round this time of the year, we at Genuine understand money can be tight. The rent needs to be paid, that “little” car problem needs to be fixed, and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. Budgeting is always helpful, but unexpected expenses can hit us hard. Luckily for us men, most women aren’t looking look for that expensive bag or those pricey shoes. They love small, meaningful gifts that cost little to nothing monetarily, but emotionally tell them that they’re special. These five inexpensive gifts can speak volumes to your significant other and really put you on the fast track to a healthy and happy relationship.

COOK HER DINNER / BREAKFAST IN BED

 

With women, a man that can cook is worth his weight in Jimmy Choo’s. Small touches can
take an ordinary dinner and make it memorable. Start by setting the mood — softly lighting the room with candles and fresh flowers works well. Next, grab a great bottle of wine, something that works well with the meal. White wine pairs well with fish or chicken and red wine goes well with a meat or pasta dish. The dinner doesn’t have to be labor intensive in order to be delicious! A rack of ribs isn’t going
work well, unless you’ve got all day. Most women love a great pasta or chicken dish. Grilled chicken, veggies and rosemary fingerling potatoes are a go-to every time. Breakfast is a bit simpler. Eggs, pancakes or French toast are always a favorite. Add some freshly squeezed orange juice or brewed coffee to top it off! Those aromas fist thing in the morning will have her waking up with a smile on her face. In addition to a great meal, make sure to really engage in conversation. In other words, stay off your phone!!! Ask her how her day was, what’s on her mind, or what she wants to do over the weekend. Let her know that you’re emotionally invested in the relationship and that that it means a lot to you that she’s there.

A FRAMED PICTURE OF A SPECIAL MOMENT

Being affectionate is a great way to express how much you care for your significant other. It symbolizes security, comfort and adoration. When a couple is affectionate towards each other, it sends a message that you are important and that you are cared for. Giving your partner a framed picture is a sincere and genuine way a man can display his affection. It’s a great way to strengthen your blooming relationship for a relatively small amount of money. Take photo of the two of you or use a photo that you already took that encapsulates a wonderful moment in your relationship. We guarantee you’ll look like Mr. Perfect.

CLEAN THE APARTMENT/ROOM

 

Not everyone is living with their significant other, but if you are, cleaning up is an easy way to show her that you’re not just another, beer drinking, video game playing, can’t flush the toilet, type of guy. Depending on the size of your place, you can be done in 30minutes! If you don’t think you’ll have the time to do the entire place, do one room at a time and stretch out the gift over the course of a week. If she has a dishwasher, your job just got a lot easier. Fill the dishwasher and start on another room. To make the time go faster, throw some music on and try and remember how happy this will make her.

Before using cleaners, start by sweeping and vacuuming and then proceed to dusting and polishing the furniture. Make sure to recycle old papers or magazine that are not wanted anymore. Clothes can be tricky. If you don’t feel confident in doing her laundry, just make sure they’re in a hamper and ask her at a later date what she prefers. When finished, make sure to take out the trash and light a candle. If she notices, great! If not, don’t be offended. As the relationship starts to grow, some things are inevitably expected.

TAKE A HIKE

 

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year to get outdoors with that someone special. Your local backcountry is bursting with fall colors, crowds have thinned, and those pesky bugs are finally gone. The dropped temperature means you’ll both want to keep close, but it also means that scaling a small mountainside won’t leave you feeling sweaty and gross. Make sure to take some small steps so that the time spent together can be stress-free. A few easy tips to ensure a safe trip:

1. Fuel up : Eat a good breakfast/meal before you head out.
2. Location : Let someone know where and when you’re going.
3. Weather forecast : Check the weather and dress accordingly.
4. Always be prepared- pack bottled water, nuts/fruit, a flashlight, and a compass/map.
5. 5. Don’t over-do it : 2-3 hours outside in 40-degree weather should make for an enjoyable time.

PERSONALIZE A BATHROBE AND RUN A BATH

 

If there is one thing we’ve learned over the years here at Genuine, it is that women love a few things: Handbags, shoes and a warm bath. Living in a city like New York, women are always sacrificing their comfort to look great for their significant other. As men, we don’t understand the toll it takes on women to walk in their shoes everyday. A bath is a place where a woman can relax and unwind from a bad day at the office, a pulled muscle at spin class, or
if she just ran into an ex best friend. Start by making sure the bathroom is clean. Nothing will distract a woman like a dirty bathroom…nothing. Next, run the hot water and add that something special, such as bath salts or aromatic oils, which can soften the skin. Skip the bubbles if she’s not into them. Dim the lights or try candles, which are softer on the eyes and allow her to relax more. Does she love music? Finishing touches could consist of making a playlist of her favorite songs or a new book she’s been dying to get back to. When it’s all said and done, the icing on the cake is a super soft, personalized bathrobe. Keep the robe pure white, super soft and super absorbent; think high-end, hotel robes. She’ll feel relaxed and comfy. Hopefully, she’ll reciprocate down he road with a romantic gesture that will make you feel just as good!