Gentlemen, allow us to lay to rest two prevailing myths regarding the purchase of a gift for your special lady:
- That it must be for a special occasion. To clarify, no: you’re not off the hook for special occasions. But thinking past those, coming out of gifting left field like a giant Publishers Clearing House check? That’s next-level stuff.
- That your special lady need only refer to your significant other: Is your mother not special? Your sister? Your daughter? You see where we’re going here.
And thus we created The Art of Unexpected Gifting — a handy primer on how to spot an excellent unforeseen gift-bombing opportunity, as well as the right gifts to pair with it.
RECIPIENT KEY
Daughter
Sister
Mother
Significant Other
THE
ACCOMPLISHMENT
GIFT
Congratulations are well and good, sir — her determination deserves vocal recognition, no doubt. However, said congratulations are best when paired with a thoughtful something that also says “I am thoroughly proud/in awe of the amount of ass that you just kicked.”
THE SITUATION:
She’s completed a marathon, triathlon or charity 5K
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
She’s already thankful that it’s over. A gift is pure gravy.
THE SITUATION:
She’s just finished a big work or school project
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
While gratifying in their own right, it’s nice when personal endeavors are acknowledged by others.
THE SITUATION:
She’s just figured out how to use a piece of contemporary technology. Finally.
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE:
Your phone will finally stop ringing about it, and it’s an excellent opportunity to be sweet and
a smartass simultaneously.
THE
MILESTONE
GIFT
Arriving at this moment is a testament to her courage/spirit/passion/insert-amazing-quality-here, so it’d be nice if she could be reminded of it down the line from time to time. You can help with that.
THE SITUATION:
It’s her child’s birthday
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
The kid gets all the gifts, but whose accomplishment is this really?
THE SITUATION:
She’s just landed a new job/promotion
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
It’s a big deal, you dunce.
THE SITUATION:
She got herself a fancy new home
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Everyone always gets housewarming gifts for the home (yes, you should still do this), but rarely do people get one strictly for the inhabitant.
THE
“JUST BECAUSE”
GIFT
This one’s about finding situations that are totally innocuous and then sneaking in to elevate them for her. Want to see that infectious smile of hers you like so much? Engage in some ninja-level gift sneakery and watch it pay massive emotional dividends, trust.
THE SITUATION:
She’s headed out for date night with you
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Do we really need to tell you?
THE SITUATION:
She’s hosting a dinner party. That you’re attending.
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
Everyone brings wine, which is not only boring, but also kinda self-serving.
THE SITUATION:
She’s going somewhere with friends (to an event, on vacation, etc.).
SHE LIKELY BEING …
IT’S A GOOD OCCASION BECAUSE …
It shows that you know how important her personal life is. And also she will never, ever see it coming.
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