Valentines Day is coming and many men will be racking their brains with what to get their lady friends! I'll go through a few options- some of these are simple & obvious, others not so much. Some are expensive, others budget or even free.

Flowers
The most obvious Valentines Day present, flowers. I've been given roses twice now on Valentines Day, neither from actual boyfriends, once I actually had a boyfriend at the time. It seemed to require no thought at all if I'm honest but then I've never been a huge fan of flowers.
Of course if your missus is into flowers then by all means get them, but perhaps not roses, think about whether she has a favourite flower- my mum for instance loves carnations. If shes not the flower type she may not have a vase, my boyfriend got me flowers once when I'd just moved into a new place and I had to use a jug! Make sure you get quality flowers rather than reduced ones which will die in a day or two! Presentation is key.

Chocolates
Again a very obvious one. These would not be so suited for a girl whos still following a healthy new years resoloution. It would also be wise to know what her favourite chocolates are. I'm a chocolate fiend but theres not many boxes of chocolate (e.g. dairy milk tray/tin of roses) I genuinly like. If I was to be given chocolate for Valentines Day I'd rather a big bar of Galaxy!

Perfume
A common choice for Valentines presents. This one can be hard to choose. If she has a favourite perfume then its very easy! I would not necessarily buy a perfume you just like the look or smell of, some perfumes may smell great on a tester stick but not so much on the lady herself, I dont know why this is but its true!

Vouchers
Some men cower out with vouchers for a favourite clothes shop or perfume shop. Some ladies may prefer this option, I personally wouldn't, I'd like something my man picked out himself. To me vouchers just say "heres some money, get your own present". All the man has done is decide which shop you can get your present from!

Love Coupons
These are good for those who really cant afford anything. Otherwise they could be a nice side present. Love coupons are basically handmade coupons which can be exchanged for certain things e.g. massage, home made dinner, washing up etc. They can also be more erotic if you wish. You can do it the easy way and design and print using a computer. You could also be creative using coloured card, illustrate them, laminate them etc.

Suggested Gift
Some women give their men heavily obvious hints, has your lady left you any e.g. something she said she really wants or needs? And of course if you really dont know what to get her dont be afraid to ask for suggestions.

Underwear
Lingerie is a nice gift. If you don't know her size you can simply ask or have a sneaky rifle in her underwear drawer when you know she won't catch you. I wouldn't suggest guessing, its too easy to get it wrong and you could offend her!
Get something thats nice looking rather than perhaps just a gift for you. My current boyfriend has given me lingerie before and has got it so wrong. I've been given crotchless knickers...soo classy, never worn! Hes also got me two practically seethrough babydoll type things, despite knowing I'm tall so they're not long enough and he got a size smaller than I am so they're tight. Again, apart from trying these on theyve never been worn. Try ann summers, they have some lovely sets.

Clothes
I've heard of this as a gift before. I suggest that unless you exactly know her style or theres a piece shes obviously coveting then you don't go down this route. My boyfriend has tried to buy me clothes and bags before. These are a personal choice and if I'm honest he got it totally wrong. I didn't tell him because he'd be upset but he must know considering I've never worn them and always had an excuse why not, however I didn't lie and say I love them either.

Jewellery
I dont know if I'd suggest this. If you present her with a box that looks like a ring box or she finds an expensive reciept from a jewellers shes gonna think this is more than just a gift, which is fine if it is, romantic but if not I wouldn't risk it. And as with clothes jewellery is a personal choice, what one woman hates another woman adores.

Experience Vouchers
These can be a good gift if you're sure your girl will actually use them. I know if I gave my boyfriend one of these he'd intend to use it but probably never get round to booking it even if he really wanted to he'd end up loosing it or it would expire before he booked it.
Experience vouchers are good because you can tailor them to the sort of person she is. You could buy her a girly girl a pamper & spa day or a makeover and photoshoot. You can buy the adventerous girl a go round the racetrack in a ferrari or an afternoon zorbing. You can get the animal lover a meerkat meeting, the list goes on.

A meal
A meal is another obvious choice really. I doubt you'd get a booking at a decent resteraunt now though. However one venue that wont need a booking is your own home. You could decorate the place with a few nicely scented candles. If your quite a culinary guy you can show off, if not maybe prepare a luxury ready meal or practice the meal a few times in the days leading up to the date. Some girls would be happy with a takeaway- to be honest if my guy presented me with Chinese I'd be happy with that, I'm low maintenance but not all girls are so easy so unless you're sure i wouldnt start studying the local Chineses menu just yet!

Hamper
A hamper can be a nice gift, you can get these pre made but you can also make one yourself. Add to it little bits and bobs- a small valentines teddy, a bottle of her favourite wine, a few sweet treats she enjoys, a dvd shes been dying to watch, the list of things you could include in this is endless. You can get creative with it, adding in bits of shredded tissue paper or the like for decoration, finding a pretty basket you can place it all in etc.

Cinema- in our out
The cinema would be pretty packed on Valentines Day so if you want to do this you may have to book tickets fairly early to get a decent seat or indeed get a seat at all. You can also do the cinema experience indoors- get a good DVD, some popcorn & soda (or alcoholic beverages) all in the comfort of your own sofa with nobodies big head blocking your view and someone kicking your seat while you can barely stretch your legs.



The main thing to remember here is you dont NEED to spend a fortune, if you can afford to and want to then great but I've been happy when my pretty broke boyfriend presented me with just a card and snowglobe. We'd been paid 3 weeks ago so I wasnt expecting much, I'd bought his presents on payday to make sure I could get him something decent but in all honesty I didnt expect the same from him, I already knew him too well!
The shops like to lure us in with diamonds and luxury and ideas that you have to spend a fortune but its the small things like running your lady a bath, doing the washing up for her, or just small touches to a gift that show you've thought about it.
Valentines Day is just a day, your lady should know shes loved every day of every year of course as should you from her- however this doesnt mean do nothing. My sisters boyfriend told her that he hates Valentines Day and doesnt know why anyone should dictate what day he shows he loves her. He didnt even buy her a card. She was pretty pissed off. So do make a little bit of effort.