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Show n December 2, 1998 !,epth brooksinfowest.com Editor: Brooks Shelton Gift Guidelines For That Sun News Services Relationship Semi-Seriou- s Pay attention. If you're walking through the mall and your squeeze points out a really cool vase or calenthen you've got a big clue! Gifts to dar that they like that are risky at beginning of relationship: clothing because it's too personal (excepincluding lingerie tion: a humorous or anything too overtly such as a set of dishtowels or a bathrobe. "Gifts should not be too expensive," Wray explains. "What is important is that you spend some time and put When you buy a new car, you get a book that explains when to bring the vehicle in for an oil change and later for bigger services like a tune-uWouldn't it be grand if relationships had similar guidelines for holiday gift buying? You know, after so many dates or weeks, you're suppose to spend X amount of dollars depending on how much you like the person on a scale of 1 to 10. "You're never required to buy anyone a gift," says etiquette expert Hilka Klinkenberg of New York. "A gift is something you give because you want to make someone feel good." While Klinkenberg is right in theory, I think most females skip right over that part in an etiquette book. Plus I'm sure we all like to make the one we love . . . uh, want to love, feel good. "Gifts speak volumes about your intentions and feelings," writes Bob Wray in his new book A Man's Field Guide to Dating, which will be released in early 1999. "There are three critical days that must be recognized with gifts if you are dating someone birthday, Valentines Day and Christmas." Basically it's time to go shopping for a gift that says 'I care about you,' but not 'I'm an obsessed stalker.' What do they want from me? In gift giving the confusion exists for everyone. Here are a few tips on how to find out the way to the heart of that new special someone in your life. Relate it to a date you've had or hope to have. If you went to the zoo once, give a toy stuffed lion. Or if spring is coming, consider a kite or some fun outdoor toy that you two can share. Visit your sweetie's house and look for details. Check out the decor, collections, favorite colors, perfume names. Ask their friends. The friends probably know your date better than you do. HINT: A lot of women use the ploy of telling friends what they want as a gift in hopes that you'll be asking around. p. ment store. Women usually like flowers, so watch her face light up when you give her roses that light up. Blinky Roses sell for $14.95 each on Archie McPhee's online catalog. OK, let's continue with these cliche women's gifts, because after all you've just started dating. She may be on a diet, but not many women would turn up their nose at a lovely box of Godiva chocolates. You can find plenty of those little gold boxes for $20 or less at Godiva boutique stores, some department stores and, of course, their website. For boyfriends: Avoid being aggressively romantic by giving him something wacky like a Rocket Lava Lamp, which you can pick up for $29.95 at the Archie McPhee online catalog. Or a set of Star Wars Pez dispensers, which you can find in most drugstores for a little more than a dollar each. If he's into sports in any way, you can't go wrong with tickets to a sporting event or some inexpensive sporting gear plan on spending less than "cou-ple-ish- ," $35. They say the best way to a man's heart is so give him something edithrough his stomach ble such as a nearly-fre- e batch of favorite cookies, or drinkable like a of microbrew which will cost you less than $10. For either: If you're not super-serioabout him or her yet show it by buying your date a toy. Archie McPhee's $6.95 computer voodoo "doll" some thought into the selection. The gift should be will give your friend a place to vent their frustration humorous and inexpensive. It should be a bauble that after a computer malfunction. relates to the other person." If the relationship is really Get a closer look at the future of your relationship new, Wray suggests something as simple as a keychain when you give your potential new love a Magic 8 Ball. It which you can find for less than five bucks at most gift only costs $10.95 at Archie McPhee and probably about stores. If you want to up the ante just a little, check out the same at your local mall. the following gift suggestions for under $35 below. If the person you are deeply "in like" with is a For girlfriends: Wray suggests a product in the movie buff in any way, consider an original theatre in which release movie poster starting at $15, available at Rick's lady's favorite scent or a fancy picture frame she can of course put your picture. You can pick up Movie Graphics and Posters website. either of these gifts for $10 to $30 at your local depart For me? How sweet! What if your squeeze beats you to the punch and gives you a gift, catching you Klinkenberg says you don't have to run out and buy the other person a reciprocal gift. But I'd say you'd be enjoying plenty of cold showers if you keep up that sort of behavior. "You should be prepared if you want to continue the relationship," advises Klinkenberg. "And you are obliged to say LIGHT INDUSTRIAL 'Thank you. This was really swell.' Whether the gift Express Personnel Services is looking for is swell or not, you want to appreciate their generskilled, and motivated people eager for rewardous act." e work in a variety ing temporary or "Be very gracious and grateful no matter what of positions: BLACK & WHITE the gift is," agrees Wray. "Follow up immediately EXPRESS COPIES with a small thank you card. It is an excellent opporGeneral Labor (Must be able to lift 50 lbs.) bCrw j vi rr.nvf tovpon to th Kmkj'v Driver Delivery tunity to show some class." This is getting pretty cool you've got a chance to show your new honey CIcricaloffiee that you have generosity of spirit and class. After this entire attempt at creating a Good pay, a regular paycheck, excellent benefits and career opportunities are waiting for you guideline, here's the best hint: Don't 5 East St George Blvd., St George 0 at Express. ..but not for long! obsess about it at all. If this person is hot for you, Call TODAY! they'll stay interested no matter what the gift. If after c ure or A v:d tjood lex CHpt i ; ?, cv oc.Dor p a gift exchange, the relationship cools, the other pertir ntft st't cVv or 4 jvport nxrti b '3 Lh 674-111- 0 it i.'xi past ry'u' i vie 'avo wtv' Ay a? t (JmCsKXrNi O 'r3teS son may have been looking for an excuse to be 12 UAIS viA Wy vocfsxv vosJ Vt by Lt. V ijvh . Lv Au um of Motes Vttupv. Lx n ,?$ SM'ivxvx'n .rv ksovv turned off and hey, you're better off without that Ask about free pickup and delivery Open 24 Hours iF&SO&K ungrateful jerk. 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