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Christmas shopping for your girlfriend doesn't have to be stressful. The first rule of thumb is to avoid the old cliches: jewelry, chocolate, or perfume. She'll assume, and rightly so, that you didn't either bother to learn her tastes, or that you don't care. Retail stores and manufacturers want you to believe that "all women love jewelry," but their motives have more to do with profit than flesh-and-blood women. Of course, if she's mentioned something specific that falls into those categories, go for it. Otherwise, here are the dos-and-don'ts to choosing a thoughtful Christmas gift.

Do:

1. Avoid the usual cliches unless they're the only option.
2. Find out what she's getting you, if possible, and base your budget and style on that.
3. Go to a chat room and ask for help if she enjoys a hobby that you're not familiar with.

Don't:

1. Choose a gift that's really for you, like a ticket to see your favorite band with you.
2. Spend more than you can afford - that sets a precedent.
3. Leave it to the last minute.

The perfect Christmas gift will either remind her of you, she will use it all the time, or it will give her an unforgettable experience. Here are a few examples.

*iPod*
Upload her favorite songs, videos and games onto it to personalize it more. You can also have a special message engraved.

*Digital picture frame*
Pre-load it with pictures of both of you. If you don't have very many, include some photos of beautiful locations you'd like to visit with her.

*A cozy scarf or hat from a unique store like Anthropologie*
Perfect for cold weather, and she'll hear lots of compliments. Christmas is not the time for lingerie!

*Netflix subscription if she doesn't already have one*
You can watch the movies together, and if things don't work out, well, there's no cancellation fee

*Gift certificate*
Try a massage, a day at the spa, or a ticket to a concert she didn't think she could afford. Make sure you give her something she can use right awaya promise to take her out later isn't much of a gift.

*For your athlete girlfriend:*
A punching bag for her garage.

*For your writer or artist girlfriend:*
A new notebook in the style she likes but fancier than she would treat herself to.

*For your photographer girlfriend:*
A fisheye or a lensbaby so she can play around with fun perspectives. If you're not sure what those are, just write down her camera model and go to a store for help.

And lastly, remember that Christmas is just one gift-giving season out of many. With all the hype and materialism, sometimes it's easy to forget the things that really matter. But unless you really miss the boat, she'll appreciate the thought and love whatever you choose. Happy shopping!

Learn more about this author, Antonia Anderson.
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