Valentine's Day Gifts for Men

Ah...Valentine's Day. It's a day of romance across the country. Hearts, lace and flowers begin to pop up all around. Foil wrapped chocolates in pink and red are displayed in stores everywhere. Perfume sales skyrocket. Red roses are de rigueur in every floral shop. Sweethearts everywhere are trying to come up with the perfect way to say "I love you." So what to get that special man in your life? Cologne, aftershave, cashmere sweaters, gold chain necklaces and candy say "traditional" and "relationship" and "intimate" and "romance" to you. But what do they say to him? What does a man think is romantic?

Not being a man, I thought I'd research this article a little and ask around. I checked with my own husband, the husbands of a few of my friends, and a few male friends at work. And not one of them asked for cologne or cashmere. Instead, romance seemed to be indicated by really taking a look at their interests and showing that you understand who they are. So with that said, let's talk ideas.

What's his hobby? My husband lives for computers. www.newegg.com is one of his favorite places to peruse for bargains, as well as www.tigerdirect.com. Many Christmases he has asked for exciting things like memory, video cards and wireless keyboards as gifts. I have always hesitated because to me that says "boring" and "practical". But to him it is simply something he wants. And when I break out the plastic to purchase something that hits his interest, regardless of how basic it may seem to me, he feels special. He is also a lover of all things barbecue. Items on his list here include wood chips, spices for dry rub, a coffee grinder to grind spices and cookbooks. I'd rather give him a bottle of aftershave and he wants wood chips. But again, it's all about him. Think about your significant other and try to hit his true interests. Huge football fan? See if you can get him a jersey of his favorite player or an autographed photo. Movie buff? Pay a year's subscription to Netflix. Amateur bartender? Get some barware engraved with his monogram and pick up a few of the more expensive liquors and liqueurs for his collection. Need to add some tradition for yourself? Add in a heart shaped box of chocolates. My husband gets chocolate turtles for every holiday and it's no different at Valentine's Day.

What would he like for you? Yes, let's face it. Women may think hearts and flowers for Valentine's Day, but men tend to think (shhhh!) sex. So if you are really looking for that special gift that speaks to his (ahem) interests, what about getting yourself some new nighttime wear? Check out stores like Victoria's Secret, www.pajamagram.com., Lane Bryant, Macy's, Nordstrom's, Target and any place that sells women's pajamas for huge varieties that can please him while keeping you comfortable. It doesn't have to be corsets and thigh highs, but anything that makes you feel feminine and sexy. The romantic part for him is just the effort that you made.

Photographs. One of the hardest Valentine's Day presents I gave my husband was a photograph of our son and me together for his desk at work. Why so hard? I hate having my photo taken and it was shortly after our son was born so I wasn't feeling my most beautiful. But that was one of the most romantic gifts he's ever received. Sometimes the simplest thing is the best. Frame up a good photo of the two of you together. Have kids? Set an appointment and have a professional photo taken of you and your children. Give him the gift of a reminder of what he truly does love best.

Valentine's Day romance for men isn't always what we think of as traditional. And who's the cologne really for, anyway? Keeping one thought in the back of your mind when you shop will keep you in success: What would he really want? Show you're thinking of him and who he is. Because that my friends, is romance.