It’s that time of year again: that magical time of year when you get to pick out the perfect gift for your girlfriend. But first, you must decide what would be the perfect gift. Finding the perfect present for your girlfriend can be a daunting task. There is a lot to think about, from choosing the perfect gift to ensuring it arrives on time. However, if you make a few common mistakes throughout the process, it could worsen the whole situation and end up a disaster.

While shopping for your girlfriend can be a lot of fun, it can also be stressful if you don’t plan. To help you avoid making common mistakes, we’ve put together this list of dos and don’ts for choosing gifts for your girl. Remember to always pay attention to what she likes and doesn’t like and be confident in the gifts you buy her.

Chocolates

Chocolates are a great gift option! Come on, who hates chocolate? Chocolates are not just given as a birthday gift; that gift can be given at any time of the year. Chocolates are not only given on special occasions but they are also known gifts that can be exchanged at any time. Chocolates do not have to be given in fancy packages; a simple wrapper with a ribbon will do. Chocolates do not have to be expensive; they can cost less than fifty cents for a bar. If you do decide on getting chocolate as a gift for your partner, try having it as a side present to a main gift (unless, of course, they LOVE chocolate.)

Tickets to any match

Gift giving is not just a matter of buying a gift and wrapping it. You must consider other factors like the occasion, the recipient’s personality, what the person likes, etc. If you end up buying your girlfriend some tickets, then she may end up hating you for it, but if you buy her tickets for something that she is passionate about and loves, she will see you as the best person in the world. For instance, someone who likes sports might appreciate tickets to a sporting event, but not enjoy tickets to an opera.

Cash

Cash is typically a big no when it comes to gifts as a lot of girls will feel as though there has been no thought into what she likes/dislikes. This can lead to your girlfriend feeling unwanted instead of loved and cherished. The only exception to gifting cash is if she has specifically asked for something that you have searched all over for and had no luck finding. In this instance you let her know that the cash is for her to purchase that ‘gift’ that you couldn’t find.

Pets

The idea of gifting a dog, for example, has been romanticised by many movies and the mainstream media, however, it is so important to consider the well-being of the pet you gift. Will you be committed to walking the dog every day, can you afford to pay for vet fees, pet insurance and pet food in the long term to name a few? Is your house practical to home a pet? There are so many things you need to consider. If you want to give the gift of a pet, buy one together and have conversations to ensure that it is the correct thing to do.

Clothes

Clothing is one of the mistakes to try avoiding when choosing a gift for your girlfriend. Fashion is constantly changing. Every year, trends come and go. Some trends may be great and perfectly timed when you buy that item for your girlfriend, but what happens if the trends have changed by the day you give her the gift? Unless you know your partner’s style to a T, it is best to avoid clothing.

Perfumes

Perfumes are one of the mistakes to avoid when choosing the right gift for your girlfriend. Women are generally keener on fragrances than men. This is because women smell typically have a wider variety of scents and when they’ve found the one they like, they prefer not to mix it up. For some ladies, perfumes give their identity.

Your girlfriend means the world to you, and you want only the very best for her. But shopping for gifts and finding the one she likes can be tough. Take the time to get to know what your girlfriend really likes and don’t forget that you can always personalise your gifts specific to her.