Gift giving during the holiday season is always stressful, especially if it’s for that special someone you’re always blocking the lockers with before second period. The Lance has come up with a gift guide of “do’s” and “don’ts” to make shopping for your boyfriend or girlfriend a little easier this year! (No one really needs another mini bottle of Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion!)

DON’T buy a gift card. The only thing a person thinks when opening a little card with a little piece of plastic in it is that the gift giver put LITTLE thought into the matter. While it may be convenient for you to pick one up at a register, the little effort will definitely show and, sadly, create a poor impression of you.

DO look around in the store where you were planning to buy the gift card. Picking out an actual item from his or her favorite store shows effort even if the item may not be their style. Girls can be picky, but that’s what gift receipts were made for. (Shouldn’t you know what her style is anyways??)

Although if you are the recipient of a less than perfect gift, always be sure to act appreciative. It’s the though the counts, right? It’s always possible to secretly return it on your own time that you’re not spending playing thank-you tonsil hockey. And if he were to ever say “Hey, why don’t you ever wear that fuzzy hot pink fedora hat I gave you?” you can always reply with, “My sister liked it so much that she stole it from me!” emphasizing what great taste he has.

DO buy perfume or cologne because it’s always a safe bet for any guy or girl. It can also be masked as an awesome way to help them with that B.O. issue… Whether you get a restock of that same Hollister cologne they wear every day, or spice things up with a new scent such as Michael Jordan’s Legend, unless it smells like your gym locker, they will most likely appreciate it. For girls, maybe try Pure Seduction by Victoria Secret, or any type of jewelry accessory.

DON’T buy products such as makeup, deodorant, teeth whitener, or Proactiv because while they may need them, and some more than others, your partner may look past that and take offense, possibly resulting in future relationship problems. No one wants to spend Christmas alone. 

DON’T buy things with a secret motive. Guys, don’t buy your girl the new Call of Duty game Ghost just so you can play it at her house, and Girls, don’t buy your guy a dog tag necklace engraved with “TAKEN 11.?.13” just to let other girls know, because he will NEVER wear it.

DO buy things you can enjoy together such as burritos from Chipotle. (No one dislikes Chipotle). Get a couple’s psychic reading to see how long your relationship will really last– beware; you may be ringing in the New Year single. On a serious note, maybe consider getting your girl a chick-flick classic on DVD such as Mean Girls; Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging; or She’s the Man and watch it with her. Complete this with blankets and Starbucks peppermint hot cocoa. Girls, try to find the new COD game or GTAV if they don’t have it yet and while watching them shout at their TV through a nerdy headset, make them a sandwich on their favorite type of bread.

If you do like the engraving idea, there is a “Things Remembered” store in the FSK mall which engraves virtually anything, so maybe go with his or her initials for that personal touch.

DON’T go overboard with expensive jewelry or watches and flowers or clothes and shoes, because it may make your partner feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable, especially if all they got you was a small iPhone case displayed in line at TJ Maxx. Talk about a lose-lose situation. But on the other hand, don’t cheap out with a stale box of candy.

DO try to find a balance and, maybe, set a price range with one another. Also, a little effort goes a long way when making homemade gifts. Some suggestions are a photo album/scrapbook, picture frames with pictures you have together in them, posters, or maybe “Open When” letters.

We hope that you can take a tip or two from this article this year, and for those of you that may turn out to be unhappy with your gift, blame your significant other for not grabbing a copy of this issue! Happy Holidays from The Lance!