Sometimes getting a standard gift just doesn’t cut it. When you really want something, or are in particularly bad trouble, then is the time to pull out all the stops and come up with the most unique gift ideas girlfriends are likely to see. It’s a source of pride to be able to provide the most unique gift ideas girlfriends have seen, the most original and the most impressive or ambitious. Don’t settle for second best, show her that she’s dating someone with resources, imagination and the power or determination to get things done!

Naming a star – Naming a star is one of the most romantic gestures, where you are literally naming a piece of the cosmos after her. Stars are endlessly romantic and once named you can find it together using the celestial map that comes with the gift. Standing under a clear starry sky and pointing out the star you named after her will make for a particularly romantic moment together as you marvel at the vastness of the universe and that a tiny corner of it is yours together… (a perfect time to slip the arm around). You could even buy two stars – one for you and one for her (it’s a shame you don’t get to pick which ones or you could pick ones next to each other… awe…). You can also tell her to wish on the star (then if possible make the wish come true). It’s also one of the most unique gift ideas for girlfriends and is something that others quite likely don’t have.

Get published – Making a photo album is particularly nice as a way to remind your girlfriend of happy memories and to demonstrate the amount of time and effort you’re willing to put into a romantic project. To make it more original however you can make a book on Lulu. com (a website that allows you to publish your own books with no cost up front – you just pay the price of printing) – this could be a photo album, a long love letter, a poem, a sketch book or a combination of all those things. My girlfriend and I sent each other well over 100 messages on Facebook and it would be impossible to write them up by hand – but by publishing them on Lulu along with pictures and love notes it makes a wonderful gift. Alternatively why not make her a calendar or something along those lines? That way you have a new picture every month.

A pet – Obviously this is only really one for serious couples as it represents a fairly big commitment to look after (unless the pet is really just for her). The commitment it represents is why it’s so romantic though as it shows you expect the romance to last at least as long as the pet… (if you get her a tortoise you’re looking at 100 years…). If you want a truly unique gift idea girlfriends won’t have heard of before try getting her an iguana or a miniature pig…

Classes – Taking classes together is a great romantic gesture and gift as it means you get to spend more time together. It’s also a unique gift idea that girlfriends will be sure to enjoy. Now make sure the classes are something romantic – like wine tasting, Italian or French or ballroom dancing.

Writing a song – Writing a song for your girlfriend is a particularly nice way to encapsulate her feelings for her, especially if you can perform it for her too. If you go with the book publishing idea you can even publish the score in a book for her. On a similar note I intend to perform a tape of romantic songs on piano with lyrics rather than going for the standard mix tape. I’m a creep…

Making chocolates – Making your own chocolates in Thorntons style is a most unique gift idea girlfriends will definitely appreciate. All girls like chocolate and they’re sexy as well as romantic.

Make media – Everyone is good at something (well mostly) and everyone has an interest or hobby… or at least a job (come on dude – work with me here!). What I’m getting at is that if you can made flash animations then make one for her, if you’re a carpenter then carve her something, if you make websites then make her one, if you’re a writer then write her a book, if you make videos make her a video… in other words work within your means to do something for her that’s truly personalised. That’s the secret to making the most unique gift ideas girlfriends can really appreciate as personally yours. Do it with humour too and it will be sure to be well received.

Public displays – Public displays, such as getting your girlfriend serenaded or having a cake brought to her on a plane demonstrates that you are proud to shout your love for her to the world (she’ll probably be horrendously embarrassed but she’s loving it really). You can also up the impact of any gift by presenting it to her in a public place. In today’s world though, doing something in front of five people is nothing compared to the possible millions of people you could be displaying it in front of through new communication technologies. If you know she’ll be listening to a radio show why not choose her a song? Alternatively why not send her something romantic through Facebook that all your friends and hers can see? You can even make her a video to show on Youtube. Alternatively, if you work in media or publishing yourself then you could mess with your own job and send her a secret message through your work – hidden in the text of your writing, on the website or even in your work report…

Construction – There are now many websites out there that let you design factory made ornaments and objects. This way you can design her something for her desk or shelf that’s truly unique and personalised.

Temporal gifts – Another great spin to put on any gift is to give it a temporal element. For example you could write 365 things you love about her – one to be read at the start of each day. This way she starts each day in a good mood thinking of you – if you get this gift for her for Christmas you could buy a planner, calendar or diary and write the reasons on each day. Alternatively you could write her letters for each month – or wrap a present in several layers to be removed gradually over time.

Steel something – Steeling something for you girlfriend is only okay if it’s small enough to not really matter. This way though, you can get something for her that literally money can’t buy (making it truly one of the most unique gift ideas a girlfriend can receive) and have also shown that you’re willing to take risks to make her happy. Obviously don’t steal her the mona lisa (though that would be impressive), instead try and steel her something small that has value as a souvenir or keepsake. For example say you go on holiday together you could steel her a rock or stone from the place (it is steeling as you’re not allowed to take them through customs (so hide them!)). Similarly my girlfriend and I recently went for a posh afternoon tea in the poshest hotel in Oxford (Cameron Diaz was there!). There were glasses with roses on the table so when she went to the toilet I managed to steel it from her under the nose of the very straight laced waitress and presented it to her on the exit. These are the kind of spontaneous gifts that are romantic, fun and exciting.

Flowers – But like lots of them. Like a fill her bath with 100 roses… Kind of expensive unless you can pick them somewhere… This is especially effective if you know your girlfriend has a favourite flower (she almost definitely does dude… get on it!).

Message – There are lots of great ways you can convey a message to your girlfriend. For example, a hidden message in the room, a code to work out in a book, or a group effort with a selection of your friends holding up cars with letters… Anything can be arranged to make a message – hundreds of stones for example arranged in order and viewed from above… the possibilities are endless.

Certificate – A certificate for say ‘best girlfriend’, ‘most beautiful’ or ‘best arse’ can be a fun and confidence boosting gesture, particularly if you get it laminated and printed professionally.

Engrave jewellery – Jewellery is always going to go down well, especially gold or diamond, but if you get it engraved it becomes one of the most unique gift ideas girlfriends can receive and far more personal. This is something that will last forever and the message will stay with her whenever she needs a reminder of her number one guy. You can get almost anything engraved or inscribed however including glasses, vases and really anything you can think of.

First editions – Seeking out first editions, signed copies or originals of things your girlfriend love can be a great way to show that you’re willing to go the extra mile. If she loves Harry Potter than track down JK and get her signature, if she loves a particular artist see if you can get an original painting on the cheap (or on the expensive if you can afford it).

Minute effort – ‘Minute effort’ may not sound like a gift but hear me out – by this I mean gifts that take a lot of determination and detail to complete such as writing 100 reasons you love her on a single pebble. This may also require a magnifying glass and an incredibly steady hand.

A special day – Rather than the standard meal for two or hotel room, why not book a spa day together, make over or photo shoot. Women love being pampered and it’s another one that may not spring immediately to mind when you think of gifts.

Mack LeMouse

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