Top Ten Valentine's Day Gifts

Valentine's Day is the day for lovers, so of course you need to show your significant other some serious affection. The best way to do that, besides hugging, kissing and saying "I love you," is by presenting him/her with a thoughtful and unique Valentine's Day gift. Don't just go out and buy any old thing though, you have to put some heart into it. The best Valentine's Day gifts, after all, are the ones that come straight from the heart, not straight from the top rack at the local drug store.

Typical Valentine's Day fare includes red roses, boxes of chocolates, teddy bears and all the romantic cards that one can imagine. And while these are all very nice gestures, they're also very commonplace and un-spontaneous (except for the cards, those are a necessity). This year, why not make it crystal clear to your other half just how much in love with them you are? Why not splurge a little (or a lot!) to get your point across? Make this Valentine's Day gift one they'll always remember. Get creative, and choose one (or more) of these inventive Valentine's Day gifts for your beloved this year:

1. Buy your Valentine a star: That's right. Go to the International Star Registry and you can name and buy your very own star. Now that is cool. They even have different packages to choose from: custom, deluxe and ultimate. You can even choose a Couple's Star Group if you want to buy for yourself, too. This Valentine's Day gift is sure to shine!
2. For her: Go to your local florist, and order a dozen (or 13) roses, but send her a rose an hour throughout the day. At the end of the day she will have 12, or you can even add a 13th rose to make a baker's dozen (and to send extra love). You might have to pay a little extra for all the deliveries but it's worth it. Try to send different color roses each time so she has a beautiful, full-color bouquet by the end of the day.
3. How about creating your Valentine a special homemade gift basket? Buy a large wicker basket at a local craft store and fill it with different amenities. For him, get some DVDs, his favorite wine or beer, a fancy universal remote, some CDs, and his favorite snack foods. For her, fill it with massage oils, bubble bath, her favorite teas and cookies, some scented candles, and her favorite gourmet chocolates, like See's Candies or Godiva. If you would prefer to get a pre-assembled gift basket, check out the wide selection at GourmetGiftBaskets.com.
4. Make it a romantic date night with tickets to the theatre. See a musical or play but have a nice private dinner beforehand.
5. Make a luxurious, pampering couple's date by going to the local spa. Get couple's massages, mud baths and facials. Most spas serve champagne or fresh teas while you are being serviced.
6. Make your personalized Valentine's Day gift a special date night. If you live in an appropriate climate, create a candlelight picnic dinner. Stake out a good spot at a local nature reserve or park and spread out a cozy blanket, some candles, and a picnic basket of wines, cheeses and crackers, fresh fruits and finger foods. If you live in a winter climate, go night-skiing at the local slopes and sip hot cocoa afterwards in the lodge.
7. Create a photo album filled with pictures of your relationship, and memories of years gone by. This is a personalized Valentine's Day gift that will last forever!
8. Make Valentine fortune cookies. Fill the fortune cookies with your own personal messages. Order a Chinese food dinner in, sit by candlelight, and then surprise your sweetie with these customized fortunes after dinner!

Whatever Valentine's Day gift you decide to give your lover this holiday, make sure you don't forget the Valentine's Day card! AmericanGreetings.com offers a unique selection of printable Valentine's Day cards, from funny to heartfelt to romantic, so there's one perfect for every type of Valentine. Be honest and sincere in the card; tell your better half just how much they mean to you and pour on the sappy sentiments!