ANGIE SHEEP
<Staff Writer>
Last Friday, a fellow Ozzie (who will remain unnamed) stumbled upon me in a bit of a panic. He had just remembered that his girlfriend’s birthday was in two days, and he had not bought a present. Before you pass judgment, I should mention that they have been dating for four years. Now you can judge away. I’m pretty sure her birthday fell on the same day each of those years. To all the ladies who are appalled right now: I know! To all the gents who feel a dry lump in their throats and a tingling sense of fear in solidarity, you know what he’s in for.
Recognizing the severity of his oversight and impending doom, I started spewing out all possible last-minute gift ideas that crossed my mind. We mooted on issues of cost, feasibility, and prime retailers. The whole process was riveting and he proposed that I write an entire article about this subject. He even promised to cut it out and keep forever, so I’m holding you to that! Born of a very unfortunate turn of events and a forgetful law student, this week’s Fashion Feature was inspired: fashionable gifts for your significant other.
Please feel free to reference the list posted below in anticipation of any holiday season, anniversary, or birthday. While these gift suggestions are primarily oriented to one’s girlfriend or boyfriend, they are applicable for any other special person; romantic ties are not necessary.
For your convenience, the gifts are categorized on the basis of cost. This was done in recognition of student debt and your student credit line monthly maximums. Once you have decided on your budget, simply adhere to the proposals in the recommended categories.
If you are unsure how much you should be spending on your better half, I suggest following the Hundred Dollar Rule: with each additional year of dating, add $100 to the cost of a gift. So in the given case, the money-year ratio results in a budget of $400 for every big occasion this year. Good luck, and let the spirit of consumerism, I mean, gift giving be with you!
$100 & Under: Year One
For her: Most women like tangible things. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration that may have offended an entire era (or several eras) of feminism, but the reality is, most gifts come in the form of chattel.
Women may not publicize their material desires. However, it is a safe bet to assume we want presents which can be shown off to our friends and lead them to be jealous of what a wonderful person we’ve found.
To the 1 Year Boyfriends: Life is competition and if you come out on top from the starting gate, you are likely to cruise to “Serious Partner” status of second year. A sales rep from Holt Renfrew highly recommends their jewelry collection. It is affordable, very “now”, and of great quality. The Michael Kors Buckle Ring ($75) is one-of-a-kind. Go check it out!
For him: Guys are much easier to please, so basically anything goes. With this budget, you have the option of buying him a designer cologne or a Ralph Lauren polo, sweater, or dress-shirt. The Bay tends to be the best place for these items as they carry a large selection of brands, at a relatively low price. As for cologne, find one that is versatile so it can be worn at Osgoode, to work, to job interviews, etc. I find Giorgio Armani’s Black Code ($80) to be a recurring favorite among men. There are also frequent sales at the Bay, so you’re likely to find one of the RL items mentioned for as low as $60!
$200: Year Two
For her: With a budget like this, you have the means to enter the gates of paradise, I mean, Tiffany’s. For many ladies, the mere sight of the iconic Tiffany periwinkle box elevates their heart rate to a level often attained by high intensity cardio. There is nothing more satisfying than watching the fashionable Hepburn gaze into Tiffany’s window while seeing your own collection of aqua boxes piled up on the vanity. Go for something in sterling silver: it compliments all skin tones, is timeless and is a trademark of Tiffany’s.
For him: At Osgoode, dressing well is customary. Sweatpants and baggy hoodies have disappeared from the halls and everyone looks sharp. So it goes without saying that for interviews, your man must look impeccable. A custom fitted shirt will do just that. On the special day, take him to an upscale tailoring shop and let the gurus work their magic. One dress-shirt starts around $125 and increases based on quality and design. To really take the cake, you can get his initials stitched on the cuff, making every piece uniquely him. Keep an eye on Groupon, where deals for custom tailoring occasionally come up.
$300: Year Three
For her: Jewelry is always a beautiful and timeless gift, but women like variety too. At the $300 mark, you can afford to buy her a nice wallet or clutch in addition to something else. Rebecca Minkoff handbags have dominated Hollywood this year because of their vibrant colors and funky, young style.
If you want to really do something different, purchase a spa package for her and a friend. I know it’s unfortunate that you don’t get to tag along, but this is the perfect way to impress her friends and present her with the opportunity to gush about how amazing you are. You can find great packages online at sites like Onespout, where deals for spas arise every day.
For him: Attending a sporting event is the male equivalent of ladies hitting the spa. The season opener of a Jays or Leafs game, with the team matched against a “good” opponent (like Ottawa, Montreal or Boston), is a great idea. Stubhub and Kijiji have been named as top sites for tickets. Two mediocre seats to a Leafs game will cost around $275 and good seats for a Jays game start at $50 each. You can buy him snacks and beer with what’s left over or even get some tickets for his buddies. Showing an awareness of your significant other’s interests while simultaneously getting on his friends’ good side makes for the perfect present.
$400 & up: Year Four
For her: First of all, congratulations on making it this far. At this point, you possess a lot of freedom: the mall is your servant. Depending on what your lady prefers, you can splurge on a single item or buy a combination of the ideas listed above. This is your test; good luck!
Personally, I love Tiffany’s Elsa Peretti Bone cuff ($495). It is classy, versatile, and low key. Another way to make your gift really unique is to have it engraved. This process can take up to two days, so plan ahead! Other incredible jewelry designers to look out for are: Links, Cartier, Swarovski, Harry Winston, Bvlgari, and Mikimoto.
For him: If your guy is looking for some excitement in his life (though Osgoode is already an adrenaline-pumping experience), a skydiving pass may be just the ticket. Tandem skydives start at $300; if you want video or stills it is usually an additional $100. Go for the latter, because guys are usually too cheap to drop another bill after the first three. Just kidding! Get the video because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you will want to treasure it forever. This is your gift; it is up to you to ensure that he gets the most complete experience.
If plummeting to your mutual death, Romeo and Juliet style, is not really his thing, an iPad also makes a great gift. It’s lightweight, useful and clean cut, which makes it ideal to carry to class or work.
For those of you who really want to go crazy, renting an exotic sports car is an alternative road to travel down. Beware that this is quite expensive: Ferraris start at $800/day. But I think if you’ve made it to a decade, this is the perfect “thank you” and an appropriate “I’ll love you forever” gesture.
There you have it Ozzies! I suggest cutting this article out and posting it on your fridge for easy access. Whether its a special event or a “just because” gift, being mindful of money is always sound advice. I hope this will be of great help the next time you remember a special occasion just two days beforehand. Actually – let’s hope that never happens again.