7 – Create a personal experience
This is an advanced tactic that really separates the boys from the men (and the girls from the women).
Rather than just get her a gift, use the gift that you get her to create a highly personalized experience. For example, say you get your girlfriend something culinary-related, like a rice cooker. Under normal circumstances, a gift like this might be construed unfavorably. Make up for that and more by cooking her first meal with the rice cooker – preferably, one of her favorites. And practice beforehand. She’ll remember the gift and the effort that you took in making that first meal with it every time she uses it. Epic win.
Or, suppose you get her an external hard drive. Load that sucker up with her favorite photos, music, and books – she’ll always treasure the (no added-cost) personalization, and she’ll keep that hard drive as a memory well past its useful shelf life.
8 – Create cues to make the personal experience even more memorable
Kind of an advanced tactic building on “Create a personal experience” above, but this is one that creates added dividends for you, with a little bit of extra effort, and an added dose of – dare I say it – evil?
Let me give you an example. Say you’re getting your girlfriend that rice cooker. Maybe instead of one introductory meal, you’ve decided to make her favorite meal ten times. The cue part is, make sure she’s around while you’re making the food. And make sure, for example, her favorite song or album is playing. Soon, you’ll have conditioned her to think of you – in a good light – every time she hears that song or album. And, think of the possibilities if you have conditioned her towards some physical activities after the meal…
It’s the gift that keeps on giving – to her, and to you.
9 – Learn how to present the valentine gift
Guys, seriously. Learn to wrap a gift. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube and the web at large – I’ll leave it to you to research.
This entails buying wrapping paper. If you’re reading this because you’re looking for last-minute valentine gifts ideas… well, newspaper is an acceptable substitute. Brown paper grocery bags can also work – logo side in, fellas.
For the lazier among us not willing to learn how to wrap – but willing to spend a little bit more – another option is a gift bag – i.e. a bag whose purpose is to give gifts. Also, stock plenty of tissue paper to add volume.
A final option is a nice wooden or metal box (with a lid). An old one will do, as long as it looks in reasonable condition – think antique-y. Put the gift in there, accent with a ribbon (these are easy to tie), and you’re golden.
10 – Preparation for the future
Presumably you’re reading this because you’re looking for last-minute gift ideas – but while you’re getting her her gift, why not prepare for the next time? This is the time to buy 2-3 additional gifts. Also, buy the wrapping paper. Wrap it when it arrives. Store it in a cool, dry place. If and when you forgot (or, just for the piece of mind), when it’s time to dispense a gift, go to your gift stash. Rinse and repeat.
And, to prevent forgetting in the future – for God’s sake use a calendar. Don’t have one? Get a Gmail account and start using Calendar. Have Calendar remind you via email of all important events (birthday, Christmas, Valentines etc.) 7 days before the critical day. And then again 3 days before. And then the day of.
Finally – start paying attention to good gift ideas. Most guys hate shopping with their girlfriends, but this really affords you an opportunity to buy her something that she has identified she really likes. If you can’t stand that option, just listed to her, and note her dreams, wants, needs, and nuisances. Use that to seed your gift ideas.