Advice? December 14, 2006
Posted by charmingbutsingle in Uncategorized.trackback
So, say you were shopping for your younger (24) brother’s girlfriend and (probable) future fiancée. And you need a present that says, "I’m sorry my brother is a dirty hippie who would rather wear Birkenstocks and an old Phish T-shirt than get dressed up and shave and take you out to dinner, but I really do like you and hope that you marry him some day because even though you are very different people, you complement each other very well and he is always so happy to be with you and we all know that he is a very sweet man and will be a good father one day and I swear I am going to be very happy on the INSIDE when you tie the knot, even though on the OUTSIDE I’ll be sitting in the corner of the reception mumbling into a champagne glass about being an Old Maid without a date to my own little brother’s wedding. Oh, also, Merry Christmas."
Note: I have previously given her a gift basket of relaxation and beauty products and a scent diffuser ( like this one, but more expensive) and various members of my family throughout the years have gifted many picture frames and journals and candle sets.
Also, I’ve got a long shopping list. Less than $50. (And $50 could be pushing it.)
I like to give presents that complement someone’s interests. Like if they are a fan of traveling, I would get them a subscription to Conde Nast Traveler, a travel journal and a anthology of travel stories. Does she have any special interests? I might be able to think of something if I knew. Thanks! and Good luck with whatever you decide to get her!
What about a set of earrings with a matching necklace? It doesn’t have to be expensive.. You can find VERY cute sets for under $40 (way under if you go to the right stores).
What about a set of earrings with a matching necklace? It doesn’t have to be expensive.. You can find VERY cute sets for under $40 (way under if you go to the right stores).
What about a set of earrings with a matching necklace? It doesn’t have to be expensive.. You can find VERY cute sets for under $40 (way under if you go to the right stores).
What about a set of earrings with a matching necklace? It doesn’t have to be expensive.. You can find VERY cute sets for under $40 (way under if you go to the right stores).
I’d say something more personal. It seems the gifts you guys have been giving are too “you’re a guest in this house” type of stuff. Ask your brother, I’m sure he’s got some idea of what she likes.
A book (either novel or something in an area that interests her) and a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble (do they have B & N in the south?).
A gift cert. to a nice resturant so your brother HAS to shower and shave and take her out.
A gift cert for a mani./pedi. at her favortie salon.
Go to ‘things remebered’ get a silver picture frame ($30 or so) and have her name engraved on it and put a picture of her and your brother in it! Sweet, girly, sentimental, perpetuates the relationship, etc.
Something she wouldn’t splurge on herself. L’Occitane hand cream or bubble bath. Just one or the other which should be around 30$ US. It`s really decadent and she will absolutely appreciate it. And no I don’t work for them in any capacity.
I found this through your blogroll. Sounds yum!
http://realgirlbeauty.blogspot.com/2006/12/body-and-gift-goodness.html
I’m with Marie (who posted 4 times). I think that some nice jewelery that says, “I know you’re sophisticated, even though he’s not–we GET each other.”
i think cheap jewelry is something that you buy for yourself, not something that you give as a gift. i strongly suggest getting her something indulgent that she wouldn’t necessarily think to buy for herself. a pricy bottle of wine, high end hair or skincare products, etc. everyone likes to be spoiled every now and again and the average 24 year old doesn’t have the budget to spoil themself very often. i personally like the philosophy product line.
I think the L’Occitane hand cream or bubble bath idea was great. It should definitely be something she’d love but would never buy for herself. Jewelry is very taste specific and coming from another girl is just a little too weird for me. Some sort of beauty/bath product would be perfect.
I was going to propose a gift certificate to a nice restaurant, but someone beat me to it
You could find a place that’s nice (”upscale” 
where she can gussy herself up, but that your brother will agree to go to (and dress appropriately for - even though I ended both of those in prepositions).
Or you could make it a fancy place where she can go all dressed up with her friends on a girls’ night out thing, if your brother refuses to wear a shirt with buttons.
If she’s a big reader, the B&N gift certificate is a good idea to (and YES we have bookstores - B&N and others - in the south! Some of us down here *are* literate, thank you…
but now that I’m older (and have been on the receiving end of some poorly-chosen gifts), I have come to see the light when it comes to gc’s. The right gift certificate is an invitation to pamper yourself.
I used to think gift certificates were very impersonal, kind of a cop-out gift (either, “I don’t know you well enough to actually buy you something, I’m going to let you do that,” or, “I didn’t feel like putting in the effort to think of something that you’d like, so I’m giving you money instead”
You know what? I think a card with what you just said written on it would be amazing, inexpensive, heart-felt, and would get the message accross. Maybe along with it get her a gift card to her favorite shop or spa. OR a kind og “IOU” to take her out to dinner, as you seem to like her quite a bit. =)
maybe it’s just me, but I tend to view bath & body products as that generic gift you give to someone that you can’t think of anything else to give them. If it’s a brand or product you know that they love, or that they’ll recognize and appreciate the brand, then I guess that’s different. But otherwise, I dunno… It always seemed to me that scented body lotion, etc, was one of those last-minute “secure” gifts.
maybe it’s just me, but I tend to view bath & body products as that generic gift you give to someone that you can’t think of anything else to give them. If it’s a brand or product you know that they love, or that they’ll recognize and appreciate the brand, then I guess that’s different. But otherwise, I dunno… It always seemed to me that scented body lotion, etc, was one of those last-minute “secure” gifts.
I like the idea of a gift card out to dinner, either for her and your brother, or as an offer for you to take her out on a girly night. I also think a card with what you wrote in the post written on it– I think it’ll be incredibly sweet and meaningful, and very much appreciated.
(sorry if this posts twice, the comments are beinfg weird with me right now)
my backup plan for gifts is LUSH. its the most enjoyable shoppinig i know and pretty easy for people you dont know well. its all organic/homemade soaps and bath supplies and everything looks and smells uniquely gorgeous. the website has great comments from customers so you can figure out what the favorites are and whats kind of a mess or overloaded with petulli. you could also grab something for your hippy brother. my brother might be a bit of a freak for loving baths but he is all over their bubble bars and bath bombs especially mr. butterball. the in-store exclusive face masks i think would be great for a girl or if all else fails they have a face soap that looks like sushi!
I agree with Marcy so much… on both points
An Aveda gift basket… get one with the Shampure shampoo and conditioner, and then one of the body lotions or oils. I give this out multiple times per year and it always goes over well.
oh, I love LUSH. Their stuff is fun and unique, and it’s always gotten rave reviews from everyone I’ve introduced it to. check it out– http://www.lush.com
Echoing what has already been said, I love giving/receiving spa treatments because they are such an indulgence. A spa pedicure should be in your range ($40-50), and if you could afford it splurge on one for yourself and go together for a fun bonding experience!
The other types of gifts that are popular among my friends are ones that cater to the drink connoisseurs in all of us, such as a set of martini or wine glasses, a bartending set, a nice bottle of expensive liqueur like Chambord, or a rabbit-style wine corkscrew toolkit. A bartender’s guide like “Mr. Boston” is also nice tossed in with any of them.
Good luck making your decision!
Going on from the various suggestions of bath products etc…I suggest the body lotion or shower gel that goes with her perfume. It’s the kind of thing we never buy for ourselves, but is a lovely luxurious thing to have.
Also doesn’t have to be v.expensive and is easy to wrap!
Hey, I didn’t mean to comment FOUR times.. the comments were giving me trouble..
Hi Charming…
Long time reader, first time commenter, here! (Sorry, the holidays just bring out the cliche in me!)
I agree with Marcy (completely) and Mme De Rigueur (about the fact that all the gifts up to this point seem impersonal).
I would say get her a gift certificate for spa services (like mani/pedi or MASSAGE) or, at this time of year the Coach Outlet (surely y’all have one) has amazing prices on really nice wallets, clutches, and small handbags. That’s what we got my little brother’s girlfriend last year… (And yes, I’m in the same boat with you!)
Happy Shopping!
anything Chanel…it says sophisticated…
I agree with the Spa suggestion. On the other hand, there is always Will and Grace season one. For under $50 you can also add on season two. Of course in Will and grace the roles are reversed.