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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. What gift(s) are you going to buy that special person this year?

Whenever you think about what Valentine’s Day gifts, your mind tends to move in the direction of a lavish card (obviously) and maybe some chocolates, flowers, jewellery and/or a meal out. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with any of these things. Chocolate is the food of love, most women love to receive flowers, we all enjoy a meal out – and a well-chosen jewellery gift speaks of admiration and permanence in a way that few other gifts do.

So what’s the problem?

Well, maybe there isn’t one as long as both you and the receiver of your gift are happy enough with tradition. But if you’re looking for something a little more original – then you need to think outside the box of chocolates.

It seems that few of us do this. According to some fascinating statistics on what we buy for Valentine’s Day, women tend to buy their men chocolates and the men buy the ladies flowers. In fact, almost three-quarters of all flowers are bought by men for Valentine’s Day – whilst around five out of every six Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by the fairer sex. And quite a few American women – on in seven in fact – are said to send themselves flowers on February 14th!

So what can you do if you want to do things a little differently? Well, you probably know your target audience better than most other people. If it’s an established relationship you’re in, how about a gift that takes some of your time, effort and creativity – like a drawing or a painting, or a special song mix of songs that mean something to both of you together?

If it’s an anonymous love you want to express, then how about a home-spun CD in the post that will really begin to give him or her a few clues as to who you are in a subtle way that will keep them guessing? What you’re looking for here is for the recipient to suspect strongly enough that the anonymous gift is from you for him or her to be able to make a subtle first move with some confidence – but not too strong so that you couldn’t deny it all in a pinch if necessary. Subtlety and originality are most definitely the watchwords here.

Remember that if your other half is the type of person who says they don’t want a gift on Valentine’s Day, they might not mean it – as that’s what a quarter of us say but apparently don’t mean.

So do buy a gift, but do make it original if you possibly can – and preferably with a deeply personal element. But one last point; remember that cards, chocolates and flowers can still be original and unique; it’s all about which ones you choose (or make) and what the messages that go with them are all about. Your gift should definitely symbolise, true love but in a way that really means something to you both… obviously.