Relationships: Tips for Giving Good Gifts

By Geanice Gee, M.A. 

During the Christmas and holiday season, most people (couples) like to exchange gifts with one another. However, before giving anyone a gift, it's best to know their likes and dislikes. It's sad to say, but giving a person a bad gift could damage or be the cause of a breakup; therefore it's important to be able to distinguish between a good and a bad gift. 


Certainly, we've all heard the saying "it's the thought that counts," therefore, as you shop for gifts, try to put some thought into the process. Shop with a purpose and think relational before you purchase items. If you're not sure what your partner or loved ones would like, it's best to ask them instead of giving them something that they would hate or never use. Listed below are some tips on how to give good gifts:

·         As it was stated previously, it important to know a person's likes and dislikes before giving him or her a gift

 

·        Give meaningful/thoughtful gifts; in other words, give gifts that you would buy yourself or would be pleased to receive…when you give a person a  thoughtful gifts, it's best to tell the person the meaning behind the gift and why you decided to give him or her this particular gift

 

·         Don't recycle gifts; for instance, don't give a loved one a gift that they gave to you

·         When you don't know what type of gift to give a person, it's always a good idea to give the person cash instead; gift cards are great as well

Relationships: How to End a Bad Relationship

By Geanice Gee M.A. 

Sometimes we find ourselves in dysfunctional relationships with people who make us feel miserable; and we've all heard the old saying that "misery loves company", but this type of company should be avoided. Even though we're not happy, we often stay in bad or dead end relationships for various reasons. However, if you're feeling trapped in a detrimental relationship, it would be best to end the relationship, so that you can move on and find happiness. 

In fact, there are things that you should and shouldn't do when ending a relationship. As a matter of fact, you should be considerate of your partner's  feelings and think of the potential effect you may have on him or her after delivering the bad news. Listed below are a few tips on what you shouldn't  and should do when ending a relationship. 

Don'ts  

·         Don't break up with someone over-the-phone or through voicemail

·         Don't ask someone else to relay the message for you

·         Don't deliver the news in a public place

·         Don't drunk text/dial the person with the message saying that "it's over"

·         Don't tell someone else that you plan to end the relationship before telling your partner

·         Don't randomly break up with your partner; your partner should know that you're unhappy before you decide to terminate the relationship

·         Don't tell your partner that you're leaving him or her for someone else; this could get physical

·         Don't belittle your partner or make excuses

·         Don't try to make your partner feel better about the situation

Do's 

·         Give your partner time to digest the news

·         Talk about your role in the relationship

·         Talk about how the relationship has affected you

·         Be calm

·         Be rational

·         Be considerate

·         Be courteous

·         Know when to stop talking