Valentine’s Day. Seriously? Wasn’t it just Christmas?
Yes, it is time once again for the most important gift giving holiday of them all!
Yes, I’m completely serious.
What holiday comes with gifts more pressure packed than Valentine’s Day? Despite what you may have heard, Valentine’s Day was not invented by the card, flower, or candy companies. And even if it was, your special someone is still expecting a gift. But wouldn’t it still be nice to support industries besides the card and candy companies? Not that a well chosen bouquet or schmaltzy card isn’t completely acceptable, but think about how your loved one will react when you present something thoughtful and useful, and not just something that will either die in a couple of days or add to the pile of recycling.

Our manager has suggested earring/necklace cards and a jewelry display to hang them on. Putting your jewelry on cards keeps it from getting tangled and unruly, while hanging the cards on a dresser top display keeps your favorite pieces out where you can see and use them. The gift of organization shows that you are paying attention to your significant other’s needs. How about a bookcase for your book lover, a shoe rack for your shopaholic, or a Blackberry for your technophile. Anything that shows you’re paying attention is points for you!

A basket of your loved ones favorite foods can go a long way. If you know what his or her favorite foods are then you are already ahead of the game! It’s cold in February, but you can always have a picnic on the living room floor complete with candles and the whole nine.

Or how about a mannequin? Nothing says “I love you” like a life-sized Barbie. And mannequins are a great conversation piece for dinner parties and other gatherings.

And when in doubt, GIFT CARDS! No one can resist the urge to go shopping for something they want to go shopping for – like Amazon or Itunes or Best Buy or your favorite fixture store. Or how about a coupon for a date for the two of you, or for a massage, or a movie your significant other has been wanting to see.

What really counts on Valentine’s Day is making your partner feel special. But then, maybe making to promise to make your partner feel special all year is better than a gift on one day in February.