it’s a common gift doesn’t mean your girlfriend will love it any less.

Focus On Shared Interests 

When shopping for a gift, try to focus on the interests you share with your partner and the things you have in common. It will be much easier to pick something she’ll love from this category because it’s something you’d love, too. 

If you love to play board games together, get her a collector’s edition of her favorite game. If you love movies, get her a box set of her favorite series. By focusing on the things you both love, you’ll have a much easier time selecting a gift she’ll treasure. 

When In Doubt, Ask

If you still find yourself totally stuck, just ask her if there’s anything she’d like. Surprises are fun, but they aren’t the most important part of gift-giving. The most important thing is she gets something she’ll really love and use all the time. She knows herself best, so if you get stuck, the simplest way to find out what she wants is to ask.

Amazing Gift Ideas

We’ve gathered some fantastic ideas that meet the criteria above and make fabulous gifts for your partner. If you need more inspiration, be sure to visit our blog for tons of articles with amazing gifting ideas. 

Paint Your Numbers Kit

We offer custom paint by numbers kits made from your personal photos that come equipped with everything you need to make a personal painted portrait. If you can dream it, we can help you make it into a painting. 

Not only is completing the kits fun and relaxing, but it’s also a great activity to do with your partner for an at-home date night. Plus, they’ll have a beautiful piece of art to hang on their wall when you’ve finished. Paint by numbers kits make amazing gifts, and your girlfriend is sure to treasure your handmade portrait forever. 

Weighted Blanket 

Not only are weighted blankets soft and comfortable, but they can be powerful tools for relieving anxiety. They come in a variety of different materials and weights, so you can select the one you think your girlfriend would like best. A weighted blanket will provide a source of comfort for your girlfriend, especially during times when the two of you can’t be together. 

A Romantic Trip

If your girlfriend loves to travel, planning a romantic trip for the two of you to take is an amazing idea. It can be tailored to your specific shared interests and price range. Whether the two of you would prefer to relax at a spa, or backpack across Europe, taking time away for just the two of you is romantic and will allow you to connect on a deeper level. 

Plus, taking a trip doesn’t have to be insanely expensive. Save on travel costs by making it a road trip, and search the internet for hotel packages and deals. 

Beauty Subscription Box 

Subscription boxes are the gift that keeps on giving, as they show up every month packed with new goodies for your girlfriend to try. There are a variety of different boxes that focus on different interests, like skincare, haircare, and makeup. Select a box that suits your girlfriend's interests, and every month she’ll receive an array of new products to experiment with. 

Jewelry 

We know, we know, giving your girlfriend jewelry seems cliche. But there’s a reason things become cliches: because everybody loves them. Giving your girlfriend a piece of jewelry that matches her taste and personality lets her know that you pay attention to her likes and dislikes and gives her something she can wear every day that reminds her of your love.

When shopping for jewelry, take note of what she wears every day. Does she like to mix it up with loud, statement pieces or keep it simple with small, classic pieces? Enlist her sisters or friend to help you select a piece that she’ll love to wear every single day. 

Conclusion

Shopping for a gift for your girlfriend can be a lot of pressure. How do you select an item that shows her how much she means to you? The most important thing is not to panic, or you might end up with an oversized stuffed animal you never intended to purchase. 

Focus on giving her something with lasting value, something that focuses on your shared interests. If you find yourself stuck, don’t be afraid to just ask. It’s better to ruin a surprise than to buy your girlfriend a gift that will sit in the back of the closet collecting dust.

To learn more about Paint Your Numbers, visit our website here. We offer custom paint by numbers kits, frames, and helpful art tutorials to stimulate your creativity. 

Sources:

9% of Americans break up with their partner to avoid buying holiday gifts, survey says | WKYC

The science behind giving good gifts | BBC