My most memorable gift was also the most horrid, to where I will never stop reminding him about it…it was a laundry basket! To this day, whenever I see the ragged thing, I am thrown into the memory of where it came from. When my guy gave it to me, with the grocery check out sticker still adhered to its side, I nearly threw it at him! But no, I decided to express my rage through sarcasm instead, thereby adding a chapter of legendary proportions to our relationship.

"Oh honey! You really shouldn’t have! I just loooove it! Every time I wash your putrid, crusty, stinky socks, I will be so thinking of youuuuuu! And wow – the color! Fecal brown! How wonderfully delightful! Thank you, thank you, Thank You!"

I understand the why’s behind the laundry basket, which immediately erupted in an apologetic fashion: I needed a new one, and so that’s what I got. Most guys I know tend to think in this utilitarian sort of way, and having three brothers of my own, I understand this. However, no matter how useful an item, a gift it does not make. Thoughtful gifts are the best, because it expresses how hard you worked at bringing joy to someone. There you have it – what makes the other truly happy! And, just as important, what can you find that he or she can’t casually pick up anywhere and at any time?

I’ve had the best luck with finding unique, romantic gifts by shopping on online auction sites. I type in an interest, and lo and behold, a million results come my way, usually at a terrific bargain, and without ever having to set foot outside! Of course, narrowing down your choices is where the difficulty begins, but once you eliminate the bad ideas, the fantastic ones are right there for the bidding!

First off, buy what you can afford to spend. I know this sounds basic, but too many people equate price with love, and think buying a new car or a rock the size of a golf ball best expresses your feelings. Also, avoid clothing, since your idea of fashion very rarely ends up being on time with your partner’s. And finally, unless he or she is a collector of a specific breed and you know for a fact what you see before you is on the "Must Have List", take a pass on the baubles, collectibles and knick knacks. This includes buying up DVDs and CDs, unless you plan on using it for setting the mood later on!

My guy and I have been together for over a decade, so I think I know a thing or two about what makes a great Valentine’s Day and what doesn’t. Now granted, I’m not a diamonds and champagne kind of gal, but time and time again, whenever I share some of my date stories, I always get a swoon from the ladies and a nod of approval from the guys! Here’s a little story that I’m sure will get your gears going!

The first V Day we celebrated together wasn’t really all that “together”. We were only dating for a little over a month at the time, so I wasn’t expecting a whole lot. I was working at a gas station and couldn’t get the night off anyway, so I wasn’t that upset. Even so, that handsome fella with the big green eyes came down to my job to spend a couple hours with me after the boss left for the night. That meant a lot to me, but the gift he gave me was even more special.

Before he came in, I remember wondering why he was sitting in the car for over half an hour, obviously twiddling with something. I thought perhaps he had some kind of car problem, but since I couldn’t leave my station anyway, I patiently waited and watched him through the window. When he finally came in, he handed me a single red rose and a simple card. Nice gesture, I thought, though a bit old fashioned and none too imaginative.

He had an actual gift for me, a necklace, that he held in his hand. He had just made it himself out there in the car, from beads and nylon strapping he bought from a kiosk at the nearby shopping mall. Sure, it probably cost him less than a fast food lunch special, but that wasn’t what impressed me. What I adored was the fact he made it himself, and he had dug through thousands of tiny beads to find just the right ones, including four metallic letter beads to spell out my name. I was very impressed by that, because he actually remembered how I spell my name – even my teachers used to screw that up! From that night on, I had never taken it off until several years later, when it finally fell apart from wear. I have what’s left of that necklace in my jewelry box, and thankfully, the letter beads are still there.

Buying for someone that you’ve been dating for a few months is a little bit easier. Hopefully, you’ve gotten to know their habits and their personality or even a close family member can be helpful in you making the right choice. However, it can be very challenging for someone who you’ve only known for a month or two. Number one, we always question ourselves. For instance, we’ll ask questions such as; if we buy them a gift will they think I like them? Or what if I buy them one and they don’t buy me one, what does that mean? Am I spending too much or will they think I’m cheap?

I don’t think a holiday gift has to be a big challenge and it doesn’t have to be that deep and what I mean by that is that it doesn’t have to be thought about to death. If you know that person’s taste and personality, shopping can be a lot easier. But if you are just getting to know that person, it can be a little challenging.

Shopping for someone has become a lot easier over the years. Gift cards are the name of the game and can be found anywhere from your favorite store (or even theirs), to even a local supermarket like Pavilions which has close to 250 different gift cards to pick from at any price range. Also with gift cards it can help in eliminating that holiday card. You know the one where you’re not quite sure what to say or are not ready to say what you really want to say and although you’ve spent hours in the card section, you still haven’t been able to find the one that’s just right. With gift cards you can keep the message nice, short and sweet!

In other words, that first holiday gift doesn’t have to become so stressful. Keep it simple and keep it fun. The most important thing is to make sure it’s a well thought-out gift and not something at the last minute. Giving should always come from the heart and never because you need or feel obligated to, but because you want to.

Blowout or Low-Key?

Some women may enjoy a huge blowout party while others may prefer a late-night picnic along the beach or a romantic dinner at home. Regardless, take the time to plan something that you know she’ll treasure and make sure her entire day is special. If she has to work that day, be sure to send her flowers or an email/text that gives her a clue about what’s in store for her that evening. The whole point here is to keep her on her toes!

The Season

The date of her birthday will also yield plethora of date options. For instance, a fall birthday may be a great chance to go to a cider mill, hike, or a nature walk. If she's a winter baby, take her ice skating (if you live in a cold climate) or just stay in by the fireplace while roasting smores. A spring birthday may lead to great picnic weather and a summer birthday girl may love a day at the fair or amusement park. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to showcase your intentions for her overall happiness on her big day!

Take the time to listen to things that may give you ideas on what to make for personal gifts. Small gifts throughout the year, especially when they least expect it, will keep them satisfied and happy in a relationship. While gifts shouldn't make or break a relationship, it can show the other a lot about your personality and your intentions for the relationship.

The most important thing about personal gifts is that they should come directly from the heart. Their message and the effort put in to create them will be appreciated by its recipient and it's always a sure way to put a smile your significant other's face. Some people consider these gifts corny, while others cherish them. Perhaps you may want to discuss this before embarking on an elaborate personal gift giving spree.

Whatever the result, let your significant other know your intentions in giving these gifts. Assure them that their happiness and satisfaction is important; you want to make them happy and it also made you feel good doing so. Personal gifts can also be a great way to get a couple out of a rut. Don't use personal gifts as a way to apologize however, because the sentiment of the gift giving occasion will likely be lost.

So you’ve been dating steadily and you want to give anniversary gifts, yet you aren’t sure what would be appropriate. It makes sense that you are a little confused. First, when you are dating, you may not feel comfortable giving gifts that are appropriate for married couples, yet you still want to express your feelings of love, so what should you do? Well, here are some ideas that can help you find the perfect anniversary gift whether you have been dating for one month or several years.

A good rule of thumb is to make the anniversary gift as special and romantic as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to think back to when you first met and base the gift on something that pertains to your first encounter together. When choosing an anniversary gift based upon your specific relationship, consider the place of your first meeting, where you shared your first kiss, what activity you participated in on your first date and choose a gift that is related to one of these events.

For example, if you visited a movie together, then you could give anything that was related to that movie or even a movie script. You could also create a photo scrapbook that includes pictures of your relationship together from the beginning. This is a nice sentimental gift that is rather inexpensive as well.

It is a good idea to follow the basic anniversary gift guidelines whether you are celebrating one month or one year of dating with items that are from the wedding anniversary gift. Though it is rare to date exclusively past ten years without being married, it does occur. Here are the traditional gift items associated with each anniversary:

1st Anniversary – Paper

2nd Anniversary – Cotton

3rd Anniversary – Leather

4th Anniversary – Flowers

5th Anniversary – Wood

6th Anniversary – Iron

7th Anniversary – Wool or Copper

8th Anniversary – Bronze

9th Anniversary – Pottery or China

10th Anniversary – Tin or Aluminum

11th Anniversary – Steel

12th Anniversary – Silk

13th Anniversary – Lace

14th Anniversary – Ivory

15th Anniversary – Crystal

This list has also been modernized to include new materials. You can choose whether to pick gifts from the traditional or the modern list. Here is the modern anniversary gift list:

1st Anniversary – Clocks

2nd Anniversary – China

3rd Anniversary – Crystal or Glass

4th Anniversary – Applicances

5th Anniversary – Silverware

6th Anniversary – Wood

7th Anniversary – Desk Sets

8th Anniversary – Linens or Lace

9th Anniversary – Leather

10th Anniversary – Diamond Jewelry

11th Anniversary – Fashion Jewelry

12th Anniversary – Pearls

13th Anniversary – Textiles

14th Anniversary – Gold Jewlery

15th Anniversary – Watches

With a little creativity and ingenuity, you can choose the best anniversary gift from either the traditional or modern list that is appropriate for your particular relationship. There are also a number of flowers that are associated with each anniversary and these also make wonderful additions to your gift giving. Here are the flowers
appropriate for each anniversary:

1st Anniversary – Orange Blossoms or Pansies

2nd Anniversary – Cosmos

3rd Anniversary – Fuchsia

4th Anniversary – Geranium

5th Anniversary – Daisy

6th Anniversary – Calla Lilly

7th Anniversary – Jack-In-The-Pulpit

8th Anniversary – Clematis

9th Anniversary – Poppy

10th Anniversary – Daffodil

11th Anniversary – Morning Glory

12th Anniversary – Peony

13th Anniversary – Hollyhock

14th Anniversary – Dahlia

15th Anniversary – Rose

Here are some great ideas for romantic gifts for him:

Yourself

You may be surprised to realize this, but the number one romantic gift that you can give your man is you. That’s right, the best gift that you can give your man is a romantic night on the town, or a gourmet dinner cooked at home, followed by plenty of sensual touching, romance, and ultimately love. Spoil your man by giving him a relaxing oil massage while playing his favorite CD. Add a little creativity to your evening by choosing an outfit that you know will spark his attention. Whether you begin your evening at a nice restaurant or at home, just make sure that you finish it with a night full of passion and intimacy.

Accessories

Men’s clothing, belts, and accessories always make great gifts. You can personalize these items with monogrammed initials to create a unique and romantic gift. Consider luxurious velvet monogrammed robes for the perfect present. Customized boxer shorts are a nice touch and make a romantic gift.

Cologne & After Shave

These make great gifts as well. Choosing a scent that both of you like is key to making sure this gift is a success.

Electronics

The newest electronic gadget is always a great romantic gift. You may not see the romance behind it, but he will. If your man is a gamer, then games are a great hit. Again, a woman may not find video games romantic, but her man will be beaming with joy.

Audio Systems & Music

These are the gifts that keep the little boy inside your man happy. Jazz up the system that they currently have with accessories and you will let your man know how much you care.

Sunglasses

These are always a good choice for the man in your life. Find a style that you know he likes and make sure that they have the latest in UV protection. Also, choose a pair of sunglasses that fits best with your man’s outdoor style habits, i.e. skiing, boating, surfing, fishing.

Weekend Get Away

One of the best romantic gifts for your man is time away from it all. Whether it is a resort spa or a local hotel, find the package that best fits your budget and leave all the cares and stresses of work and family behind while you spend some one-on-one time relaxing and enjoying each other.

Accessorize His Hobby

Whether your man loves fishing, hunting, or boating giving gifts that compliment his favorite pastime will always be a success. Consider accessories such as new golf clubs, fishing rods, or even hand held GPS systems.

A great way to find creative ideas for romantic gifts is to base the present on something special that you and your partner share. For instance, think back to how you first met, where you went on your first date, where you shared your first kiss, etc. If you saw a movie together, or spent your first date at the zoo, then bring these themes into your gift and your will have created a unique and romantic gift. Here are some other ideas for romantic gifts that all women love and enjoy:

Gift Baskets

Gift baskets are wonderful because they can be filled with various items, from chocolate and lingerie to bath and body products. A special touch is to create your own gift baskets, based upon the items that you know will hold special sentimental value for her. However, if you don’t feel comfortable creating your own, you can have one customized and shipped to your recipient.

Diamonds

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and women love them, regardless if they are in the form of rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, or tiaras. Diamonds are one of the most popular romantic gifts given.

Jewelry

Jewelry is always a winner. However, don’t think that you always have to spend a fortune in diamonds to be romantic. Look for gifts that incorporate birthstones, hearts, flowers, and other gemstones as alternatives. Lockets are extremely romantic, especially if you put yours and her picture in the necklace ahead of time. Always consider having a piece of jewelry engraved for an extra romantic touch.

Roses

Roses are full of romance, and full bloom red roses signify true love. Every woman appreciates a bouquet of red roses.

Chocolate

Women adore chocolate and you can never go wrong giving this specialty treat. You can add more romance to your gift by choosing fine gourmet chocolates that come in decorated and stylish boxes and unique gift-wraps.

Teddy Bears

Women love teddy bears and though men may find them cute at best and silly at worst, women find them romantic. Teddy bears are great whether they are overstuffed, bearing hearts that say, “I love you”, are featured in gift baskets, or are imprinted on other gift items.

Hearts

Along with teddy bears, hearts are also a favorite gift item. Whether it is heart jewelry, heart shaped items, or hearts imprinted on gifts if it bears a heart, it is romantic.

Bath/Body & Spa Items

Whether you are adding these gifts to a gift basket or sending a gift certificate for a day spa, women love gifts that entitle them to beautifying indulgences.

Cruise

Nothing says romance, relaxation, and fun more than a cruise. One of the best romantic gifts given to a woman is a cruise spent with the one that she loves.

Love letters make perfect gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day and other holidays, or for any time you want to add a touch of romance to your relationship. Love letters last a lifetime and often become treasured keepsakes. Spoken words may be cherished, but can be hard to remember, but when declarations of love are put down on paper, they last for generations.

First, you will need to choose the paper that you are going to write on. You may prefer a special stationary that is purchased from an office supply store or even have your letter transcribed by a calligrapher. If your handwriting is legible and fanciful, you may prefer to write the letter yourself. You can also write your love letter on your computer and use a specialty font and beautiful stationary to print the letter on. All of these options are fine, and you shouldn’t feel that you necessarily have to hand print the love letter, computers work perfectly and produce great results.

You may also choose to place a picture of yourself on the love letter as well. You can tape or glue a photo of yourself on the top of the letter, or you may prefer to use the assistance of a computer photo-editing program. Here, the computer really comes in handy as you can add scanned photos as well as other clip art to decorate your letter and simply print the finished result.

Once you have determined how your love letter will look, it is time to work on the contents, or the body of the letter. A good way to start is to make sure that you are in a quiet environment without any distractions. This includes turning off the television and even unplugging the phone. If you like soft music, you may find that it helps your creative juices flow, however if it begins to distract you, turn the music off. After you have created an atmosphere that will allow you to concentrate, you should begin brainstorming all of your partner’s best qualities.

Make a list of these characteristics and traits; try dividing the characteristics into physical traits, emotional characteristics, and spiritual qualities. They will be the basis for your love letter. When you are finished making this list, you will make another one. This list will focus on your dreams, plans, goals, and visions for your future together. Put everything that you are hoping for in the future on the list. Now, using your list, you will have the necessary material for constructing your letter.

Your love letter will consist of the opening, body, and closing. Here are some examples of great openings for love letters:

After you have opened the letter and wrote the contents, you will need a great closing. Here are some wonderful closing lines for love letters:

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