by Carmen Manske

Created on: August 07, 2008   Last Updated: August 13, 2008

Are you a man looking for a great anniversary gift? No need to run aimlessly through stores fretting over what to buy. Here are some tips to help you out, and make the shopping experience go a lot smoother.

Pay attention to what your wife or girlfriend enjoys. She may possibly hint to you about something she has wanted to buy for a while. Pick up on her clues. If you have been married for ten years, this should be very easy for you. Otherwise, you could figure out something she would enjoy based on what she loves to do. If she loves to paint, buy her a new collection of paints and brushes. If she likes to play an instrument, get her a sheet music book by an artist she really enjoys. Just go with whatever she enjoys.

If you still don't know what to get her, you could try something romantic. Buy her a personalized item or create a photo book on Shutterfly.com. Personalized things take time and show that you put a lot of effort into making the day special for her. Any woman would find that romantic. If you have inside jokes or phrases that you both love-or a memory from when you first started dating or got married, try to find a cute way to symbolize it. Or put it on a mug or another item. Don't get her a mug if she doesn't drink coffee though.

If that doesn't work for you, buy her a really nice necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings. Maybe pick up some flowers and/or candy also. Get her favorite flowers-that really shows you care about her. If you don't know what her favorite are, go for the red roses. Most women love those.

If you haven't been together for very long here are some things that women are usually keen on: Perfumes (especially in fancy bottlesdon't go for the cheapest, smallest bottle because women will know), cute Hallmark glass figurines (a lot of those have romantic phrases on them or "happy anniversary", tickets to a concert (make sure it's something she really likes, not something that she doesn't like and you just happen to love.-if it's a present for her make sure it's about her and not you), or a scrapbooking kit.

Along with whatever you buy her, maybe write her a love letter or a poem. Spend the day with her. Take her to a fancy restaurant-or even better, take the time to make her a special dinner at home. She will be sure to love whatever you give her, but the best thing you can give her is your love.

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