Dating in your 20s

Birthday Gifts for Him in His 20s

by Julie

You know it’s coming…his birthday, and you want just the right gift to bring that fabulous smile to his face. The question is, what is the right gift? В Becca and IВ have putВ our heads together to come up with a list of some of the best birthday gifts for your favorite man in his 20′s! We are sure there is something that he will L-O-V-E here!

1. MiPow Power Tube - This chapstick sized battery is the best thing he will ever have when his phone runs out of power!

2. If your man loves golf and wants a little indoor practice then theВ SKLZ Rick Smith Smash Bag В may be the perfect gift for him:)

3. Personalized gifts are always a favorite and thisВ Mouse Pad from York Photo will jazz up any computer desk. Make it romantic, fun, or silly and it will make him smile every time he sees it.

4. We love Sarina’s Photomosaic В idea. How amazing is it that you can create one large picture from a whole bunch of smaller ones. This is high up on the cool gift list!

5. If he has got stuff everywhere and needs one spot to contain everything, then the Cocoon CPG10BK GRID-IT Organizer В will be a hit. Keep him (and you!) organized with this genius gift idea.

6. Does your fella love water? This Speedo Sports Towel В is great for swimming, you can dry off and wring it out then it is ready to use again! He will feel like an Olympic Medal winner with this gift!

7. Melt his heart with our В Exploding Love Box В idea. Add your favorite pictures and memories and this is sure to be a treasure he will keep for years to come.

8. Create a sweet and sentimental gift using our Lucky in Love В idea. He will know how much you care when he reads all the sweet messages you write for him.

9. Any gadget-loving guy will think this Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman II Knife В is the bomb. He will be opening up cans, filing, clipping, sawing….pretty much doing everything with this cool tool!

10. Cozy up together in the Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent. You can even plan a camping trip around this gift, which any outdoorsy guy would love!

11. It’s a tripod, with a light, and the legs move… a guys dream! Check out the Joby Gorilla torch Adjustable and Flexible Tripod Flashlight В and get ready to head outside after dark with your favorite fella !

12. I don’t know if there is a guy on the earth that wouldn’t love the Syma S107/S107G R/C Helicopter. It’s small, zippy, and my husband dazzles our kids with his all the time.

13. Pamper your man with our Room Service: A Romantic Gift. He will feel so spoiled he may never want to get out of bed:)

14. Remember, I Love You! is a sweet and simple way to remind your husband how much he means to you.

15. 50 Reasons Why I Love You is so sweet, tasty, and thoughtful. It is sure to be a gift your husband will really appreciate!

16. Surprise your husband with These Are a Few of His Favorite Things and remind him why the two of you are so good together.

17. This Personalized Necktie from York Photo shouts AWESOME. The hard part will be figuring out which picture to put on:)

18. Help him beat the hot summer heat with his very own Hamilton Beach 68050 Icy Treats Ice Shaver. He can make snow cones, or fresh frozen drinks any time he wants!

19. I love this idea! The Birthday Bag is a creative way to give your husband his favorites year after year.

20. If you are still stumped on what to give your man, these Birthday Present Ideas from us could be just what you are looking for!

Becca and I loved searching out the best-of-the-best birthday gifts for this post. If you have a fabulous gift you surprised your husband with we would LOVE to hear about it! В We hopeВ your man has the happiest birthday ever!

Oh, and don’t forget to check in the next couple of days to see our Birthday Gifts for Him in His 30s AND 40s!

Dressing in Your 20s, 30s and 40s: How to Dress Your Age

You may have heard the following bit of chatter: “30 is the new 21.” Things ain’t how they used to be; modern women are living a more youthful lifestyle than a generation ago, focusing on careers and waiting longer to settle down. This is something to celebrate—women of all ages have much more fashion freedom than their foremothers. But for those who want to embrace modernity with some loyalty to tradition, here are some tips for dressing for your decade in the new millennium.

20-Something Chic

The 20s is a highly formative age for most women. You may be in college when you hit 20 and by 29 be anywhere from still hacking away at a PhD to chasing toddlers around a suburban yard. This is the period in life—while you’re still learning who you are—to experiment with and discover your personal style. A preppy-sexy look is a staple of the early 20s—think khaki shorts with argyle knee socks, heels and a blazer. This is also your time to shine in a mini-dress or skinny jeans, but if you’re a little more conservative, you can still be just as fashion-forward yet more covered up in a retro look like a high-waisted sailor pant and vintage-inspired blouse.

Women in their 30s are often living very similar lives to those of their 20s contemporaries, but this is the decade to infuse touches of maturity and sophistication into your look. Carrie Bradshaw paved the way for the 30-something gal to bare all in a short skirt, but these should be chosen wisely; a skimpy top with a high-design concept lends cache, but it may be time to hang up that Aerosmith crop top. You also might be less inclined to suffer for fashion, so while women of every age look smashing in stilettos, you’re well within your rights to put a two-inch cap on heel height.

40s Fashionista

Being in your 40s doesn’t mean you need to trade in your little black dress for a matronly tracksuit. Women in their 40s nowadays are keeping it youthful in the latest denim styles, which pair with anything from a favorite tee to a slouchy sweater. Both styles are age-appropriate yet fashionable, but if you feel a little too exposed in that strapless sheath or cami, cardigans are a 40s woman’s best friend. A simple cardi lends a touch of maturity to almost any ensemble, and this season cardigans come in such a diverse range of lengths, fits and styles that you can layer up without dialing down your style.

Find Your Style: Visit myShape in the Date Planner and create a free Personal Shop. and find date-ready outfits that will fit your figure, your age and your sense of style.

5 Reasons Dating Is Better In Your 30s Than 20s, According To Men

Any twenty-somethings who are despairing that they haven't found The One: take heart. Dating gets better with age -- according to the men of Reddit, anyway.

Male Redditors opened up about what it was like to be dating in their 30s vs. their 20s. While some commenters were frustrated at the dating scene -- citing a very small pool of prospects or a pattern of meeting women who "demanded" a serious commitment very early on -- the majority of posters reported that dating in their thirties was overall a much more pleasant experience. Here are five reasons why:

1. The sex is better. There are a lot of

" target="_hplink">different types of sex to be had in your twenties -- some of it more successful than others. But the commenters on this thread largely reported that, by their 30s, both they and their partners had figured out what worked for them sexually. Lost_Afropick said: "Sex is a whole lot better since you as a guy know what you're doing. So does she and crucially she isn't as shy about saying so and taking initiative."

2. True compatibility matters much more -- simply liking the same movies and being dog people isn't enough. InPursuitOf put it this way:

I care more about whether or not we have the same interests and goals in life. I'm looking for a partner in life nowadays, not just somebody to have sex with. For me personally, I want someone who takes risks, chases rewards, works extremely hard, learns something new every day, wants financial success, and doesn't want kids. In the past, all she needed to be was hot. My pool of available partners has shrunk considerably, but my happiness has increased.

3. Rules and games get thrown out the window (and everyone is better off for it.) Dating "rules" -- like how many times you should see someone before sleeping with them -- were always stupid, but according to these men, such behavior basically falls by the wayside the older you get. EBfarnum wrote: "People over 30 tend not to play as many games. By that point in life most people know better what they want and how to go about getting it."

4. Everyone is more independent, which makes it was easier to know if a relationship is right. Anyone single and dating in his or her thirties has spent much more time in the world as a functional adult than a twenty-something, which means more life experience and a clearer idea of one's goals and values. Nadrik posted that "Women in their 30s also tend to know what they want. They have their own interests, friends, hobbies, and aren't nearly as likely to just cling to you and rely on you for their own social life. It's incredibly refreshing."

5. Communication is stronger. Along with increased independence comes assertiveness -- and we all know you're more likely to get what you want when you actually ask for it. User sdtp wrote: "I've learned to just say what I want and attempt to grab it by the figurative balls."

What differences have you noticed between dating in your twenties versus your thirties? Comment below, or tweet @HuffPostWomen !

Dating in Your 30s

Dating in your 30s might not sound like as much fun as it did in your 20s, but it certainly doesn’t have to be a chore. Having survived the immature sagas of youth, you’re ready to hit your stride, relationship-wise. Here’s a short guide to dating after your 30th birthday.

Dating in Your 30s: The Single Life

This is the decade in which to thrive. You’re likely to have a better perspective of dating than you did in your infatuated teen years. In your thirties, you’re cultivating friendships, passions, and a career. Dating is a part of life, but it isn’t everything.

Know what you want; not just from a relationship, but from life. You can’t control every circumstance surrounding “meeting the one,” but you can control how you spend your time. Live life to the fullest and pursue the kind of life you want to be living. Bonus: a happy, confident, fulfilled individual is an attractive one.

You’re 30, not dead. Have fun.

Dating in Your 30s: Get Out There

If you thought meeting people was tough in your 20s, you’re likely to find dating after 30 to be even trickier. The proverbial pool has shrunk, with more of your peers in long-term relationships or marriages, and with your social circle feeling smaller. (You probably don’t attend a weekly pub night with your sorority sisters anymore.)

With fewer fish to choose from — and likely a busier schedule that keeps you from leisurely bumping into Mrs. or Mr. Right — now is a good time to give online dating a shot. Matchmaking sites can let you be specific about who you’re looking for and what kind of relationship you’re seeking. Be intentional, then dive in.

Dating in Your 30s: The Ticking Clock

Throw out the timeline. Say goodbye to the rules, the formulas and the ticking clocks. It’s okay to desire marriage and a family, but you can’t go on a date accessorized with the desperate pressure to settle down.

More important than getting married or raising children is being with the right person. Don’t settle for Mr. Right Now, and don’t scare off a great gal with your impatience. Just because your friends are at a different life stage doesn’t mean that you’re running to catch up. Enjoy each moment as it comes.

Learn to communicate your values and dreams without bitterness or urgency. The right relationship is worth waiting for.

Dating in Your 30s: The Good Stuff

Dating in your 30s is dating at its best. With age comes wisdom; you’ve learned from past mistakes and now know what you need in a relationship and what you have to offer. You’re aware of your strengths and weaknesses, as will your date be aware of his/hers.

Unlike your earlier dating adventures, you’re finally stable financially (maybe), you’re ready for serious commitment, and you’ve discovered that singleness is nothing to be scared of. And by pursuing a relationship more intentionally and with more maturity, your odds of finding lasting love are actually higher.

Besides, in your 30s you have more stories to tell. If you’re a woman, you’re also now at your sexual peak. Your 20s were overrated.

Dating in Your 30s: The Challenges

Check your cynicism at the door. Just because you’ve survived heartache to get here doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t trust the next person to come around. Learn to give each new date a fair shot, not holding them accountable for the sins of those who’ve gone before.

Be open-minded. Date someone who isn’t your type, try an activity outside of your comfort zone, and challenge yourself to address the stuck-in-your-ways habits that could keep others at arm’s length.

Kids start complicating things in your 30s. Either you have them, want them, can’t have them, or don’t want them: all of these scenarios can result in awkward conversations. Be honest from the get-go. If you have kids, they need to be a huge consideration in your dating life. If you don’t yet have kids, evaluate whether or not the desire to eventually procreate is a deal-breaker. If your date hates children and you want six of them, the relationship has little long-term potential.

Dating in Your 30s — and Beyond!

Just as life didn’t end when you turned 30, it won’t end at 40 or 50 either. Single or with someone, life keeps getting better for those who embrace the adventure. Don’t let your relationship status limit your life, or your age limit your relationships.