Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts Guaranteed to Impress

Well, you did it again. February 14th is right around the corner and you haven't gotten your special gal anything. Don't panic; your friendly neighborhood cupid is here with some fabulous ideas that you can get last minute. Want to impress the socks off your lady and gain you some great brownie points with her? I promise that if you present her with one of these offerings, she will think that you are the most sensitive, savvy and sophisticated guy in the world. to shop for these gifts, you will need to visit a local antique store, consignment shop, secondhand store. You might even hit pay dirt with a Good Will. Here is what you are looking for:

Antique jewelry: Check out any antique store; they almost always have glass displays with some really exquisite pieces. We bought my wedding and engagement ring from a dealer in antiques. They had been worn and treasured by a women for her 60 years of marriage. We figured that these rings might be imbued with some marital magic; so far I've worn them for 20 years. If you are not at the ring stage, look for brooches, stick or hat pins and bracelets.

Vintage clothing: I once gave my best friend a scarlet cloche hat, circa 1919 with a crimson feather, tulle veil and faux gems. She still has it and loves it. Girls of all ages love to play dress up with bygone fashions, like elbow high gloves, feather boas, veiled hats, silk scarves or kid leather gloves. You girl will get a big kick out of a really cool clothes.

Petit Point table linens: Look for hand-sewn or embroidered table runners, antimacassars (doilies), tablecloths, pillows or pillow cases. Women, especially in the late 1800s created some real works of art in table and bed linens for their trousseau (hope chest).

Incunabula: (rare or collectible books) Find a great old book for her coffee table. Vintage books are collected for their dust jackets as well. Find a title that she loves already or look for one that fits her interests (gardening, art, etc.) Check out old magazines as well. Look for special inscriptions too; my husband found me a Complete Sherlock Holmes with a message in spidery writing on the flyleaf reading 'James Martin, PFC--Marseilles, France' This was presumably sent to a soldier in WWI or WWII. I'm an incunablist and have received vintage atlases, books on art, history texts and I treasure them all.

Vanity accessories: Cosmetics originally came in glass or metal refillable containers such as gold filigree lipstick holders, powder compacts, cigarette, perfume atomizers, etc. I once found a rouge and lipstick holder in gold plate as a young girl. They look so elegant. Look for ivory or seashell combs and sterling silver or enamel brush and mirror sets.

Bygone toys: Dolls have been made of many things over the years; Madame Alexander dolls were a highly prized doll maker. Look for porcelain or bisque faced dolls, doll furniture, vintage children's' books, even metal cartoon lunch boxes, which are extremely collectible.

This list should provide you with some ideas to show your gal the really thoughtful and responsive guy you are!