Sunday is Valentine’s Day, and if you haven’t planned out the perfect gift for your significant other by now, it’s probably too late to send a Pajamagram or a Vermont Teddy Bear. And having flowers send to your beloved may be leaving things up to chance this late in the game. But it’s not too late to show your Valentine how much you care. Here is The Examiner’s top 10 list of Valentine gift ideas.
10 Words can express. If finances are a little tight, keep your celebration simple – write a note or a poem.
9 Music of the heart. Compile a CD of songs that remind you of your significant other.
8 Say it with fluff. Just because the mail-order teddy bear is not an option now doesn’t mean there aren’t other options to give your valentine a bear. Try the Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Independence Center. You can name your bear, give it a heart and dress it up.
7 Get artistic. Show your valentine your creative side in lots of ways. Try putting together a small scrapbook of photographs of you together. Or try making a calendar of photographs with you. Include little-known facts about yourself.
6 Sleepy time. You don’t have to order your pajamas online to make them special. Find the perfect pajamas at nearly any retail store.
5 A penny saved. Make a coupon book, filled with tasks you will perform for your valentine. Think breakfast in bed, car washes, movie nights. The coupons can be as simple or complex as you would like.
4 Flowers. Just because you can’t get that dozen long-stem roses delivered in a day, doesn’t mean flowers are completely out of the picture. Stop by your local flower shop and see what’s available. Here’s a hint: Roses aren’t a mandatory Valentine’s Day flower.
3 Say it with chocolate. It doesn’t have to be Christopher Elbow’s artisan chocolate (although those delectable truffles found downtown are sure to win brownie points), but any kind of chocolate is a great idea. It’s a sweet way to say “I love you.”
2 Hold it together. Guys, remember women love purses. Try finding her a unique purse. There are lots of ways to personalize the purse. Companies like Bag Daddy and 1154 Lil (on the Country Club Plaza) specialize in purses that you design yourself. Or companies like Miche allow you to change the cover of your purse on a whim.
1 Let it sparkle. Jewelry is always a good answer. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces and watches are sure to make your valentine happy this year. Charm bracelets give you the opportunity to personalize your gift. Or think about birth stones. A birthstone ring may be just the right idea. For the ladies, find a nice durable watch that will make him think of you every time he checks the time.
Independence, MO —
