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6 Perfect Gifts for Every Relationship Stage

By Jeff Cohen Special to Yahoo! Personals Updated: Nov 21, 2009

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There's a big difference between the right gift for a casual couple versus a monogamous couple. Learn the different relationship stages and the right gift for each stage. Here are some tips for success:

The Casual Couple

In a casual relationship you need to prove you know something about your partner based on the limited time you've been together. Buying new skis for someone who hates the cold is a

surefire relationship killer

surefire relationship killer. Go for something simple that shows you know their taste -- a CD of their favorite music, or tickets to see their favorite sports team in action.

The Semi-Serious Couple

Once you've had "the talk," it's time to send a positive signal about the potential longevity of your relationship together. The best way to communicate interest is to book something far in advance with your partner. This shows them that you're committed to spending the birthday or holiday with them. Tickets to a show or a romantic dinner and a movie would be a great move.

The Monogamous Couple

If there is one time to blow the budget, it's the relationship stage. We're not talking about spending so much you need to take out a second mortgage on your home. But venturing into jewelry or even a vacation together shows your commitment.

The Engaged Couple

Once you're engaged it means you plan to spend the rest of your lives together. This is the perfect time to buy a gift that signifies the road ahead. Examples include a keepsake for a potential new home together or

a sentimental scrapbook to keep future memories

a sentimental scrapbook to keep future memories.

The Married Couple

When you've been together for years, think sentimental and you can't go wrong. How about a fun date where you first met? Or book the same room where you spent your honeymoon. Bringing back those memories of the early relationship will help rekindle a spark.

The Couple with Kids

Give your partner the gift of time away from parental responsibility by hiring a babysitter or asking a friend/relative to watch the kids. This will give you time to remember what it was like before your bundle of joy arrived.

Jeff Cohen is the author of "Dating, Inc.," a that shows women a step-by-step plan for finding true love using the same skills that already make them successful at work. Jeff has appeared on CNN, CBS, and Voice of America, and been interviewed by USA Today, Daily News, Denver Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Herald, and Martha Stewart Living Radio. He earned degrees in marketing from the Wharton School of Business and psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and readily admits taking charge of his love life through a game plan that included 77 blind dates before he found the one.

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Report Abuse 1. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 12:55 pm PDT

Huh. I'm very happily married, and I would be way more excited about the casual and semi-serious couple gift ideas. Not that I expected the article to be absolutely true for everyone and every circumstance, but I'm not sure this article is really all that helpful.

Report Abuse 2. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 6:55 pm PDT

I am also another happily married person. I think the gifts were great .At the bottom of the list you have married with children and all the above gifts would be great. Do you know how romantic it is after 20 years of marriage and the love of your life can still remember the location of that first date? Your taste in music will change; I know that mine has changed from heavy metal from the 80's to new age. I think that this article would do well as a pop up in a male oriented site: though I have seen some extremley forgetful women. Good job on the article.

Report Abuse 3. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 1:24 pm PDT

This is a singles forum genius. Buying gifts at the dating stage is a serious mistake, you'll come across as too nice or worse you'll attract gold diggers. Expert Shmexpert.

Report Abuse 4. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 1:45 pm PDT

B0O0O A CD? IF THAT THEIR FAV BAND OR WHAT NOT WOULDNT THEY HAVE THE CD ALREADY?

Report Abuse 5. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 5:33 pm PDT

A single flower or small group of inexpensive flowers sends a message of interest. There's no waiting of the senses, unless the person is allergic it sends a romantic signal. Great first, or even second impression.

Report Abuse 6. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Jul 19, 2007, 2:24 pm PDT

An engagement may signify an agreement to spend your lives together , but not everyone who gets engaged actually gets married! Those sentimental gifts should be saved until after the wedding or it will only add to the pain of that person when they come across it after the engagement gets cancelled...

Report Abuse 7. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 12:21 pm PDT

Have to agree with number 6...buying a cd of there Favorite band is from the last century...download it and put it in their IPod...

Report Abuse 8. Posted by Don Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 12:47 pm PDT

I am amazed you forrgot Divorced : in 14 years I bought every Music CD and poriciule figurine . enuff stuff ed animal to fill NOAH's ARK. any suggestions ed

Report Abuse 9. Posted by Jodi Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 5:23 pm PDT

I really appreciate this article. I am in a casual relationship with a new man and his birthday is next month. That will be much too soon for a serious gift, heck Christmas will be too soon. But I want to give him *something*. Thanks for the advice.

Report Abuse 10. Posted by A Yahoo! Contributor Thu, Sep 3, 2009, 1:40 pm PDT

These gifts seem like okay ideas, but are a little predictable (except the semi-serious). I think redardless of what stage you're at the best way to give a gift is to LISTEN to the recipiant. Notice things they say in passing, and see if they bring the same thing up again. My husband always (playfully) brought up wanting a flask. He said it several times though, so I knew there was something to it. I got him an engraved leather bound flask, and he ADORED it. He flat out told me what he wanted without knowing it. It was a complete suprise when he opened the gift, and it was exaclty what he wanted. So go to the mall with that special someone and see what catches their eye.

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