Valentine's Gifts for the Girl Who Doesn't Want Flowers

I'm not your typical girl. Or so I'm told. I don't really want flowers and candy for Valentine's Day. It's not that I don't like them. And I certainly appreciate the thought if I do receive them.

But given a choice, I'd choose something else. And it wouldn't be the other often-given items like jewelry or teddy bears. I call these "pink" gifts because they're traditionally given to girls.

The Purpose Of A Valentine's Day Gift

If I understand correctly, the purpose of a Valentine's Day gift is to show someone you love them. Or at least like them. So I guess candy and flowers do that.

But wouldn't it be nice if the gift also made the Valentine-ee (yes, I made that word up) feel extra special because it was custom-picked for her? In other words, it took her unique personality into account?

If you like the idea of selecting a gift that's tailored to a certain individual, you might consider the following suggestions.

For the outdoor enthusiast or nature lover
Consider something used in an outdoor activity she enjoys. Perhaps a scarf in her favorite color. It could even be pink or red, if she likes those colors. Maybe a book or a magazine subscription related to her hobby would show your interest.

For the arts and entertainment lover
Tickets to a local symphony or theater could be a hit. Be sure to give a pair of tickets so she can take a guest (if you don't like the symphony, you could get big points by going cheerfully anyway!).

For the pet lover
It's hard to go wrong if you get something for the pet of a pet lover. A Valentine's Day gift for such a girl could be something like a new toy for the pet wrapped up in a big red ribbon.

For the frugal person
It can be tricky to give a practical gift. Not everyone considers this special enough for Valentine's Day. But people on a strict budget are the ones who really appreciate practical gifts! If you know her favorite store, you can do a gift certificate. If you know a particular item she wants or needs, that can be a huge hit as a Valentine's Day gift.

For the minimalist
It's often difficult to choose a gift for someone who doesn't want much, either because she's out of room or she already has what she needs. You might need to resort to food or candy for a Valentine's gift for this girl. But make it something unusual or personal. For instance, if you know she loves macadamia nuts, give her a big bag of them tied up with a red bow.

For the movie lover
How about tickets (a pair) to a local movie theater or perhaps a gift certificate to rent some flicks? Or even a newly-released DVD you know she wants?

It May Be Hard To Change

You may have a hard time changing how you think about romantic gifts. It all boils down to how well you know the personality of the person you want to select a Valentine's Day gift for. If you're not sure, you can play it safe and stick to conventional gifts.

But if you're pretty sure your valentine would appreciate a break from routine, try something unconventional. I know I've received unusual Valentine's Day gifts that tickled me pink instead of being pink themselves.

And after all, she might even enjoy flowers and candy if they only made the lineup occasionally instead of every year.