A guide for holiday cheer

  -->

Bee-bop holiday hop, loving this!

Dane is crafty and he originally wanted this post to be called HO HO HOliday Shopping Guide. See? He's the macaroni to my creative cheese. Sorry babe, I know you like cheese, but considering I can't eat pasta YOU get to be the macaroni..

I'm going to let him take it away from here...so listen up, fellas--Dane's fool-proof guide to holiday cheer.

Christmas is a big deal. What I've come to realize for women, especially mine, is that it's the pinnacle or climactic event of the year. One you definitely don't want to screw up. As men, we're prone to screw up a lot, so here's my breakdown on the 12 Days of Christmas shopping advice for your special lady.

1: Nothing says I love you like a gift card. NOT! Don't fall into this guy trap that consumerism has created. We're better than that--even if that gift card is to her favorite store or to fuel her personal coffee tank from Starbucks that is running low.

2. This should probably have come before #1, but get her Christmas list first. This should come months in advance if you know how big Christmas is to her. Plus, as a guy, we'll either forget or wait to the last minute. Trust me, you don't want to drop the news week of or day of, "Hey babe, I'm trying to figure out what you'd like for Christmas, can you give me some ideas." Lucky you, you'll end up spending more $ than intended, because you just displayed your lack of Christmas spirit.

3. Don't buy jewelry! I say again, don't buy jewelry. This may be just my gal, but guys often fall into this other trap. Women love the bling. But it must be bling they love. Safest bet, ask her mom or her best friend what she likes to wear. You won't always remember that necklace she said she liked or if she even cares about bracelets. But, if you want to not be chained by misery during the holidays heed this advice.

4. You don't have to buy everything on her list. If you've been doing your job all year then she knows that the most important gift you can give her is your time and love. You can reciprocate to being naughty together which is always better. This is a family blog, Dane!

5. Speaking of the list, check it twice. Make sure you buy the right thing, right color, right model, etc. Save yourself the embarrassment, time, and hassle of doing a return. There's nothing better to see excitement on Christmas day turn into, "But this isn't the right one, or the color I picked out." Just don't fight her on this.

6. Half-way there. Thank God. Be creative. Not every gift has to be bought. We all like good surprises, even when we are prodded by our respective women to spill the beans. Do something special or unexpected.

7. I know you ladies had ants in your pants about what I thought about clothes. Men, be careful here. You're venturing into dangerous territory. Christmas can turn back a couple months right to Halloween. If you think about buying her clothes, go back to #2 and #5. When that fails, just take her shopping one day.

8. Women love shopping. Be prepared to just save every text, email, or hint of something they like. Before you know it, New Years is around the corner, her birthday, Valentine's you name it. What you miss on Christmas, you can deliver on another special day.

9. Don't be a grinch. As a guy, shopping isn't really our forte. Show that you had a little bit of excitement knowing you got her something or the humbling fact you had to peruse forced lady fashionista websites over your preferred score-tracker and talking trash to your bros.

10. Love Christmas music. Get into the spirit. She loves it, so automatically you do should too, if you didn't already. Like Christmas, or pray for a get out of jail free card and not collect $200 when you pass go.

11. Probably should have been near the top, but discuss with your lady what a reasonable budget is for the two of you. Don't make her feel guilty when you bought the world for Christmas or you show up with that gift card since you didn't read #1. Together you can equally save enough money to still enjoy the holiday parties, dates, and whatever else you plan to do.

12. Last and certainly not least, remember what Christmas is truly for. Enjoy spending time with her and your families. Be thankful for the year you've had together and get ready to partayyyyy like it's 1999 on New Years.

Cheers to all you lovely ladies!
-Dane