Reviewer

Price: $39.99

Description: Working out and staying fit is really important to me; which is why I adore this Pilates kit. The kit is specifically designed for strengthening and conditioning through Pilates exercises; it has everything your woman will need to feel confident and prepared going into her workout routing. It contains two 2-lb toning balls, one extra-strength flex-band, and 3 workout DVDs (including one for men so you can join in!).

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? I’ve noticed many women are big fans of Pilates; it strengthens your core and gives you long and lean muscles. Every woman’s dream right? She may have tried Pilates at the gym or in a class, but now she can work out in the comfort of her own home without any of the added pressure that comes from the gym. Even though many women practice Pilates, I think it’s safe to say not many women have a mini Pilates studio in their own home. This is a somewhat personal gift, so I’d save it for a personal holiday…like a birthday or “just because you love her.”

What kind of woman would like this?  If your lady likes to stay active and fit, she will love this Pilates kit. Or maybe she’s been talking about wanting to get in better shape but doesn’t want to buy a gym membership or feels uncomfortable working out at Pilates studio or gym, this is a great gift to help her obtain her goals without any added pressure. Be careful though! Make sure this is something she wants to or intends to use; suggesting a woman needs to exercise without that being “her idea” might be a bad move!

What else would she need? If she’s already avidly into Pilates, you might want to pick up a few extra perks. Does she already have a Pilates or yoga mat? Maybe she’d love to have a variety of options with her resistance bands or weights. You can add more items to help customize her very own in-home Pilates studio.

Anything else you should know? Just to reiterate, because I think it’s important; women are sensitive but powerful creatures. Make sure you won’t be offending her by purchasing this as a gift; if you know this is something she’d like to/is already pursuing, then this is a really great gift idea.

Price: $259.60

Description: Ahhhh.  How I would love to get my paws on this thing – ahem – on this essential kitchen tool. Enameled cast iron is amazing because you can use it on the stove top or in the oven. You can do pretty much anything with it, from (round) cake-baking to slowly cooking pot roast.  Boil water, store raw food, marinate stuff – it’s your basic kitchen pot, but waaayyyy better. The dijon color is gorgeous and looks great sitting on the stove or on a shelf.  Hell, it’s so bright you’ll even be able to find it easily in a dark cupboard.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it?  This is a pretty unique gift – and certainly not for the woman who has every kitchen gadget you can think of – odds are she has enough pots and pans as it is. This is for someone who wants (and needs) (and will use) an “all-in-one” tool that will last forever.

What kind of woman would like this?   A farmer’s market shopping, herb-growing woman with a serious flair for French cooking.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of? To really knock her socks off, pair this with the Mastering the art of French Cooking, 50th Anniversary Edition by Julie Child.

How can I personalize this for her? Make her some of Julia’s boeuf bourguinon, of course! Serve with some amazing wine.

Any other information I should know about:  you don’t want to let the contents of your pot dry out, as the inside of the pot gets pretty hot and will burn the food onto the sides. It’s cleanable, but not fun to scrape off. So exercise caution when cooking with high heat or for longer periods of time.

Reviewer:

Price: $69.99

Description: Nixon is known for making great watches; and this watch is no exception. This is a chunky, fun, and fashionable watch that comes in an ungodly amount of different colors. It has a numberless rectangular face and stretchy band that fits every sized wrist and looks great with other bracelets and jewelry; in fact, it’s its own piece of jewelry all in its own! Another great perk? It’s water-proof up to 30 meters.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? The Vega watch is completely unique, no doubt about it. The Vega is a watch that will surely make a statement and can compliment your woman’s style. The best part about this watch is its lack of latching system; you just have to slip it on and go!

What kind of woman would like this? If you’re lady likes to accessorize and loves fashion, then this is the perfect Valentine’s or birthday gift for her. She might already own a watch or two; that’s okay! This watch comes in so many colors and patterns that you’ll have no trouble finding one that she would adore and add to her collection. Nixon makes a very durable and sturdy product, so even if she has that sporty side to her, she can wear the watch while doing active sports and still maintain her fashion quota level.

Anything else you should know? Not only is this a fashionable purchase, it’s a purchase for a good cause. Nixon donates proceeds from Vega sales to Boarding for Breast Cancer; not only will she be looking stylish, she’ll be giving back as well.

How can I personalize this for her? This watch should pretty much be considered customizable in the sense that it comes in SO many different patterns and colors. Solids colors, “marbleized” colors, dual-colored, etc. You can find a watch that fits her personality and style to a “T.”

Reviewer:

Price: $16.85

Description:  An edible gift that, if sprayed with water every so often and left in a darkish, cool place, sprouts forth delicious mushrooms.  You can eventually put in your garden to decompose completely.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? This gift is…unique (OK, it’s sorta weird), but it has a wide appeal. I mean, who doesn’t love a good mushroom?

What kind of woman would like this?   A DIY (Do It Yourself) type – or possibly a mycologist chef – looking to finesse her compost pile.  Or anyone fascinated with the science/cuisine of mushrooms.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of? Supply her with a spray bottle filled with water.

How can I personalize this for her? Offer to make her a meal with the first mushroom crop.

Any other information I should know about:  make sure to read and follow the instructions for optimal results.

Reviewer

Price: $40-$50

Description: Basically, this is the best smelling woman’s perfume ever created; at least I think so anyway. It’s a floral and slightly jasmine scent that is completely inoffensive and “classy” smelling…none of that cheap, over powering perfume smell. This particular gift set comes with a 1.7 ounce bottle of perfume and 2.5 ounces of body lotion and shower gel; so technically you’d be giving her three mini gifts! The set is made by L.A.M.B., Gwen Stefani’s line, so you know it’s awesome.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? I haven’t seen, or smelled rather, too many women rocking this perfume, lotion, or body wash. Perfume tends to be a “special” purchase because it’s generally expensive or frivolous; so this is the perfect birthday or anniversary gift to give your special lady because chances are, she might not have bought it for herself even though it’s something she probably wanted.

What kind of woman would like this?  This is definitely a gift made for a girl who’s into pampering herself or likes feeling “girly.” Also, if your woman is a Gwen Stefani and/or No Doubt fan, then you really can’t go wrong. The scent isn’t ridiculously overpowering, obnoxious, or fruity so even if you’re deciding to buy perfume for a first time perfume wearer, it’s a really lovely, sophisticated scent to give her.

What else would she need? If it’s a big birthday or really special anniversary, consider pairing the perfume with another one of Gwen’s L.A.M.B. products like a scarf, purse, or if you really want to splurge…shoes. They are ridiculously fashionable and I don’t know many women who don’t want to own clothing from her line.

Any additional expenses? Additional expenses could be up to you; the sizes of the perfume, body wash, and lotion are all smaller sizes than the normal (sold-separate from each other) bottles. So if you think (or know) she’d love this perfume, you might want to pony up for the bigger (but more expensive) sizes.

Reviewer

Price: $49.99-59.99

Description: Softest. Material. Ever. That’s pretty much all I need to say about this bathrobe but I’ll elaborate a little more. This bathrobe is made of microfleece and it is hands down one of the softest, most comfortable, luxurious feelings to be wrapped up in one of these bad boys. It’s water absorbent so it can be used pre and post shower or bath and it’s machine washable which is always convenient. The robe has two front pockets and a tie around the waist to fit perfectly to your body. It also comes in a ton of color varieties to help personalize the gift.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? Obviously many women have robes or bathrobes; but chances are, she doesn’t have one quite like this. I can’t reiterate how unbelievably soft this material is and I don’t know one woman who doesn’t love being cozied up inside a robe covering her entire body in soft-goodness.

What kind of woman would like this?  Any woman. At all. This is a great gift because it’s worn and used in the privacy of your own home and company. This is a fantastic present for Christmas or to pair with a weekend getaway or vacation; it will definitely keep her feeling comfortable, warm, and slightly spoiled.

What else would she need? This gift is awesome because you can pair it with SO many things to make the gift even more special. Some ideas include: body lotions, bath goodies, candles, and anything else that comes to mind when you think “home spa.”

How can I personalize this for her? As mentioned earlier, this robe comes in a ton of color varieties ranging anywhere from white and lavender to bright pink or red; so be sure to pick out a robe that’s in her favorite color. Maybe sneak a little love note in one of the pockets for her to find later!

Reviewer:

Price: $219

Description: OK, OK. I can hear your thoughts – another pair of shoes?!?   But hold on just a moment there, Mr. Doubty McGee! These aren’t just any shoes, and there’s a reason for that hefty price tag! Aside from being totally awesome and based off of actual shoe styles from the 1970’s, these sandals are made from eco-friendly materials and can be sent to the manufacturer to be repaired should they ever break (which is doubtful – a more likely scenario is that your lady wears them so much that they need to be re-heeled.)

The really cool part is that the sandals (being a lovely red in color) could be worn in summer or fall. I’d wear even wear them in winter (but then again, I live in sunny California.)

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? Every woman should have a pair of swedish hasbeens. If you actually did a poll on survey monkey, you’d probably find that every woman does want a pair.

What kind of woman would like this? A stylish, eco-conscious, on-the-go woman who’s got a classic, casual, vintage look – think 1970’s minus the glitz.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of? Nope! That’s the beauty of these shoes – they last a lifetime!

How can I personalize this for her? Present them with a gift certificate to her fave vintage clothing store.

Any other information I should know about: check her closet to be sure she doesn’t already have a pair just like these.

Reviewer:

Price: Around $20-$30.

Description: I just adore this bag. I love it for the reason that it is just the right size to fit everything I’d need for an outdoor day excursion. It’s smaller than most backpacks (it’s only 7.5 x 17.5 x 12 inches); perfect for going on a day hike, snowboarding, or to the beach for the day without lugging a huge heavy sack around. It comes in a ton of prints and patterns (I prefer my black and leopard print pack) and it has two separate compartments to keep things organized. This is a great gift idea for a birthday or maybe before an upcoming trip.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? Although Dakine is a popular brand on the snowy mountain; I rarely see women toting this practical accessory anywhere else. I know the first time I saw a girl hiking with one, while I was constantly repositioning and messing with my heavy backpack, I knew I had to have one and take it with me constantly.

What kind of woman would like this?  If your girlfriend/wife/lady in your life normally carries around a purse with her essentials, but still likes to get outside and into nature, this is the perfect gift for her. It’s not manly in any way so she can still maintain that feminine side while she’s out getting sweaty on your hiking trips.

What else would she need? A cute idea would be to fill it with some things that might be useful on day trips! For example: Chapstick, hand lotion/sun block, a fun new water bottle, etc

How can I personalize this for her? As mentioned earlier, it comes in a TON of great patterns and colors so you can choose one that fits her personality. Throw a little note in one of the pockets letting her know you’re looking forward to many adventures together; she’ll be thrilled you made that extra effort just for her.

Reviewer:

Price: Anywhere from $8-$20 depending on the style and seller.

Description: It’s so easy to look frumpy and feel “unattractive” in heavy warm clothing which is why I always try to find ways to bundle up in style. These super stylish, extremely cute knit fingerless gloves are the perfect way to accessorize in the chilly spring mornings. What’s great about this brand is that the material they use isn’t scratchy like other knit gloves and they are thin enough to wear throughout the year whenever it’s a bit nippy out. Plus! The “fingerless” aspect allows you to use your touch screen phone without having to take your gloves off! This is a great gift idea for a “just because” or you’re planning for your upcoming camping or coastal getaway.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it? Of course fingerless gloves are not a new fad; however, this brand in particular makes the fingerless gloves in really gorgeous neutral prints/colors that can go with any outfit. There’s also an option of buying the style with the flap over “mittens” for extra warmth. This is a great gift if your lady needs an upgrade to her current pair of gloves, or maybe just wants more variety.

What kind of woman would like this?  I consider this accessory to be perfect for almost any woman, any age, with any sort of style. I say this because the colors and styles of these gloves are extremely inoffensive and can be worn with just about any outfit. It’s great for your outdoorsy and camping-type woman but also if she would never be caught dead camping…at least she looks cute!

What else would she need? Since the price is so right, you might want to consider buying her a couple pairs…options are never a bad thing!

Any other information I should know about: You can feel good about your purchase because they are made entirely in the U.S.A. out of Iowa. Boosting our economy and your chances of snuggling!

Reviewer:

Price:  $25

Description:  Season 1 & 2 of The Walking Dead

Very few TV shows get me hooked like this one.  You gotta watch it from the very beginning. If you ever find yourself wondering what you’d do in a zombie apocalypse, you can always compare your (fantasy) self to Rick and his group.

Is this relatively unique or does every woman have it?  The show is relatively unique. Go AMC for making anther show that doesn’t suck!

What kind of woman would like this? Any respectable lover of zombie-flicks would love this show.

Editor’s Note – This one isn’t just for women obviously.  We’re all hooked on The Walking Dead here at DoD headquarters. It’s a bit gory at times but it’s also a fascinating look at what people will do in the name of survival.

What else would she need? A buddy, a couch, some popcorn, and a beer.  Oh, and a shotgun, in case one of those pesky walkers gets through your barricade.

Are there any additional expenses I should think of? Hmmm…if you know anyone who can get you a pirated copy of Season 3, you’ll be her hero forever. (Editor’s note – just kidding Amazon, we would never advocate piracy!)

How can I personalize this for her? Spice up a Monday night with a pizza in.  Start the conversation with, “So, you mentioned that you want to start watching that Walking Dead show…”

Any other information I should know about: Warning: you may actually find yourself stockpiling food and taking shooting lessons.