By: Ashley Cerasaro
Weekender Correspondent

Shopping for the perfect gift can be tough, especially when it’s for your significant other. I always hear women complain about men being difficult to shop for. When asked what they want, typical responses are: “Oh, I don’t know,” “Doesn’t matter honey, I’ll love anything you buy me” and my personal favorite, “Baby, I don’t need anything, don’t waste your money.”

Hello?

Not only are these answers not helpful; they’re annoying. So this week, instead of shopping for one item in particular, I’ve decided to dedicate the column to all you frustrated women out there. Here are a few tips to get you started.

You can never go wrong with sports. There’s a good chance your man has a favorite team and there are thousands of stores and catalogs with the latest memorabilia and apparel. Check out the team’s web site or local chains like Dick’s and Dunham’s. If you’re looking for something a little more unique than hats and jerseys, then try ebay.com.

Tickets are another sure bet. Naturally, the tickets you buy will depend upon your man’s tastes, but we’re lucky in NEPA because we have an arena right in our backyard, and it brings a variety of entertainment acts such as: Neil Diamond, as well as, sports competitions by the likes of our own hockey team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Besides, what’s better than a gift you can share together?

But the best way to find the perfect gift is to just pay attention. Ladies, I know. Sometimes we wish we had that selective hearing thing too, but if you listen to him and pay attention when you’re out shopping together, you’ll be sure to pick up on a few clues. Remember, most men hate shopping, so if your guy stops to look at something for more than a minute, it probably means he likes/wants it. So make a mental note and you’ll have a good chance of getting your loved one a gift they’ll really love.