When buying gifts for a woman you want to treat her, to buy things she normally wouldn’t treat herself to or that she really wants but can’t justify spending the money on.

One thing to remember when reading the gift ideas - You know your wife or girlfriend and I don’t so no doubt you will have a lot more ideas based on what her likes and dislikes are from favourite colours to hobbies! If for some reason you don’t know what she likes, or even what her tastes are you better ring her best friend up!!

Little side note here…. If you are a woman reading this how about printing this page or leaving it open on the computer for him to “accidentally” find and read?!

On to the list………….

PERFUME - Now I’m afraid you can't guess at this! See what perfume she wears at the moment or what bottles she has on the dressing table - Is the bottle nearly empty? Is it full? If it’s half empty or with a drain left in the bottom it’s a good indication she uses it a lot and so likes it.

If it’s hardly been used then it may have been a gift or something which she bought and later decided was a mistake.

You could of course ask her which perfume she would like you to buy for Christmas but if you want it to be a surprise I would suggest the help of the empty bottle idea above making a note of the name and brand.

If that fails ask her best friend or the lady at the perfume counter for help.

JEWELLERY - Silver or gold? Earrings, necklace or bracelet? So many choices! Take her to a jewellery shop, or just “accidentally” browse through the window of one, before she can stop herself you will have a ton of ideas…. That’s nice, look at that, gorgeous…… Easy right? – Just make sure you get the right item which she was pointing at!

COSMETICS & TOILETRIES - Such as hand and face creams, moisturiser, bath items from foam balls to bubble bath and bath salts. Items that make her feel good, smell gorgeous and pamper her.

Make-up wise again, what does she use often that is nearly all gone? Fill her stocking up with those items whether it’s a lipstick, nail varnish or even a set of new makeup brushes or makeup bag.

GIFT VOUCHERS – Perfect for when you are not quite sure on something and for items that can’t be wrapped!

Buy vouchers for a massage/facial, a day trip to a health farm or for a manicure. Get gift certificates for her favourite book store, clothes shop or for underwear (Yes I know you guys love to buy us girls underwear but do you want her to wear it cos she likes it or because she has to wear it once to please you?!) – Remember that all women need pampering occasionally!

LINGERIE – Now I know you guys love to choose and buy us girls underwear but do you want her to wear it because she likes it or because she has to wear it once to please you?!

Be sure you know what her tastes are - plain or lacy, what colours, under wired bra or not, knickers or thongs? Also make sure you get the sizes right – A hint for this is to look at the labels in the items she wears often.

If you don’t know what her likes and dislikes are try pointing at things in catalogues or buying her gift vouchers.

MONEY-

You could wrap up some money with a note saying "Must buy something you really want!" Maybe put it in an envelope first and make sure she doesn’t rip straight through it!

BOOKS – Any types of books from the latest paperback novel to classics or arts and crafts, animals or photo books. Whatever she is interested in - Just try to see what types she likes to read or browse

GOURMET ITEMS – From chocolates, wine, coffee, sweets such as toffees, even mints………. Whatever it is she likes buy her a selection of the most expensive, either put together yourself or a ready made gift basket if you can find it.

MAGAZINES - Whether you buy her some woman’s / fashion magazines or craft / art magazines even animals.... Whatever she is interested in.

You could buy individual magazines for her to browse through over Christmas or buy her a 6 month or yearly subscription to her favourite.

TIGHTS & SOCKS – One of those essential things great for filling her stocking up with. Take into account colour, size and denier for tights though. I guess you could take a clean pair out of her drawer to show to the lady in the shop….. I want this kind!

SCARF and GLOVES– How about a cashmere scarf or leather gloves?

STAMPS! - This fun idea came to me from a friend - He puts postage stamps in his wife's stocking as a gift from the cats!

PURSE/WALLET and BAG – Speaks for itself really, a girl can never have enough handbags!

CHOCOLATE - You really can’t go far wrong here! Does she like dark chocolate, milk or white. Does she have a favourite such as Belgium chocolates? You could choose to buy her expensive chocolates or general chocolate bars.

ITEMS for HOME – Ornaments / vase or pot / photo frame / painting or print / lamp / cushions……. You get the idea!

CANDLES - Does she like scented candles? Is there a particular make she likes? Are they for burning or for decoration?

Generally the more ornate the more us women hate to burn and spoil them!

STATIONARY - Writing paper / envelopes / pens / diary / journal / notebooks

UMBRELLA

ALCHOHOL - Bottle of wine, vodka or whatever she drinks – If she is a vodka drinker how about a selection pack of the different flavours?

CALENDER

CD’S - Does her favourite band or singer have a new album out which you know she doesn’t have?

DVD’S - Which films has she seen at the cinema or rented at home that she really enjoyed? What’s the new film out that you think she would like?

FLOWERS – Whether a plant, a bouquet, fake flowers or packets of seeds for the garden lover.

HOBBY & INTERESTS – All those things she is interested in and likes whether that is art and crafts, cooking, crystals, angels, sewing, sport, reading, photography, gardening or animals.

Now you should have lots of ideas on how to treat the lady in your life, just remember what her likes and dislikes are when shopping – Remember If it all goes wrong and you choose the wrong item at least she can’t say you didn’t try!

About The Author

Emily Goodwin is the owner and artist/crafter of http://www.emelegifts.com. She makes unique, handmade cards and gifts for all occasions

When you subscribe to her monthly newsletter you automatically get entered into a free prize draw. http://www.emelegifts.com/prize-draw.htm.

This article may be reproduced on websites, in e-zines and offline subject to credit being given to the author with a link to the website http://www.emelegifts.com. No part can be changed and the complete author bio must be included. If you would like more information email info@emelegifts.com.