Oh, you poor boys.

Some of you read this blog because you’re looking for help in navigating the stormy waters of gift selection. Some of you are hoping that we’ll throw you a bone and write about men’s jewelry. Maybe some of you even wandered in by mistake and are waiting for me to give you a reason to stick around.

Well, we hope you’re happy. We’re introducing a new regular feature just for men called (what else?) “Just for Men.”

And to kick off this new segment, I’d like to address the number one thing that men want to find here.

An important decision to make.

Next to picking the girl to give it to, picking out an engagement ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

A lot of guys have been telling me that they need help. Most men have spent their entire lives NOT thinking about jewelry, and then they’re suddenly thrust into a position where they have to make a HUGE purchase.

Some of you are tempted to panic. What if you get the wrong ring? What if you pay too much? What if she hates it so much she dumps you?

Well, here are Olivia’s top three tips to make sure that you get a ring that will WOW the love of your life!

Counting down:

3. Be Prepared.

Delicious, but not quite right for this occasion.

You know what’s disappointing? You decide to marry the woman of your dreams and then discover that you only have enough money to buy her a Ring Pop.

This is where the Boy Scout Motto comes in handy: “Be prepared.”

Even if you don’t know who she is yet, it couldn’t hurt to have enough money saved. Start squirreling money away into a savings account. Even if it seems premature, saving is generally a good idea. You never know when you might meet The One. And, trust me, nothing will impress her more than if you have the means to buy her a nice ring — not because she’s materialistic, but because YOU’RE practical.

And, trust me, nothing will impress her less than if you have to wait to propose for six months after you decide you want to marry her, while you save up to buy her a decent symbol of your affection.

2. Do Your Homework.

Research is good.

Knowing what to buy is good. But there’s no need to make it hard on yourself. Learn about different options for bands. Learn about different options for stones. Learn about how to know a good quality stone when you see one.

Most importantly, don’t do things the hard way. Let others do the legwork for you. Check the web for the essentials — specifically, keep checking out our blog. We’re looking out for you.

1. Your Greatest Resource

If she’s going to be the Maid of Honor, chances are she’s your greatest ally.

Utilize the best friend/sister. Most guys want to surprise their lady with the ring, which means that a lot of them are on their own when it comes to ring shopping. This is also what leads to the panic and the hopelessness.

Don’t do that to yourself. Ask her closest girlfriend or sister for help. Most girls love to talk about their dream ring. She is your inside track to everything that your future fiancee wants.

Hopefully, this can save you some time and headache as you prepare for one of the biggest moments of your life. We hope you check back soon for more tips and tricks from everybody’s favorite jewelry blog!

Helpfully,
Olivia

Posted on 01.October 2008 at 05:15 in Just for Men, Tips and Tricks, Wedding Woo. Trackback-Url for this Article.