Keep It Personal

• No matter what your budget, look for gifts that have a personal touch. Whether you're spending $20 or $100, your girlfriend can tell the difference between a cookie cutter gift and one into which you put thought and effort. For instance, a bottle of perfume might be appreciated, but a bottle of perfume made to suit her personality and tastes would be more romantic and personal, notes "GQ" magazine. Before you head out to the mall, think about your girlfriend and write down some of her likes, dislikes and favorites so you have a solid starting point.
  
  

Make Your Own

• When you don't have a large budget for gifts, making your own can sometimes be the best course of action. Instead of spending your limited funds on something fleeting, put your skills to work to make her something that she'll use and that will remind her of you. If you're handy with tools, build her a piece of furniture or a wall hanging for her room. If you're a graphics guy, use a photo editing program to make a personalized calendar or scrapbook. You might also burn a CD of "your" songs, which shows thought and preparation.
  
  

Buyer Beware

• If you decide that you'd rather purchase a gift than make one on your own, take care to buy a gift that suits her personality. If you purchase a gift for your girlfriend that would be similar to a gift you'd buy another girl, it could send the wrong message about your feelings. Visit stores that you know she'd like and consider gifts that you can experience together, like concert tickets. Or, purchase something that she might not expect, like a CD by the band that she loves but you hate.
  
  

Gifts to Avoid

• When you're looking for the perfect gift, you should avoid some items altogether. Your girlfriend may be less than thrilled when you gift her something that has to do with her appearance, like a diet or fashion book. Clothes can be questionable unless you're sure of her size and style. Some gifts, specifically gift cards, could be perceived as thoughtless, so look for something more thoughtful and tangible that you can give her to make her day.