What NOT to give on V-Day
(Photo by minato)
I’m sure everyone is aware that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This means if you want to have a meaningful and memorable V-Day, then you should be thinking about it and planning for it now. Preparation is certainly a key to a great Valentine’s Day with your significant other and given the not-so-favorable economic situation we’re all experiencing, it also helps that by preparing for it early, you can have an inexpensive and yet extraordinary happy hearts day.
I’m sure top of mind to most of you right now is what Valentine gift to give your loved one. Well, I recently read an article featuring a guide to a terrible Valentine’s Day gifts. By learning what not to give on V-Day, we can identify the best things we can give. 
To give you a quick account, here’s the list of gift no-no’s on Valentine’s Day:
- Joke Items – Even if you’re the fun-loving type of person, don’t ever make it appear as if you’re making fun of your loved one with your gift.
- Pillow novelty items – You’ve probably seen this in an email or website. The boyfriend or girlfriend pillow or a pillow with your picture in it is just not romantic.
- Baby talk anything – Any item with “I Wuv You” should not even be considered as a Valentine’s day gift
- Cheesy suggestive gifts – These includes t-shirts and other “items” that cannot be mentioned here because this is a kid-friendly blog.
- Plastic roses – The article actually just mentioned roses, but I beg to differ. Roses are still a romantic, classic gift that will never be out of style. But plastic ones are not.
So what are the best gifts to give on Valentine’s Day? Well, I was thinking you could help me. I know many consider the classic bouquet of red roses, box of sweet chocolates and romantic dinner (probably in a restaurant with an excellent view of the sea or the city skyline) as the best gifts on Valentine’s Day, but the truth is, the best gift you can give your Valentine on V-Day is time. Spend quality time with that person and be reminded what a blessing it is to love and be loved. I’m not saying don’t give a gift, I’m saying the cost of the gift doesn’t really matter, it’s the thought that counts. And with the current financial crisis, now is certainly the best time to be creative and cost-friendly with your Valentine’s Day gift.
That’s why I am asking the community right now, what Valentine’s gifts can you suggest for someone who is on a budget and why? Let’s help each other out, click the link to answer the question, and feel free to share the link to anyone you know who may have an excellent gift suggestion. Remember, we can give without loving but we cannot love without giving. Advance happy hearts day to everyone! 
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Arrange all couples to gather and do voluntary work and after that could have a nice simple meal, It’s meaningful and love giving not only to the couple but to the needy too.
noting i giv everything…
lame
girls.. she warn u not to get any bouqet for her, yet when u really follow her ‘warnings’, they demand to know wat the hell were u thinking then, and get all angry over it. for me, the best gift is just to stay deep in love, if ur girl is head over heels over u, any cheesy corny stuff is like a god’s gift to her. u get it? so all this stuff abt best gift, most romantic gift is all serious bs.
Best gift. . . . . . . Stay home!
Cook the “best dinner” for your love ones.
It doesn’t have to be fancy.
It just have to be classy in your own way.
A relatively inexpensive yet creative gift idea, i thought, would be something like a scrapbook. Or if it still requires too much effort, just 1 page of it will do. Made With Love at PS has loads of ideas that will most likely spark that creative mind in you and for guys, i’m sure the ladies would be very appreciative of your efforts.. =)
A gift that means what he/she means in your heart,whether is an item that he/she wants badly but do not hve the means to get it or something that you know will bring a smile on her/his face, making that meaningful to both of you in years to come….never have a v-day gift all these years in my life ….guess i had the most important gift and that is Jesus, well the gift of life itself …..Amen!
In times like this,there are various ways to save money and still be romantic-
1)Buy the amount of roses u could afford 1 day before Valentine and store them in the fridge-they will last if they are still buds
2)No matter how bad it is,draw the 2 of u together with with dream place-and if u can draw the firs encounter u both fell in love
3)1 of the oldest method is to draw a huge love on the sand of beaches with both your names in it.
4)If u hang out with friends on that day,pluck up your corage and declare your love for her in front of eveyone-she will be sweeten to death
5)Check out the mid nite joint that serve food till the first wake of day and tell her Happy Valentine when the clock strikes twelve .If u can,plan before hand with the food joint to serve out her favourite dish when the time arrive
6)For married couple,remember to hold each other hand when the clock strikes twelve and thank each other for all that he/she has done for u and remind her/him how important u are to each other
7)Mushy things to do is to find a quiet place-like booking a small karaoke room and sing love songs to each other or simply write a love letter telling he/she how the relationship has affecte du and how important it is to u.
8)If u happen to be apart geograpically,planning ahead to deliver flowers to her house is a sure heart melting thing to do
9)For the rich,surprising each other with a small purchase of his/her favourite thing shall do the trick
10)For those who could cook and bake-need I say more?
11)Old fashion walks along beaches still work but prepare lots of insect repellent just in case.
12)For the super romantic,plan a whole day of evnts way way ahead
If the above still is not good enough for u,feel free to email me at delivery00@gmail.com
We are always so caught up with work that neglect all the nice things around us. For the night/day, plan a trip round your country (within your budget) and you might ending up doing things you have not done together before, and I assure you, its absolute quality time and getting to know your country better. eg, a show at the esplanade, sitting the cable car, visiting the zoo,bird park, toy museum, a walk at the airport. Or you can even plan to search for all the best and cheap delicacies/hang out place and make it a monthly event!!!
I made a scrap album for my boyfriend of 1.5 yrs! We’ve been together for quite awhile now and have had reallie good times and very special moments many of which have been captured on camera! I printed out about 70 over photos from our dating days to the time he asked me to be his gf to all our fun outings! I put them in the album and wrote captions and poems in it! I also bought a ribbon to wrap it arnd the album! =) I spent about 150 bucks. It makes a wonderful v’dae gift with a personal touch! (:
and now as to WHAT NOT TO GIVE! no… teddy bears pls… or roses! Its too Cliche and unsurprising!
If ya reallie ideal on a stuffed toys and flowers, you could go for animal stuffed toys..which are waaaaay nicer than TEDDY BEARS?!?! and sunflowers for flowers instead of ROOSES?!??! so yea. (:
WAH COOL.
HELPED A LOT MAN.
just cook for your love is a good one which works for me as a french
e best gift is nvr ending lurve 4 ur loved ones.look 4ward wit spending time everyday wit dem.
Bake a cake or some little cupcakes.
By baking, it is cost-effective. Why whould I say that?
Firstly, you spend time on preparing, baking and decorating. These time spent are not worthless because you are doing it for your love ones. How much will a cake cost you? By spending just perhaps a maximum amount of $30, you can spend hours utilising it. Whats more? It at your own comfort home.
Secondly, like what I said, the time spent may take you hours. But, you have to know that these hours are the effort you put into making this gift. Sincerity is the word. Put love and patience into making it, the person eating it will be filled with happiness.
Lastly, decorating. You can decorate it in anyway you like it. Present it with a little love message or just a short phrase.
At the end of it, the person baking it will feel a sense of satisfaction and the person eating it will definitely finish it all up. How sweet?
For me, I definitely will apprecriate it if my boyfriend bake me one. It shows that he is willing to take time off his sleep, tvs, computers and put effort into thinking and giving me the perfect gift.
“Fake” Roses are also something that is nice as a gift on V Day… At least it wun fade away.. Everytime receiving the same old thing would be bored too… Last year my date sent me artificial roses with a couple teddy bear on top of it… and I love it it!! The pink roses are folded so nice and the cute bear act a cute touch to it…
Flowers is still romantic way and I wanna give mg gf with flowers I arranged by myself (I’ll try)..
I also created a poem for her and planning to print and put it on a frame..(why not?!)
As you said, “its’ the thought that counts”. Spend time for her should be ok.
well.. i usually make an item to give. It just amazes the other party with the time, effort and skill required for the gift. My gifts are usually miniature in size so i may get other complimenting stuff to go along as decoration.
either one of you cook something special for the dinner, with matching candle light… have it in your balcony, garden or anywhere you’re comfortable with…
My girlfriend and I are on a long distance relationship, believe it or not, we met online. The distance and time zone difference can be very challenging oftentimes, as she is currently doing her busiest semester in university.
What I have sent her for Valentine’s Day, is something of a message in a bottle, with the petals of her favorite flowers (they’re not from roses, if you’re wondering). The message could be anything which means a lot between the couple. It’s a chance for you to let your significant other know how special he or she is, and for those who are also on a long distance relationship, you could let your loved ones know what you’d be doing if you were there with them right now.
Good luck, to all the lovers out there in the most challenging of times.
helo i r going to give n anti valentine :p
lololololOlOLOlllllllllllololololl
my friend cut out a piece of the cole magazine to help me out. I visited the shop, and the bouquet of candies, is truly nice. highly recommended. But its run by 1 or 2 staff only. I ordered, Have u?
For me, spending time with your love ones with full of love and thoughts. No matter how or where you spend it but precious and lovely TIME. A big big big TIME. xxx
Gifts: Jewelleries
Roses (real) and Chocs
Cards
for my bf valentine gift
The best gift for your valentine is spend enough time with them and share all precious moments you both had in your life, its more valuable than the other gifts i feel.
select some photos you took during the time you knew each other & developed them, write your heartfelt words & memories you both had on those photos, compiled it into an album, & gave it to him/her.
Make something by hand. Better still, write a letter. Roses, chocolates and fancy dinners can be done by anyone who has the money, and it’s not personalised. To me, those who stick to material gifts aare taking the easy way out – they are either lazy or unable to express their feelings.
Cheers
for me, if i am the one who will receive the gift from a guy, a single flower (bouquet is also delighting) with a simple personalized love notes (could be a poem) will top em’all.. On the other hand, i want to give my love a personalized sketch/painting, could also be a self-made cd compilation of our photos with our theme song playing on the background, and all the heartful things i can add up to show my love for him.. It’s very practical, cheap, yet very meaningful gift made with creativity and deep love.
Helium Balloons!!!
Baking something for him! example like cheese cake and cookies.
Well, I’m old-fashioned so I still like the idea of having an un-rushed, extravagant dinner with my girlfriend with plenty of talk time. Because of the recent economic situation, there have been multiple newspaper articles on places to wine and dine with your loved one that are not tough on the wallet and still romantic.
If you have done the ‘candlelit dinner’ bit too often and want to try something else, why not do something that you always wanted to or never thought about trying? Example? I’ve seen the advert for the Duck and Hippo tours plenty of times and always thought to myself, “That looks like fun…” But I never got around to doing it. Like wakeboarding. Another option could be to rent some of your favourite (or been meaning to watch) movies, cook up some hot cocoa and smores, and cuddle up with that special him/her under a blanket. Or pack a light picnic lunch and head down to the Botanical Gardens (provided the weather is good!)
Whatever your decision, just remember that it’s a day to remember why you love and cherish him/her and to celebrate your union. Cheers!
In deed giving times + lots of teddy bear + flowers makes great valentine gift!! Check up the teddy bear that can talk and can hide a strings of 99 hearts in the bear tummy at this shop cool bear workstation. You would certainly melt your loved ones.
Mayb can try asking what he or she likes or needs.No surprise needed.tagthem along to get the gift.Having a home cooked meal is a nice way to spend valentines’ also.can cook together..is a romantic way to spend valentines’.=)
The best solution is to ask your girlfriend! By then, there will be no surprise already. You may ask yourself: will my surprise touch my girlfriend?
Some girls are those like something which is branded and expensive. But some girls want something out from your heart.
For me, I wish I can spend my V-day with my loved one in a cruise, watching the sea, hearing the sound…
That’s right! from there, you may wish to give something like an engagement ring?
Well, the precious metals and stones are giving up to 70% discounts… ^_^
Valentine’s Day is celebrated by many with alot of people always cracking their minds about what is the most romantic gift for the day. I think it’s not about the gift on the very day itself that is romantic. More importantly is the love, care and concern you’ll shower on your partner each and everyday. To be there for her whenever she needs someone, to be her support and her sunshine on a cloudy day. Let her feel that you are always around and loved.
What’s the point of buying the most romantic gift on Valentine’s Day, if most of the other 364 days you can’t be there when you are needed most.
Love is something that is never perfect, but a constant effort to work on it to make it so.
Now that is call Romance.
A self made card is a good idea!!! Its cheap and shows yr Valentine that you really put in the effort for the gift. I guess this will be the most treasured gift of all as you can put in words what you really feel.
I’m thingking of giving my partner couple of homemade valentine cupcakes I’ve seen online. I think it only cost $2 per pc. but if you can do it yourself, sure it will be more special. Happy Hearts Day!
Learn to say “I Love You” in 100 different languages.
Your partner will be touched and impressed. For those with poorer memory, 5 to 10 will do. Everything from the heart, remember?
Cook her a nice, healthy, simple dinner with candlelights. Put the tealights in a nice bottle container. Don’t let the florists exploit you. A single red rose with a lasting relationship is better than 99 roses that end with a divorce!
Be creative…..make your own card and don’t spend $5 to $10 on one!
Good luck!
For working couples, to fetch her after work and to have a dinner in a restaurant then have take outs for the kids. Don’t forget to give her something that will remind her when you were still courting her…Hhmmmm
Hi, I and my fiance are greatly in love for the past 3yrs. This yr we made a deal to get a Vday gift within $10. That was a real challenge but it was fun.I have gotten him boxers. Maybe couples should trying limiting gifts to $5 etc. Its more fun than getting expensive ones!!
A heart-shaped cuddle cushion that lets you record a message and play it back with a push of a button. I surprised her by hidding it behind the pillows. She played back my love message and was so moved that she hugged and cried. I didn’t give it to her on V-Day, but I think it will work the same.
a walk on the beachside,a romantic movie,or a quiet candlelit dinner accompanied with soft music…..i’m sure one of this is enough to open up ur hearts and bask in the love of ur loved ones.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Me and my boyfriend recently went hiking on one of the nature trails at habour front. Although we were exhausted by the end of it, just spending time alone (READ: alone…) and talking along the way made it alot more special then blowing $250 on a dinner =)
Cook a simple 3 course dinner for your love one at home. The effort that you put in is a labor of love. Of course, the roses have to be there during the candle lit dinner.
Having some romantic songs being played while having that dinner would even add to the magic.
refer to the qn: what Valentine’s gifts can you suggest for someone who is on a budget and why?
If a person who is on budget, I would suggest to do a DIY prototype. E.g. As I studied in electronics, so I do a simple DIY lightning LEDs in heart-shaped as a gift.
HI
cook his/her favourite food (not necessary complete menu) or sew or make a gift like using photo to make a bookmark, or knit a hat/cap,etc
I would prefer something that is personally made by the SO.. DIYs-both cost saving and creative will touch my heart when he spend effort, tots, time, on it eg.. photocards/scappbooking, DIY ornaments (Think of recycling maybe using items tat have special meaning in our relationship eg 1st necklace/bracket beads-maybe even spoilt already but still kept till date, tkt stub, things given to each other)
Personal touches are best if possible…
1) Candlelight dinner at home with a self prepared full course dinner. (Unless you can’t even cook buy takeaway as a backup.)
2) Do it yourself gifts (Anything done which links the times you’ve spent together or what it means to be.)
If you have a bad temper or any other bad habits, the best gift is for you to give your bad temper or any bad habits to Mr Incinerator so that you and your love ones can live peacefully happily ever after.
if you are on very good terms, sometimes a gift is not ncessasry, but a gift is a good surprise, it can be something useful, altho he/she may not need it..
On valentine day be creative. Make something from your hand. It will be more creative and skillful. Prepare dinner for him/her at the balcony or the garden.
[...] 11, 2009 YL Leave a comment Go to comments Read through the news in Yahoo and there was an article regarding what not to give on Valentine’s [...]