Gurl.com &#187; holidays

Ask A Guy: What Should I Buy My Boyfriend For Valentine’s Day?

Have any of your past Valentine’s Day been similar to these ones? What is your best Valentine’s Day memory? What do you have planned to have a great Valentine’s Day this year? Tell us in the comments.

10 Ways To Celebrate With Someone Special This Valentine’s Day!

Meg Malone — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:00:30 +0000

We’re just a few weeks away from February 14, which can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking as you try to decide what to do for Valentine’s Day. First of all, take a deep breath! This is a day for flirty fun, not a day to stress yourself out!

The thing is you can basically do just about anything on Valentine’s Day and have it be awesome. It’s all about just trying to have fun and bond with that special someone.

Whether you’re planning on doing something with your crush or you are part of an established duo, we’ve come up with 10 ways to celebrate the holiday in super fun style!

Cook Dinner Together

You can skip making reservations at a busy restaurant this year. Instead, make dinner together at home! It's a great way to see what the other person likes and to get a little creative. Plus, there's always dinner conversation to look forward to!

Or Better Yet... Dessert!

As much as I love dinner, I love dessert more. If both of you have a sweet tooth, bake something to celebrate the holiday. Those heart-shaped cookies are looking pretttyyyy good right about now.

Source: Flickr; user: daveparker

Play Candyland

Valentine's Day rules in terms of the sweetest candy (Halloween is just a little too scary!). Stay in the toasty indoors and get nostalgic by playing a round of the ultimate candy game: Candyland! Seriously, you'll remember how much you loved it, and it'll be even better playing while you're snacking on actual candy alongside your crush!

Be A (Kinda) Secret Admirer

Your note can be sweet or funny, but just make it clear you think your crush is awesome! Slip it in your crush's locker or bag, but be sure to 'fess up soon that you are the mystery admirer. Hey, you want to get the credit for being super sweet!

Get Recording

Not into writing? Instead of giving me a card, I had a BF once make me an audio recording saying how he thought I was cool. It was super sweet, and I could keep the recording on my iPod if I ever needed a boost. You can do something more emotional like writing an original song, or you can keep it goofy with a silly lip sync video that you post on Facebook. Either way, it is something that could be a little more lasting than just a card.

Decorate It Up

Get a little sneaky and do a surprise decoration sesh! Whether it's putting some red streamers inside your crush's locker or leaving some fun balloons outside your crush's door, those little festive decorations are a way to show off your spontaneous and fun-loving side while celebrating the holiday.

Make A Scavenger Hunt

It doesn't have to be anything too elaborate, but put together some clues and riddles for your crush that lead to somewhere special. You can tie in any inside jokes you may have or just include places that remind you of your crush. Better yet, have your crush make one for you too! To make things easier, you can agree on the ending place first, but at least you can share your adventures once you both meet up.

Be A Snow Couple

In my opinion, you should never pass up a chance for a snow-related date. Challenge each other to make a snowman version of the other person so you can have an awesome snow couple hanging out on your lawn (that's almost as cute as the two of you!).

Go Ice Skating

While it can be an outdoor activity, most places have an indoor skating rink nearby. Ice skating lets you have plenty of time to talk while getting a little more active. Plus, hand holding!

Laser Tag

Want to get a lot more active than just skating? Gather up some of your other couple friends for an action-packed round of laser tag. You and your crush can prove how awesome the two of your are as a team!

7 Funny (But True!) Valentine Quotes To Never Say Out Loud

How are you going to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Have you ever had a really memorable Valentine’s Day celebration? Tell me in the comments!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Happy National Popcorn Day! Here Are 7 Delicious Ways To Eat Popcorn

Jessica Booth — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:23:55 +0000

OMG, best holiday ever! Tomorrow is National Popcorn Day, and I don’t know about you guys, but I’m very excited. See, I’m sort of obsessed with popcorn. It’s kind of becoming a problem. My brother and sister regularly make fun of me for eating it all the time, and I’m known to get a little impatient with people who just stick their hands in my bowl of it (I mean, come on! That’s just rude). But I can’t help it – I want it all to myself. Popcorn is delicious and I can’t get enough.

If you guys aren’t the popcorn connoisseur that I am (it’s fine, we can’t all be popcorn experts), I’ve got a few tips for you that will make your snack even more delicious than it already is. And I’m not saying you should try all of these recipes out tomorrow to celebrate National Popcorn Day, but… I mean, I won’t be mad if you do. Check out these amazing tips on how to eat popcorn that’s kicked up a notch and I think you’ll become just as obsessed as I am:

Melted Butter

I can't say this is healthy, but I can say it's amazing. Just melt a little butter in the microwave (bonus points if you cut it into a heart first!) and drizzle it over your popcorn. This is great because not only is butter yummy, but it also makes your snack way less dry.

Cheddar Cheese

Cheese on popcorn is one of the best things ever. The best way to use a little cheddar or American is getting a bag of powdered cheese. You can take that out of any macaroni and cheese set that's probably already in your pantry. Just sprinkle it on your popcorn and viola: a mouth-watering flavor!

Junior Mints

I was skeptical about this also... until I tried it. Pop these suckers in right after you open up the bag and shake it around. The mints get all gooey and warm and give a nice sweet flavor to the popcorn.

Buy it here

Ranch Seasoning

Ranch makes everything better, right? Well, I don't think so... but I do think it makes popcorn better. I'm not a big fan of ranch dressing, but this seasoning is so good that I can't stop using it. This brand also makes some other awesome toppings.

Buy it here

Parmesan Cheese

This once might be my favorite. For a while, I was obsessed with putting grated Parmesan cheese on my popcorn. And then my mom got mad at me because apparently it's expensive and I was wasting it. But, still worth it.

M&M's

Not feeling that minty flavor? Just add some plain old chocolate to your bowl of popcorn. Salty and sweet is the best combo, and these are great because your popcorn isn't drenched in chocolate... you just get it once in a while. Yum.

Buy them here

Crushed Red Pepper

Do you like your food spicy and hot? Then definitely reach for the crushed red pepper for your popcorn. This gives your snack a nice little kick and tastes really awesome.

A super easy way to deal with stress

What’s your favorite way to eat popcorn? Which of these are you going to try? What’s your favorite snack? Tell us in the comments!

Survey: Your New Year’s Resolutions

Jessica Booth — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 18:00:17 +0000

Well, 2012 is about to be over and 2013 is about to begin. You know what that means, right? It’s time to start the tradition of creating resolutions ~~we’ll never keep~~. JK, a lot of people in the world have a lot more willpower than I do.

But let’s be real: resolutions are really fun to make… but really hard to keep. It’s easy to talk about the things you want to change about yourself, and it’s easy to think about the dreams you want to achieve. So let’s talk about it! Fill us in on all of your New Year’s resolutions… even the ones you haven’t thought about yet. Copy and paste the questions into the comments and let’s go!

1. First things first: how old are you?

2. Okay, what’s your number one resolution for this year?

3. If you’re not making a resolution, tell us why.

4. Do you follow your resolutions every year?

5. What has been your biggest resolution fail?

6. Do you think you’ll really go through with your resolution this year?

7. Think about the resolution you’re going to make. Why did you choose this one?

8. If you’re making other resolutions, tell us about them.

9. Have you ever made the same resolution twice?

10. What was last year’s resolution?

11. If you could make one resolution about your body, what would it be?

12. What about when it comes to school or work?

13. What about in terms of relationships?

14. And what about a resolution concerning your friends?

15. Have you ever made a secret resolution?

16. If you could make a resolution to never do one thing ever again, what would it be?

17. If you could make a resolution to move anywhere in the world, where would it be?

18. Do you know of any of the resolutions your friends are making?

19. What’s one resolution you wish you could follow but know you never will?

20. Tell us why 2013 is going to be your best year ever!

Take more fun surveys here!

5 Amazing Reasons To Eat Christmas Cookies Right Now!

Sooo, Just What Exactly Is Boxing Day?

Meg Malone — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:00:30 +0000

Turns out it’s not that kind of boxing. | Source: Shutterstock

You may have noticed that on your calendar, the day after Christmas is marked as “Boxing Day.” Maybe you never gave much thought before to what that might be or maybe you are like me, who for a while thought it was some kind of holiday that celebrated the sport of boxing (it is not). Well as today is Boxing Day, we’re here to help set the record straight.

Boxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated on December 26th across the pond in Great Britain, as well as in some of the Commonwealth countries, including Australia and Canada. Apparently it’s a little fuzzy around how this whole holiday exactly got its start.

One idea is it has to do with how the day after Christmas was when churches would distribute the money they’d collected in boxes to the poor. Another theory is that the name comes from the boxes of gifts that were given from employers to servants typically on the day after Christmas. Indeed, both potential reasons would make sense for the name “boxing.”

According to Time, today Boxing Day is kind of an extra relaxation day that now tends to revolve around shopping and sports (Ed. note: Initially, I’d made mention of the tradition of Boxing Day fox hunts. Even though hunts still gather in Great Britain on Boxing Day, using dogs to kill foxes during fox hunts was outlawed in 2005).

Different countries have their own variations added to the holiday, such as the Junkanoo festival in the Bahamas or how in Ireland, a fake wren is paraded around on St. Stephen’s Day (the feast day of St. Stephen falls on December 26th, so in Ireland that’s the name the holiday goes by).

There you have it – a little bit of Boxing Day trivia cleared up for you! Use your new knowledge to impress your friends and families today, as you continue to enjoy your well-deserved winter break!

Did you know anything about Boxing Day before this? Does your family celebrate Boxing Day? Tell us in the comments!

Follow Us On Twitter!

5 Super Kawaii Holiday Gifts From The 99 Cent Store

Melanie Abrahams — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:00:36 +0000

Are you looking for a super cute gift for your bestie, but don’t have much cash? Don’t freak out, girl–some of the most kawaii holiday gifts can be found right in your neighborhood 99 cent store! I went to mine this afternoon and found these five adorable gifts. Chances are? They’ll have something similar in your neighborhood. Your bestie will love it, and you’ll still be jingling all the way home with a few spare coins in your pocket.

Moving And Singing Bird Pen Holder – $6.99

It moves and makes noise! There’s no cuter gift.

Kawaii Racoon Hat – $5.99

Tell me she wouldn’t look so stinkin cute in this!

Fuzzy Bunny Earmuffs – $4.99

ACK! The kawaii is killing me! So. Cute!!!

Bright Lion Lunchbox – $1.99

She might even want to carry this guy as a purse. Adorbs.

Confusing Cat Pencil Box – $1.99

This says many things, including, “Fighting, I want you to be happy,” but mainly, it says AWESOME.

Which of these super kawaii holiday gifts would you get for your BFF, and which ones do you want for yourself?! Tell us in the comments!

What’s Really On Your Mind When You’re Christmas Shopping?

Follow Us On Twitter!

My Cashless Christmas Catastrophe

Tori DeRosa — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:00:35 +0000

Art & Story by Tori DeRosa

How To Create The Perfect Holiday Outfit (Without Looking Like Santa Clause)

Gurl — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Whether you’re trying to impress your friends, woo your crush or just feel extra sassy in front of your mirror this holiday season, you’ll need a great outfit.

Sequins are most definitely one of the best ways to show off your holiday spirit, but how do you put together a sequin outfit without looking like a giant ball of glitter? Fashion vlogger Nikki Phillipi takes you through three different adorable holiday looks for you to try this winter. This year even your annoying aunt will be praising your shimmery fashions.

Will you be trying any of these looks? Which was your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

This post was sponsored by Macy’s Style Lab.

Dress Like 10 Of Your Favorite Christmas Things

Jessica Booth — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:00:46 +0000

I bet you never thought you could get fashion inspiration from random Christmas-related items, right? Wrong! Guys, you can get fashion inspiration out of pretty much anything – especially Christmas stuff. The point isn’t to look exactly like a snowman or a candy cane or Charlie Brown. The point is to look inspired by them, and it’s way easier than you might have thought.

If you’re ready to get into the full holiday spirit, I would definitely recommend trying these looks out. But the best thing about them isn’t just their Christmas cheer… it’s the fact that these outfits can be worn at any time of the year (I rhymed! Total accident). Try ‘em out for some cute new looks that will most definitely get you noticed. If you want to buy the items pictured in these sets (and why wouldn’t you?!), just click on the image for more info. Here are 10 adorable Christmas outfits:

A snowflake

Take some glittery inspiration from a snowflake – a sparkly gray skirt paired with dotted gray tights and a white sweater is a super cute combo. Add some glittery sneakers, a pretty blue coat, snowflake gloves and a snowflake necklace, and you’re basically indistinguishable.

Mrs. Claus

You don’t need to look like a cuddly grandma to channel Mrs. Claus. Just pair a simple red dress with a white cardigan, some sparkly flats, a green beanie and a pair of hipster glasses for effect. Cookie earrings and cookie scented body wash complete the look.

Cindy Lou Who

Head-to-toe pink can be a little intense, so instead of a pink dress, like a comfy pink sweater with skinny jeans. Pair it with a red bow headband to get Cindy Lou Who’s innocent look and Converses – this is basically the comfiest outfit ever.

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Why would you want to look like a reindeer? Um, because this outfit is really cute, that’s why. Brown jeans and a muted top give you a reindeer look while bright red nail polish is similar to Rudolph’s nose. To make this look even more obvious, wear this too-cute-for-words reindeer hat.

Candy Cane

Who says white pants can’t be worn after Labor Day? Definitely not true. Pair these jeans with a loose red sweater and black boots for a very festive look. And if you smell like candy cane scented body wash and lip gloss, we’re pretty sure everyone will get the hint.

Andes Mints

You know these yummy chocolate mints that appear every Christmas but then seem to disappear the rest of the year? Yeah, you can dress like them. This outfit is cute, girly and funky – it’s basically perfect for a first date (and he’ll never guess you’re outfit inspiration).

Frosty the Snowman

I think this is my favorite look. It’s so simple, but so cute. Add a black beanie and red scarf to your white sweater and jeans. For a super cute touch, pair this with snowman earrings and a snowman mug.

Buddy The Elf

Yellow tights are an awesome pop of bright color during a dreary winter day, so don’t be afraid of them. If you want to get seriously funky, you can add this fun Christmas hat into the mix.

Charlie Brown

I bet you never thought you’d get outfit ideas from Charlie Brown, huh? Well, I have to say that he gives some pretty good ones in the Christmas movie. Wear a red coat over your orange tee and jeans, and add in a few touches of brown with your shoes and hat.

New Year’s Eve Ball

And finally, get into the spirit of New Year’s Eve by decking out in as many gold sparkles as possible. This dress is perfect for the occasion with black tights and a little clutch. Get a super dramatic look with fake eyelashes and heels.

Which of these outfits would you wear? What’s your favorite? What kind of outfit ideas do you want to see next? Tell us in the comments!

5 super cute ways to wear $20 black dress