Tips for Guys: A Richmond Girls' Holiday Gift Guide

Shopping for my boyfriend anytime of year is an easy affair. He likes electronics, dinosaurs, comic books, Star Trek, computer games and Apple products. In other words, his tastes encompass the range of gifts typically associated with college-age males. Unless I were trying to make some kind of cruel, joking statement, I would not buy him a stuffed unicorn with a glittery main or set of embroidered oven mitts. Why? Because neither one of those gifts screams or even whispers, "18-year old boy!" But if I buy something, anything, on the aforementioned list, I know I'm safe. (This year, it's an evolution-themed T-shirt and a T-Rex hoodie, both designed by independent artists but if he asks, I still "haven't done my holiday shopping yet.")

Unfortunately for men, holiday shopping is simpler for we members of the fairer sex because you darling Y-chromosomes are so predictable. We women are not. Let me amend that statement: we are but we aren't. Confused? You don't have to be.

While it's true that virtually all women like jewelry, clothes, shoes, toiletries, cosmetics, gourmet food, and adorable houseware items, you can't just put any old necklace or shawl into your shopping basket. If the words "pretty" or "cute" or "sophisticated" don't hit you when you see it, then you're eyeing the wrong gift, mister. I know it's hard for most guys to remember what it's in their own wardrobes but really try to consider what your woman already owns, what colors she likes, and what comments she has made about her preferences when it comes to clothes, home furnishings, or any of the other listed categories.

At this point, you're probably scratching your head and saying, "But don't most modern women like electronics and other things besides frilly, frou-frou stuff, too?" Well, we do like other things, of course, but when it comes to gift-giving occasions, please indulge our frivolous side. That plain electric toaster or coffeemaker we said we need for the kitchen probably won't do anything for our little hearts. Please bring it home on your way from work but don't wrap it up and put it under the Christmas tree and expect us to coo with delight. We won't. Toasters and coffeemakers are practical and practicality is not the most desirable girly gift quality out there. Keep that in mind if you don't want the woman in your life to pout ever-so disappointedly on Christmas morning and threaten to take back the gift she gave you.

If you're still stumped, I've listed a few products at various price points that your girlfriend or wife is sure to enjoy; best yet, you can buy any (or all!) of them within a short drive from home. Oh, and one last tip, please keep the receipt just in case it's not her size, color, etc. Now don't say you didn't have a clue:

If your budget is $25 or less...

$18. Cameo Necklace. Perfect for evening affairs, this beautiful choker necklace is very much in line with the Gothic and Victorian looks currently in fashion. Your girlfriend can pair it with a classy blouse or dress for a flash of old-time beauty.

Picture: http://www.poemuseum.org/online_store/online_store.html

Available locally at the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Shockoe Bottom, 1914 East Main St. (804) 648-5523

$19.95. Alphabet Pewter Letter Box. This fancy letter box will appeal to the nostalgic girl in your life, the one who collects antiques or wears vintage dresses.

Picture: https://secure01.virginiainteractive.org/shoppingcart/cgi-bin/shopva.cgi?submit=itemdetails&itemid=527041&store=505&sessionid=ka0832802152858bd01&cstore=505

Find it locally at the Library of Virginia gift shop 800 East Broad Street. (804) 692-3500.

$19.95. Chocolate Penguins. These chubby, chocolate creatures will be a double delight for any girl: cute AND yummy!

Picture: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku7016165/index.cfm?pkey=cchristmas%2Dfood&ckey=christmas%2Dfood

Find it locally at Williams-Sonoma, two locations.

$25. Spa slippers. What girl doesn't like a pair of super-stylish slippers for the spa, bath, or lounging around the house in decadent fashion?

Picture: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9G-231565&page=1&cgname=OSSLPTHTZZZ&rfnbr=5544

Find it locally at Victoria's Secret, three locations.

If your budget is $25 to $50...

$29.50. Wine colored robe. This comfy polyester robe is not only soft and luxurious, it also boasts a roomy hood and a sash.

Picture: www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3339242&cp=3161131.3385216&cm_re_o=ZBkbpzYn+-gg.CjC4zbEdwzfAywCjCmm+mtB5&parentPage=family

Find it locally at Bath and Body Works in Willow Lawn.

$33.99. Festive Holiday Greetings Cookies. Indulge her sweet tooth! What woman doesn't deserve some high-quality baked goods from time to time?

Picture: http://www.cookiesbydesign.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BX82

Available locally at Cookies by Design in Carytown, 3324 W. Cary St.(804) 340-5585

$35. Sterling silver bracelet. For true Virginia girls or newcomers who love the Commonwealth, this classy bracelet reads "Virginia, Earth's only paradise."

Picture: https://secure01.virginiainteractive.org/shoppingcart/cgi-bin/shopva.cgi?submit=itemdetails&itemid=BTS3085&store=505&sessionid=ka0832802152858bd01&cstore=505

Find it locally at the Library of Virginia gift shop 800 East Broad St. (804) 692-3500.

$45.56. Preston and York silk scarf. For a flutter of charming autumn colors,this lightweight and lovely scarf is an eye-catcher any season.

Picture: http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501638678&view=20&No=20&N=1590820&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3Fview%3D20%26No%3D20%26N%3D1590820&R=02809334

Find it locally at Dillard's, three locations.

If your budget is $50 to $100...

$79.50. Estee Lauder White Linen "Timeless Destination" Gift Set.Don't worry about getting this scent wrong. Crisp, cool, and classic, this fragrance will perk up any lady. This set includes Eau de Parfum spray, perfumed body lotion, bath and show gel, and a perfumed body powder with puff.

Picture: http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501718701&storeId=301&catalogId=301&N=1609795&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3FstoreId%3D301%26catalogId%3D301%26N%3D1609795&R=02931054

Find it locally at Dillard's, three locations.

$92. Belted Gathered Bag. Melie Bianco. Chic and versatile, your wife or girlfriend will be more than glad to add this bag to her wardrobe. The muted shade of red lends the piece a bit of understated glamour that will make even the most boring office outfit pop.

Picture: http://needsupply.com/womens/accessories/belted-gathered-bag.html

Find it locally at Need Supply Co. in Carytown, 3010 West Cary St. (804) 767-1825.

If your budget is $100 or more...

$149.99. Charter Club Cashmere Shawl Collar One-Button Cardigan. A departure from the traditional cashmere sweater, this elegant Charter Club is also soft and comfortable. That one button is a special detail that your lady is sure to appreciate.

Picture: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=334566&CategoryID=36422&LinkType=SiteAd&LinkLoc=118&AdID=501190

Find it locally at Macy's, five locations, macys.com.

$198. Defy the Odds Sweater. Warm, stylish, and unique! Grab this for the fashionista in your life---or the girl who's trying to re-invent her wardrobe. She'll be happy to own something else none of her other friends would brave.

Picture: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-3021249130771315794&id=813821&parentid=APP_SWEATERS_CARDIGANS&pushId=APP_SWEATERS_CARDIGANS&popId=APP_SWEATERS&sortProperties=&navCount=5&navAction=poppush&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=mos&colorName=MOSS

Find it locally at Anthropologie in Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Parkway. (804) 560-7467

$398.Magazine Bag-Fools Gold. Any woman can appreciate a real Marc Jacobs bag. This particular one is 100% leather and the perfect shade of gold. And if she's lucky enough to already own this one, there are plenty of other styles and other colors at the store that she'll more than willingly accept.

Picture: http://www.pinkstore.com/product.asp?intProdID=1761

Find it locally at Pink in Carytown,3158 W. Cary St. (804) 358.0884.