chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you neeIt’s your girlfriend’s birthday or your first Christmas together, and you want to get her the best gift she’s ever had. Gifts mean a lot to women. The right gift tells her you’re thoughtful, observant, and you really understand her. The wrong one, however, can tell her just the opposite. Don’t get stuck in her Bad Boyfriends Book of Records. Here’s a list of the six worst gifts to give your girlfriend.

Exercise equipment. Nothing says, “I think you could stand to lose weight” like a Stairmaster. The same goes for a set of barbells, a Pilates instructional video, or a gym membership. Even if she’s talked about getting fit, this kind of gift will make her wonder whether you like her body the way it is.

If you really would like to see her exercising more, lead by example. Join the gym yourself. Chances are, when she sees how great you look and feel, she’ll be inspired to join as well. You could also take up a physical activity you could do as a couple, such as cycling, jogging, or hiking. To increase the chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you need

can tell her just the opposite. Don’t get stuck in her Bad Boyfriends Book of Records. Here’s a list of the six worst gifts to give your girlfriend.

Exercise equipment. Nothing says, “I think you could stand to lose weight” like a Stairmaster. The same goes for a set of barbells, a Pilates instructional video, or a gym membership. Even if she’s talked about getting fit, this kind of gift will make her wonder whether you like her body the way it is.

If you really would like to see her exercising more, lead by example. Join the gym yourself. Chances are, when she sees how great you look and feel, she’ll be inspired to join as well. You could also take up a physical activity you could do as a couple, such as cycling, jogging, or hiking. To increase the chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you nee

me goes for a set of barbells, a Pilates instructional video, or a gym membership. Even if she’s talked about getting fit, this kind of gift will make her wonder whether you like her body the way it is.

If you really would like to see her exercising more, lead by example. Join the gym yourself. Chances are, when she sees how great you look and feel, she’ll be inspired to join as well. You could also take up a physical activity you could do as a couple, such as cycling, jogging, or hiking. To increase the chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you nee

e, lead by example. Join the gym yourself. Chances are, when she sees how great you look and feel, she’ll be inspired to join as well. You could also take up a physical activity you could do as a couple, such as cycling, jogging, or hiking. To increase the chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you nee chances she’ll get into it, pick an activity she’s expressed interest in before. It should also be one you can do relatively easily. Don’t decide to take up sea kayaking if you’re two hours’ drive from the ocean, for example, and don’t pick one that you need a lot of expensive equipment to get started in.

Cookware. The subliminal message here is “Get in the kitchen and make me some supper, woman!” This is a bad gift even if she’s expressed interest in cooking—or if you’d like her to. If you have a master chef for a girlfriend, it’s especially important to pass on this kind of gift. It’s likely she has everything she needs already, and most high-level cooks are picky about their equipment.

If you really would like to encourage her to cook more, start with some positive reinforcement. Praise the meals she does cook. If you tell her you see her as a great cook already, she’s more likely to take more of an interest in the culinary arts.

A vacuum cleaner. The same goes for feather dusters, mops, bottles of Pine-Sol, oven cleaner, Lemon-Scented Joy, and any other household cleaning products. These gifts tell her that you see her as more of a maid than a girlfriend.

A puppy. Animal gifts are tricky. Sure, puppies and kittens are adorable—but they’re