Top 10 Gifts for Girls and Guys

It's that time of year again, when you find yourself searching for the perfect gift for someone in your life. Whether you're trying to find a romantic gift or a funny gift, you may feel overwhelmed by the pressure to get it right. You want to see a smile on that person's face on Christmas morning, but where do you start? Well, you can start with the lists below; Top 10 Gifts for Guys & Girls. Hopefully these ideas will inspire you to find something special for the people on your list.

Top 10 gifts for girls

1. Nike iD Sneakers ($100.00 and up)
Have you heard about these shoes? Your girlfriend can create her own unique Nike running shoe. She can choose the style and colour and even create a logo or message. Visit www.nikeid.com to purchase a gift certificate.

2. Tickets to a Concert or Event ($75.00 and up)
Just like you guys, a girl appreciates it when you're paying attention to the bands, performers and artists she's interested in. Sitting through a Justin Timberlake concert or watching Mama Mia might not be fun for you, but she'll love it and that's what makes it a “gift”.

Bonus gift: Take her to Toronto for a show and stay overnight for a weekend getaway!

3. Cozy Pajamas and Slippers ($30.00 and up)
Your girlfriend likes to dress up and do her hair when she knows she's going to see you, but sometimes she wants to just relax and be comfortable while you watch a movie. Most guys prefer their girlfriends with less makeup and a ponytail anyways, let her know you think she's just as adorable in her PJs. Just visit a La Senza store and the staff can help you pick out something cute.

4. Lululemon clothing ($50.00 and up)
You may not have heard of this brand, but your girlfriend has. Lululemon makes stylish, yoga-inspired apparel that is perfect for the gym and school. Go with the ‘DoitNow' gym bag and you're guaranteed a smile on Christmas morning. Their head wraps and hair-tyes make great stocking stuffers too. There's a store in Masonville Mall.

5. Remote Starter for her car ($150.00 and up)
Think about your poor girlfriend brushing off her car at seven in the morning and I dare you to not buy this for her! She can start it up while she's getting her bag together and it should be plenty warm by the time she gets outside. She'll think about how much she loves you every morning.

6. Favourite Show on DVD ($20.00 and up)
You probably think that the shows she watches are pretty silly, right? So much of what girls watch on TV are “guilty pleasure” shows. We know it's bad for us, but sometimes watching superficial, self-destructive nonsense is exactly what we need to unwind at the end of a hard day. Show her that you think it's just fine by buying her one of her favorite programs on DVD. Great examples: Sex and the City, The Hills, Gossip Girl or Grey's Anatomy.

7. Day at the Spa ($100.00 and up)
Give your girlfriend a day of luxury with a manicure, pedicure and massage. You can pick up a gift certificate at most spas, be sure to pick up a list of prices as well for when she books her appointment. This is a great gift for your Mom too! Great places to go: Fayez, Ginger Esthetic Spa or Artistic Esthetic Spa.

8. Something Engraved!
Any gift you give is going to seem a bit more special and personal if you take the time to have it engraved. Don't let your mind get stuck on jewellry, you can take almost anything and have it personalized. You can engrave an iPod, Cell phones, watches and even laptops! Even a Christmas ornament with your names and the year will melt her heart. Visit ‘Things Engraved” in White Oaks, Masonville or Westmount Mall.

9. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T77 ($300.00)
Your girlfriend might already have a digital camera kicking around, but if it's more than a couple years old, it's probably pretty out of date. Surprise her with a new, flashy Sony Cyber-Shot and she'll be posting couple pics on Facebook in no time. This camera is slim enough to fit into the tiniest purse and it even comes in pink!

10. A Really Nice Watch ($100.00 and up)
Since everyone has a cell phone, a lot of people have given up on wearing a watch everyday. There are times though when checking your cell phone can be gaudy or inappropriate. Every girl should own a simple, stylish watch. The price range is very wide, but be sure to get something understated and classic. Visit a jewellry store or counter to ensure you are getting a quality timepiece.

Top 10 gifts for guys

1. Universal Remote ($99.00-$200.00)
This little remote can control almost every electronic device in his house from his TV to his stereo. He can finally retire his four-remote system that seems impossible to figure out.

2. Tickets to a Concert or Event ($75.00 and up, www.ticketmaster. com)
Get online and check out what bands, performers and sports teams are coming to your area in the next few months. Take your man out for a night that's just for him. Even if it means sitting through Pro Wrestling or a Metallica concert, he'll appreciate that you pay attention to the things he's into.

3. Flash Drive ($9.99-$29.99)
Any student could use one of these little gadgets in their stocking. These tiny storage devices will allow him to take his papers and assignments with him wherever he goes. It will help him to catch up on school work in the computer lab, the library or at his girlfriend's house without having to deal with out-of-date discs.

4. Digital Camera ($99.00 and up)
Most guys don't have their own point and shoot camera, so he might be using his cell phone to capture important memories right now. Help him unleash his inner Avedon with a compact digital camera.

5. Foosball or Air Hockey Table ($99.00 and up)
You'll be a hit with his roommates when he comes home with an Air Hockey or Foosball table on Boxing Day. It's a great way for him to relax between study sessions and will give you a chance to kick his butt; the heat of competition is a great aphrodisiac.

6. Wii or Xbox 360 ($300.00-$500.00)
The Xbox 360 has just reduced its price, so it's a great time to upgrade, while the Wii's popularity and demand continues to increase. Just be sure to pay attention to the smaller details when making your selection: the Xbox comes in a few formats, each with different accessories and memory capacity and the Wii requires additional accessories for some games. Be sure to ask for help when you shop.

7. International Beer Basket ($20.00 and up)
This is a chance for you to let your creativity show, while staying on a modest budget. Visit your local LCBO and check out the selection of international beers. They come in colourful cans and bottles that are often written in foreign languages; very fancy! The beers run at about $2 a pop, so you can easily grab 10 or so. Simply put them in a basket with some of his favourite treats. Just wrap it up and you've got an easy, cool gift. These are great for brothers, fathers and new boy “friends” that you don't know very well yet.

8. Retro TV Series on DVD ($20.00 and up)
Here's a chance to help him recapture some of his favourite childhood memories. Pick out a cartoon series from the ‘80s, grab some “retro” candy from Sugar Mountain, throw in a box of Captain Crunch and he can relive his Saturday morning cartoon days. Walmart currently has seasons of He-Man for only $9.99, trust me he'll love it!

9. Sleepover Kit ($30.00 and up)
Are you entering into a sleepover stage in your relationship? Why not give him some not-so-subtle hints that it's okay to crash at your place? Put together a cozy sleepover kit: include a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, socks, boxers and comfy pants for lounging around the house. Even if your boyfriend already has some things at your place, it might be time to replace those Simpsons pajama pants with something a bit nicer.

10. Nice Shirt and Tie ($75.00 and up)
Most guys either don't like shopping for clothes or simply don't know where to start. Since he wants to look good for you, why not take the pressure off by getting him a great shirt and tie? Most men look so hot when they're dressed up, it will probably lead to a pretty nice night for both of you. Bonus gift: dress him up and then take him out for dinner! Guys like to be treated with a little chivalry every once in a while too.