Gift Guide for Couples

We're all acquainted with at least one couple who, either quite enviably or somewhat annoyingly, seems to do everything together outside of their time at the office. They aren't afraid to share the same interests and passions and announce it to everyone in their lives. This couple is so perfect for each other that their relationship teeters on that fine line between syrupy sweet and just plain obnoxious but you have to admire their dedication nonetheless. At least their unity shortens your gift list around the holiday season. With a couple this tightly knitted, there's no reason to buy two separate gifts; purchase one they can share and enjoy together. Your wallet and bank account will thank you. Now here are my suggestions for some of the most typical Richmond couples out there:

For the outdoorsy couple

This couple loves the purity and peacefulness of nature. Maybe they have a little bit of a "granola" or "earth mama" streak and they don't mind getting dirty. Possible gifts for this couple might include any of the following: season passes to a state or national park, fancy trail mix, camping supplies, or a gift card to a sporting goods store, such as Dick's in Short Pump.

For the sports fanatic couple

This couple is all Ra, ra, ra! about athletics. Tickets to a game in Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, elsewhere in the Commonwealth, or North Carolina usually are perfect (you might help pay for transportion to an out-of-town game, too). You might also consider buying them T-shirts, hats, hoodies, or other sports fan gifts emblazoned with their favorite team's logo. If they love to play sports as much as watching them, think about what sort of sporting equipment they might want or need. You could even buy them membership at a sports club, like Raintree Swim and Racquet Club (call (804) 740-1035 for more information).

For the fashionista couple

This couple is so obsessed about looking good that anyone on the street can tell! Buy them subscriptions to fashion magazines (double points if they're European, specifically French or Italian, publications), books about fashion or goodies from upscale shops like Beecroft and Bull (call (804) 783-0633 for more information), if you're confident your taste will pass muster!

For the wanderlust couple

This couple takes weekend trips, neat cruises, fun Christmas vacations, and grand summer voyages. In other words, they find any excuse to get out of town because they're so excited about seeing the Commonwealth, America, and the rest of the world, that sitting around in Richmond for just a moment longer makes them restless. If you know such a couple, consider buying them any combination of Amtrak tickets, travel guides or a subscription to a travel magazine or two. You might even pay for them to take a foreign language class, if they're particularly set on being "authentic" when going abroad.

For the theatre-going couple

You know what I'm talking about: the couple that goes back and forth quoting Shakespeare, sees every production in town, goes to cold readings during their lunch breaks, and even volunteers to usher a show once in a while. They're splendidly thespian and they relish every moment near the curtain. Barksdale season passes (call their box office at (804) 282-2620) or tickets to Richmond's Mystery Dinner Playhouse (call (804)649-2583 for more information) are a wonderful choice but if you know that they particularly like reading plays, buy them a set of new scripts online. If you can afford it, tickets to a Broadway show will thrill them!

For the literary couple

This couple reads, reads, reads! And when their noses aren't buried in books, they're likely discussing books, attending an author's signing or snapping along at a poetry reading. Barnes and Noble gift card or a set of leather-bound literary classics they don't already own are both fantastic choices for the literatis in your life. Books from the local Richmond writing scene, such as those printed by Brandy Lane Publishers (call (804) 644-3090 for more information) will likely interest them, as well. Perhaps an elegant bookshelf would suit them (this gift, however, is best bought if you've already been inside of the couple's room and have an idea of whether or not they have the extra space to accommodate a new piece of furniture.)

For the film-loving couple

This couple regularly watches "films" (they probably don't refer to them as "movies" and only watch foreign, classic or independent flicks) and talks about them at every opportunity. They constantly criticize actors and acting, scripts, plots, special effects, musical scores and any number of other "film" elements. You might buy this couple any of the following: a set of DVDs, movie---I mean, "cinema"---tickets, passes to a Virginia film festival (call the Virginia Film Office at (804) 545-5530 for more information), or books about films. If you're feeling particularly bold and are confident they have enough spare time, research paying for them to audit a film class at one of the local colleges.

For the generic couple

Many of our friends, family, neighbors and colleagues fit into this category: the plain, average folks, the ones who don't have any particularly strong passions or interests but just sort of like a little bit of everything. They're often the hardest to please yet equally hard to displease. Go for one of the following and you'll likely hit the mark: Treating them to dinner at a nice restaurant like Carytown's Can Can Brasserie (call (804) 358-7274 for more information) or offering to pay for a baby-sitter if they have children and care to go out one night are both appropriate. This couple might also appreciate a trip to the spa or a gift card to a large department store such as Dillard's, Target or Macy's. If you're looking for something especially cute (for that lovebird couple worthy of an elongated "awww"), gift sets designed for two, like a holiday-themed hot chocolate set, are always adorable.