Girl's Gift Guide

1.[movies] "Friends with Benefits"- Dec. 2

If you're wondering what new DVD release to buy your girl this holiday season, this romantic comedy is your best bet.  Not only does it have the typical insanely attractive couple played by "Family Guy's" Mila Kunis and the surprisingly multi-talented actor Justin Timberlake, but it follows the "let's be friends with all the benefits and see where it goes" plot, a scenario most college students have been able to relate to at one point.  While it includes the usual chick-flick norms, it depicts young relationships in the modern day social-media filled world in a way that's refreshing enough for both girls and guys to enjoy.

2.[spoil alert] groupon.com

It's no secret every girl enjoys being spoiled, even if she doesn't admit it.  Thankfully, websites like groupon.com and livingsocial.com are out there to provide easy access to all the deals a girl would love. Whether it's a $35 coupon for a sensual one-hour massage valued at $80, or $25 for 20 hot yoga sessions valued at $180, there's an endless variety of opportunities in the Long Beach area and beyond that will satisfy whatever type of girl you're trying to pamper.  If you're looking for a getaway that your girl and friends can enjoy, they offer deals like a two-night stay for $118 valued at $338 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas.  These sites are able to offer the best prices because of the "minimum customer guarantee deals" they secure with businesses, so make sure to watch for expiration and redemption dates, which fluctuate daily.

3.[fashion]

Any girl appreciates an addition to her wardrobe, so long as it's not a pair of overalls or tie-dye Crocs. If you want to play it safe, help keep your girl warm this season by stepping into the abyss of stores like Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters and buying her an eternity scarf, priced anywhere from $7- $40 depending on the material and pattern.  If you're feeling a little more adventurous, consider getting your girl a pair of wedge boots or an evening dress she could wear for a New Year's night out. 

4.[entertainment]

While the holiday season is meant to be full of jolly good spirits, it can often leave us stressed and in need of the sort of cheer that has nothing to do with "old St. Nick."  Help your girl de-stress by taking her to a comedy show.  You can visit laughstub.com to find promos for comedy clubs in the Los Angeles area, like Hollywood Improv's show for $5, or Laugh Factory Long Beach's All Star Showcase at $18 per ticket.  When trips to the movie theaters or nights in watching NBA-less cable are simply not cutting it, this could be the gift that does.

5.[abstract]

The best gifts are the ones that hold the element of surprise.  Girls can usually sense when gifts entailed as minimal thought as possible.  So rather than buying whatever is at arm's length in the jewelry section of Target, think about getting something she'd truly appreciate. If she likes spontaneity, pick her up and tell her you're going on a day road trip (that includes a stop to get her favorite kind of food). If her current playlist is outdated, make her a couple of mix CDs.  If she's obsessed with Conde Nast magazine, get her a year's subscription.  Cliché yet true, it's the thought that counts.