Tips to Make This Valentine's Day Memorable

Think outside of the chocolate box. Christmas might be a more popular holiday than Kwanzaa, but there is something to those homemade gifts. Gifts don't always need to be from flowers.com, Zales, or prepared by the wonderful staff at the Cheesecake Factory. There is nothing more gratifying than receiving a gift that shows some real effort and sincerity. Cooking dinner for your lover shows creativity and hard work. Even if you've never cooked a day in your life, the rice is sticky, the chicken is undercooked, and the vegetables are raw, your girlfriend will appreciate you for trying.

Plan ahead. Don't believe the hype that shopping early for gifts is an abomination to the holiday gods. It's okay to buy a woman something she wants while you see it for a great price than to let it pass because of sale stigma. There aren't too many sales during January, so it's important to take advantage when you catch one. Getting a bolero that she missed out on during the Christmas sales will make your lady smile much wider than a bracelet that she never showed any interest in. And don't worry about whether or not it's still in style; she'll be happy just having it in her closet.

Take a risk. Think sky diving, African dance classes, karaoke, his and her manicure/pedicure. If your girlfriend is the up and about type, she might be happier with a gift that allows her to be active. The only thing more romantic than getting your on-the-go millennium woman an on-the-go friendly gift, is going with her. You might feel uncomfortable initially sweating to the sounds of the jimbe or Beyonce butt shaking to "Crazy in Love," but in the end, her satisfaction will be all worth it.

The most important thing to remember is a classic; it's the thought that counts. This may sound really cliché but it truly embodies the spirit of gift giving. However, this is only true if you actually put some thought into the gift. If you stop by Duane Reade on your way home from work because you didn't realize what day it was until you got to the office, your gift will stay in her memory for as long as it took you to get it. A gift doesn't need to be over the top, it needs to be honest and from the heart. If you forget, tell your loved one exactly that. You can have a great Valentine's Day hugged up on the couch watching her favorite movie if that makes her happy. It's much more romantic than a cheap box of potential cavities and a cheesy bear that she's obligated to keep and pretend to enjoy.