rock and a hard place

DISCLAIMER: This has nothing to do with my present situation.

You know what I hate, when you are in the beginning stages, less than 90 days (it's like waiting until you get health/dental benefits at work) of dating someone and a major gift giving relationship holiday (V Day, Christmas, Chanukah, etc.), or worse a birthday, rears its ugly head. Do you have to get the significant other something? Yes, you do. But why? Well it's come to my understanding that only women and third world dictators consider their post teenage year birthdays to be national events.

And what to get? This is a dilemma that may very well establish gift-giving etiquette for the tenure of the relationship. It goes without saying, get a bad gift (i.e. too cheap, no consideration) and you'll find yourself in a hole so deep you'll be lucky to get out in time for next season's Opening Day. On the flip side, if you get an over extravagantly luxurious gift you can either a) scare her off for moving too fast. Or worse b) set the precedent of always having to break the bank on any trivial gift giving holiday, such as Secretary's day, Arbor Day, Day Light Savings Time Day and days of similar ilk.

My advice something cute, yet funny, and shows that you are thinking of her. Try to incorporate it into one of your first few dates. If you went to the aquarium, a stuffed penguin perhaps. And please save the mega exorbitant bling bling for the special occasions or get out of jail free cards (see Kobe Bryant).

Thanks for humoring me.