Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

February 7th, 2010

Remembering your sweetheart and loved ones on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive.  Here are some ideas to celebrate the day and still save some money. And adding a personal touch to each gift takes more creativity than cash.

Special dinner – If you’re planning to eat out, look for specials and coupons offered by local restaurants. Or if you’re going to make that meal yourself, look for unique recipes or heart-shaped treats like pasta or dessert. This can be a romantic dinner for two, or a fun family project.

A movie – Watching a movie together is another great idea that the whole family can enjoy, whether it’s in the theater or the living room. You can buy discount movie tickets or even get a free movie rental.  Save on Fandango Bucks when you purchase them with your Visa Signature card. You’ll get an additional $5 in movie tickets free for every $20 purchased in Fandango Bucks. Use them yourself or give them away to your family and friends.

Music – Whether you buy the newest release or a romantic album by a favorite artist, or create a custom CD with some free or favorite downloaded tunes, they’ll love it! For those who play an instrument, give a gift membership or download some Valentine music at Virtual Sheet Music.

Books – Bookstores always have sales for Valentine’s Day.  Or, if you’d like to do something really unique, you can create a personalized romance novel.  This service produces eBook novellas or custom printed and professionally bound books with your own photograph on the cover. You fill in a 26-question survey, choose from one of their 30 titles, and then decide on a “wild” or “mild” overall theme.  The cost is $20 for a 30-40 page eBook that is sent within a few hours.  Printed books are more expensive and take longer to produce, so a special gift card (that looks like this) can be sent to explain that a one-of-a-kind gift is on the way.

Fruit basket or arrangement – You can get discount pricing and quick delivery on these items, so they’re a good last-minute gift. Popular choices include David’s Cookies, Edible Arrangements, or other chocolate treats.

Flowers – While roses are the most popular flower to buy, you can also choose other fresh cut flowers, as well as longer-lasting potted tulips, hydrangeas, cyclamen and azaleas. Most florists have Valentine’s Day promotions, and grocery stores offer great pricing on their cut flowers and plants, with quick delivery.

Candy – You can never go wrong with sweets!  Take advantage of available coupons to buy candy gifts locally or order unique sale items online.

Fragrances, scented candles, and beauty products – Discount coupons help defray the cost when you choose fragrances for men or women.  Pamper her with skin care lotions, scented candles, or beauty gifts. Certificates for a day at the spa, manicure, or pedicure are very popular and normally have long expiration dates to redeem them.

Items for men - Sporting event tickets, subscriptions for sports magazines, or sports gear are sure to please the favorite men in your life.

Stuffed animals – Young and old alike will love the lasting remembrance of a cute stuffed animal.

Photo gifts – After selecting a decorative or digital frame gift, personalize it with photos or a photo collage of memorable moments.  Order other lasting photo gifts like key chains, coffee mugs or mouse pads, or create a free photo book of special images.

Jewelry and personalized items - Whimsical items and fine jewelry are equally popular for this holiday, and there are plenty of  jewelry store promotions.  With 20-40% savings, a wide variety of other gift items can be personalized, from stationery to glasses to clothing, creating a cherished keepsake anyone would treasure.

Gadgets – Two-for-one deals and rebates make cell phones a cheap or even free choice for a great Valentine’s Day gift.  Digital camera and MP3 player sales offer another opportunity to save.  Many models of all these items come in red.

Cards – Hallmark has introduced a new webcam greeting card that can display 3-D ”augmented reality” animation on computers equipped with sound and webcams. Other new items found in Hallmark Gold Crown stores this year include recordable storybooks, DVD movie greetings, and voice-response bears.  For a last-minute solution, you can create and send online cards, even mobile greetings. At Smilebox, you can create free cards with photos and music that can be printed, sent by email, posted on a blog, or transferred to DVD or digital frame. Free for PC or Mac, this photo service also includes digital scrapbooking.

Decorations – Get heart-shaped balloons, bows, and ribbons at a 50% discount from party supply stores.  Disney and PBS both offer customizable cards that kids and parents can make together.

Travel – This year there’s a unique opportunity for a long weekend getaway, because Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday, followed by the President’s Day holiday on Monday, February 15.  When one airline offers a discount coupon, others usually follow suit. And, because the economy has impacted travel pricing, the best fares for last-minute cruise specials can give you a 60-75% savings if you are flexible enough to go on short notice.

Apparel – No Valentine’s Day celebration would be complete without the iconic decorated boxer shorts, tee shirts, pajamas, or ties.

Last-minute shopping is the norm for this holiday, with nearly 50 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards and gifts purchased in the six days prior to Feb. 14.  No matter what gifts you choose, whether they involve bling or calories, make them more meaningful by adding a personal touch to express your love.

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