Basically it is getting close to the end of November (the time you need to get up a boy's associated stats if you want their endings) and you aren't getting close enough to hitting their primary stats. You need a quick boost, and one of the easiest ways is to give yourself items. It might cost a little bit of money but at least you know exactly what stats you're getting out of it.

There are a few things to keep in mind while using this guide.

Warnings

• Each boy needs you to give them 5/5 of their gifts in order to get their love to 100%
  
• You can only buy each item 1 time
  
• Giving yourself items which increase the desired stat but are also the boy's main item will stop you from getting his good end
  
• Giving yourself items on a save which you plan to use for multiple characters might mean you can't get a character's affection to 100%

Why you would want to use gifts?

• Quickly raises stats
  
• Gives a small Morale/Energy boost when used by yourself making it a productive way to rest
  
• Works really nicely in a routine as Work > Shop > Investigate/Sleep/Other
  
• A cheaper alternative (in most cases) to books if you're strapped for cash but need the stat raise

Pocketwatch (32)
Belt (32)
Underarmor (16) !!! this item is wanted by Kurt
Rucksack (16)
All purpose cleaning cloth (8)

The belt is the best deal being only like $25 for 32 points in Zeal if I remember correctly.

Keyring (24) !!! this item is wanted by Ted
Piggybank (16) !!! this item is wanted by Ted
Daily Planner (8) !!! this item is wanted by Ted

Basically if you want Ted and you weren't being diligent in your stat raising, you're screwed.

Coffee Thermos (40)
Fashion Scarf (40)
Cane (32)
Football Pillow (32)
Fuzzy Socks (8) !!! this item is wanted by Darren
School Pennant (8)

I find Amity to be a pain to increase because sociaizing is cool and all but it has low return for a lot of the game and everything with a better return costs money. If you're in a pinch luckily Amity has a lot of good buys, being that if you just used Volunteer: Park Ranger for the $/Amity boost you could use that money to potentially boost you ~150 more (250 counting his book).

USB Laptop Charm (40 wits)
MP3 Arm Brace (40 wits)
Leather Bound Journal (24 wits) !!! this item is wanted by Jeff
Antique Quill (24 wits)
Earbuds (24 wits)
Book Light (16 wits)

The Arm Brace is definitely a good pick up if you want to show Jeff how witty you are. Now I mean personally overdone pop beats (because I'm sure that's what Nicole is listening to) don't sound like the best way to gain some Wits, but apparently Jeff disagrees and that's all we need to know.

This one was pretty straightforward but I figured I'd mention it below, just so that all the data was in one place.

"How to Stay Motivated" - Zeal (Kurt)
"The Key to Success" - Diligence (Ted)
"How to Make Friend" - Amity (Darren)
"Think Smarter" - Wit (Jeff)

Each one is $75 for 100 of the associated stat.

If anything in this guide is wrong/changed please let me know in the comments! When I go back and play the game next I can update the guide to include item prices and list which the return value for each item (how many dollars per stat point!).

Otherwise I hope this helps you stat up!