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Guidelines for Valentine’s Day giving

Posted on February 3, 2009 by Staff

By Margot C. Lester
Staff Writer

You can recover from giving somebody a less-than-ideal birthday or Christmas present. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day, love’s not only not blind, but it ain’t unconditional either. During my seven years as a love advice columnist for Match.com, I’ve heard horror stories from men and women about inappropriate, unoriginal and down-right tacky gifts that have caused everything from giggles to get-out-of-my-lifes. Here is some of what I’ve learned:

Invest in each other. Surveys by Match.com and Jewelry.com found that a night of pampering, cuddling and being together with only simple gifts given is a perfectly acceptable way of spending Valentine’s night. This doesn’t give you carte blanche to cheap out though. Plan something that you both enjoy or that makes it clear to your sweetie that she or he is the object of your affection. (nudge, nudge)

CAUTION: If the thought of spending hours hanging out with your honey makes you wince, that’s a good sign that you shouldn’t be together in the first place. It may be time to exit stage left.

Do it yourself. Remember those handmade Valentine’s you created for your mama or daddy? They weren’t destined for the Louvre, but your folks couldn’t have been happier. You can bowl over your baby by making something by hand – candy, cupcakes, jewelry, a slide show, a card or a full-on romantic dinner.

CAUTION: Don’t wait till the last minute to throw something together. Without the thought, it’s just a low-rent present that shrieks, “I guess I’m just not that into you.”

Consider candy carefully. Those celo-wrapped heart-shaped boxes from the grocery or convenience store have turned a perfectly delicious treat into a cliché. If you know your sugar has a sweet tooth, put forth some effort and buy hand-crafted fancy chocolates or candies, preferably from a local provider.
You’ll get all kinds of style points for creativity, and a little extra love for supporting the local economy.

CAUTION: Beware lite or sugar-free sweets. You may be trying to say, “I care about your health,” but your special someone is more likely to think something more along the lines of, “I knew he thought I was fat!” Sayonara!

Say it with flowers: I don’t know many women who’d turn down a gorgeous bouquet of roses, but, despite the dramatic look, it’s another tragic cliché. On the upside, a lot of dudes dig getting flowers (nothing says “Chicks dig me” more – at least nothing that’s acceptable for delivery in the office). So skip the obvious and send a mixed bouquet based on your flame’s favorite color. And if your romantic partner really does relish roses, make sure they’re sustainably grown so you can show Mother Earth some love too.

CAUTION: The allergist down the street asks me to remind you to make sure your sweetheart’s not allergic to certain flowering plants. Inducing an allergic reaction (or worse, anaphylactic shock) is no way to say “I love you.”

Bag some bubbly. Champagne is another traditional V-Day item. I like mine bone dry, but why not buy a few splits and do a tasting flight to see which appeals to you and your sweet thang? If you’re doing the chocolate thing, the right red wine would make a fine accompaniment too.

CAUTION: Cheap champagne (as opposed to reasonably priced good stuff) is another way of saying the bearer wants to have his or her way with you and doesn’t care if you both have a headache in the morning. If your babe bestows this stuff on you, hand it back and give him or her the Heisman in return.
That’s the low-down on Valentine’s Day gifts. Here’s hoping Cupid’s aim is true.

1 thought on “Guidelines for Valentine’s Day giving”

  1. Lynne Skinner says:
    February 10, 2009 at 11:35 am

    Good advice — I’ll heed it! Thanks!

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