Avoiding bad romance: Six gifts your valentine will actually want

BY ISABELLA MARCON

Want to find the perfect gift for that special someone in your life, but can’t think of anything original and unique? Here’s a list on how you can turn ordinary Valentine’s Day presents into heartfelt, one-of-a-kind gifts.

1. A box of chocolates

Everyone is familiar with the inexpensive boxes of chocolates that can be easily found at any local drugstore, but how can you turn something so basic into a personalized masterpiece? Upgrade the box of chocolates by creating a photo collage, poem or piece of original art showing how much that special someone means to you. Attach it to the inside of the lid for a unique and meaningful surprise.

2. A bouquet of roses

There’s no better way to show your love for someone than to give them a grocery store rose bouquet. Of course, there are a few ways that you can make those flowers stand out from the rest. Embellish the bouquet by adding colorful tissue paper and a nice bow. Finish it off with a personalized card and now you’ve got a one-of-a-kind bouquet!

3. The teddy bear

Whether it be just for the aesthetic or to cuddle up with at night, everyone loves a plush teddy bear. But the one thing the teddy bear is lacking is a personal touch. Build-A-Bear Workshop is not only the center of teddy bear making, but plush making in general. Ranging from choosing your own plushie to picking the perfect outfit for your plushie, there are no limits to plush personalization at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

4. Homemade dinner

For many, it’s not the easiest task to create the perfect home-cooked meal in order to impress your significant other. Here’s the solution: pizza. Create the perfect pizza by shaping it into a heart with your special interest’s favorite toppings. You can’t go wrong with pizza.

5. Jewelry

Most people would prefer something meaningful and from the heart, rather than something that is just expensive. If you’re able to, it would be a great idea to make your own jewelry. There are a number of websites that could help if you choose this task. For everyone else, there are some creative vendors online where you can find the perfect piece of jewelry to show that special someone how you feel.

6. Fruit baskets

There are a number of beautiful, edible arrangements in the form of Valentine’s Day fruit baskets. For the health-conscious or athletic someone in your life, there is always the edible fruit basket, featuring plump strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, grapes and pineapple. I’m only kidding, of course, nobody really wants a fruit basket. Instead, why not fill a basket with your valentine’s favorite things? No one knows your valentine better than you.

In a world where everything seems to have a price in matters of love, it’s better to forego emptying the pocketbook and instead speak from the heart. Hopefully, these ideas will have you well on your way to the best Valentine’s Day yet.

Photo by Kayla Florenco