Buy with the couple’s common interests in mind.

Finding the perfect gift for an individual is hard enough, but shopping can become doubly difficult when you’re buying for a couple. Choosing a present that will please two people with different styles and personalities is enough to drive a holiday shopper crazy, but a few tips and suggestions from a gift expert can get you pointed in the right direction.

In her role as Editorial Director of the Conde Nast Bridal Group, Millie Matini Bratten oversees two industry-leading national bridal publications, Bride’s magazine, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief, and Modern Bride magazine. Ms. Martini Bratten has worked at Bride’s magazine for 25 years. She offers the following ideas for buying holiday gifts for couples:

• Common bonds. When looking for ideas, the best place to start is with the couple’s mutual interests. What sorts of things do they like to do together? What things are important to their relationship? Do they love fine dining, the seashore or traveling?

• Simple gifts. To avoid giving a gift that will seem aimed at one person in the couple over the other, stick with simple ideas. Martini Bratten suggests two beautiful crystal wine glasses accompanied by a great bottle of wine, or even a roaster with a recipe to turkey stuffing.

• Something cozy. Another great idea is to give a couple something they can cuddle up under, like a cashmere throw, a wonderful blanket or a warm comforter. Gifts like these will add beauty to a couple’s home and are things that they can enjoy together.

• Your company. Finally, Martini Bratten believes that your time and company may be the best gifts you can give to friends. So take a couple you care about out to dinner or a show, or just have them over for a quiet evening in your home. Most people have more than enough knick-knacks, but quality time spent with friends is something you can never get enough of.

Bride’s Magazine
www.brides.com

Couples Company: Romantic Gifts for Couples
www.couplescompany.com/Shopping/PersonalRomanticGifts.htm

Amazon
www.amazon.com

Bed, Bath and Beyond
www.bedbathandbeyond.com

Linens-N-Things
www.lnt.com

Epicurious: Shopping
eat.epicurious.com/shop/