Now that the holidays are here, everyone's first order of business outside of work is to buy their loved ones presents. In some people's minds, the bigger and more expensive the item, the better.  But let's face it: Even though we have good intentions, love -- at the end of the day -- isn't measured in gifts. It's measured in the little things we do every day (not just during Christmas) to show people we love them, such as  Surprising them with a hot cup of coffee on a frigid morning Creating a scrapbook with pictures that capture special memories  Sending texts throughout the day just to let the other know they are thinking of them Taking them to a museum to see a popular exhibit he or she never experienced as a kid  Chatting poolside over coffee into the wee hours  Cooking his or her favorite meal on any ordinary day -- as a way of saying "you're special and deserve this" True love is priceless - it cannot be quantified. If a man can't afford to ...

One hotly debated topic is whether women should come out of pocket early on in the relationship. When asked, some women retort with an emphatic "no" while others assert that a woman should indeed offer to help out. While opinions will vary, my take is as follows: I think it's a nice gesture when a woman offers to pay for something, however small. It doesn't have to be lunch or dinner, but maybe a bag of popcorn at the movies, a game at the local fair, or even a movie rental via Redbox or Amazon. He may still go ahead and pay himself, but it's the thought that counts -- and he will certainly appreciate the thought. It demonstrates to the guy that she's invested -- whether emotionally, mentally, or financially. However, each person's financial situation ought to be considered. If either is strapped for cash -- maybe they recently got laid off -- it's only fair for the other to step up for the time being. Some women are certainly more ...

You may be surprised to learn that many consumers often buy things that aren't necessarily in line with their personality. Why would they do this, you might ask? For starters, many people do it to fit in. For example, those who don't drink alcohol might still spring for a glass of wine at a Happy Hour event -- just so they can blend in with the crowd a bit more easily. Others might fork over the money for these purchases when it's something they can share with other people. You might be a museum hopper while your partner has no interest in such places. Still, he or she might purchase two tickets to the local art museum and take you there on your birthday. Studies have found that whether they buy material items like expensive watches or life experiences like vacations to the Bahamas, many consumers find themselves no happier following the purchase than they were before. Why? Chances are that the purchased doesn't align with their values and personality. A cou...