A US study done a few years ago found that men and women have very different reasons for giving gifts.

In general, men tend to give gifts to get a relationship started (he he, you know what I mean!) while women give them to maintain closeness.

So when you start dating a guy and he is buying you heaps of little gifts, it means he’s keen, and he’s trying to get you into bed. Ironically enough, when he stops buying gifts that means you’re officially in a relationship and that he can now relaaaaaax (and not worry about gifts again until your birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day, or anniversary).

Women often think they have to reciprocate with gifts at the early stage to be polite and show their interest. But the only wrapping men want to rip off doesn’t cover a gift…

If you unintentionally buy too-generous a gift too early on, your relationship will fizzle in surprisingly quick time because – how ironic is this – he thinks you are after a commitment!

Men prefer to give and receive gifts that are practical. They’re very happy to receive a powerdrill if they’re into DIY so they assume you’d like a Mixmaster for your kitchen. Even most romantic gifts have a practical purpose: to please the woman so she’ll sleep with him…

Men also buy gifts to get out of trouble ie flowers, jewellery etc when they’ve been forgetful, neglectful or just nightmarish in general. So when a woman buys him something during the course of a year, a man often thinks, “what has she done?”. But women buy gifts to show people they love them and are thinking of them, usually buying them things that would make them happy.

Women are typically the gift-buyers as they know everyone’s birthdays, what they like, their favourite colours, what hobbies people have and so on. For this reason, it’s usually a woman selecting the gifts for employees and colleagues at work too.

Most men don’t really notice that level of detail – nor are they that psychic. You need to give him a list of ideas, email him a wishlist (he won’t be offended, actually kinda relieved) or make a BIG FUSS every time you see that particular item together when you’re both shopping, so he gets it – and buys it too.

Women also judge other people by the gifts they give them and are hurt, disappointed or angry when it’s a generic gift. They respond especially well to gifts which have some meaning or personalization to make it special. A man doesn’t have to spend that much on a gift to thrill a woman – but it does have to be something he’s put thought into.