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Give a Personal Valentine's Day Gift

© Amy Cunningham, Editor

As I was sitting in traffic listening to the radio this morning, I happened to catch the end of a little Valentine's Day chat.

As one lady began talking about her favorite Valentine's Day gift from her husband and I could practically see her smile through the airwaves. A couple of years ago, her husband surprised her with a standard Valentine's Day gift (flowers, candy, or what not - she couldn't actually recall) and a Strawberry Shortcake sleeping bag. The standard gift was thoughtful and romantic she said, but Strawberry Shortcake had been a childhood favorite of hers. Years later, it's the sleeping bag that she recalls with fondness and love rather than the flowers.

Giving gifts with a personal touch shows that you truly know your partner. It shows a deep understanding of the one person who is your best friend and lover wrapped into one. A Strawberry Shortcake sleeping bag may not be the first thing you think of when you think of a romantic Valentine's Day gift, but even the most seemingly unromantic gifts can be incredibly romantic in the right context.

When you select a romantic gift for your partner, take a moment to ask yourself how personal the gift really is compared to other possibilities. Ten years down the road, will this be the gift, the day, the moment that stands out in his or her mind?

Giving a personal Valentine's Day gift doesn't mean you have to forgo the traditional romantic gifts like jewelry, flowers, etc. The key is to relate these gifts to your sweetie and your relationship.

In talking to a friend the other day about the upcoming holiday, she told me the story of her most memorable Valentine's Day gift. Her husband gave her a three stone diamond ring; the same one that you see advertised frequently in commercials. While the ring was stunning, it was his presentation that made her fall head over heels again.

When he got down on one knee (yes, again!) and proceeded to tell her that Valentine's Day was all about love and this ring represented all of the love that he had for her. The first stone was about their past, their history together, the memories they've made, and the love that has grown thus far. The middle stone represented their present, the love he felt for her right at this minute, this second, and the memories they were creating right now. The third stone represented their future and the love that would continue to grow through the years.

This Valentine's Day, give a gift that's personal and from the heart. These are the gifts that memories are made from.

When selecting a more personal gift, ask yourself these questions?

1. What does this gift represent? Does it represent his/her past? Your future together?
2. What kind of meaning does the gift have to the recipient?
3. Does this gift have special meaning in your relationship?

Asking yourself these questions will guide you towards the perfect gift.

If you're stuck Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

1. A toy that he loved when he was a young boy.
2. A first edition copy -- or signed copy -- of their favorite book.
3. Cook their favorite meal from childhood.
4. Go to dinner at the restaurant where you had your first date.
5. Give a DVD copy of the first movie you saw together.
6. Get tickets to her favorite band from her youth.
7. Cook her favorite dinner from her favorite restaurant at home.
8. Go away for the weekend to the most memorable vacation spot of their childhood.
9. A piece of jewelry that really represents your love.
10. Create a scrapbook filled with photos and memories of your relationship.