By Vincent Mesolella
Gentlemen, it’s time to start Christmas shopping – this time do it the right way Tell the special woman in your life how much she means with a special gift that she’ll really enjoy. Sweaters picked out by mom and a gift card are no longer acceptable. This holiday gift guide will help you stay within a sound budget and still show thoughtfulness and love during the holiday season.
Before buying that $300 Gucci Bag or $250 Tiffany’s bracelet, take a look at some at some of these dos and donts.
Men, follow these simple rules and let that special someone know how much they really mean. Here are a few items and ideas to help this season.
At the beginning of a relationship, buying a gift can be a pretty difficult thing. There is always the possibility that once a really expensive present is bought, ironically, the relationship comes to an end the week after Christmas. Instead, buy something practical, meaningful and reasonably priced that you won’t regret.
Urban Outfitters, located on Newbury Street, has tons of items within a college man’s budget that she will love. A trendy white and gold watch by Dickies goes for $36 and other trendy watches range from $25 to $36. Urban Outfitters also carries many hip clothing items and home accessories. Wine glasses and margarita glasses also make great gifts and are priced between $10 and $15 a piece.
If Urban Outfitters isn’t what she fancies, try the new organic cosmetic boutique on Newbury Street called Lush. Lush offers an assortment of Exfoliating Bath Bombs, all natural yogurt facials, homemade soaps and scrubs. All of these organic products cost anywhere between $4 per bath bomb to about $15 for face scrubs. For about $20, a college man can buy a few items, and still have money to buy a nice basket and some cellophane to put it all in. When shopping, remember the sales associates are there to help, so don’t be afraid to ask what is good and what will be right for her.
“I would love my boyfriend to get a me a spa package, or some kind of facial or massage,” said Jennifer Nario, a sophomore theater and education major. “Those are great gifts.”
Sometimes the best gifts are the homemade ones. A nice card with a proposal for a dinner date and some kind of activity afterward always makes a great gift.
“Activities are always great gifts, like Celtics tickets or apple picking, anything that we can do together,” said Jacqueline Lombard, a first year graduate student and school counseling major. “And you need to present it in a special way, like make a puzzle or write out clues some how.”
When looking for the perfect restaurants for the holiday date, remember a few things. Check prices. Not all restaurants that are nice are expensive, and it is a good idea to call ahead of time or check online for prices. Atmosphere is key – restaurants that are too loud or have too many families (high chairs and screaming babies) are not appropriate, as they lack intimacy. Make a reservation if possible; show her you made the plans instead of waiting an hour for the horrible table next to the kitchen. For all of legal age, pick out a few selections of wine before hand.
Now that a restaurant can be decided on, an activity before or after is perfect to complete the night. A movie is a good idea, but boring, as dinner and a movie can be done any time. Try a night of skating at the Frog Pond at the Boston Common. Order some tickets and spend a night at the theater. Broadway in Boston is offering several Broadway musicals and dramas in the downtown theater district.
It’s been six months, and the relationship is travelling down serious relationship road. It’s time for a serious and really nice gift. Here are some great ideas to help out. Make her smell like the queen that she deserves to be. Sephora, located in the Prudential Center, offers the latest perfumes and cosmetics. The fragrance by Givenchy, “Very Irresistible,” comes in two sizes, 1 ounce for $43 and a 1.7 ounce. for $53. The newest scent from Gucci, Eau De Parfum II, comes in one size and is priced at $65.
Victoria’s Secret is the ultimate in sexy undergarments and silky favorites. The new line of sexy sleepwear at Victoria’s Secret allows you to buy some fun for the both of you. Prices ranging anywhere from $29 to $48. Victoria’s Secret spokeswoman Sara Turvo notes shopping for underwear and lingerie can be pretty tricky; most men just point to a woman in the store and match their sizes. According to Turvo, the most popular selling items in the store are the valor robes, which run about $50, and the slippers, which sell for about $25 to $35. Her best advice for all men: “Take it a step further, buy the sexier item. We have sexy lingerie that is still affordable around $30 to $50.”
Fellas, if you’ve got the dough, then make the bread and open your wallets for the finest in holiday giftware. Stroll to Copley Mall and head to the two stores that makes girls melt, Neiman Marcus and Tiffany ‘ Co. Neiman Marcus has an assortment of hot new items that are on all girls’ Christmas list. New York designer Jana Feifer has designed new signature personalized handbags pricing anywhere from $250 to $500. And if you want to see your women dialing in style, the new Prada cell phone case will run you $145. Juicy Couture is always a good idea no matter what the item it is: hat, scarf or sweat suit.
The famous sea green box, with the bold black letters that spell out Tiffany’s is the ultimate in Christmas gifts. According to Tiffany’s Web Site, these are the most popular and desired gifts: Cushion Bangle Ring, 1837 Tag Pendant, Heart Tag Bracelet, Beaded Bracelet and their Mesh Ring.
The best thing to remember in holiday shopping is that a gift should come from the heart and it’s really the thought that counts. Gentlemen, take this advice and follow these guidelines and your holiday shopping will be painless. Have a great holiday!
PLAYS * The Christmas Carol at the Emerson Majestic Theater – ends Dec. 27 * Urine Town – Colonial Theater – Jan. 6-18. For all those women who don’t mind waiting, here are some big shows coming to Boston. – The Lion King – Opera House July 18. – Movin’ Out-Billy Joel’s new musical starts March 8.
DINNER GUIDE *The Capital Grill- 359 Newbury St.- (617) 262-8900 – Seafood and Steaks $$$$ *Stephanie’s on Newbury- 190 Newbury St.- (617) 236-0990 – American $$$ *Legal Seafood- Prudential Center- (617) 266-7775 – Seafood $$$ *Teatro- Theater District/Tremont St. next to Loews Cinema- (617) 778-6841 – Italian $$$ *McCormick and Schmick- 34 Columbus Ave..- (617)482-3999 – Seafood and Steaks $$$ *P.F Chang – Theater District/Tremont St.- (617) 573-0821 – Gourmet Chinese $$$ *La Famiglia Giorgio- North End/Salem St. -(617) 367-6711 – Italian $$$ *Caf