If your boyfriend has a special hobby or interest that he spends a lot of time doing, pay attention to what he needs. If you’re not sure what to get, try asking one of his friends with the same interests what he would be interested in, since they’ll have a bit more insight. For example, if he likes to listen to music, you could invest in a pair of high-end, noise-cancelling headphones. If he likes cooking, you can get him a professional set of knives and a cookbook. Opt for a utility item, like a wallet, a backpack, or a tool if your boyfriend likes gifts that he can use over and over. Select a durable item that gets great reviews, and ask for recommendations from friends and family. He’ll be reminded of you every time he uses that item, and you know he’ll be able to enjoy it for a long time. For instance, you could get a leather belt for your boyfriend if he has to wear business clothes to work. If your boyfriend travels often, you could get him a durable piece of luggage or a duffle bag. Compile pictures from your relationship, as well as ticket stubs and other small items, and organize them into a memory book. You can also include “coupons” in the book for things like a movie night, a massage, or an offer to get out of a chore for free. Let your boyfriend know he can use them any time! This is a great way to give a thoughtful gift without breaking the bank, since you only need pictures, cardstock, markers, and a scrapbook. Go to the grocery store and pick up his favorite snack foods, like popcorn, soda, chips, and candy. Then, get a few other items to go with them, like fuzzy socks, a hat, a new video game, or movie. Then, put them all together for a fun, personal gift. Try making the basket themed, like a “movie theater” theme with popcorn, movies, and a fuzzy blanket to cuddle under. Leave him small notes in his pockets or record a memo on his phone to wish him a happy birthday. If you know that he’ll be at work or school, get flowers or food delivered to him along with a birthday message. This will help make his day special, even if he’s busy and you can’t be with him all day.

Summary: Pick one of his interests to base your gift around if he has a specific hobby. Choose an item that he’ll use a lot if he likes practical gifts. Make a scrapbook or love coupons if you’re on a budget. Put together a gift basket for a personalized gift. Set up small surprises for him throughout the day if you can't be with him.


Unless directed by your pediatrician, Gaviscon should only be used for children over a year old. Your doctor can advise you if your baby is younger than a year and in need of heartburn relief. While Gaviscon may help with reflux, it can also make fussy eaters fussier. Typically, a doctor only recommends this product if your baby is having pain or distress from reflux. Some studies even question how helpful Gaviscon is for babies. It may provide some relief, but some studies show it is only marginally better than a placebo. Your doctor can help you determine whether your baby's heartburn is bad enough to consider using Gaviscon. Also, they can help you decide on an appropriate dose for your baby. Discuss the symptoms you've been noticing in your baby with your doctor. For instance, tell the doctor if your baby appears to be in distress after eating or is having trouble eating. Because Gaviscon Infant acts as a thickener, you shouldn't combine it with formulas that are already designed to be thick. You should mix these formulas as directed on the bottle. If you want to use Gaviscon in place of a thick formula, try adding Gaviscon to a formula of normal thickness.

Summary: Wait until your baby is 1 year old to use Gaviscon Infant. Try other methods of soothing reflux first. Talk to your doctor before using Gaviscon. Do not add Gaviscon to a formula with a thickener.


This bowl will form you "dome" of ice cream, so use whatever bowl type you'd like. Some chefs find it easier to make a rectangular cake, and often decide to use bread pan instead of a typical round bowl. It's up to you:  If you're going to make a fresh cake base, make sure the bowl is roughly 1" smaller in diameter than your cake pan. This ensures the ice cream fits on top of the cake with room for the meringue. Using a bread pan or other rectangular can make it easier to cut the cake to fit if you're using pre-baked cakes or brownies for the base. Simply scoop your desired ice cream flavors into the plastic-lined bowl. You can either spread the ice cream out in layers or simply leave it as scoops, what is most important is that you densely pack it as tightly into the bowl as you can. The flavors you use are totally up to you, and there are no wrong choices. Consider what type of cake you're using for the bottom to make a flavor combination that you love. Remember to pack the ice cream densely so that there are no air pockets in the final cake. That said, you don't have to throw your entire body weight into it. Simply use plastic wrap to keep your hands clean and press lightly around the sides and edges. Many chefs will even do this overnight, making sure they'll have the ice cream solid enough and taking one thing off their list on baking day. Don't skimp on this time -- the ice cream has to be rock solid.

Summary: Line a 3-quart bowl with plastic wrap, letting excess hang over the sides. Pack your favorite ice creams into the bowl in layers. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap and press down. Freeze the ice cream bowl until frozen solid -- at least 3 hours.


As you've probably already seen in the grocery store, tampons come in a variety of types and sizes. Here's what's easiest for your first time:  Buy tampons with applicators. Tampons come in two basic types: with applicators, or a plastic tube that will help you push the tampon up into the vagina. Having the help of an applicator will make life easier when you're first learning, so choose a box that includes them. (In the U.S., O.B. is the primary brand that sells without applicators––most other brands have them.) Pick the right absorbency. Absorbency is a measure of how much absorbent cotton is in the tampon, ranging from light to heavy.  Most women use heavy absorbency tampons during the first day or two of their periods when bleeding is heaviest, and transition to lighter ones toward the end.  If you're concerned about pain, though, try buying light absorbency tampons. You'll have to change them more frequently, but they'll be slimmer and more comfortable. A good beginning tampon is Tampax Pearl Lite. You can also just get "junior" or "slim" tampons. Using a smaller sized tampon at first will help you get used to inserting them and they will also be easier to take out. You can buy heavier tampons later if you discover light absorbency doesn't work for you. If you have a heavy flow during the day, it may be handy to use a pantyliner or thin pad along with your tampon, in case the tampon overflows. Overflowing can happen even with heavy absorbency tampons, within 4 hours. It might seem weird to wash your hands before you go to the bathroom, but it's a smart move in this case. Tampon applicators are sterile, and washing your hands keeps any infection-causing fungus or bacteria off them. If you drop the tampon on the floor, throw it away. It's not worth saving a few cents or even a few dollars on a tampon if you have to go through an uncomfortable and painful infection.
Summary: Buy tampons. Wash your hands.