2008 Woodie Awards
Gift ideas for the friends who leave you stumped
Dawn Hughes
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Fun House
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The holidays are closing in and for those of us who did not brave the Black Friday crowds shopping for presents; it is yet to be done. You have a list of the people you need to shop for: friends, family, and maybe a significant other.
As you look over the names on your list, your head becomes filled with ideas of what to buy. Then you realize there are a few people for which you have no idea what to get.
Grandma has everything, and you're not quite sure what to get for that guy or girl you just started dating.
Many people would say "the purchase of a CD or DVD just can't go wrong." However, while perusing the shelves of romantic comedy and action, many shoppers face drastic questions. "Does he already have this movie?" "Would she prefer a romantic comedy or a tragic drama?" "Does he like action or fantasy?" All of these questions make it difficult to shop for any person, and your foolproof plan just went down the drain.
Now, being a girl, I think shopping for girls is extremely easy. However, I realize that many guys are stumped when it comes to shopping for female friends and girlfriends. The issue of what is cool to get just a friend and what isn't, often comes up.
When shopping for female friends, as with girlfriends, it is the thought that counts. Lip gloss and lotion are two items that are always needed by women. However, be aware of scent/flavor preferences and allergies.
Items to generally steer clear of for a female friend" include cute stuffed animals, jewelry, or clothing, especially lingerie. Keep in mind, if said female and yourself are more like brother and sister, certain rules can be broken. For instance, cute socks are fun to get and very useful.
Guys are ridiculously hard to shop for, especially if you are on a budget, and especially when he's just a friend. You can't get the same stuff for your guy friends as you get for your girl friends. Most guys don't want socks, and guy socks aren't much fun anyway.
Most boys seem to want expensive toys such as video game equipment to new games for their computers, or sports memorabilia. Often you might find yourself running into the same problem with games that you would with movies.
Homemade cookies, brownies, or another confection could get you out of your bind. However, problems like allergies or preferences in taste can come into play.
Of course, you could always get a gift card. But that is the general "I have no clue what to get you, so I am getting you a gift card" present. Nothing is more impersonal than a gift card, especially if it is a gift card to a generic sell-everything store like Shopko or Wal-Mart.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what you get for your friends and family. Your father will still love you if you get him some cheesy movie, and your brother won't care if you get him a model car that he never touches. In most cases it really is the thought that counts.
As you look over the names on your list, your head becomes filled with ideas of what to buy. Then you realize there are a few people for which you have no idea what to get.
Grandma has everything, and you're not quite sure what to get for that guy or girl you just started dating.
Many people would say "the purchase of a CD or DVD just can't go wrong." However, while perusing the shelves of romantic comedy and action, many shoppers face drastic questions. "Does he already have this movie?" "Would she prefer a romantic comedy or a tragic drama?" "Does he like action or fantasy?" All of these questions make it difficult to shop for any person, and your foolproof plan just went down the drain.
Now, being a girl, I think shopping for girls is extremely easy. However, I realize that many guys are stumped when it comes to shopping for female friends and girlfriends. The issue of what is cool to get just a friend and what isn't, often comes up.
When shopping for female friends, as with girlfriends, it is the thought that counts. Lip gloss and lotion are two items that are always needed by women. However, be aware of scent/flavor preferences and allergies.
Items to generally steer clear of for a female friend" include cute stuffed animals, jewelry, or clothing, especially lingerie. Keep in mind, if said female and yourself are more like brother and sister, certain rules can be broken. For instance, cute socks are fun to get and very useful.
Guys are ridiculously hard to shop for, especially if you are on a budget, and especially when he's just a friend. You can't get the same stuff for your guy friends as you get for your girl friends. Most guys don't want socks, and guy socks aren't much fun anyway.
Most boys seem to want expensive toys such as video game equipment to new games for their computers, or sports memorabilia. Often you might find yourself running into the same problem with games that you would with movies.
Homemade cookies, brownies, or another confection could get you out of your bind. However, problems like allergies or preferences in taste can come into play.
Of course, you could always get a gift card. But that is the general "I have no clue what to get you, so I am getting you a gift card" present. Nothing is more impersonal than a gift card, especially if it is a gift card to a generic sell-everything store like Shopko or Wal-Mart.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what you get for your friends and family. Your father will still love you if you get him some cheesy movie, and your brother won't care if you get him a model car that he never touches. In most cases it really is the thought that counts.
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