Guys are a little clueless about what girls want for Valentine’s Day–but it’s still cute! | Source: ShutterStock

When you ask a dude what girls want for Valentine’s Day, their responses are probably going to be different from yours.

A new study said that one in 10 guys think the way to your heart is through jewelry, but it turns out what girls want most for Valentine’s Day is–awww–a handwritten poem or a hug.

A poem or a hug. See how low maintenance we are? Seriously, we are so cute. (Here’s hoping the guys don’t plagiarize their material!) Those are free, so next time a guy complains that Valentine’s Day is super commercial, remind him of that fact. Romance can be free!

About nine percent of dudes also think girls want lingerie for Valentine’s Day, though only about 1 percent of us actually do. (Doesn’t lingerie seem like a sort of selfish Valentine’s Day gift anyway? It’s pretty much as much for him as it is for you!)

Other things guys think girls want for Valentine’s Day: a homemade dinner (adorbs) and uh, for them to take a break from watching sports (dude, seriously?).

But we’re not all that easy to please. About a quarter of us wanted our guy to take us on vacation somewhere fancy or exotic. Good luck doing that with after school job money, ladies!

So, here’s what you can do: if all you want for V-Day is a hug or a poem, show this to your guy… you know, just as a hint. No big deal. Also, we want to know: is this even true? Are you really looking to just score hugs and sappy poems this year? Or do you want something a little bit more extravagant?

What do you want for Valentine’s Day? Do you think guys are clueless about what girls want for Valentine’s Day? Do you have Valentine’s Day plans? Tell us in the comments!

Want to get rid of your guy before Valentine’s Day? Here’s how!

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Need a last-minute gift? I may have the perfect idea! Source: Shutterstock

Guys, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and if you are still struggling to shop for the perfect gift, I have a super quick last-minute idea that I once made for my boyfriend. Not only did he like it, but I had a blast making it!

Some background: I love talking in movie quotes. Seriously, sometimes I feel like I speak in quotes more than I speak in original thoughts. So when it came to writing a cutesy valentine, I had a hard time thinking up something original to say.

Well, my boyfriend loves movies as much as me, so I decided to start finding all of these quotes about love from different movies. I copied and pasted them into a word doc, and then sorted the quotes so that the whole thing sort of read like a letter.

When I was done, I was like, okay, this is cute, but… it needed some flair. I then gave each movie a specific color and font. So, say I had two quotes from The Notebook, they would both be red and maybe in Helvetica font. Then maybe, one of those quotes would be followed by a line from 10 Things I Hate About You that I had put in green Comic Sans. Basically, since it was all jumbled, it was kind of a fun explosion of colors and fonts.

I drew from a whole range of movies that I loved. This way, I was able to mix kind of more sappy stuff with lighthearted funny quotes. I have a hard time being super earnest (I love a good eye roll), so it made sense for me to try and include some more of those funny quotes that still showed I thought my boyfriend was awesome. After the main quotes letter, I made a second page that listed all of the movies I used, each written in the same font and color to match their quotes.

So I gave my boyfriend the first letter and had him try to see how many he could figure out for himself. He loved going through it and kind of saw it as a fun challenge to try and guess them all correctly. I had enjoyed making it so much that it didn’t even seem to take all that long… but he still commented on how thoughtful it was for me to put the whole thing together.

Want to try this out? Some ideas: You can dress it up a little bit by pasting it on a piece of construction paper or giving some homemade cookies to go along with it. In my case, my boyfriend actually hadn’t heard of some of the movies I’d picked, which meant I was able to use this as a reason to plan some future dates where we could watch them together.

Another year, I did something similar that was made up of song lyrics. If you’re more into that idea, you can give a bonus gift of a mix CD with all of the songs you used. Do you guys love watching a certain TV show together? I’m sure it’s something you could make with quotes just from that one show. Basically, if you have trouble expressing your feelings and you feel like the clock is ticking down, this super fun and simple gift could be your solution.

Are you still looking for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift? What’s the best gift you have ever made for someone? Tell me in the comments!

These 10 gifts may not be as awesome…

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Why do I love Cupid’s favorite holiday? An excuse to do DUCKFACE!

Ah, Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re single or coupled up, it’s a holiday fraught with question. If single, you (or at least I) ponder things like “What type of chocolate should I eat alone in a dry bathtub on Feb. 14?” Or, “How many sappy Lifetime TV movies can I watch before wanting to eat myself to death?” And of course, “Am I going to die alone surrounded by 10 cats?”

But, having a boyfriend raises other issues, namely: WTF do I get him?!?

The easy answer is something lame like a backrub or sex, but B has been so amazing that I want to get him an actual present. But then again, boys do love sex. In fact, my go-to last minute boy gift (don’t tell that I’ve done this before–every guy likes to think he’s the first) is the whipped cream bikini.

Source: Shutterstock

Not familiar? OMFG download Varsity Blues RIGHT NOW. GO! NOW! There’s no time to waste! It’s an awesome idea for many reasons: it’s cheap, it leads to sex, you can do it at any size (and not have pesky lingerie issues like pokey underwires or muffin-topping) and it’s made of dairy–boys love dairy. They seriously do. When was the last time you saw a guy turn down nachos? That’s what I thought.

So that’s option one. It’d be great if we were doing the whole “Oh, let’s not get each other anything” type of Valentine’s Day, but since it’s our first together, methinks he may be getting me something. So I’m going to feel kinda stupid if he turns up with a Tiffany’s box and I bust out a can of Reddi-Whip :/

My other idea is a fitness starter kit. I’ve been working out with a trainer for the last month and am SUPER into it, inspiring him to sign up for one as well. I love the idea of us getting in shape together and supporting one another–and having someone else to complain to who understands.

Source: Shutterstock

Since B is new to the whole gym rat thing, I thought it’d be cool to get him a nice gym bag, a foam roller, some supplements and a subscription to Men’s Fitness magazine or something with bulging men on the cover (that’s also a treat for me, let’s not pretend).

So Gurls, I am leaving my Valentine’s Day plans in your hands! Vote in the poll to decide what I should give B for V-day, or feel free to suggest something totes different. I’ve listened to you lovelies so far and everything has worked out amazingly perfectly perfect, so I won’t stop now!  What are you going to be doing Feb. 14?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to visit me at my website and follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I’ll blindly obey and be back next week with a fresh new update!

Find more cute gift ideas for your BF here!

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We’ve found twenty gifts that we’d love to get from our best friend, so feel free to steal an idea or two for your own holiday gift giving. Plus, they are all under $20! Who doesn’t love a good deal? We are sure that no matter you pick as a gift for your best friend, she is going to love it just like she loves you! So leave your worries behind, enjoy your shopping and look forward to a whole bunch of winter break days just hanging out with your best friend. Seriously, does it get any better that that?

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For The Pampering Princess

Winter can be harsh on the skin. An all-in-one product is a convenient way to help your best friend's skin and lips from cracking and make her more comfortable during the snowy season. C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve No. 012 works on the face, body, nails and lips. It's only $5.50 from C.O. Bigelow and has a great customer rating on their website.

Source: C.O. Bigelow

For Your Superhero

The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises may have been big in 2012, but if your BFF is into the superhero scene, let her show-off her fandom with this awesome Wonder Woman Nail Art from Think Geek for only $6.99.

Source: Think Geek

For The Trendy Dresser

You probably know your BFF's wardrobe pretty well and what kinds of colors and patterns she likes to wear. Tights are a fun way to dress up outfits so use your wardrobe knowledge to pick out some that will fit right in with your best friend's closet. Merona's Women's Opaque Fashion tights come in a whole array of colors and are only $8 apiece from Target.

Source: Target

For The Foodie Friend

There's nothing I love more than just hanging out and snacking with my best friend. Hot chocolate is a must in the winter, but give it a special twist with a fun flavor as cool as you two. This Mountain Mint Hot Chocolate from Lake Champlain Chocolates is a great example — and it's only $9.50.

Source: Lake Champlain Chocolates

For The Book Lover

Shel Silverstein's book about friendship is a classic, so show your bestie how much her friendship means to you. This The Giving Tree iPhone case is available on Etsy for $9.99.

Source: Etsy

For Your Lunch Buddy

If your BFF likes to pack her own lunch, but is sick of tossing out paper bags, this Embark Lunch Tote Cooler is a cute way to store her food during the day. It is available to buy at Target - the black tote pictured is $10.99 and there is also a pink option for $14.99.

Source: Target

For Your Bestie On The Team

Trying to run with a hat on is super annoying. Be the BFF problem-fixer you are by getting her this Reebok Women's Run Beanie — complete with a hole for your girl's ponytail! It's available at Dick's Sporting Goods for $11.99.

Source: Dick's Sporting Goods

For The Katniss Wannabe

This holiday, show your BFF you think she is as cool as Katniss Everdeen (and that's pretty cool in my book). If your best friend is a Hunger Games fan — book and/or movie! — this Mockingjay Pin is an awesome way to show her love for the series on her coat or backpack. It's available from Think Geek for $11.99.

Source: Think Geek

For The Shutterbug

A scrapbook is a great way for your artsy best friend to keep all her memories close by. Make a page for the two of you, but definitely leave a bunch blank so she can get in on the crafting too. This MBI by MCS Scrapbook from Amazon is only $12 and has lots of BFF-friendly lingo on the cover.

Source: Amazon

For The Forever Lost Friend

I lost my school ID so many times and then I got one of these and never lost it again. When my BFFs went to college, I gave each of them one of these Zip ID cases from Vera Bradley. They're only $12, but for your BFF, not losing your ID is priceless!

Source: Vera Bradley

For The Baking Pro

Just seeing this cover made me so hungry. If your friend has a knack in the kitchen and creative flair, the Betty Crocker Big Book of Cupcakes could provide days and days of amazing treats (hey, that sounds pretty good for you too now doesn't it!). It's available at Barnes & Noble for $14.11.

Source: Barnes & Noble

For Your Slumber Party Pal

Pajamas are super comfy and what better time than winter break to lounge around all day in a pair of fun-patterned PJs? These Gilligan & O'Malley Flannel PJs are available at Target for only $15!

Source: Target

For The Rockstar

Taylor seems like she'd be a pretty fun BFF, but since she may not be able to hang out with you guys anytime soon, you can have her there in spirit by gifting her CD Red to your bestie. Splurge a little for the exclusive version at Target for $16.99 and enjoy some extra bonus tracks — your BFF deserves the best!

Source: Target

For The Chillest Girl You Know

When you're hanging out with your close friends, comfort often outweighs style. These Women's Casey Line Sweater Flats look super comfy AND the cute stripes will let your bestie show off a little bit of her personal style. Get them at Target for $16.99.

Source: Target

For The Poet

If your BFF is a bit of a budding poet herself, she'll love the fun of the Original Magnetic Poetry Set, available for $17.95 at Barnes & Noble. Plus, then the two of you can leave witty back and forth notes on your fridge or locker, so everyone wins!

Source: Barnes & Noble

For The Girl Who Inspires You

A friendship bracelet is a BFF gift that's been around forever. The ones I had growing up were pretty flashy, so this simple aluminum bracelet with the sweet "You Are Amazing" message on the inside is a great grown-up version.Get one from Etsy for $18.

Source: Etsy

For An Old-Fashioned Friend

Have you and your BFF been friends since you were little kids? Ever have any tea parties between the two of you? Relive those memories with this Lynns Blue Rose Cup and Saucer 6-piece set available on Amazon for $19.99. The blue flower design is simple and grown up, letting you two put a new spin on the tea parties of your childhood.

Source: Amazon

For The PLL Devotee

My best friend and I love marathoning television together, and TV doesn't get much more addictive than Pretty Little Liars. This Rosewood Day Field Hockey shirt is a nod to the series that only fans would get and the two of you would obviously be in on the meaning. Who better to share secrets with than your BFF, right? Get one at Cafepress for $19.99.

Source: Cafepress

For The Girl Who Is Always Late

This awesome Pop Quiz Clock is a fun way to make sure she's never late for first period math ever again (and to keep her mind sharp for your weekly quiz!). Get her one for $19.99 at Think Geek.

Source: Think Geek

For The Cinema Fiend

We've made it clear we love Pitch Perfect, especially how awesome it is to see a movie with such a stellar cast of women. If you and your BFF love movies and rocking out in perfect (or even not-so-perfect) harmony, this DVD could be a real hit. Get the DVD at Target for $19.99.

Source: Target

Is shopping for your best friend a source of stress or a total breeze? What are you getting your best friend for the holidays this year? Tell us in the comments!

7 Secrets To Being Her Best Friend Ever

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Shop for a good cause this holiday! | Source: Shutterstock

I LOVE holiday shopping for people, and I get so excited thinking about somebody smiling when they open up a gift from me. Holiday shopping can shift from awesome to stressful though when you seem to have run out of good gift ideas for what to get a special person in your life.

I was definitely feeling this way once the holidays rolled around during my senior year of college. My boyfriend and I started dating my freshman year, so we had already done our fair share of gift exchanges. On top of my total lack of gift inspiration, we were both wrapping up a really intensive class that was zapping up a lot of our free time and energy. We ultimately decided we would not exchange gifts.

It did bum me out a little bit that we were going to be skipping the fun holiday shopping. That’s when I had an idea. One Saturday, the two of us drove out to the mall and picked a child off one of the “giving trees” by the customer service desk. The two of us decided to pool our gift money and we spent the whole afternoon shopping for a little kid we had never met.

And you know what? It was probably our most memorable holiday together. Each time we found something on the list we’d get so excited, and it was fun for us to have friendly debate over what color hat or which game we were going to buy. Instead of each of us sneaking off the mall separately to do holiday shopping and stress about what to buy the other, we got to spend the entire day hanging out. With all the craziness of school, we hadn’t gotten to do that a lot, so the extra time was almost a gift in itself.

When we dropped off our big bag of items before we left the mall, I felt so happy for a whole bunch of reasons. First off, helping others just makes you feel good, and I liked thinking about how excited that kid was going to be with his gift – way more excited than my boyfriend probably would have been if I just got him another CD for the sake of having a holiday gift.

Thinking about that kid also helped me put some things in perspective, and a lot of the stress I had about my school projects had melted away. Finally, deciding to share this whole experience with my boyfriend wasn’t just fun because I could have a shopping buddy, but his enthusiasm about making this gift donation reminded me how he is a genuinely compassionate and thoughtful person.

Basically, this whole “donate date” was awesome for me, and I think it could be amazing for you too! Just getting to know each other and don’t feel like you’re really at a gift-giving stage? Suggesting this as a date idea gives you the chance to hang out no stress and learn more about each other, all for a good cause. If you’ve been together a while and you need a break from presents, it’s a great way to still get the fun of holiday shopping and enjoy the spirit of the season.

What’s great is that during the holidays there are often local opportunities available if you are wondering how to donate. Need one idea? The United States Postal Service sponsors Operation Santa which connects you with a letter that a child wrote to Santa, and you have the chance to write back and/or get some things off their list. Local malls, stores or places of worship are usually good places to find similar programs that accept donations of gifts for children or families.

I think teaming up to donate makes it more fun, so if you’re single don’t let that stop you! You can definitely propose this alternative gift-giving idea to a sibling or a friend as well. Sometimes when you’re in a couple, it can be easy to get caught up in each other while also feeling like you’re sort of just going through the motions. For me, taking a holiday for the two of us to work as a team and give back to someone else was a great way to still have holiday fun and spend quality time together. Everybody wins!

Does this sound like a fun holiday date for you? Have you ever decided to skip holiday gift giving with your significant other? Let us know in the comments!

Are You Exchanging Presents For Christmas?

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The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year…if you don’t count the stress of buying your dude a gift. It’s so much pressure. It feels like your entire relationship boils down to one bow topped box. Of course that’s not the case. It’s just that finding the perfect gift for a guy is tough. That’s why Mari and Kate sat Naked Mark down to ask him for some pointers on what guys really want for the holidays. Get ready for some amazing gift ideas, girls!

What gift ideas do you think are the best? What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten a guy for the holidays? Tell us in the comments!

Are You Meeting His Parents Soon?

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Do you have a holiday list? Have you checked it twice? Well, if your list is long (and with friends, family, teachers, your crush, and the Starbucks guy who gives you an extra shot of espresso for free, whose list isn’t long?) you’re probably looking for a not so spendy way to check everyone off. Well, Jamie to the holiday rescue. She’s got the cutest tea cup candle idea that’ll make for a great gift and only cost a couple bucks a pop!

Do you love candles as much as we do? Would you make this cute gift for the holidays this year? Tell us everything in the comments!

This Bracelet Is Another Awesome DIY Gift!

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All he wants for Christmas might just be... you!

With exception of The Talk (“So…what are we?”) and Dropping the L-Bomb, there is no juncture more awkward in the first year of a relationship than the holiday season – especially when it falls within the first month of dating. But as stressful as it may seem, gift giving can be a fun way to further strengthen a burgeoning relationship.

The key is to keep it light: just as you’d be creeped out by a guy who buys you an expensive ring three weeks in, he’ll be made just as uncomfortable (if not more) by a gift of matching “his and hers” bath towels for his apartment. Instead, something cute and economical is ideal. For a relationship less than a month old, I recommend keeping your budget under $20.

What to actually get, however, is a much more personal question. Start taking notice of his interests and desires during conversation. When my girlfriend talks about a knick knack she’d love to own, food she adores, or her interest in a style of art or type of flower, I always jot it down. This running list makes a much easier task of filling each of Hannukah’s eight nights (be thankful Jesus only gave you one). For a guy, this list might include books, gadgets, movies, or even snacks. One – or a small goodie bag of a few – of these items will surely make him smile.

Does he have a sweet tooth? Bake him some cookies.

Ultimately, regardless of what you choose, giving him anything is enough to demonstrate that you’re excited about him. At this point in the relationship, the thought really is all that counts. So for now, instead of aiming to impress, pick a simple gift that won’t add any pressure. Save the hand-knit sweater woven from your hair for next year! And no matter what, don’t panic if he doesn’t reciprocate. He might have just gone through the same nerve-wracking predicament as you—but without a brilliant advice columnist to guide him through.

Good luck!
Ethan

Are you confused about a guy? Do you find yourself wondering, “What is he thinking?” Tell us everything in the comments! And if you have a question for Ethan, email him at askaguy@gurl.com!

Boyfriend Christmas Gift