Girlfriends guide to: Gifts

since valentines is around the corner, i decided that my first post will be about GIFTS.
by now, you must be going way over your head thinking what to give him for valentines... sure it won't be as elaborate as that Technomarine watch you gave him for christmas or the iPad for his birthday, but you still feel the need to give him something for this special occasion.
at one point or another, we have made one of those "homemade, personalized, from the heart, cheesy" gifts.  spent all our extra hours making a shirt with you & your beau's face on it or that framed - cross stitched wall decor with your names & the date you guys got together...  we put our heart and souls in making the gift.  and on the gift giving day, he opens the box and VOILA...he picks up the gift and gives you that FACE. you know what am talking about..and he says "wow baby a shirt with our faces in it...thanks i love it." but you can see it in his eyes..that "what the hell am i going to do with this?" or "am not showing my friends this". and thats when you ask them.."you like it? i spent all my time making it" -- (GUILT!! very powerful).
as time goes by, you ask your beloved -- "where's that crossed stitch thing i gave you for your birthday?" and then you'll see it in his eyes -- he's about to lie through his teeth ... "Oh..Its hidden in my room, so that i won't lose it" -- ALERT ALERT -- it is now a DUST COLLECTOR.  it's probably in the farthest most corner of his closet, still in the same box where you put it in.
GUYS -- i know you'll tell me...but "WE ACTUALLY REALLY LIKED IT"... YEAH RIGHT?!!? there's a difference between liking and appreciating.  yes, you've appreciated the thought and effort, but you won't use it or tell your friends "Hey, my girlfriend gave me a shirt with our faces on it for christmas.." Get real!! you're not even going to wear it to save your life.  You would rather get that CoD: Black Ops or a razor...
GIRLS -- why do you do it? because thats what you want your boytoy to do. you're basically telling him.."hey i did this for you, maybe you could return the favor?"  we love the effort and the thought, it "brings out" our man's softer side...and so we thought. unlike the boys -- we WILL wear it to the mall or out with friends.  We'll even show it off...we thrive on these things..

how to determine what to give your man?

• first of, be observant, when strolling in the mall -- make sure to notice every glance or every comment he makes.  i'm telling you now he knows what to give you (for valentines, your birthday, anniversary & next christmas) by just doing that.  listen to the stuff he tells you as well... he might say in passing that he's thinking of getting this or that...thats already a green light ladies.
• next, look around his car or room (if you haven't filled it with your stuff yet), see what he likes..his hobbies or interests.
• then, go to the internet and research on some stuff that is related to his interest.  for example, if he likes the CHICAGO BEARS (NFL) then better get him a jersey or anything related to the BEARS and not a TEDDY BEAR..(you're giving him a gift, its not the other way around). 
• but "he has everything" I DOUBT IT!! not even bill gates, steve jobs or mark zuckerburg has everything.  research, you'll most definitely find something.  if you REALLY REALLY REALLY  can't find anything... it's the time to be CREATIVE..and am not talking about those cheesy gifts..seriously girls..stop it!!  if you're boyfriend is into the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS  (NHL), find him a nice, high resolution picture of the pens off the internet and get it printed on a tarpauline...  if you have the magical hands of Da Vinci, make a picture of the whole team or the car that he wants in the future.  It's personal but not cheesy.

you don't have to give expensive gifts, you just have to keep in mind its for someone else ... NOT YOURSELF. Be Practical....not delusional!!