By Shaeffer Smith

As the snow begins to collect outside the convention center in Minneapolis, I’m reminded that Christmas is right around the corner which means it’s time to get to my holiday crafting. I have a long list of people in my head to get gifts for, and most of them are easy to accomplish. But I have a momentary pause on any teenage boy I have to shop or craft for (maybe it’s because it’s the thought of a boy- how exciting! But probably because I’m totally lost on what to get them). It should come as no surprise that in 7th grade, I got my “boyfriend” a stuffed bear that said “I love you” in every place possible. But I’ve grown up since then and I need to get those special boys in my life a REAL present- not one that will make them think I am an obsessive-creeper-stalker-person.

I realized that I’m not the only girl in the world who has to shop for a guy best friend or boyfriend, so I made it my duty to find out what guys REALLY want this holiday season. Surrounded by thousands of boys walking around the convention center, I got up the nerve to stop over 30 of them (from all over the country) and asked what they want for Christmas (even though what some of them NEED is a new wardrobe). WARNING: Some of these are extremely expensive and highly questionable.

Money
Video games [Whatever Modern Warfare 3 is, a lot of the boys mentioned that…]
Sharp objects
Explosives
Giftcards [Josh from Texas said “QuikTrip is the best, but I also like McDonald’s.”]
Clothes [Some places suggested were Zumiez (whatever that is), Vans, Dick’s, Nike, American Eagle, Abercrombie, and Brooks Brothers.]
Hockey stick
Girlfriend
To get in to college
Macbook
Camera
iPhone
iPod Touch
CDs
Bike
Running/racing shoes
Headphones [The boys like Beats by Dre, but they’re like $400…]
Golf clubs
Football
Air hockey table
Obscure restaurant T-shirts
Car
Movies [Shout out to Ryan from Missouri who informed me that the entire Star Wars collection is now on DVD. Much appreciated, Ry.]
Candy
Legos
High-end electronics
Fire engine
World peace
13 golf discs
Sunglasses

If you’re struggling to get a Christmas present for a BOYFRIEND, it’s a completely different story, am I right? You want to get him something he’ll love, but not be that obsessive-creeper-stalker-person I was in 7th grade. An easy cop-out to this problem is food! Everyone knows that the best way to a boy’s heart is through his stomach. His favorite candy or some homemade cookies are sure to win him over! Plus, it takes minimal effort so you can do something for yourself, like, eat a bunch of fudge or watch Netflix for 4 hours straight. It’s a win-win situation.

If you want to go all out for your man, the guys told me they love things that are handmade and thoughtful. A girl I know is making her boyfriend a really nice blanket for Christmas and he told me he’s REALLY excited for it, and I’m pretty jealous, not gonna lie. If you’re anything like me and have no artistic skills whatsoever, surprise him with one of his favorite things. Who knows your boyfriend better than you do (besides his family, best friends and himself)? NO ONE! THAT’S WHO! Maybe his favorite show is the Walking Dead. Make his LIFE by getting him his favorite season. Or if he has a favorite band, get him their latest CD (but read the reviews by fans first, because you don’t want to get him a bad CD- how embarrassing!). There are really endless possibilities, you just have to take your pick.

STA girls, moms, grandmas, and boys I forced to read this, I wish you luck this holiday season and I hope my hard work that forced me to talk to a lot of guys (okay, maybe that wasn’t so bad) helps you out. I hope you don’t get trampled or flustered in the shopping mall and I hope that teenage boy in your life enjoys the present I suggested to you. Remember to sign the card “PS- Shaeffer told me to get this for you. Isn’t she so smart and pretty and funny?”

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night procrastinating on DartNewsOnline.