Heart-shaped Ceramic Stonewear
Etsy: $5
Nesting Doll Measuring Cups
Amazon: $8
Reusable Bag
Envirosax: $9
3 in 1 Avocado Slicer
Amazon: $10
Awkward Family Photos
Amazon: $10
13 Piece Cosmetic Brush Set
Amazon: $13
Infinity Scarf
Amazon: $13
Polish made without harmful ingredients
Butter London: $14
Pinch Pour Collapsible Measuring Cups
Amazon: $15
Stainless Steel Cheese Knives
Amazon: $16
250 Recipes for Every Season and Occasion
Amazon: $16
Voluspa Candle with 45 hour burn time
Angelas Beauty: $17
Libbey Spice Jars
Amazon: $21
Body Butter
Hellowmellow: $22
Flowering Tea Set
Amazon: $23
Corkcicle Wine Cooler
Amazon: $25
Vanilla, Bourbon, & Mandarin Diffuser
Nordstrom: $25
Cinderella Work Apron
Etsy: $30
Makeup Train Case
Amazon: $30
Art iPhone Case
Society6: $35
Modern iPhone Case
Society6: $35
Leather Luggage Tag
Etsy: $38
Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves
Nordstrom: $46
Personalized Pet Pillow
Red Envelope: $50
Owl Corkscrew
Red Envelope: $50
Skagen Watch
Amazon: $60
Super Plush Bathrobe
Amazon: $60
Nike Flex
Zappos: $65
Timex Watch
Nordstrom: $65
Cashmere Sweater
Nordstrom: $79
Keurig K-Cup Brewer
Amazon: $115
Hunter Original Gloss
Zappos: $135
Kate Spade Watch
Nordstrom: $195
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Amazon: $345
Frye Riding Boots
Piperlime: $348
ExperiencedGuy
Anything that starts out “Women are just like men” is doomed to failure.
Andrew
haha!
TW
KitchenAid mixers are on sale at Target for $225-$280 (depending on the model).
Andrew
Nice, thank you! They go on sale so much, it’s ridiculous.
Matt
So you essentially think we should gift our lovely ladies items to help them look prettier, and cook more? Really? I love this blog, but this one misses the mark.
Andrew
Hey Matt,
This was actually put together by my girlfriend. These are things that she’d love to have, but hasn’t convinced her checkbook to buy herself. It may miss the mark for the lady in your life, but not all of them.
LadiesForPrimer
Unless your lady is an avid chef and is constantly oggling the William Sonoma catalog, do not buy her kitchen tools. Same goes for make-up tools, you’ll probably buy the wrong things or sub-quality products she’s just going to have to return. All you’re doing is sending the message “I’d like you to cook better/more often, and look better while you’re doing it.”
Andrew
Absolutely! The gents who read Primer are pretty thoughtful, it goes without saying that if your lady doesn’t like to bake for fun, it would be a crazy bad idea to get her cooking items, same goes for the makeup or fitness things, nor would you buy her a corkcicle or wine opener if she doesn’t drink wine.
What things are on your list?
Lauren
I completely agree with LadiesForPrimer’s comment and would add: if my boyfriend gave me an apron– especially one totally devoid of humor, like the one above– I would be ANGRY. No kitchen or cleaning tools for Christmas!!!!! And please, do not buy those $13 makeup brushes. A good– not great– set of makeup brushes will run you upwards of $150. Things I like about this list: the personalized pet pillow (so cute!), corksicle, Butter polish, and Hunter boots. Fryes are great if you can afford them!
Andrew
Hey Lauren,
My girlfriend was instrumental in picking these items out for the guide. Some women like getting kitchen gadgets or a $30 “Cinderella” apron that they wouldn’t pay for themselves. After all, if you already have measuring cups, why pay for a decorative nesting doll set? But that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be cute to have. Same with the makeup brushes – if you’re a woman with a cheap set of brushes that need replaced but aren’t (and your significant other isn’t) in a place to buy the $150 set, do you just stop wearing makeup? The list has a great element of frugality and practicality to it, buying presents for significant others can be incredibly frustrating and anxiety-inducing if you’re just out of college and don’t have the funds to pay for a nice getaway, or jewelry, or another big-ticket item. Thanks for the comment!
Alexander Sollie
Wowwww this is sexist.
SS
Ladies- would love to hear what’s on your wish list!
Laila A.
I think this list is great! It’s got a relatively wide range of items. As a lover of cooking, I would be more than happy to receive any of the cooking items. And as a female who does like to spruce up on a budget, I think the beauty items are a nice choice, as well. Of course, this list isn’t going to suit every gal, but like I said, it has a decent amount of different options, including price wise. So, kudos on the list!
Nicole
As someone who likes to cook (and contributed to the 2010 guide), I don’t see what the big deal is about aprons or mixers. I’ve gotten both as gifts, and loved them. Makeup brushes too- all those things fall very easily under “cool things that I might not think to get for myself/might not want to shell out for” if you don’t like to cook, or aren’t into makeup, obviously those things are a bad idea (just like giving leather boots to your vegan girlfriend is probably also a bad idea.)
These are just suggestions y’all-the most important thing in gift giving is to know your audience.
jacobcrim
I was considering the tea flower set myself. My girlfriend said she was going to try and drink more tea and cut back on coffee, I wished her all the luck in the world. Along with a “spice of the world” set, she loves her salt. Its easy because we’re both foodies.
Andrew
Nice! That sounds like a great idea.
Doug Johnson
I gave my sister a nice, high quality sweater a few years back and she’s essentially worn it out. Definitely a good choice to have a quality basic like that can be hard to justify them getting for themselves.
Chris
Funny thing about this post is my girlfriend just bought herself some hunter boots and an infinity scarf so obviously those ideas are right on point. She loves them both by the way. Scarf is here http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/Accessories/Fashion-Scarves/Marled-Cowl-Scarf and has been a big hit as a gift for her sister and my mom actually.
Lesstaxes
Just wondering how old is your gf that helped compile this list? On my wishlist is always socks, pajamas, starbucks gift cards, amazon cards, dinner certificates, anything sparkly esp earrings or bracelets, ooh and chocolate!
Andrew
She’s 29 😉
Cathy Hu
The list is great. Just to add one more gift idea if you want to surprise your gf, check out http://www.rosestory.us, their flowers are amazing. Girls will definitely love them.