如何购买情人节礼物？

（配有中文摘要，供女情人们参考，并供英语爱好者对照学习英语）

by Cosmopolitan.com, on Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:18am PST
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/valentinesday/v-day-gifts-to-give-your-guy-no-matter-how-long-you-ve-been-together-574271/

Valentine’s Day is a loaded holiday when it comes to picking out the right gift for your man. What you buy reflects how you see him and the relationship, so you want to get something thoughtful, creative, and appropriate for the amount of time you’ve been together. We know guys are notoriously tough to shop for, so our guide is full of great outside-the-box ideas for every stage of coupledom. And while you are shopping, don't forget to pick up a little something for yourself.


（大意：情人节买什么礼物送给心爱的男人，是桩很考验人的事，你买什么，就反应出你如何看待他，如何看待你们之间的关系，所以你买礼物要有点脑子，要有创意，要适合你们约会时间的长度。说到给男人买东西，我们知道他们是出了名的难讨好，所以我们向大家提供一点旁观中立的建议，按约会时间长短来分。你购买情人节礼物的时候，也别忘了给自己买点小东西。）

Less Than 3 Months （约会不到三个月）

If you’ve just started dating, keep your gift casual. At this point, anything expensive or too personal will send a scary I-like-you-a-little-too-much message. Plan to spend around $20-$25 on something simple but sweet, like a DVD of a movie he really liked — such as The Hangover) — or a book by one of his favorite authors (A Michael Crichton novel was just published).

（大意：礼物要随意，别太贵，太贵就显得你太当回事了。花个$20-25美元，买点既简单又甜蜜的礼物就行了，比如他喜欢的DVD，或者一本书）

 

3-6 Months （约会3到6个月）

This is a tricky in-between phase: You’re an official couple, but are still getting to know each other. Impress him by finding something creative that’s totally him. For example, if he’s always taking pictures, get him a gorillapod.

（大意：这是个比较微妙的阶段，有点上不沾天下不沾地，你们可以算比较正式的男女朋友了，但你们仍然还在互相了解的阶段。买点他喜欢但又别具一格的东西送他。比如，如果他喜欢照相，那就送他一个gorillapod.）

7-11 Months （约会7到11个月）

Okay, things are starting to get serious (even if he’s yet to admit it). A fun gift for this stage in the relationship is an experience you can have together, so you’ll build more shared memories. Try tickets to a concert (The Black Eyed Peas and Bon Jovi are touring in February) or an NBA or NHL game.

（大意：现在你们的关系越来越是那么回事了，虽然他还不承认这一点。这个阶段比较有趣的礼物是某个跟你们的共同经历有关的东西，那样就能巩固你们共有的记忆，你可以试试送张音乐会的门票给他。）

1-2 Years （约会一到两年）

You’ve crossed over into the long-term commitment zone, so this is a great time to commemorate your relationship or show off how well you know him. Frame a cute picture of the two of you (have it printed out nicely, in black and white), or find something that will remind him of a fun time you had together. You can spend a bit more now that you’re pretty serious ($100-$200, depending on your budget) on a big-ticket item. Here's a really cool idea: ballpark cuff links made from the stadium seats from his favorite team.

（大意：你们已经跨入了长期交往的门槛了，情人节是个好机会，你可以趁此纪念一下你们的感情，或者让他知道你有多么了解他。可以买个镜框把你们俩的合照（黑白的）装起来送他，或者某种能让他想起你们在一起的好时光的东西。现在你的礼物可以稍微贵重一点，根据你的经济状况，花个$100-200美元都行。）

More Than 3 Years （约会超过三年）

After years of birthdays and holidays together, it gets tougher and tougher to come up with surprising gifts. A lot of women just grab stuff he needs, like socks or new button-downs, which is nice and all...but boring. Instead, get him a present where he’ll learn something new. If he’s adventurous, book him an exciting experience, like a flying lesson or hang gliding. (Excitations.com offers a ton of amazing gift ideas.) Or, book a weekend getaway at a romantic hotel in a nearby town where you can spend lots and lots of time in bed.

（大意：在一起好几年了，生日节日也过了不少了，再想找个出人意料的礼物是越来越难了，很多女性都是随便抓个他需要的东西当做情人节礼物，像袜子啊衬衣啊之类，太没意思了，快别这样干，你应该送点能让他感受到新意的东西。如果他爱冒险，那就给他来点令他兴奋的礼物，比如飞行课，或者滑翔飞行（吊在滑翔机上飞））