AskApril

Give Good Gift!
Q: I've been dating my girlfriend for five months and I'm stumped about what to give her for Christmas. Can you help?
Signed,
Christmas Confusion

A: Dear Christmas Confusion:
At five months you may or may not know how serious you are about this woman, but you can be sure that your gift is going to telegraph a crucial message to her. It's going to tell her a little more about how you feel about her. That's why holiday gift giving can take on stress you didn't even know you had. The reason is that holidays are traditionally times when gifts are exchanged between loved ones and business colleagues.

December Blues
Q: My brother was killed in the World Trade Towers, and every Christmas since then, I get really depressed, because he’s not here with the rest of the family. How can I get through this Christmas?

A: Losing a brother or anyone to an act of violence like the terror at the Twin Towers is life changing. That you lost a family member someone you grew up with and spent every day and night with as a child, makes the loss even more profound. Not getting to say goodbye and having him ripped out of your life suddenly, without warning, is something that is very difficult to get over, let alone to understand.

Plan a Honeymoon
Q: I just got engaged and I don’t want to have the usual honeymoon that all my friends and family seem to be having. I want something meaningful. Can you help me?
Honeymoon Help

A: Dear Honeymoon Help:
Most June brides get engaged in the winter, so you’re smart to start planning your honeymoon now. By the time spring is here, you’ll be in full bridal-mode with all the details that make planning a wedding time consuming, and it’s great to know the honeymoon is out of the planning stages by then.

Party People
Q: I need advice. The guy I have been dating has asked me to go with him to three different Christmas parties with him and as we get closer to the date, the more nervous I’m getting about it. Is this normal?
Signed,
Christmas Party Jitters

A: Dear Christmas Party Gitters:
Going out as a couple, in public, is always a significant relationship landmark. The reason that it can be nerve wracking is that you are going to be judged on him -- or vice verse. All of a sudden, his foibles that were cute and amusing when the two of you are out together, are driving you crazy in public because people are going to think you're a plebe if he eats with his hands, or that you're a loser if he trips and spills a drink.

Neurotic New Year's Eve
Q: New Year's Eve is the worst night of the year to be alone, and I don't have a date. What should I do?
Signed,
Home Alone (New Year’s Eve)

A: Dear Home Alone:
Indeed New Year's Eve can be the loneliest night of the year if you are alone, and not by choice. But don't worry -- the truth is most people actually are either home alone or staying in with family these days on New Year's Eve.

Santa's Love Handles
Q: Every year I end up putting on weight at Christmas, only to become absolutely panicked and desperate to get it off. I hate myself when this happens. I just can’t stop eating at parties, peoples’ houses and then I’m mad at myself. How can I stop gaining weight during the holidays?
Signed,
I Love Christmas Cookies

A: Dear Cookie:
Childhood memories of the holidays include the intoxicating smell of Christmas cookies in the kitchen, a succulent ham for dinner or someone carving a turkey and preparing gravy and oyster dressing. Or maybe your mother or grandmother fried up salty potato pancakes for Hanukah. Romantic sensory thoughts, right?

His Family -- High Anxiety!
Q: My boyfriend just invited me to spend Christmas Eve with his family and I don’t know what to do. On one hand, I’m excited that he’s bringing me home to meet his family. On the other hand, I’m freaked out… All these questions are racing through my mind now like should I reciprocate, and invite him back to my house? I’m so embarrassed of my own parents. I really like this guy. Help me!
Signed,
Guess who’s coming to dinner me!

A: Dear Dinner Guest:
You’re probably not the only one who’s nervous. Introducing a boyfriend or girlfriend to your family for the first time is a major step in any relationship that announces, "We're serious." No one should introduce a boyfriend to your family unless this is someone you want to go all the way with -- and I DON'T mean sex. I mean marriage or a long term, committed relationship.

About April

Nicknamed "the new millennium’s Dear Abby" by the media, April Masini writes 'AskApril.com', the hot, provocative dating and relationship online magazine, the critically acclaimed 'Ask April’ advice column and is the author of the best-selling book, Date Out Of Your League. Interviewed for over 1,800 national and international articles and opinion pieces including those on CBS, FOX, ABC, CNN, MSN, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Wired, AOL, and Yahoo! -- to name a few, "April writes what Dear Abby will never print, and what your shrink doesn't have the guts to tell you!"

April In The News

CBS News Productions, Dating Bad Boys by Producers, Debra Goldsmidt and Emily Bernstein, February 2006

Discovery Channel, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex by Marisa Giovagnoli, producer, Creative Differences, March 2006

Style Network, Relationship Rehab by Jennifer Madden, producer, E! Entertainment, February 2006

Yahoo! Personals, What's Ahead For Romance And Relationships In 2006? by Rad Dewey

Miami Herald, Quicksand: How to Avoid Stepping In It by Kathryn Wexler, December 2005

Yahoo! Personals, Become The Date You Would Like To Have, by April Masini, Special to Yahoo!

LifetimeTV, Feature: Escape That Bad Date!, Six smart ways to make a break for it when the chemistry is all wrong. by Valerie Nahmad

April's Readers Poll Results

When asked "What is the most important factor in making a person "relationship material"?"", respondents voted:

11% voted: Intellect
7% voted: Physical appearance
36% voted: A great sense of humor
43% voted: A strong sense of loyalty
4% voted: Financial/business sense

April's Guest Contributor: Danielle Seadia

View Danielle's Bio

I'M ALL THAT
Self esteem and dating go hand in hand. If you don't think you're ALL THAT then who will? It's all about first doing a 360 when it comes to your dating mentality, believing it and then living it when you're workin' the singles scene. Right now you may be letting the people you date determine your self worth and self esteem. It goes something like this... if he/she wants me then... "I feel happy" but if he/she dumps me... well then... "nobody is ever going to love me." We get on these emotional rollercoasters of love with the oh so dramatic ups and downs. It's like our whole lives become a living soap opera and we're always on edge as to what will happen if we think or say or do something that our date will not like.


The Official AskApril Newsletter
December Issue Just Released, Think & Date Like A Man! AVAILABLE NOW at local book stores & online book sellers. Latest Articles Give Good Gift! December Blues Plan a Honeymoon Party People Neurotic New Year's Eve Santa's Love Handles His Family -- High Anxiety! About April Masini April In The News April's Readers Poll Results April's Guest Contributor: Danielle Seadia New Articles Here are the latest articles on AskApril.com: Give Good Gift! Q: I've been dating my girlfriend for five months and I'm stumped about what to give her for Christmas. Can you help? Signed, Christmas Confusion A: Dear Christmas Confusion: At five months you may or may not know how serious you are about this woman, but you can be sure that your gift is going to telegraph a crucial message to her. It's going to tell her a little more about how you feel about her. That's why holiday gift giving can take on stress you didn't even know you had. The reason is that holidays are traditionally times when gifts are exchanged between loved ones and business colleagues. Read More December Blues Q: My brother was killed in the World Trade Towers, and every Christmas since then, I get really depressed, because he’s not here with the rest of the family. How can I get through this Christmas? A: Losing a brother or anyone to an act of violence like the terror at the Twin Towers is life changing. That you lost a family member someone you grew up with and spent every day and night with as a child, makes the loss even more profound. Not getting to say goodbye and having him ripped out of your life suddenly, without warning, is something that is very difficult to get over, let alone to understand. Read More Plan a Honeymoon Q: I just got engaged and I don’t want to have the usual honeymoon that all my friends and family seem to be having. I want something meaningful. Can you help me? Honeymoon Help A: Dear Honeymoon Help: Most June brides get engaged in the winter, so you’re smart to start planning your honeymoon now. By the time spring is here, you’ll be in full bridal-mode with all the details that make planning a wedding time consuming, and it’s great to know the honeymoon is out of the planning stages by then. Read More Party People Q: I need advice. The guy I have been dating has asked me to go with him to three different Christmas parties with him and as we get closer to the date, the more nervous I’m getting about it. Is this normal? Signed, Christmas Party Jitters A: Dear Christmas Party Gitters: Going out as a couple, in public, is always a significant relationship landmark. The reason that it can be nerve wracking is that you are going to be judged on him -- or vice verse. All of a sudden, his foibles that were cute and amusing when the two of you are out together, are driving you crazy in public because people are going to think you're a plebe if he eats with his hands, or that you're a loser if he trips and spills a drink. Read More Neurotic New Year's Eve Q: New Year's Eve is the worst night of the year to be alone, and I don't have a date. What should I do? Signed, Home Alone (New Year’s Eve) A: Dear Home Alone: Indeed New Year's Eve can be the loneliest night of the year if you are alone, and not by choice. But don't worry -- the truth is most people actually are either home alone or staying in with family these days on New Year's Eve. Read More Santa's Love Handles Q: Every year I end up putting on weight at Christmas, only to become absolutely panicked and desperate to get it off. I hate myself when this happens. I just can’t stop eating at parties, peoples’ houses and then I’m mad at myself. How can I stop gaining weight during the holidays? Signed, I Love Christmas Cookies A: Dear Cookie: Childhood memories of the holidays include the intoxicating smell of Christmas cookies in the kitchen, a succulent ham for dinner or someone carving a turkey and preparing gravy and oyster dressing. Or maybe your mother or grandmother fried up salty potato pancakes for Hanukah. Romantic sensory thoughts, right? Read More His Family -- High Anxiety! Q: My boyfriend just invited me to spend Christmas Eve with his family and I don’t know what to do. On one hand, I’m excited that he’s bringing me home to meet his family. On the other hand, I’m freaked out… All these questions are racing through my mind now like should I reciprocate, and invite him back to my house? I’m so embarrassed of my own parents. I really like this guy. Help me! Signed, Guess who’s coming to dinner me! A: Dear Dinner Guest: You’re probably not the only one who’s nervous. Introducing a boyfriend or girlfriend to your family for the first time is a major step in any relationship that announces, "We're serious." No one should introduce a boyfriend to your family unless this is someone you want to go all the way with -- and I DON'T mean sex. I mean marriage or a long term, committed relationship. Read More About April Nicknamed "the new millennium’s Dear Abby" by the media, April Masini writes 'AskApril.com', the hot, provocative dating and relationship online magazine, the critically acclaimed 'Ask April’ advice column and is the author of the best-selling book, Date Out Of Your League. Interviewed for over 1,800 national and international articles and opinion pieces including those on CBS, FOX, ABC, CNN, MSN, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Wired, AOL, and Yahoo! -- to name a few, "April writes what Dear Abby will never print, and what your shrink doesn't have the guts to tell you!" April In The News CBS News Productions, Dating Bad Boys by Producers, Debra Goldsmidt and Emily Bernstein, February 2006 Discovery Channel, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex by Marisa Giovagnoli, producer, Creative Differences, March 2006 Style Network, Relationship Rehab by Jennifer Madden, producer, E! Entertainment, February 2006 Gulf Shore Life Magazine, Profile Interview with April Masini by Shellie Benson, February 2006 Fort Wayne, Knight Ridder Newspapers,, Gifts For Lovers by Kathryn Wexler, December 2005 Yahoo! Personals, What's Ahead For Romance And Relationships In 2006? by Rad Dewey Miami Herald, Quicksand: How to Avoid Stepping In It by Kathryn Wexler, December 2005 FOXNews, Can You Hear Me Now? Dates vs. Cell Phones, by Jesse Lanier MSN Dating and Personals, Young Women, Same Old Problem, by Margot Carmichael Lester Yahoo! Personals, Become The Date You Would Like To Have, by April Masini, Special to Yahoo! LifetimeTV, Feature: Escape That Bad Date!, Six smart ways to make a break for it when the chemistry is all wrong. by Valerie Nahmad MSN, Lifestyle, Three Little Words, by Lisa Daily WebMD, Seeing Green: All About Jealousy, by Carol Sorgen New York Daily News, Front Page, Hollywood's Stand-In Dads, by Kristen Kemp The New York Times, The Fairway Isn't the Only Way to Bond, by Lisa Belkin Read More April's Readers Poll Results When asked "What is the most important factor in making a person "relationship material"?"", respondents voted: 11% voted: Intellect 7% voted: Physical appearance 36% voted: A great sense of humor 43% voted: A strong sense of loyalty 4% voted: Financial/business sense April's Guest Contributor: Danielle Seadia View Danielle's Bio I'M ALL THAT Self esteem and dating go hand in hand. If you don't think you're ALL THAT then who will? It's all about first doing a 360 when it comes to your dating mentality, believing it and then living it when you're workin' the singles scene. Right now you may be letting the people you date determine your self worth and self esteem. It goes something like this... if he/she wants me then... "I feel happy" but if he/she dumps me... well then... "nobody is ever going to love me." We get on these emotional rollercoasters of love with the oh so dramatic ups and downs. It's like our whole lives become a living soap opera and we're always on edge as to what will happen if we think or say or do something that our date will not like. Read More Express Yourself: What are your thoughts on the Guest Contributor's article I found this column helpful or interesting I did not find this column helpful or interesting I would like to read more from this Guest Contributor I am not interested in reading more from this Guest Contributor	Dating Books ON SALE NOW! Get your e-book today! 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December Issue

New Articles

About April

April In The News

April's Readers Poll Results

April's Guest Contributor: Danielle Seadia

View Danielle's Bio

Dating Books ON SALE NOW!

Dating Books
ON SALE NOW!