Valentine's Day Gift Giving

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Happy Valentine's Day to my awesome third grade teacher! You are the best teacher ever, and you help me learn math, science, reading, and history in a really fun and interesting way. I just wanted to thank you for caring about me and all the other kids in our class. See you at the class Valentine's Day party!

Happy Valentine's Day,

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I know that the Valentine's displays in stores are tempting, but do not default to buying him something pink, cuddly, and covered in hearts. Instead, think about what he likes, and think of a cute way to give it to him.

List of ideas:

• Cookies. You could get together with a group of friends, make a batch of sugar cookies, and then decorate them for your boyfriends. Write his name, use the colors of his favorite football team, or make a picture of an inside joke.
• Candy. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and the way to a boy's heart is with sugar. Buy a bag of his favorite candy and tape pieces to his locker.

When your girlfriend or wife says "You don't need to get me anything for Valentine's Day this year," don't buy it! No matter what you think, your girlfriend is most likely expectingsome kind of gift, candy, card or flowers for Valentine's Day. Stop complaining about how it is a commercial holiday and express your love! You'll be glad you did!

Some ideas:

1. Flowers - go classic with red roses or exotic with orchids.

2. Candy - almost every store will be selling some sort of heart-shaped candy box for Valentine's Day.

3. Jewelry - it never disappoints.

4. Teddy bear - always a classic gift!

5. Handwritten card - the most meaningful thing, your thoughts about her, don't cost a thing

6. Romantic dinner - make it yourself or make reservations.

7. Scrapbook - gather all your photos and make a book of your memories together

8. "Heart attack" - cut our dozens of paper hearts and tape them all over her room, car, or locker. If you want to get more creative, write a reason you love her on each heart.

9. A playlist of your favorite songs - it's personal and affordable!

10. Your time - just hang out and tell her how much you love her.

11. Photography - be creative! Make a collage of photos, create a video of digital pics set to music (use her fave song), paint a picture of her, or use Microsoft Paint/Picasa to draw pictures/animals/funny scenes and then cut and paste your faces into the photos (girls love a guy with a sense of humor!).

Here are some other gift ideas from Answers.com contributors:

• Girls LOVE jewelry. I personally am old fashioned, so something like a cutesy heart necklace and a single rose is sooo romantic. If she isn't old fashioned, maybe a necklace with the initial of your first name in rhinestones. If you are really rich, something nice like a silver, gold, or even diamond necklace or bracelet. If you aren't so rich, a teddy bear with chocolates and a rose is adorable. One of my friends gave me a sterling-silver heart necklace, which was sweet. Another GREAT idea, if you are musical, is writing her a love song, or even a poem. That is a girl's romantic dream. I really agree on a rose; put it in her locker and write her a little note telling her you like her. Or buy something sweet and every one loves jewelry!
• If you haven't been dating long - or even if you have - you should give her a kiss.
• What I did last year was kinda old fashioned, but I got her a large heart full of candy and some beautiful red roses from the flower shop. Don't be embarrassed if you are the only one doing this; I was and it turned out great.
• Personally, I came here for advice, and as soon as I saw some of the ideas, I had some more. My favorite by far, though, is the flowers and chocolates. I think that my girlfriend would love that, and that's always a great idea.
• Flowers are always good.
• I am a girl and if my boyfriend was to get me a Valentine's Day gift I would want a giant teddy bear from Wal-Mart. It costs about $39 and it's awesome. And then buy her a locket with a picture of both of you in it, and put the locket around the teddy bear's neck... ha! If she's clumsy and jewelry wouldn't be suitable, then get her one single red rose.
• Another idea is to get a small box of caramel chocolates and stick it in her locker at school, and write a small love note and tape it to the inside of her locker! She will love you forever if you do that... I know I would love my boyfriend if he did that. And when she finds it, and if if you are with her, then kiss her.
• It really depends on how long you have been dating her: if it's for over 2 years, a necklace - but not a cheap one. If you have only been dating for a couple of months, a flower and something personal would be fitting.
• It depends on how old you are and how long you have been going out. If it has only been a couple weeks, usually a flower with a cute little message works. After a month or so, you should get her like a teddy bear or some flowers, and if you have been going out for 2 years I agree that a necklace is a good idea. The price of the necklace should depend on how old you are, e.g., an 18-year-old boy should spend more - if only a little - than a 12-year-old boy!
• I think a single rose or a stuffed animal would be a sweet Valentine's Day gift. If you have been dating for over 1.5 years maybe a piece of inexpensive jewelry or chocolate.
• It depends how old you are and how close you two are and how long you've been dating. 1 year: promise ring; 5-6 months: bouquet of roses; 3-1 months: teddy bear (not a used one); 1 week: a flower and a message expressing why you chose her.
• Stuffed Animal, perfume, lotion kit
• I have a girlfriend and I didn't know what to get either but I figured it out: My girlfriend likes penguins and I asked whether she prefers gold or silver. So I'm getting her a silver ring (not marriage or engagement) with a silver penguin holding a red heart. And maybe some chocolates or flowers would help too.
• I think that if you are dating a girl that you should get her some flowers. Never buy just one flower unless it is a rose. And you should get her some candy; that is the right thing to do.
• Surprise her by sending her flowers at work.
• A card and roses are always a hit although typical. You could get special roses for her that have your names printed on them (a store in your area likely does them) or if your comfortable enough a nice necklace with a heart pendant, an ID bracelet with her name on the top and love from you on the back. It depends what you think she will like and what you feel comfortable giving her. It also depends on how serious or how old you are.