What Guys Really Think Of Your Holiday Wish List
Guys get real about their go-to gifts.
getty 'Tis the season to go crazy on your holiday shopping and gifts for your girlfriend. But what do men think about buying you all those gifts? For women, it's easier to pick out thoughtful surprises for your partner, but when the shoe is on the other foot, do guys think it’s just as simple?
From how they feel about buying you clothes to their top five gifts to fall back on, these guys shared how they get through the most wonderful time of the year, all while spoiling you rotten (or not).
1. The pressure is too much.
"Shopping for a gift for my girlfriend around the holidays is really hard. She has a really simple style and I want to get her things that she likes and will actually use, but I just think there's way too much pressure on guy’s to buy the 'right' and 'perfect' gift. Like, if I buy her the toaster that she's been begging for, I'll be that jerk that bought her a toaster." —Jake, 27
2. Clothing is never the answer.
"Here's my number one rule when it comes to shopping for the women in my life — girlfriends, moms, sisters, aunts: I'll get you whatever you want, just not clothes. You want to talk about too much pressure? Imagine being the guy who gets his mom a large when she really wears a medium, or gets his girlfriend a small when she’s really one size bigger. There is nothing worse than buying someone you love something in the wrong size — no matter what your intention is, you’re just the jerk that thinks she's too big." —Daniel, 23
3. Women are complicated.
"She knows what she likes and she buys it for herself if she wants it. And when the holidays roll around, am I supposed to read her mind and buy her something absolutely amazing? Like, how do I even know where to begin? Girls are complicated! Guys are not this difficult." —Raphael, 27
4. Everyone has incredibly high expectations.
"I always get a ton questions from friends and my girlfriend's friends about what I'm going to buy for my girlfriend. It's nonstop. So it's not just pressure to buy the person that you love a good gift — you have to buy a gift that's good enough to tell people and that will satisfy them. I can't just buy her tickets to a movie anymore and call it 'Date Night'; now I need to rent out the whole damn theater to make sure everyone's happy." —Ryan, 30
5. More hints would be nice.
"I make my girlfriend make a list of everything she wants for the holidays. She has to put things on there that'd she like me to get her, but there has to be options. This way, I'm getting her something that she actually wants and it's still a surprise. We both win." —Henry, 29
6. We can't read your mind.
"We are guys, okay? Not rocket scientists, not mind readers. We are just dudes trying to get through this time of year without offending you and buying you the wrong thing. So a little extra help? It’s seriously welcomed." —Mark, 26
7. Perfume is easy.
"A perfume she’ll wear only around me. It's sexy, intimate and thoughtful." —Joey, 28
8. Give her a treat.
"Spa treatments. Sounds cliché, but have you ever met a woman who has said no to a day at the spa? Didn't think so." —Tommy, 25
9. Get her something personalized.
"Jewelry — something flashy and beautiful. This way every time she looks at it she'll think of you (aw!) and remember how much you didn't screw it up this year!" —Tyler, 24
10. But you can also get her something that's for you, too.
"Sexy lingerie! And just a suggestion: Have her open this gift when you two are alone and not with family." —Josh, 27
11. Buy her a gift that reminds her of you.
"Something she can wear. Maybe clothes, a coat, a sweater, a dress, something that she’ll put on and feel great in and something that will remind her of you. It takes a lot of planning — and you'll have to sneak a few peeks at what size she is while she’s not looking, but I've always gotten my girlfriend something that she can wear and, usually, it goes pretty well." —Mike, 24
Kylie McConville is the managing editor at Elite Daily.