Married? Here's some advice on giving from the book "How to Survive Your Marriage" (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who've done it:

“Do not miss anniversaries. Don’t even think about it. I have never missed an anniversary. We don’t do anything big. But we go out to dinner.”
—Anonymous, Bethesda, Md., married for the second time 12 years

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“Women don’t really want candy or flowers. They want jewelry.”
—S.C., Helotes, Texas, married 31 years

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“If you’re giving your partner a birthday present, make sure that one of the things you give demonstrates that you actually listen and know what she or he wants. Be perceptive and observant and demonstrate that you care about the little things.”
—J.H., Athens, Ga., married 5 years

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“We surprise each other on our birthdays every year. We never know what the other has up their sleeves. Once, I arranged overnight childcare for our youngest son and took my husband out for his birthday. He didn’t have a clue what he was in for. First, I took him to a spa for a hot tub and massage; then I led him to a favorite restaurant, where we gorged on special dishes and desserts; then I whisked him away to the city, to see a symphony and finally kept him overnight at a bed and breakfast, where we made love until the sun shined through the lace curtains.”
—A., Chicago, married 18 years

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“I was due with our first child on May 15. I wanted a Mother’s Day gift from my husband, and he said, ‘Only if you’re a mother.’ Well, the baby was born very early, on April Fool’s Day. So, not only was I a mother, but after six weeks, I was feeling pretty much back to normal. I expected some beautiful gift, maybe something sexy. What I got was a diaper bag and an umbrella. I realized then that I hadn’t married the most romantic guy. But the diaper bag did come in handy.”
—Bonnie Dulfon, Boston, married 45 years

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© 2006, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.