With the holidays coming around the corner, you begin to wonder what you must give to your significant other without seeming cheap, or, on the other hand overly indulgent. Approaching the decision can to be a difficult and complex proposal. There are numerous aspects you must take into consideration when purchasing that special gift. Questions you may ask yourself are:

• How much money should you spend?
• How serious is your relationship?
• When and where will gifts be given?
• What holiday gifts should be avoided?
• What if you give a good gift but receive a bad one or vice versus?
• How long have you been in your relationship?

When involved in this sticky situation, you may find yourself confused and concerned. Not to worry, dear consumer, you are in good hands! There are numerous gift ideas for your specific relationship stage.

Here’s your predicament: You have just begun dating two or three weeks before the holidays come around. Now I know what you’re thinking: just break up and avoid the gift giving awkwardness and then rekindle your love nest after, but before resorting to the last and uncaring solution, think of other options. Holiday gifts for newly formed relationships should be fun and lighthearted and cost no more than $20-$35. Due to the fact that your relationship is brand new, keep it simple. Gifts that are more practical and personal such as toiletries, candles or apparel items and gifts that are overly romantic and mimic “Romeo and Juliet” should be avoided at all costs since you want to represent a fun relationship.

What if you have been dating for three months to six months and see each other two to three times a week? Here’s the answer. By this time in your relationship you have grasped a feel for what your significant other may like or find appealing. Reasoning you have spent enough time with your partner, your price range should vary from $35 – $50 depending on your comfort with money. I hope you have realized being in a relationship for this long can leave you with a hole in your wallet, especially as the male in the relationship, so for your own good, get a job. Your special gift should reflect the memories you have spent together and your gift should inspire more memories as well. You could include a movie or to go out to eat, as well as a small gift, if you would like, since this would encourage memories.

Those who have been in the dating game for six months to a year should have a developed idea of what to give and should spend a good amount of money. A price range from $50 to any amount you are willing to spend on a gift is suggested. Your gift should have a romantic component to it since you have spent a lot of time with each other. Not only should your gifts be related to what your partner wants, but also what s/he needs. You may be comfortable enough to become more personal with your gift if your relationship is developed enough.

Being in a relationship for one year or more you are in your own hands. With this amount of time, you should have come to terms with each other and become knowledgeable about each other’s favorites and dislikes. The amount of money you spend should not matter and should reflect your relationship in a significant and meaningful light. If you are still confused about what to get your loved one, you might want to reconsider your relationship and what level it is on.

Overall, it is important to know that what you give your significant other around the holidays mostly depends on your overall level of comfort with each other and knowing what your partner thinks as well. Know in advance that relationships are not cheap, especially around the holidays. Each step up in your relationship is a deeper hole in your pocket, so be prepared. Keep in mind, as you advance in your relationship you may both agree not to focus on such materialistic items and rely on the memories and times spent together. Remember to think of all solutions before turning to the worst; anything can be solved.