Birthday gift for my girlfriend?

August 2, 2013 7:05 PM

I'm thinking of getting jewelry for my girlfriend's birthday. I have an idea of what I would like to give her but I would like to hear your suggestions too.

So far I have the idea of getting her a locket like this one. She played Justin Timberlake's "Mirrors" for me at a significant point in our relationship so I'm thinking about putting a picture of us on one side and leaving the other side empty so that it reflects the picture (hopefully the inside of the locket is reflective, but I'm going to visit a store to see it in person). I'd also get the locket engraved to say "You Reflect Me." Do you think this is a good gift idea, or is it too cheesy?

I'm also open to different gift ideas but I think jewelry would be a nice route to go since she gave me a bracelet for my birthday.

*One caveat that I have to keep in mind is that my girlfriend is allergic to silver (or rather, the nickel that's often in silver jewelry).

posted by jdgreen to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (17 answers total)

I see that locket is $60. Is that the upper end of your budget?
posted by 1066 at 7:39 PM on August 2, 2013

I think this is a good gift and not too cheesy, but don't get that specific locket.
posted by SkylitDrawl at 7:46 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

I like the idea of a locket. I just want to chime in and say that if you wind up changing your mind and going with earrings, please, for the love of god, make sure they do not come in something the same size and shape as a ring box. I had a minor panic attack one year when a relatively new boyfriend showed up on my birthday with what wound up being earrings. I would like to save everyone else in the world that moment of terror.
posted by JannaK at 7:52 PM on August 2, 2013 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: To clarify my budget, I'd be OK with spending anywhere in the $100 to $200 range, with $250 being my absolute upper limit. I don't want to get anything too flashy or ostentatious (preferably it'd have a classic/timeless look) since we've only been together for about six months.
posted by jdgreen at 8:12 PM on August 2, 2013

I think the locket is ok but I don't love the "you reflect me" quote.

If you get earrings, make sure they kind of match the style that she normally wears. For example, I hate long dangly earrings that bonk me on the side of the head so I wouldn't wear them. I wear studs or small hoops only.

Can you say a little bit more about her style? Is she a girly girl? Does she wear jeans? Or lots of skirts and dresses? Does she wear jewelry a lot (like switch out what she's wearing for the outfit she's wearing) or just the same stuff all the time?
posted by dawkins_7 at 8:30 PM on August 2, 2013

Given that she's allergic I would avoid earrings since piercings can be much more sensitive than regular skin. More details on her style would be helpful since a heart shape might be iffy depending on what she likes. I think the locket is a solid idea though.
posted by brilliantine at 8:36 PM on August 2, 2013

To get a little more "special" for your buck, you might consider a vintage or handmade locket from Etsy.
posted by TrixieRamble at 8:41 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Okay. Were it a gift for me, I'd deem it too cheesy. But it might be perfect for your girlfriend. There's no way for us to know. But I remember a boyfriend once giving me a gold ring, a dozen roses, and one of those giant cookies with writing on it. All I could think of was 'Has this guy ever seen me wear gold? I've never expressed liking roses, and the idea of eating a giant cookie with icing makes me feel sick'. Though these were kind (albeit totally uncreative) gestures it was afterward apparent to me just how little he paid attention to what I actually liked which bled over into other aspects of our relationship, so that was the beginning of the end for me. I know, 'it's the thought that counts' but to me it seemed like there was little thought put into it. Another boyfriend for Christmas once got me a book I had mentioned wanting to read, a fancy lip balm (I'm a lip balm addict), and some handmade items from an artist I had said I liked. This guy had obviously paid attention, and he was a keeper (for a while anyway).

So maybe when making your decision, ask yourself these questions:

Does she wear girly jewelry? Or does she wear no/minimal jewelry?

Is she sentimental--does she have photos of family and friends all over her place? Or is her space less personal?

Is her personal style conservative or classic? Or is she more into fashion and trends?

Is she the kind of person that enjoys mantras or inspirational quotes? Or does she derive meaning from more complex/abstract concepts?

If the answer is yes to the former questions and no to the latter, then it might be the perfect gift. If it is the opposite, then I would maybe reconsider. Good luck!
posted by greta simone at 8:46 PM on August 2, 2013 [7 favorites]

Response by poster: Some more clarification:

She usually wears a few pieces of jewelry--she always wears a ring, almost always wears a necklace, and wears a watch when her skin isn't too irritated for it. In general, her style is somewhere between fashionable and conservative (she doesn't go for the hottest new designs off the runway, but she does have a modern look).

Thanks for all of the answers so far, they've been great!
posted by jdgreen at 11:20 PM on August 2, 2013

Back of Locket-Material: Brass

If she has sensitive skin, the brass in this one concerns me. The description does not mention silver plate so you may want to find out what type of metal is plated over the brass. Blue Nile has some nice sterling silver lockets in your price range.
posted by JujuB at 11:49 PM on August 2, 2013

if you want classic & timeless check out tiffany's $250 and under pages. they have lots of hearts but i'm not sure if there are many lockets.

i would describe the heart locket you picked out as conservative and lockets are somewhat sentimental so if those words describe your gf then good, but the tiffany pieces are more modern and classic. personally, i'd go with the tiffany ones.
posted by wildflower at 12:19 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'm allergic to nickel and brass would bug me. How about a Swatch? They make some where even the battery is not exposed to bug your skin and they come in all kinds of styles and colours, from conservative to funky. You should be able to find one to fit your budget easily, too.
posted by rpfields at 2:37 AM on August 3, 2013

Lockets are nice, but I'm not crazy about the one you have linked - it's the cubic zirconia stones, they look like diamond, without actually being diamond. If it's being given as a symbol of your feelings for her, make sure that whatever you give is the real thing, even if that real thing then has to be small or understated to fit into your budget. I just think it sends a better message.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 4:19 AM on August 3, 2013 [2 favorites]

Buy her flowers. Let her pick out the jewelry she likes. Supplement that decision with an etsy gift cert.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:17 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]

I had a roommate that bought his girlfriend a $80 "diamond ring" from Kohls. Don't be that guy. It's not going to work if you make the decision at that price range.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:20 AM on August 3, 2013

I would be thrilled to get a locket, personally -- that sounds like a great idea. The "you reflect me" part, I don't know about, it sounds a little weirdly narcissistic.
posted by fiercecupcake at 10:11 AM on August 3, 2013

I think that sounds like a thoughtful and meaningful gift. But I agree that the locket you bed linked is kind of, eh. I would go to a local jewler and see what they have in your range and with her restrictions. They may have other things you can engrave as well.


I also agree that Tiffany is a great way to go, but with that budget you are looking at silver, I'm sure.
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:01 PM on August 3, 2013