Dear Tuffy Luv,

What do I get my new guy for Christmas? We’ve been dating for a month and a half. I don’t want to come on too strong but I also don’t want to look cheap. Thanks!

Gifter

Dear Gifter,

Okay, I love it!

You’re totally right. You don’t want to come off as a creepster. So no, like, gold watches or new Adidas or helicopters or something. But you’re also right you don’t want to look disinterested by getting him, like, a plastic piece of poop. So walk that line!! Here are some guidelines lil’ ol’ Tuffy done thought up:

1. Keep it around $30. That’s the right amount at this stage. It’s thoughtful but not over the top.

2. Keep it personal. Think about something he told you he liked. Loves a sports team? Get him a team jersey. Extra points if you can get a signed ball. Does he like hiking? Get him a new backpack. He will be so thrilled you were listening (and you better be listening!!) and that you went out of your way to get him something he’d really love.

3. No personal hygiene products. Magazines tell you he’ll love it. Magazines lie. He wants something that’s fun. He’ll brush his teeth after the New Year.

4. Tickets are generally good. Tix to an event that HE is interested in (very important that HE is interested in the event!!!) that you can get to together is a totally sweet surprise. For the ticket thing, you can go a little over $30 if you need to, since you’ll be sharing in the gift. HOWEVER!!! Do NOT get anything too far in advance — too clingy! The event should be within the next few weeks from when he receives the gift.

5. Be genuine. Get him something because you WANT to. If you find getting him a good, personal gift to be too much of a chore, maybe it’s time to break the floop up and find someone you really care about.

Happy holidays!

Hearts & Skulls,

Tuffy Luv

Question?! Answer: Ask Tuffy Luv.

We college kids are absolute masters when it comes to stretching the dollar—we share textbooks, swap party outfits, take rolls of toilet paper from public bathrooms and chug as much beer as we can when playing pong at other people’s apartments. So when we give gifts this holiday season, we’re definitely making sure we’re getting as much bang as we can for every single one of our bucks.

Which is why I figure that this year, we should give gifts that also give back to others around the world. If you’re gonna buy something for someone, why not buy the something that also helps someone else? It’s basically multitasking—you’re crossing people off your Christmas list and making a positive difference. And if you shop online, you can do it all without even getting out of bed.

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The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!). So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

It’s tough to buy gifts for the friend who loves to read. The choice should seem obvious, shouldn’t it? Buy a book. But what type of book? What has she read? What does he want to read? Hardcover or paperback? New or used? The questions are endless. And that’s before you even get into accessories. Are bookmarks too cliché? Will she even use them? Are all those gadgets really necessary?

All valid questions. But more importantly, all answerable questions. College Candy is breaking down the answers for you. With prices ranging from $11.99 to $139 we’ve got all your bases covered, from the books, to the book lights to the book shelves.

So no more standing in the middle of Barnes and Noble staring at the stacks of bestsellers attempting to figure out which one is actually worth reading. I’ve done the hard work for you and scoured those (cyber) shelves to provide you with the best gift options for the bookworms in your life. Read More »

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We all have that friend, you know, the one who has the perfect outfit for every occasion. The one whose wardrobe makes your mouth water. The one whose every outfit looks like it stepped out of the pages of Vogue. She spends hours studying fashion magazines and style blogs and would rather be shopping than anywhere else. She knows exactly what she wants and exactly how to make it happen. Style is her sixth sense. So how do you even attempt to go about buying a present for someone with that type of shopping experience?

You get her something else to add to her fabulous wardrobe.

I’ve done some fashion magazine studying myself these last few days and found you ladies the perfect gifts for your fashion forward friends. Not only are all of these items absolutely on trend, but they’re also absolutely affordable, and any one of them would be a welcome addition to a fashionista’s wardrobe. Read More »

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!).

So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

Trying to figure out what to get the party girl in your life this Christmas?  Or maybe you’re the one known for throwing back shots like a champ and you need a few things to add to your own wish list?  Either way, we’re on this like we were on the bar doin’ our sexy dance last Thursday.  So whether you want to go big this holiday season or pick up just a little somethin’ to pump up your social life, you’re covered. Read More »

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!). So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

Parents are notoriously difficult to shop for. I mean, how do you do justice to the people who brought you into this world and then continued to give you everything? A homemade “free back massage” isn’t going to cut it, ladies. Luckily, our guide will help you show the love and gratitude with gifts that are appropriate, thoughtful, original and, most importantly, wallet friendly. Read More »

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!). So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

‘Tis better to give than receive, right?  Well, technically speaking.  Except when it comes time to figure out what the hell you’re getting the man in your life this Christmas.  And they say we’re hard to shop for!?  Psh, please. Give me a couple Twizzlers and a three-karat diamond and I’m just peachy.  (Sarcasm?)

To ease the process of avoiding iTunes gift certificate and the ever classic “here’s a card and a blow job,” here are a few alternative ideas… Read More »

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!).

So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

Not sure what to get for your BFF, your fave gal pal, the girl who holds your hair back in the bar bathroom after you did that unnecessary tequila shot? Well look no further because we’ve found the most fun, the most cool, and the most unique gifts out there. Because your best friend, the girl who didn’t say anything when you made her stay all night listing reasons your ex sucked, deserves nothing but the greatest gifts. Read More »

[Got something awesome everyone needs to know about? A really rad singer? A wicked new book? Some tasty smelly candles? Email your “The Know” ideas to Jill@collegecandy.com or tweet me and I’ll pass them along to everyone right here, every week. Make your kindergarten teacher proud and share!]

Tis the season for holiday gifts. The only problem is… what on earth are you going to get everyone?

Dads might just be the hardest people on earth to shop for. Your roommate is the pickiest person EVER, always giving you that “aw I love it” response that is totally transparent with fakeness. And you NEVER see her wearing that killer sequined J.Crew tee you got her. And on top of that, you are fresh out of ideas that are remotely unique (I love Starbucks gift cards just as must as the next person but let’s face it, they rank pretty low on the originality scale).

Enter: The Gift Insider.
AKA a gift to you from the gift-giving angels.

Formally known as “Gift Giving with Love,” a blog, The Gift Insider got a mega-makeover. It’s incredibly easy to use and they have breakdowns of totally original, creative gifts for everyone in your life, from your grandpa to your mailman. Read More »

Shopping for a man who constantly tells you to stop shopping is a really tough job.  Father’s Day is right around the corner and I can’t help but feel the tie/socks/homemade tchotchke trifecta is a little overplayed, but what do you get for the man who thinks Teva sandals and pleated khakis are socially acceptable?

Well, I’ve got a few ideas of what he’ll love, as well as a few hints at what to stay away from.

Good Idea: A gift to sponsor a child from Africa
Bad Idea: A positive pregnancy test to sponsor your lovechild.
He’ll feel culturally aware and very on-trend now that Sandra Bullock has joined the club of adoptive parents helping kids in need.  Just make sure it’s not your kid that’s needing the charity.

Good Idea: A subscription to a magazine about on one of his hobbies
Bad Idea: A year’s worth of Playboy.
Cameras, cars, home restoration, and wildlife?  All acceptable.  Bush and boobs?  Not so much. Read More »