Valentine's Day Gifts that May Bomb with Your Sweetheart

Valentine's Day is the Holiday for Lovers. If you are lucky enough to have a sweetheart in your life, this is the day to show her how special she is to you. So, even if you don't agree with the concept, or think Valentine's Day is too commercial, make an effort. And whatever you do, don't even consider the following as appropriate tokens of your love!

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea # 1 - Diet Stuff:
Guys, unless she has specifically told you she wants Cheryl Burke's new workout DVD for Valentine's Day, don't buy it for her! Don't buy her hand weights, the 17 Day Diet book, workout equipment or running shoes. The odds of this kind of gift earning you a night of amour is very unlikely!

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea # 2 - Clothing:
Unless you have been active in selecting clothes for her wardrobe, don't attempt this. It's almost impossible for any guy to understand all the nuances behind selecting women's clothing. You might buy the wrong style, color, or designer tag. If you buy something too big or too small, her feathers may get ruffled. If you must buy anything in this category, stick to lingerie.

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea #3 - Kitchen Items:
It doesn't matter if your sweetie has been talking about a new set of pots and pans,Valentine's day is not the time to buy them for her. Don't even think about that blender you wish she had to make margaritas. So what if the Krups Espresso Machines are cool? Don't go there unless she's been hinting for one or it has some romantic significance, such as a reminder of the espresso you shared with her on your romantic trip to Milan last year. No matter what you spend, kitchen items rarely evoke an excited gasp from the ladies.

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea #4 - Last-Minute Retailer's Gift Card:
Nothing screams, "I couldn't think of a thing to buy" or "I didn't take the time to shop for you," more than a retailer's gift card. If your intention is to treat your lady to a luxurious shopping trip, tuck a gift card from her favorite trendy boutique into something else, such as a box of chocolates or the vase containing her roses. If you are giving her a day of pampering at a spa, wrap up the gift card in a new fluffy bath robe or a box of bath salts. A gift card is too similar to cash to sit bare in a card, but If you make it the center of a romantic idea, it could work. If not, you've scored zilch romantic points and wasted your money.

Bad Valentine's Gift idea # 5 - The Wrong Fragrance:
Here's how it might go down. You find her scent intoxicating, so you think perfume would be a good idea and head to the store. Once there, you realize that there are a zillion fragrances lined up on the shelves and you didn't think ahead of time to find out what makes her smell so delicious. Now what? It will be worth your while to call her Mom, sister or best friend to find out. And if you learn the fragrance she wears is Dior's J'Adore and a few ounces sells for around $100, don't buy some other cheaper fragrance thinking she'll like it just as well. She won't, and it's doubtful she'll wear it. On the other hand, if she isn't the type to splurge on expensive colognes or perfumes, a popular designer fragrance may be a winner. When it comes to fragrance, buy what she likes, spend big or forget it.

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea #6 - An I.O.U:
Giving your Mom or Dad a hand written I.O.U that says, "Good for one floor mopping" is a cute gift when you're ten, but not appropriate as a Valentine's gift for your Lover. There is nothing you could promise in a Valentine's I.O.U. that you shouldn't do for her anyway, right? A backrub? A thousand kisses? Fixing the washer? And if you ordered something online too late to get it by Valentine's Day, an I.O.U. won't save your bacon. However, if you disguise an I.O.U. as a love note and make it part of a larger Valentine's plan, like hiding I.O.U. love notes all over the house for her to find, with the last one leading her to a diamond tennis bracelet, airline tickets for a romantic getaway, or a vase filled with roses sitting by a bathtub surrounded by candles, now that might work! Valentine's Day is about making her feel special on this one day that you knew was coming all year long. So, while love notes are sweet, an I.O.U. is nothing more than an admission of poor planning.

Bad Valentine's Gift Idea #7 - Nothing:
No matter what she says, get her something. Even if she is the most practical girl on the planet, give her some token of your love that will touch her heart. If you're a couple going through tough financial times, it might be tempting to agree to skipping Valentine's Day altogether, but don't. Honor your agreement not to spend much, but find some small trinket to give her. It could be a sweet card with flowers you bought at the grocery store, a classy pair of CZ earrings, or a few sexy panties from Victoria's Secret. Buy a romantic CD, or rent a romantic comedy to enjoy together by firelight after dinner. Just surprise her with something! A thrifty, thoughtful gesture will still show her you care.

Valentine's Day is not about the money you spend, but the thought behind the gesture or gift. Don't use this special occasion to give her some necessity she needs; instead buy her something slightly frivolous she doesn't. It's only Valentine's Day once a year, guys, so don't blow it. Show her that you think she is worth a little romance this February Fourteenth.