Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I’ve been dating this girl for a minute. I really like her. We work similar jobs to which I’ll leave her little notes and everything for her to find. At the end of a date sometimes I’ll hide a little gesture for her to later find (poem, flowers etc...). She’s planning something for Tuesday and I want to get her something for after to show how appreciative I am of her. I’ve done the flowers thing, the poem thing, a cute note... but I want to get her something sweet and from the heart. Nothing to expensive.

Any ideas?

What is she into?

I always find the best gifts are the ones that feel right for that particular person, rather than one that just checks off a box. Books on things they're into, accessories, maybe a DVD (since you can't go to the movies together?).

I'm assuming you've taken pictures with her.
Pick out the best one, print it and get it framed.

If you know her favorite candy, check out Amazon for a bulk-box of it. Throw that in with the framed photograph.


I bought my girlfriend an entire box of Nerds Ropes for Valentines Day.
Have you ever eaten one of those things? They disappear so damn quick. Like I can inhale one of those things in less than 30 seconds without even thinking about it.

She's already told you. Assuming she's a typical girl™ she's probably mentioned in conversation something she likes, something she's nostalgic for from childhood, something she can't justify spending money on for herself etc etc.

The actual gift isn't so important as the proof that you're listening and paying attention.

 Azreal13 wrote:
She's already told you. Assuming she's a typical girl™ she's probably mentioned in conversation something she likes, something she's nostalgic for from childhood, something she can't justify spending money on for herself etc etc.

The actual gift isn't so important as the proof that you're listening and paying attention.

This. This. Ten thousand times this. There's nothing a girl values more than a man who actually listens and pays attention to her talk.

And if you're drawing a blank right now, that means you need to start paying more attention to her or risk her departure in the future.

 Azreal13 wrote:
She's already told you. Assuming she's a typical girl™ she's probably mentioned in conversation something she likes, something she's nostalgic for from childhood, something she can't justify spending money on for herself etc etc.

The actual gift isn't so important as the proof that you're listening and paying attention.

Azreal13 - dropping the truth like he usually does!

I do listen to her, I’ve gotten her things that’s she’s mentioned in the past like a coffee mug she liked. There’s things she has mentioned I.e I know she misses home and her family. Maybe something that comes from her home state? I do like the photo idea though.

Edit.

So you guys gave me a good idea. So she misses her home state, which is across the country. There is this candle company that makes state specific candles. I think she will like that.

For the missing her family, why not get a multi picture frame? Present it with her favourite photo of you as a couple, and leave the others for her to fill with pics of her choice?

Whatever you do, do NOT get her a pet, even a small fish. There is nothing worse as a gift.

Or buy her kitchen stuff , never goes down well , once bought a girl a frying pan ( please don't ask what I was thinking) funnily enough that women is not my wife.

I like your candle idea it seems like a thoughtful gift.

I've treated my girl to a few odd unique things over the years, one thing that stuck out was My Star Map is a personalised map showing the stars of a particular time and location. I got one based on the time and location in which I proposed. Comes in a nice frame and you can add your own message.

 Valkyrie wrote:
I've treated my girl to a few odd unique things over the years, one thing that stuck out was My Star Map is a personalised map showing the stars of a particular time and location. I got one based on the time and location in which I proposed. Comes in a nice frame and you can add your own message.

That's very cool, I presume she said yes!

Marxist artist wrote:
Or buy her kitchen stuff , never goes down well , once bought a girl a frying pan ( please don't ask what I was thinking) funnily enough that women is not my wife.

I like your candle idea it seems like a thoughtful gift.

Yeah, no kitchen stuff, no cookware, no small appliances, no cleaning equipment, nothing even remotely related to household chores. That NEVER goes over well. Even if it's something she's talked about wanting, it is NOT an appropriate gift for a 'romantic gesture'. Indeed, that sort of stuff should be purchased together as part of an errand, never as a surprise gift.

I've only read material things on here, however you should really give her the most important commodity of all. Time. Get her a coupon for a 30 minute massage, or let her know that she set aside extra time in your schedule for your date so that you both could do something special. Maybe make the quality of time important with activities. Like asking her questions she's never been asked before, making a favorite playlist of her favorite songs, or doing some sort of fun simple activity together that she loves (like treasure hunting, or whatever).

We obviously don't know what your relationship looks like, however in my experience insuring you receive quality time with a loved one is one of the most genuine and loving things you can do.

How long have you been dating ?

Marxist artist wrote:

 Valkyrie wrote:
I've treated my girl to a few odd unique things over the years, one thing that stuck out was My Star Map is a personalised map showing the stars of a particular time and location. I got one based on the time and location in which I proposed. Comes in a nice frame and you can add your own message.

That's very cool, I presume she said yes!

Indeed she did, it was a lovely reminder of that time.

Underwear also is rarely greeted with joy, even deep into a relationship.

When a boyfriend gives it, it's a present for him, not from him. Unless you choose it together.

So I got her that homesick candle and she really liked it... she cried and it’s already like half gone so that went very well.

I’m leaving with the Marines for a bit and I’ll get her something when I get back, again from home. In the meantime, I wrote a bunch of letters to her and I enlisted the help of a co-worker who will covertly leave the letters in her locker, Ambulance, or on her vehicle during each one of her shifts... I think she will like that as well.

Good luck to you and your girl!

Marxist artist wrote:
Or buy her kitchen stuff , never goes down well , once bought a girl a frying pan ( please don't ask what I was thinking) funnily enough that women is not my wife.

I like your candle idea it seems like a thoughtful gift.

I mean, unless she's into cooking.

People into cooking love kitchen stuff.



Also, dakkadakka, obviously the best place on the internet for relationship advice

stratigo wrote:
Also, dakkadakka, obviously the best place on the internet for relationship advice

There are worse places.

Dakka is a large, diverse group of people. We all have at least one thing in common (while people who don’t play (or had played) mini wargames might be here, they are probably a very tiny minority). We are a community with a huge range of life experiences and skills. Some of us are older, many married, and might have some useful advice to give. Some solid answers in this thread.

Obviously, random advice from strangers on the internet needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Not due to any malice (Hopefully not here, I think we are a better community then that) but due to the fact that we don’t know all the details of your situation.

stratigo wrote:

Marxist artist wrote:
Or buy her kitchen stuff , never goes down well , once bought a girl a frying pan ( please don't ask what I was thinking) funnily enough that women is not my wife.

I like your candle idea it seems like a thoughtful gift.

I mean, unless she's into cooking.

People into cooking love kitchen stuff.

This. My ex-girlfriend had wanted a bamboo steamer for ages but would talk herself out of getting one as she didn't need one, just wanted one. So I bought her one. And also a little kit that makes little sushi rice pandas. She loved it.

usmcmidn wrote:
So I got her that homesick candle and she really liked it... she cried and it’s already like half gone so that went very well.

I’m leaving with the Marines for a bit and I’ll get her something when I get back, again from home. In the meantime, I wrote a bunch of letters to her and I enlisted the help of a co-worker who will covertly leave the letters in her locker, Ambulance, or on her vehicle during each one of her shifts... I think she will like that as well.

Well done!

There are certain food or beverage brands that are only available locally. Next time she's feeling homesick, try to find those from her home state online or someone to send a care package. This might also work while you are away.

 A Town Called Malus wrote:

stratigo wrote:

Marxist artist wrote:
Or buy her kitchen stuff , never goes down well , once bought a girl a frying pan ( please don't ask what I was thinking) funnily enough that women is not my wife.

I like your candle idea it seems like a thoughtful gift.

I mean, unless she's into cooking.

People into cooking love kitchen stuff.

This. My ex-girlfriend had wanted a bamboo steamer for ages but would talk herself out of getting one as she didn't need one, just wanted one. So I bought her one. And also a little kit that makes little sushi rice pandas. She loved it.

This reminds me. me and my missus have a couples sushi making course thing..