Great Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

February 8, 2008 By Debbie Dragon

Step away from the heart shaped box of chocolates and put down the red roses.

If you are going to give a Valentine’s Day gift, you may as well do it right!  Don’t wait until the last possible second and grab chocolates and roses from the grocery store on your way home from work on February 14th.  Use this list for some great Valentine’s Day gift ideas that should be a little better received than the stereotypical chocolate and roses:

Show her you’ve been paying attention!  Whether she’s told you or not- a woman wants to know you are paying attention, and have consideration enough for her to know a few basic things.  Her favorite meal, favorite song, hobbies… in fact- this is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.  Make or buy her favorite meal, have a candle lit dinner with her favorite music playing.  Have conversation and keep the television off (you can catch the scores on the game another time- it’s a day to appreciate the people you love, not the stuff you love!)  You can turn it up a notch with champagne or wine, and a chocolate fondue with strawberries for dessert.

The Love  Basket.  If you do the dinner thing regularly, or just really feel the need to give something PHYSICAL rather than time and a favorite meal; you could go with a basket of goodies.  This is a step above the heart shaped box of chocolate and long stemmed red roses- but you’ll want to select a gift basket that shows you put a little thought into it rather than grab the cheapest or closest one within reach.  Buying a ready-made gift basket is ok; creating your own is far better.

Grab a nice basket from Wal-mart or a craft store.  Then take some time to fill it with things you know she’ll love!  Candy is ok, and you could even dress it up with a flower or two- but be sure to include a few special things that you know she’ll love.  Does she enjoy  baths?  Get her some new bubble baths, candles to place around the tub, a relaxing CD, body lotion for when she gets out.  You could even include a bottle of champagne and a fancy champagne glass for her to enjoy it in!  Is your girl a bookworm?  Find out who her favorite authors are and fill up the basket with the newest releases.

The Gift of Time.  For many couples, the problem is there just isn’t much time to spend together.  If this is a complain you’re partner has, why not arrange for the afternoon off, and just spend some nice, quality time together?  If money is an issue, this is a good option also, as you can spend the day walking through a park, hiking in the mountains, or taking a scenic ride through the country.  Whatever you decide to do, the point is you’ll be enjoying the time together.

Gift Certificates.  Many women enjoy time at the local salon or spa; and probably don’t do these things as often as they might like.  If you know she is interested in this sort of thing; you could get a gift certificate that allows her to go and enjoy herself.  She will be amazed that you thought of such a thing and enjoy her time.  Be sure that if you give a gift certificate, you present it nicely though- perhaps over dinner, or delivered with a bouquet of her favorite flowers at work.

There are many things you can give for Valentine’s Day.  The best gifts are those that took just a little thought and creativity- especially when buying gifts for a woman.  Steer clear of the box of chocolates from the gas station and chances are, whatever gift you choose she will love it!

*picture of artwork from John P Metal Art Blog http://pozadzides.com/john/blog/2006/03/22/a-dozen-hearts/

Posted in Giving, entertainment, holidays