How to Give a Gift to a Woman

We're coming into one of the main gift giving times of the year and this article from The Art of Manliness offers help for many of us who are a bit clueless in the art of gift giving.

Men have been giving gifts to women since the first Neanderthal offered his crush a polished wolf femur. In the millennia that have followed, homo sapiens invented the wheel, the laptop, the foam fan finger, and put a man on the moon. But men have not yet developed a system for buying the women in their lives meaningful gifts for special occasions. As a public service, I offer this gifting system for homo sapiens and homo inermis.

FYI - homo inermis means helpless man (I had to Google it).

Here are some ways to figure out what to give a woman in your life:

If you are starved for ideas, start a file somewhere with the answers to the following questions. Ask them occasionally and subtly (not all at the same time), and record her answers (including the why) carefully:

• Her sizes.
• Her favorite color (and why she likes it).
• Her favorite flower.
• Does she wear gold or silver?
• What is her birthstone?
• Speaking of jewelry, is there a culture or trend she loves?
• Her favorite designer, if she has one.
• Her favorite food or meal.
• Her favorite animal or the animal she (or you) think symbolizes her spirit.
• Her favorite author or book.
• Her favorite movie or TV show.

Some other guidelines:

• Buy her things that have a story.
• You can also give gifts that make life easier — as long as they’re not too utilitarian.
• Don’t forget that acts of service can make her heart sing.
• Make dinner. Or reservations.
• Buy her things whose only quality is that they make life more beautiful.

When to give is akso important:

Here is how to time your gift for optimal joy and appreciation:

• Morning is a great time
• Leave it for her in a place she’ll find it on her own (and in her own time).
• Allow some time to pass after an argument or other emotional conversation.
• Plan for a quiet moment.
• Pick a day that would normally be sad for her.
• Pick a date or day that has little or no expectations.

There are only 14 shopping days until Christmas, but with this guide you don't have to panic!

Interesting days

Today - Human Rights Day, Lager Day and A Blue Christmas

Tomorrow - International Mountain Day, Noodle Ring Day, Have a Bagel Day and A Blue Christmas 

Next Monday - Maple Syrup Day, Wright Brothers Day and A Blue Christmas

January 10 - Cut Your Energy Costs Day, Houseplant Appreciation Day, Bittersweet Chocolate Day and Peculiar People Day