“I have no idea what she’d like.”
“I don’t think she’d even wear it.”
“What if it sends the wrong message?”
“I have no idea what the difference is between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ jewelry.”
These statements all have one thing in common: they’re just excuses. Little problems we men either invent or exasperate to avoid buying the women in our lives what they really want for the holidays: jewelry. No matter what kind of person your special women is, how old she is, how long you’ve been together, what your relationship is like or how long it’s been going, you can bet that she would love to get some new jewelry from you this holiday.
But buying jewelry can be hard – it doesn’t come as naturally to most men as, say, buying a new TV or car parts. We have to dig in a little and figure this thing out, but don’t worry, together we can wrap our heads around it. Good thing too, because even if you’re not ready to give her that piece of jewelry or if you already did decades ago, there are still lots of other great pieces of jewelry you can give her for the holidays.
So, guys, let’s put our heads together and get through this. And ladies, don’t be shy about accidentally leaving this blog open on your man’s computer or subtly posting it on Facebook for him to see.
Give Her the Basics
As men, we often don’t know what the heck we’re looking at with jewelry, so we tend to try to just buy the flashiest thing we can afford. It’s a strategy that works well for us in other buying situations, right? Not a car expert? Buy the biggest/safest/fastest one you can afford. Done. But jewelry is different. Women want something they can wear regularly. Diamond hoops, rolling bracelets, personal charms on long chains are good options here.
Plan Ahead
It’s already mid-December, so it’s too late for you get this one right this year, but next year will arrive before you know it! The holidays are never as far away as they seem, and they have a habit of suddenly arriving. If you’re like me, you like to wait. Here’s a great tip: don’t be like me. If you’re out shopping somewhere in June and she sees a piece of jewelry she says she likes or even just seems to be spending a lot of time looking at, don’t wait. Buy it and stash it for next holiday season.
Don’t Ignore the Classics
A classic sports car never goes out of style, right? Neither does a truly timeless piece of jewelry. Pieces with classic designs are going to look elegant no matter what year it is. If you’re stuck on the difference between “timeless” and just plain old, man up and ask the jeweler, or…
Bring a Female Friend Shopping
All women love jewelry, and most women love shopping, so it stands to reason that most of them love shopping for jewelry, right? Ask a female friend or relative to go jewelry shopping with you to get a woman’s perspective on what you should buy for your special someone. This way you’ll get expert advice from someone other than the jeweler, who has a vested interest in you buying what he/she is selling.
Choose the Right Type
If you’re thinking about earrings, you’re probably on the right track, as simple diamond studs or high-quality cubic zirconia earrings fit perfectly into every woman’s wardrobe, no matter what day of the week is or what her style is like. Does she already have studs? Get her a set of diamond drops.
Want something closer to the heart? Necklaces make great gifts. Check to see if she’s missing any of the essentials: diamond pendants with her name or a meaningful word, charms with significant themes like a cross, Star of David, heart, her initial or four-leaf clover.
Want something that’s going to be completely visible to her and everyone else all day? A bangle with one or more diamonds is a great addition if she’s the type to wear a stack of bracelets on her arm. Alternatively, diamond tennis bracelets are evergreen favorites. But if you really want to go all out with something fancy – keep in mind that she won’t be wearing it every day, just on special occasions – then consider an elaborate filigree cuff.
Finally, of course, you could get her a ring. If you’re not already engaged or married, however, you need to be careful here. Consider something that’s a bit on the trendy, fun side like a diamond or cubic zirconia ring accented by colored gemstones. Right-hand rings with floral designs (if she’s the fancy type) or square-cut stones in bezel settings (if she prefers an understated look) are also great choices that she can wear almost every day.