You remember that date you sprawled on a post-it note back when you last forget your girlfriend’s birthday? Great, so why didn’t you transfer information that to somewhere more memorable?! Your girlfriend’s birthday is fast approaching and you’ve just realised that flowers and chocolates for a fourth consecutive year are not 
going to cut it.
Fear not, as this is the way that male brains are wired and we’re slowly becoming wise to the fact that dates are not our forte. However, a militant approach to anything in life comes naturally to us, so let’s use that to our advantage and run through a hit list of the top 10 gifts for women. Remember, no flowers, no chocolate!
1: Jewellery
You’re a brave man if you choose jewellery as your girlfriend or wife may be very selective. However if you pull it off, you will go down as a gift-bearing god. One of the best ways of figuring out what your girlfriend likes when it comes to jewellery is to pay attention to when she compliments someone else’s jewellery. Be careful though, sometimes one woman complimenting another can be for reasons entirely beyond the realms of a male mind and you may be misguided.
2: Dinner
Dinner does not mean ‘Steve’s Fancy Fried Chicken’. It means booking a table, in advance at a restaurant your girlfriend has always wanted visit. Skip your memory for all the times she has used the phrase, “I’d like to go there one day”, and you’ve selectively ignored. Now use that stored knowledge to your advantage and pretend it was all part of your masterplan…but don’t forget a gift.
3: A Weekend Trip
This can be great as it may also turn out to be a great gift for yourself! Selfishness aside, weekend trips are a great way of enjoying some quality time together and she’ll probably appreciate that more than any physical gift…although it’s probably best to still get one. Try and pick a location that she has hinted she would like to visit and somewhere peaceful and scenic. You can’t put a price on great memories. Plan what you’re going to do in advance so you can enjoy every minute without the stress of having to make joint decisions!
4: Spa Day
Ladies love feeling like a goddess. A spa day will enable her to unwind and be treated in a way that you cannot fully understand but she will utterly adore you for. You’re unlikely to be a cosmetic genius so opt for a spa day voucher from as she’ll be able to 
choose exactly what she wants.
5: Books
Have you seen the episode of Friends where Chandler gets Joey’s girlfriend a copy of her favourite childhood book? She is dazzled by Chandler’s thoughtfulness. There’s no reason you can’t get the same response, though hopefully with your own girlfriend and not your best friends. Choose books related to her favourite topics or that she has spoken about reading but does not currently own. Signed copies or special editions will also go down a treat!
6: DVD’s / Blu Ray
Buying DVD’s might feel slightly more impersonal than purchasing books but you can still show a little charm through the art of selecting the right DVD. For example she might only have a copy of her favourite film on video, in which case you can bring her firmly into the 21st century! Alternatively you might be able to track down rare DVD releases featuring her favourite actor. If all else fails, pick something with Johnny Depp in it. I hear he’s pretty popular.
7: Music
Along with books and DVD’s, buying musical related gifts for women is easy if you keep things personal. You’re likely to know your girlfriend’s favourite artist or band. Have a look online and see if there are any tickets to their upcoming gigs. Alternatively, buy her their latest album if she does not already have it and give her the freedom to play it as loud as she wants as you grit your teeth for at least a day.
8: Gift Baskets
This is your chance to be a little creative and really show her how much you have thought about her birthday. Put together a basket of treats, whether it’s cosmetics, her favourite foods, drink , scents, candles or anything else you’ll think she’ll enjoy. Sometimes it’s those little things go a long way.
9: Clothes
Warning, do not try and choose her clothes unless you are 100% certain of her size or a specific item. The safest bet is to buy her a clothes voucher, or if you can handle it, take her out for a shopping trip at a large shopping centre. Yes it can be boring and you may feel uncomfortable waiting outside endless fitting rooms but she’ll be delighted. It’s only once a year!
10: Perfume
Sometimes the best treats are the ones we really want and can afford but just for some reason resist paying out for. For girls, this gift is perfume. Perfume can be quite expensive and sometimes women might be reluctant to buy it for themselves because of the price. Perfume can give a woman real confidence and what’s even better is that every time she wears it, it will be a subliminal reminder to her that you are indeed the most thoughtful partner in the world.
Scott Cole is a writer who has the often difficult decision between offering and following his own advice.