Though Valentine’s Day is truly about spending time with the one you love, there is no denying that it’s the one day of the year [besides your birthday and Christmas] when your significant other is expected to give you something extra sweet.
Whether you want to express your love and affection with something fancy and expensive or simple and from the heart, you’ve got to be sure to put a lot of thought into the gift you decide to give.
Because many of you may be thinking that it’s impossible to shop for a girl, I’ve decided to ask women of all ages what their ideal Valentine’s Day gift would be. So read carefully!
FLOWERS – The classic and most common gift to give your Valentine is flowers. Unless she is allergic to them, you truly can not go wrong.
Roses are the typical go-to flower. Not only are they beautiful, but they come in an array of colors (red,white,pink,yellow, purple, orange, etc…). If you decide to go with roses consider getting a dozen, or one for each month/year you’ve been together! When Valentine’s Day rolls around the price of roses skyrockets from about $20 a dozen to anywhere between $40-$100 (depending on how they’re displayed).
Keep in mind that roses are NOT the only option when it comes to Valentine’s Day flowers. There are tons of other gorgeous types including lilies, tulips, orchids, and gerberas that are a lot easier on the wallet!
Where to buy? – Flowers.com, Knowles Flowers, or any grocery store florist.
CHOCOLATE – In the wise words of Charles M. Schulz, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
It should come as no surprise that the second most popular Valentine’s Day gift is chocolate. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, every woman is bound to love at least one type. The typical guy will give a box of chocolates in a heart shaped box, but if you’re looking to be unique, go to a candy shoppe and pick out each chocolate individually. [This way half the box won’t go to waste]
Where to buy?- Stores like Target/Walmart have a huge selection, Captain Candy (downtown Amherst), Godiva/Lindt Chocolatier (in most malls).
DINNER – If you aren’t sure what to give your Valentine, you won’t fail with a nice dinner. Whether you decide to take her out to her favorite restaurant or make a homemade dinner yourself, the time you spend together will constitute for a perfect evening.
If you make dinner yourself, add some candlelight and rose petals for an extra romantic ambiance. Shall you decide to go out to dinner be sure to make your reservations in advance!
Where to go?Judy’s (downtown Amherst although they do not take reservations, so go early!), Pasta E Basta (downtown Amherst), Spolettos(downtown Northampton)
ROMANTIC CARD- Sometimes there’s just nothing better than a sweet card or love letter to let your Valentine know exactly how much you care about them.
Because most people find it easier to write their feelings down cards are perfect for showing true love and affection. For those who may get a little tongue-tied when it comes to expressing yourself, you may find that everything you want to say is already written down in a Hallmark Card. If you are feeling creative though, making a card from scratch will show your Valentine just how much you care.
Where to buy?– Target/Walmart, Hallmark, The Paper Store. OR buy your own craft materials at a store such as Michael’s
MASSAGE – Nothing says relaxation quite like a massage. After the stresses of school and work, a massage is perfect for releasing tension and kissing your stress goodbye.
A Professional Massage – If you really want to treat your Valentine to something special, a gift certificate or scheduled session with a masseuse would be a wonderful gift. (Prices range from $50-$100 an hour)
A Couples Massage – To make the experience even better, book a couples massage so you can both relax and enjoy them together. (Prices range from $100-$200)
At Home Massage – The most personal type of massage you can give someone is one you give them yourself. A personal massage is much more intimate than one given by a stranger, and is a great way to spend more quality time together. To spice things up, get a variety pack of massage oils!
Where to buy? – Amherst Massage (Main Street), Elements (Main Street), Hands on Healing (Northampton)
JEWELRY – No matter what, you can never go wrong with a piece of jewelry. Whether you get a necklace, ring, bracelet or pair of earrings, your Valentine will not be disappointed.
Necklace – If you feel like splurging a little and going with a Valentine’s Day theme, look at the new line of Tiffany Keys. These necklaces are simple and tasteful, and come in an array of shapes and sizes (with or without diamonds!)
Ring – There are a few types of rings that are suitable for Valentine’s Day gifts. A classic ring to give someone you’re in a relationship with (especially if you’re Irish) is a claddagh ring. The ring design, consisting of two hands holding a heart usually with a crown on top, symbolizes love, friendship, and loyalty. These rings can be purchased at most jewelry stores.
Bracelet- If you are thinking about giving your Valentine a bracelet, go for a Pandora. With thousands of charms to choose from you can create a one-of-a-kind bracelet with extremely special meaning…and you can save yourself the stress come birthday time, because you can just pick out a different charm to add!
Earrings – When it comes to earrings, go classic with a beautiful pair of diamond studs. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend! The great thing about a pair of diamond earrings is that they come in a wide range of sizes and price ranges to fit anyone’s budget [for most college students with price restrictions, go for cubic zirconia – it’s just as sparkly and not so taxing on your wallet].
TEDDY BEAR – Though no one over the age of 12 will actually admit it, teddy bears are always appreciated. Not only are they cute, soft and ideal for cuddling, but they will always remind your Valentine of her special someone whenever she is holding it.
If you want the teddy bear to be extra special, head to the Build-A-Bear workshop and make it yourself! At Build-A-Bear you can choose the stuffed animal you want, stuff it to your liking, and even buy a precious little outfit for it. During the stuffing process you put a heart into the bear, but if you want to be super loving, you can add another heart so there is one for each of you! To make the bear even MORE personal, you have the option of recording a message into a small speaker so it can be heard every time the bear is squeezed.
Where to buy? Any Build-A-Bear Workshop
Now that you have all the tips you’re ready for some shopping! Don’t worry, we already know you saved it for the last minute.