Top Valentine's Gifts for Your Boyfriend

Magazine articles all offer insight on what a guy wants for Valentine's Day. These articles weren't often written by guys but are just rehashed stuff about what some female writer thinks a guy wants. This article is basically written for hetero guys by a hetero guy. I would like to be all knowing and be able to say that any boyfriend would want what I write here, but in truth, this is what I as a guy would want for Valentine's Day. It is not meant to be a "one size fits all" kind of a list, but I can tell you that most guys feel this exact same way. We just don't go saying it because we figure that we're going to end up with whatever you decide we want, regardless of what we say. So here in no particular order are my top five picks for what to get your boyfriend for Valentine's day.

#1 FOOD, food and of course, Food. We like food. That doesn't mean go buy him a can of sardines and some Pringles and he's set. I personally would love to have a nice steak dinner, cooked just the way I like it. Don't know how to cook a mean steak? Well, aside from taking classes to learn how to make it just right, there are gift cards out there for steak shops. Of course if your guy is a veggie type, there is always Whole Foods or another favorite veggie outlet. If sushi is his thing, think Sex in the City, but please don't try to prepare raw fish on your own if you have no idea how. That's a good way to end up with Botulism. No skills in the meat department? No problem. I'm happy with fresh chocolate chip cookies, and I don't even mind if they came from a plastic sleeve as long as she put them in the oven and baked them just for me.

#2 MASSAGE. Oh and this isn't necessarily the secret-sexy kind of a massage. I love to have my back rubbed after a long day at work. I delight in having the pains of the day eased away under her grip, even if she doesn't exactly know what she's doing. As long as her hands are not cold or sandpapery (both of which can be solved easily by using lotion and rubbing them together first), I am in heaven with the attention. See, and you thought you had to go out and buy something. Silly girls.

#3 GADGETRY. I like things that are gadgety. So if you're going to be using your hard earned money to buy me a Valentine, I'm going to prefer you forgo the tie or sweater and hook me up with something mechanical. Don't worry if you don't know what to buy. Just get a gift card to the gadget shop and let me show you. And, here's the hard part. I want to be able to take you with me to pick it out without hearing you sigh, complain, or ask to walk off and look at something else while I'm shopping. I want to be able to have you next to me.

#4 DETAILING. Let's face it, some of us spend a lot of time in our car. If you live where it's been a snowy January, chances are there is salt residue all over the car and it looks pretty rough. Some guys, of course, like to bump around in a beater with more bondo than paint, but for me, I like having my car vacuumed out and cleaned once in a while. This is something that can be done without costing you a lot. Just grab a trash bag, and try not to call me a pig while you toss away all the old napkins, receipts, and fast food trash.

#5 APPRECIATION. Let's face it, most guys know the drill. Valentine's day is all about loving on the gal. For the most part, we want to be able to open up our hearts without ridicule, and some of us aren't as good as others at knowing what women want. Please, give your guy appreciation this Valentine's day. That's what he wants really. We don't need any trinket to know how much you care about us. Please, if we buy the wrong flowers let it slide. If we don't know you're on a diet and present you with fattening chocolate, wait till we're gone to work to offer them to the kid next door. If you want to make it a great Valentine's day, just give us your love. That's the best gift any gal can give her guy.