Be careful when buying a Christmas gift for your boy friend.

Buying the wrong Christmas gift for a man could put your relationship with him in jeopardy, whereas buying a bad gift for a woman is far less dangerous, according to a recent research by Elizabeth Dunn.

Past research show that “we like to think our partners are similar to ourselves.” Dunn and associates say that both men and women perceive giver of “bad gifts” as less similar to themselves but when “bad gifts” are received from a romantic partner, the reaction between men and women differ.

Males rated their romantic partner who gave them a “bad gift” as less similar to them, and rated the future of their relationship more negatively, such as they would be likely to get married.On the other hand, female recipients of a bad gift rated their romantic partner as more similar to them and their relationship as more rosy.

Dunn and associates think “their findings are consistent with the tendency for women to act as guardians of relationships, and that their positive reaction to the receipt of a bad gift was a form of psychologicaldefence against the disappointment of receiving a dud present.”

So girls, be careful when you buy a gift this Christmas. Guys, looks like we don’t have as much to worry. But whatever, make sure the price tag has been removed.

Elizabeth W. Dunn is Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology.