If you're looking for a gift they'll remember long after the holiday season, take a cue from these thoughtful ideas. Cosmo editors and readers shared the presents they'll never forget. Get 5 more memorable gift ideas here.
Golf Lessons
"Some friends of mine bought me and my husband golf lessons. Learning to play reminded me that it's important to continuously try new things because you never know what might spark your interest. I still golf (even though I stink at it), and I try to always push myself to check out new activities like belly dancing whenever I can." -Korin, 29
Steal this idea: Golf lessons with a pro, excitations.com, $155
Related: Great Gifts Under $20
Puppy
My boyfriend is allergic to dogs, but he knew how much I wanted a puppy, so he went through the painful (and expensive) process of getting allergy shots. A year later we rescued a French Bulldog named Muji. Now we go on early morning walks, play fetch in the park, and have even made new friends with other dog
Blog Posts by Cosmopolitan.com
Melt away the cold-weather blues with these hot (and cheap) date ideas. December never felt so hot!
Read More »from 5 Steamy Winter Date Ideas
Pretend You're Snowed In
Invite your guy over for a low-key antidote to an otherwise crazy month. Curl up on the couch and take out a game. Try Loaded Questions, a hot Q&A that asks things like "If you were invisible, where would you go?" Or play Scrabble, but make it naughty-words-only.
Related: 25 Ways To Become A Legendary Flirt
Have a Sexy Bath for Two
Switch up your routine and get warm by luxuriating in the tub with your guy. Skip the candles and oils - a basic bubble bath is more guy-friendly. To make the dip a deux even steamier, tease him by letting the bubbles cover some of your body while revealing other parts.
Related: 4 Steps To Ace A Second Date
Go For a Skate
Bundle up in warm winter gear, and head to an ice-skating rink together. You'll be so busy bonding and listening to cheesy music that no one will notice if you're not exactly Johnny Weir.
Related: What You Must
Get your party on by whipping up sweets spiked with liquor.
Our article on cocktail-inspired cupcakes was such a hit, we asked author and cook Lucy Baker for a second serving of intoxicating desserts. These tipsy treats are the perfect things to bring to a holiday bash, and they also make a great, cheap DIY present-wrap them in a pretty tin, and give them to friends along with a bottle of the booze that's in them. An even better gift? Include a copy of Lucy's fabulous book, The Boozy Baker: 75 Recipes for Spirited Sweets.
Related: Secrets To Being The Life Of The PartyDirty Girl Scout Cookies
Makes about 32 cookiesFor the cookies:
Read More »from Booze-Infused Holiday Baked Goodies
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
32 Junior MintThe Best His and Hers Gadget Gifts
By Cosmopolitan.com | Work + Money – Wed, Dec 8, 2010 11:23 PM ESTGet ready to ring, ping, and ding in the new year with these tech goodies that everyone will love.
Read More »from The Best His and Hers Gadget Gifts
HIS: Rock Band 2 Help him bring his rock 'n' roll fantasy to life with Rock Band 2 for his PlayStation. He'll rock all the way into the new year. $59.99 at target.com
Related: Gifts Under $20
HERS: Wii Fit Starter Bundle Working out just got even more fun! This Nintendo Wii Accessory bundle will knock her socks off. $138.74 at gamestop.com
Related: Marisa Miller's Exercise Plan
HIS: Bose In-Ear Headphones These Bose in-ear headphones are the ultimate gift for the music man on your list. Provides the highest-quality audio in three sizes for the best fit. $99.95 at bose.com
Related: One Sexy Soundtrack
Chic Earbuds Surprise her with the earbuds that are as elegant as they are fun. Accented with Swarovski crystals, these chic little earphones feature a retractable built-in device for various lengths. $39 at chicbuds.com
HIS: Panasonic SDR-S7R Camcorder Make him feel like Francis Ford The fashion craze that's been popping out all over the red carpet? Side cleavage. Subtle but very, very attention-getting.
AnnaLynne McCord
A daringly bare style looks hot as hell...Just watch out for a nip slip.
Related: Why Love Is Harder In The Winter
Blake Lively A form-fitting cut with a higher neckline is the breast, er, best bet for busty babes.
Related: The 13 Best Relationship Tips Ever
Carrie Underwood Deep slits give an otherwise prim dress a good-girl-gone-bad edge.
Related: Budget Shopping Secrets You've Never Heard
Eva Mendes Sparkly trimming draws attention to her curves.
Related: 9 Things Your Dry Cleaner Won't Tell You
Scarlett Johansson Boobalicious? A one-shoulder shape reveals the right amount of skin.
Related: 5 Secrets From A Fashion StylistRead more at Cosmopolitan.com!
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Allow us to introduce you to the newest thing in men's swimwear. Readers, meet the mankini.
By: Zoe RudermanYep, according to some fashion blogs, the style made popular by Borat is about to go mainstream.
Related: Would You Want Your Guy To Rock These 5 Trends?
Well, don't believe everything you read in the blogosphere. Men's bathing suits might be getting smaller and tighter (a movement we wholeheartedly approve of), but there's no way this onesie is going to catch on. Sorry, but we just can't picture dudes running around in nut-smugglers like the one pictured here.
Related: A Peek Into The Male Mind
But if you do happen to spot a guy rocking the mankini, give him props for being so-ahem-ballsy. Oh, and lend him your SPF. We don't want to even imagine what the tan lines would look like.
Related: How To Be A Total Man Magnet
What do you think of the mankini? Do you like guys in baggy, shorts-style bathing suits? Or do you like the tighter look?
If you
Read More »from Shocking New Guy Trend: The Mankini?3 Reasons Why Love Is Harder In The Winter
By Cosmopolitan.com | Love + Sex – Wed, Dec 8, 2010 1:18 AM EST
'Tis the season…that puts a huge strain on your relationship. It's time to learn how to beat the bond breakers.
By Korin MillerWinter is full of opportunities to get close: romantic fires, holidays galore, snuggle-friendly weather. Yet the season can be tough on your love life. According to a recent survey, couples are more than twice as likely to think about splitting between the holidays and Valentine's Day, due in part to the pressure the high intensity period puts on twosomes during this time. But also because scientific reasons compound that stress: "Our energy levels are lower during the cold weather, and we tend to be moodier," explains clinical psychologist Seth Meyers, PhD. "Both factors make maintaining a relationship difficult."
Related: The 13 Best Relationship Tips Ever
You can't beat Mother Nature, but you can learn to spot these pesky relationship-killing winter symptoms and take the necessary steps to keep your bond going strong.
You're Looking for a
Read More »from 3 Reasons Why Love Is Harder In The WinterSurprising Guy Facts Women Don't Know
By Cosmopolitan.com | Love + Sex – Tue, Dec 7, 2010 1:34 AM EST
Comedian Dane Cook isn't just hilarious and hot. He's also pretty damn insightful when it comes to relationships, hook-ups, and the best way to pick up a man. We got the former Cosmo Fun Fearless Male to give us a sneak peek into the male mind.
1. All guys want this gift
The little boy inside of all us men always loves something video game related. Also, one girlfriend got me an amazing vintage chair. She said, "You'll work on your career from here." It was so thoughtful and personal, not a mall gift certificate.
Related: How To Be A Total Man Magnet2. They believe in love (or at least, lust) at first sight
I once had a bit of a whirlwind romance while I was on the road. There was a girl at the show and I had an affinity for her the moment I hit the stage. It [wasn't] just that she was attractive. There was an essence. I was really smitten. It was we like a speed dating round. We knew it would end, but it still ended with a kiss.
Related: I'm Always The One Before "The One"
Read More »from Surprising Guy Facts Women Don't Know
Tipping is a tricky subject - and never more so around the holidays, especially this year, with the economy still dragging. These pointers will let you know how much ca$h to fork over for whom, and when it's okay to show your appreciation with a warm batch of cookies.
By Gabrielle FrankRule #1: Who You Should Shell Out For, and How Much
Anyone you deal with on a regular basis - such as your hairdresser, personal trainer, cleaning person, and package delivery guy. The right amount should equal what you ordinarily pay them per appointment or visit. For example, if you usually shell out $50 for a wax, that should be your end-of-the-year tip to your waxer.Related: 4 Money Questions You Must Ask Your Guy
If you're going through lean times this year and can't afford to give your stylist $200, the price of your usual cut and color, tip what your paycheck allows but include a note that says something along the lines of "your service is just as great as last year,
Read More »from 5 New Rules For Holiday Tipping5 Ways Your Tailor Can Make You Look Thinner
By Cosmopolitan.com | Fashion – Fri, Dec 3, 2010 11:54 PM EST
You probably only go to the tailor when you need a pair of too-long jeans hemmed or a bridesmaid dress fitted. But an expert seamstress can be your secret fashion weapon. For just a few bucks, you can make your clothes look way hotter and fit you way better. And a couple of stitches in the right place can even take five pounds off your frame. We got Lars Nord, a tailor in New York City, to spill these little-known tricks...
By Gabrielle Frank
1. Sex Up Your Blazer
Just because they're called "boyfriend blazers" does not mean you should look like you're walking around wearing your guy's suit jacket. The blazer should fit snugly when it's buttoned and not be boxy or oversized, which can make you look, well, kinda androgynous - and heavier. Ask the tailor to use the back or side seam to bring in any extra fabric around your torso.Related: 5 Secrets From a Fashion Stylist
2. Go Big or Go Home
Read More »from 5 Ways Your Tailor Can Make You Look Thinner
This should be not only your motto at work, but also at the mall. If you find
