10 Gifts Your Girlfriend Actually Wants

It’s getting close to that time of year again when you have to find the perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend. The witches come out to frighten you and ghosts of ex-girlfriends’ past haunt your every waking moment.

I’m not referring to Halloween, when all you have to do is give her a little candy and you’ll get lucky in superhero costumes. I’m talking about the time when you have to go above and beyond that adorable three scoop kitty tee. (Although, maybe not the worst idea if you’re on a budget).

Your girlfriend will go crazy if you take it a step further, like with this three scoops of kitty blanket that says warmth, love and kittens all in one:

GETTING INCREDIBLE CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS EASY!

When it comes to her 21st Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Christmas or Hanukkah the stakes are high. Sure these moments are meant to be a time of love and giving, but they could just as easily turn into scary moments if you decide to throw a pair of socks and a Family Guy-themed desk calendar her way.

Don’t worry, College Magazine is here to help with your gift-giving worries. This list is perfect for Christmas gifts for your girlfriend and good birthday gift ideas. Why? Because we went directly to the source. Your girlfriend

TOP 10 BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND BEST BIRTHDAY GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND.

We asked girlfriends nationwide to come up with a list of the best gifts for your girlfriend for the holidays or any day really. Without further ado…

1. THOUGHTFUL PHOTO ALBUM OR FRAME

Need a stellar Christmas gift idea for your girlfriend? Find the latest photos of you and your girlfriend from Instagram and Facebook and *gasp* print them. Then go to a local crafts store and buy an album or create your own.

The simple Forever Photo Album will do. An album that predicts what your kids will look like may be taking it a bit far…If you want to get sentimental but keep it simple, go with a Kate Spade picture frame for your favorite couple pose.

“I like sentimental things, so if he was able to put something together like a photo album or scrapbook that is meaningful to our relationship that would be so cute.” -Chelsea Tirrell, Senior, Hofstra University

“My favorite gift was a scrapbook of photos of us that he made for me. It meant a lot to me because took the time to pick the pictures and sat down to think about all our great memories. I love that I can look back on the book for years to come.” -Olivia Jenning, Junior, Florida State University

Kate Spade Picture Frame: $39.95

Umbra Fotochain Picture Frames: $34.99

10 BEST GIFTS FOR GIRLFRIEND 2019

Gift-giving szn has no start and no end. Birthdays, religious holidays, corporate holidays, anniversaries, half-year anniversaries keep you on the constant lookout for the next best gift for your girlfriend. Every girlfriend and every relationship is different, so you will find no one gift that suits every young woman out there.

Some girlfriends want quality time. “The most thoughtful gift he could give me would probably be a trip or experience together that he put a lot of thought into. Time together means a lot more to me than things,” said Florida State University junior Paige Stephenson.

Other girlfriends want the finer things in life. “[I want] a Tesla. Just kidding, their love. Nah, actually a Tesla,” said Duke University freshman Natalie Rincon. Some just want unlimited Netflix binges. University of Florida Tasnim Thakur wishes her partner would get her a 12-month Netflix subscription.

But all girlfriends, no matter their truest desire, want to know you put time into your gift. “Getting someone a good gift is about reading between the lines sometimes. Don’t look for something grand, look for something that matters,” said Columbus State Community College junior Zaham Nur. Make your next gift the best gift for your girlfriend. Ever.

KEEP READING TO NAIL DOWN WHAT WE ACTUALLY WANT WITH THE 10 BEST GIFTS FOR GIRLFRIEND 2019.

1. THE NOTECUBE

The NoteCube: $49

Expressing yourself and being completely vulnerable with your girlfriend isn’t easy. “I’m not really into material things. I would like a note, [my boyfriend] never made me one of those,” said University of Maryland freshman Molly Zardus. You know how strongly you feel about her, and yet you struggle to put your thoughts onto paper. The NoteCube helps you find just the right words.

The NoteCube helps you feature your favorite traits about your girlfriend—everything from confident, spontaneous, peaceful, gorgeous, down to Earth, honest, understanding, musical, compassionate, the list goes on and on. Then it generates notes for you, specific to the qualities you picked.

These notes are your starting point—you can get more specific by editing each note with specific memories and adding photos of the two of you. Imagine your girlfriend opening her NoteCube to read: “I may not be your first date, kiss or partner… but I want to be your last everything.” She would go weak at the knees to read how you really feel.

Once you finalize your notes, The NoteCube prints out each note for you, ties a perfect bow around your customized gift and delivers them in a perfectly-fitted box for your girlfriend. “[The NoteCube] takes a simple idea but makes it more personal and fun. You’ll know that special someone went the extra mile,” said Sara Parker, University of South Carolina junior. The best gift for your girlfriend is expressing how you feel about her. The NoteCube will remind her of that every single day.

2. LUXURIOUS PILLOW

Eden Shredded Memory Foam Pillow: $79.99

Does your girlfriend get at least seven hours of sleep a night? Probably not, considering the CDC reported that more than one third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Maybe that’s because she’s used the same lumpy, drool-stained pillow for a decade. How can she be expected to feel refreshed and ready for a new day with matted, sweaty bedhead?

The best gifts for girlfriends are the ones they never think to get themselves. “I would love a nice, comfortable pillow. No one ever buys those for themselves but I think it would be very sweet and practical,” said University of Florida sophomore Sarah Ruple.

Your girlfriend deserves to rest her head on a luxurious pillow that her head sinks into at the end of a long day. That way she wakes up every morning energized and ready to seize the day.

And don’t just find any other pillow—the right gift takes time and effort. The Eden Shredded Memory Phone Pillow is filled with memory foam that draws out the heat to keep your head cool at night. Goodbye bedhead, hello luscious locks.

3. SOMETHING SHE ACTUALLY SAYS SHE WANTS

AirPods with Wireless Charging Case: $199

Your closest friends and family yell “SURPRISE!” and your girlfriend immediately breaks down in tears—of sadness. You meant well, but you didn’t realize all along that your girlfriend absolutely hates surprises with every fiber of her being. If your girlfriend says no surprise parties, then seriously—no surprise parties.

If your girlfriend sends you a list of items or flat out says, “I want tickets to the Jonas Brothers Happiness Begins tour,” then take this clarity as a blessing. “I want something that I specifically ask for. I don’t like to be surprised by gifts,” said Florida State University sophomore Bethany Geltner.

Open up your ears, and whip out the Notes app on your phone. Your girlfriend loves when you listen—especially when she’s flat-out telling you she wants the new AirPods with the wireless charging case to take on her runs.

4. HOMETOWN DATE

The Bachelorette

Your girlfriend loves your quirky personality and your need to throw out a pun in any and all situations. She loves how you treat her with respect and as an equal. Show her where it all comes from by taking her to your hometown.

Plan your hometown date a la Bachelor style with a lighthearted activity just the two of you, and set aside time for her to sit down with your family and hometown friends so she can get to know them.

“My boyfriend taking me to his hometown and just showing me around, any and all money for the plane tickets aside,” said University of San Diego freshman Daniella Brunetto. “I just want to meet his family and dog, hangout with his old friends, and for him to take me to some of his favorite spots. Knowing that he let me in on those important parts of his life would mean a lot.”

You are the best gift your girlfriend could have ever asked for—open up your life to her. Take her on a tour of your high school and show her your old locker. Show her the hospital where you volunteered for a summer and discovered you wanted to become a doctor. Show her your true self so she feels like an important part of your life.

5. KYLIE JENNER LIP KIT

Kylie Jenner Brown Sugar Lip Kit: $41

Regardless of whether or not you believe Kylie Jenner is a self-made billionaire, one thing is for sure: She sells a lot of lip kits. Anything related to the Kardashian-Jenner clan comes with controversy. Set aside your differences and give in to the craze of Kylie Jenner Cosmetics.

“I wish my boyfriend noticed I wanted Kylie Jenner lip kits but he can’t stand Kylie Jenner or the Kardashians so anytime I even say Kylie he doesn’t pay attention. I have to buy them myself,” said University of Iowa junior Emma Eschliman.

Kylie Jenner Lip Kits often sell out in seconds. Go into this with a game plan. Find out what kind of lipstick she likes. Is she into Matte or Velvet finishes? Or does she prefer Glosses? Nail down exactly what you plan to buy before Kylie announces the product drop on Twitter—otherwise you will miss out and need to wait until the next drop hits.

6. FOREVER FLOWERS

Premium Roses, Medium: $159.99

Whoever said diamonds last forever and flowers die did not live in 2019. If you pay any attention to influencer’s Instagram ads or posts around major holidays, you will likely see a box of perfectly-lined roses in their most gorgeous bloomed state. Spoiler alert: These flowers last for 365 days a year. Thank you, modern technology.

And guess what? This is truly one of the best gifts for girlfriend, because lots of women want them but don’t want to ask you for them. That defeats the purpose of getting flowers, after all.

“No one has ever gotten me flowers. Not that [my boyfriend] doesn’t buy me thoughtful gifts, but he will only buy me gifts when we are out shopping and I see something that I want. It’s a nice gesture to surprise me and show up to a date with flowers,” said Rowan University senior Sarah Fisher.

“I would never in my life ask someone to get me flowers, but I’ve always wanted them,” said UF student Elizabeth Heidrich.

“It’s nice getting flowers as like a random appreciation and not for something specific,” said FSU senior Reagan Kelly.

Lindt LINDOR Milk Chocolate Truffles, 60 Count: $

The proof is laid out for you, partners. Your girlfriend loves receiving flowers. Get them for her on special days or even as a surprise when you pick her up for date night. Pro tip: If you know what type of flowers she loves, you’ll get extra brownie points. “Instead of giving me chocolate and flowers if they give me my favorite flowers and my favorite kind of chocolate I know they are truly listening to me when I’m talking to them,” said UF junior Valentina Cruz.

7. SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS HER

Reactions: An Illustrated Exploration of Elements, Molecules, and Change in the Universe: $19.49

No one girlfriend is the same. And she will know if you give her similar gifts that you gave your ex because Instagram is really not that hard to navigate.

“I think the most thoughtful gift that [my boyfriend] could get me would be anything chemistry related. I’m a huge science nerd and if he got me something that had to do with chemistry I would know that he put time and effort into finding a gift, instead of just getting me something generic,” said University of Connecticut Chemical Engineering sophomore Catherine Odendahl.

If you know your girlfriend’s interests and deepest desires, then you can think of the best gift for her. Find your chemistry-obsessed girlfriend a colorful coffee table book that shows different chemical reactions. Search high and low for the perfect briefcase for the girlfriend who you know will land a corner office in no time.

Laptop Bag with Trolley Strap: $199

Find a unique gift that represents your girlfriend’s passions, interests, career goals or hobbies. She’ll know you listen, and she’ll know how much you really care.

8. ESSENTIAL OILS KIT

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Bundle: $48.95

Breathe in essential oils, breathe out the stressful day. Maybe she’s taking 18 credit hours this semester. Maybe she’s working full-time and going back to school. Or maybe she needs help winding down at the end of the week. Regardless, essential oils are slowly becoming the next best gift for girlfriends that keep giving. 

“I got a diffuser a little while ago and I don’t think I’ll ever stop wanting more essential oils. I think that would be the best gift because I would use it all the time,” said University of South Florida junior Emily Whitaker.

Essential oils, a form of alternative medicine, are extracted from plants through distillation that are combined with a carrier oil. You can rub them on your skin (like your temples or wrists) or inhale them feel their effects (which are widely debated). Keep in mind essential oils are generally not safe for ingestion.

Give your girlfriend an essential oil that fits where she is in life. When finals rolls around, peppermint can give her a natural boost of energy and ease her uneasy stomach. Tea Tree might help your girlfriend from catching the flu going around her floor. Lavender helps with stress relief, and if that doesn’t scream best gift for girlfriend, who knows what does.

9. STARBUCKS

Starbucks Giftcard: Price Varies

“One thing in life I always love is my coffee. Taking the time out to get me something you know I love, and even my specific order, means a lot,” said Pace University freshman Debra Perlman.

Starbucks drinks can cost anywhere from $2 to $5. That means a cup of coffee Monday–Friday can set your girlfriend back anywhere from $10 to $25. Give your girlfriend a Starbucks gift card to make her feel like the concrete jungle queen she aspires to be. Or bring it to her as a surprise. Listen to Perlman and remember your girlfriend’s coffee order so you can start off your girlfriend’s birthday, your dating anniversary or even a regular day by showing your girlfriend you listen and you care.

10. A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT DATE

Brinker-Regal Entertainment Movie & A Meal Gift Cards: $50

Your girlfriend loves watching romantic movies where couples dance in the rain or stroll through sunflower fields. But when it comes time to plan date night, you bicker over where to eat until you end up picking up Papa John’s to eat in front of the TV while watching romantic characters act out your girlfriend’s dreams. Don’t let that be you.

The right gift for your girlfriend may not be a physical object at all. “I’d prefer something we can do together opposed to a physical object,” said College of William & Mary junior Maddie Talangai. “I’d like them to surprise me with a well thought date or trip.”

Take charge of date night—or date DAY—and take your girlfriend on ultimate romantic day trip or candle-lit romantic evening. “Honestly, it doesn’t have to be anything expensive or elaborate. I like when he cooks dinners… so we can do stuff together,” said University of North Florida junior Corbin Keller.

Some girlfriends may have even dropped the hint as to exactly what kind of date night would make their dreams come true. “[I want] reservations at the chef’s table in the Hell’s Kitchen dining room during taping. I love Gordon Ramsey and couldn’t get the tickets on my own, so someone getting them for me would be the best thing ever,” said FSU junior Madison Stuart.

20 MORE INCREDIBLE GIFT IDEAS & GIFTS FOR YOUR GIRLFRIEND

Did you know that “receiving gifts” is in fact a love language? In his book The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman doesn’t refer to the materialistic aspect of giving gifts. Think past the item.

The effort and thoughtfulness behind a gift for your girlfriend means more than the gift itself. That means pouring time and love into gift ideas for your girlfriend, whether it be for a holiday, your girlfriend’s birthday, anniversary or just because.

Not sure where to start? Narrow down that gift for your girlfriend by investigating beyond the obvious:

1. Ask your girlfriend’s best friends.
2. Consider her hobbies. Find something that will make that hobby more fun, exciting or easy
3. Search GroupOn for an experience she’ll love, like skydiving, a hot air balloon ride or a paint night.
4. Buy her a luxurious experience—like a spa day or weekend away—to let her finally indulge.
5. Find something uniquely her. For example, if she loves owls, buy her owl mugs or cute owl tee.

No matter what you come up with, make sure your gift idea for your girlfriend comes wrapped with a thoughtful hand-written card.

The card’s message will show her you really care. Gift giving is a language. Become fluent in it like Jack from This Is Us and your girlfriend will melt into your arms forever.

TOP 20 GIFTS YOUR GIRLFRIEND ACTUALLY WANTS 2018

1. SHADOW BOX

Some sentimental S.O.s have discovered a cheat code to buying gifts for your girlfriend. When you’ve bought almost everything else on the list for your girlfriend, buy her a gift to hold all of the other gifts. Wait—what?

“Being that we’ve been together so long, my boyfriend has gotten me a bunch of gifts for holidays, anniversaries, etc. But I’d say my all-time favorite would be tickets to a concert. He surprised me with tickets to my favorite band and we had AMAZING seats,” University of Central Florida junior Siera Siedl said.

Siera’s boyfriend can’t recreate that concert experience. But he can commemorate it with a shadow box filled with the tickets, movie stubs from their first date, bottle caps, you name it, as reminders of all their best dates.

Basketball players honor great seasons by retiring their jerseys and displaying them on the wall; great baes honor their girlfriends by retiring mementos and displaying them in a shadow box. Talk about a creative gift for your girlfriend.

2. PROMISE RING WITH BIRTHSTONES

One up your childhood pinky promise with a ring finger promise. Some might shy away from PDA like kissing and holding hands to show off your commitment to one another. Bling your girl out with the message instead.

“My boyfriend gave me a promise ring for our one year anniversary and it was just the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It had our birth stones connected. It was just so beautiful and meaningful,” University of Florida junior Hannah Wilson said.

Personalizing the ring will show your girlfriend how much thought you put into the promise ring. Plus the ring will represent you and your girlfriend equally minus any cringe-worthy matching outfits.

“My boyfriend gave me this beautiful pink floral ring from Pandora. He said it was our promise ring so it has a lot of sentimental value to it, which is what I love most about it,” said Stacey Rodriguez, sophomore at Palm Beach Community College.

3. DESK DECS

Make sure your girlfriend thinks of you during her 9 to 5 to match your 24/7. Buying her a beautiful small item to place where she’ll see it the most like her desk at home or at work. In the early stages of a relationship, the desk dec will quickly trigger thoughts of you without needing to bombard her Snapchat.

For maximum results, get a gift for your girlfriend that show her you care through trinkets that you know—cue Julie Andrews—a few of her favorite things.

“I really like trees even more then flowers and I used to always wear this tree necklace. One time my boyfriend surprised me by leaving a little metal tree in my room with a note,” Temple University junior Claudia Murtha said.

“To me, it doesn’t matter how much the gift is or what it is just the fact that he thought of me is what matters the most and that’s what makes the best gifts that I could ever receive.”

4. A MANICURE

Dive into your girlfriend’s mid-week sanctuary. No matter how hectic a woman’s life gets, someone massaging, lotioning, grooming and painting pretty colors on her hands will make her feel 10 times—or 20 times if she also gets a pedicure—better.

“I’m on a college student budget, so I tend to give myself my own manicures, but I’ve always wanted my S.O. to pay for one for me as a gift,” Florida State University sophomore Kate Reitz said. If you can afford it, pick up the tab on your girl’s trip.

If you have the time, hop in the chair next to her and treat her to a freshly manicured partner on the side. If these options don’t work, skip plan C and go right to plan D…IY gift for your girlfriend. Pick up all the pro tools for your girlfriend to use at home.

5. MONOGRAMMED NECKLACE

“Girls want gifts that are specific to them and not something that a guy could’ve given an ex,” said UF sophomore Allison Hollaway.

Don’t make the mistake of re-gifting the heart-shaped locket your ex returned after a tearful goodbye. Your new bae will look through your ex’s Instagram and she will not be happy to see that locket around your ex’s neck seven months ago.

“My favorite gift is probably my preppy monogram necklace because it’s unique specifically to me,” Hollaway said.

Your girlfriend can wear her initials around her neck every day and she’ll think of you. Find a monogrammed necklace that matches with most of what your girlfriend wears, whether that be black, brown, pearl, gold, silver or a funky color.

6. KITCHENAID STAND MIXER

The kitchen is not, I repeat, NOT a woman’s place.

When she returns home from the boardroom though, she might crave a batch of her grandmother’s homemade double chocolate chunk brownies. The gift of efficiency comes with rewards. Cut the baking time in half with a KitchenAid Stand Mixer that will do the mixing for her.

Plus, this gift for your girlfriend looks boss, shining bright in the kitchen.

“[I love] my KitchenAid Mixer because it makes cooking fun and it’s my favorite color, cobalt blue,” said FSU recent graduate Karen Popovich.

The KitchenAid Mixers come in almost every color in the rainbow so pick her favorite color and she’ll know you pay attention. And if your girl loves to cook, KitchenAid also sells attachments that’ll let her juice, stuff pasta and more with one appliance.

7. PANDORA BRACELET AND CHARMS BRACELET

Pandora Charm Bracelets are the gift that keep on giving. Save yourself the stress every time a holiday, birthday or anniversary comes around.

After you buy her the actual charm bracelet, keep adding to it with charms that represent your time together.

“The best gift I’ve ever received was a Pandora charm bracelet… Each charm had a meaning special to me and to him,” said Northern Virginia Community College sophomore Lexi Viernes.

Did you take her to Disney World? Buy her a heart-shaped charm with Mickey and Minnie kissing on it. If you took her skiing for the first time, find a snowflake charm.

8. MAKEUP & VANITY MIRROR

You know she looks gorgeous without makeup. But if she spends hours before going out perfecting her winged eyeliner, show her you appreciate her efforts.

“Makeup is usually my favorite gift. Not so much because it is a girly thing or whatever, but because it shows that my boyfriend recognizes my interest and is willing to learn more about something that he may not necessarily care about in order to make me happy,” said FSU recent graduate Katie Flanigan.

Feeling lost in a sea of Sephora products? Take a peek in her makeup bag to see what brands she uses.

Or count on trusted makeup brands like Tarte, Too Faced, Urban Decay, Stila and whatever her roomie/BFF said she will love to guide you.

BONUS: Complete her makeup setup with a vanity mirror that will give her the perfect lighting to add a pop of color to her eyeshadow. “I do my makeup almost every day so a vanity mirror would be a great gift, ” said Palm Beach Community College sophomore Nicolle Cutolo.

9. DISNEY WORLD

Make unforgettable memories with bae at the Happiest Place on Earth. You get to relive your favorite Disney childhood movies live an in color on rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight in Magic Kingdom. Or eat and drink around the world on a budget at Epcot.

“My boyfriend surprised me with a trip to Florida. I just turned 21 and he bought us tickets to Disney for my birthday,” said Pace University senior Chelsea Chuck.

Sneak in a stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to check out the brand-new lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.

Or discover a new world at Pandora: The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom. Make the experience even more ‘Gram-able and surprise her with matching t-shirts for cheesy pictures together in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

10. AN ACTUAL ENGAGEMENT RING

She’s the one. After years with your college or even high school sweetheart, you feel confident and ready to start a new life together.

“I never let myself splurge. If my boyfriend gave me jewelry it would make me feel special that he got me something I never get to have,” said FSU recent graduate Jazmine Goodman. “He could also give me an engagement ring.”

Talk to her best friends, maybe even consult her parents to find out what ring she’ll feel proud to wear forever. Before you drop all that cash, learn about the four C’s (Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut).

Your girlfriend is your biggest investment—but her engagement ring comes in at a close second. Do your research on quality and certification to make sure you get this right. And once you hit that fiancé status, finding gifts for your future wife will prove even more of a challenge.

Good luck, champ!