by Anna Glavash
The holidays are approaching, anticipation is building, and your gifts are all taken care of…except for the most important person—your significant other! Need help finding the perfect gift? Here’s what should you get bae if you’ve been together for:
3 months
Pleasure. You know you enjoy spending time together. Get them something you can enjoy together, if they feel like sharing, that is. These gifts are all very nice but they won’t be around forever, and your relationship might not be either. Focus on the present. Get them fancy chocolates, expensive cheese, a bottle of something special, a restaurant gift certificate, or bake them cookies. Concert tickets are perfect. You can also show off your sense of humor here and take them to a comedy show or channel your dramatic side with a play or tickets to the Eugene Symphony, which are $10 each at the Symphonic Series or $20 for Cirque de la Symphonie (December 17th only) for students!
1 year
Souvenirs. At this point, you are getting serious and hoping to stay together—or you’d probably have left already. You have a good sense of their style, and you want to remind them of you often. Get them something that they’ll use a lot or that you can show off to your friends and family. Instead of them wearing that old sweater with holes in it when you get together for holidays. Get them jewelry, a tie or scarf, cozy/cool socks (ideally cozy and cool), a special notebook or a framed picture of the two of you. Heritage Dry Goods is a super-hip boutique featuring local, American-made gifts with have a seriously good sale section.
3 years
Fun. You still spend a lot of time together, but you each have your own lives too. You want them to enjoy their hobbies as much as possible, whether or not you’re part of them. Get them outdoor gear, art supplies, a musical instrument, or a camera. It’s also a great time for a membership or class focusing on their special interest. Or, pamper them with a spa gift certificate. The Pearl Day Spa is a decadent place to get anything from a pedicure to Thai massage. If you’re feeling ready, now is also a good time to get a pet! Make sure you talk about that one first. Adopt, don’t shop! Check out Greenhill Humane Society for your new best friend.
6 years
Memories. By now you’ve given each other a lot of gifts, and you’re running out of ideas. You’re also realizing the greatest gifts aren’t things that can be bought with money. Now is the time to take the trip of a lifetime. Go to a destination music festival that features the music they love. Create something unique for them. That could be a gourmet meal, a masterwork of art, or a song you wrote. If art is your jam, check out MECCA in Eugene. It’s basically the Goodwill of craft supplies. Get them epic front-row tickets for their favorite band or Broadway show. Try the tasting menu at a world-class restaurant. At this point, you may be together for a long time, so gift them things you’d be proud to show your grandkids. Seriously though—the coolest grandparents competition starts now.
