Valentine’s Day gift guide

The level of the relationship is of the utmost importance in selecting the right gift for your love. Here’s a guide to either (1) inspire you, (2) make a no-effort decision for you, or (3) remind you that Valentine’s Day actually does exist and is, in fact, coming up soon.

February 2, 2011; 12:00 PM • by Tess Shebaylo

If chosen carefully and appropriately, a gift can declare your feelings without requiring a grand speech. The level of the relationship is of the utmost importance in selecting the right gift for your love. Here’s a guide to either (1) inspire you, (2) make a no-effort decision for you, or (3) remind you that Valentine’s Day actually does exist and is, in fact, coming up soon.

Crush

For her

Museum tickets. Whether she’s into modern art or local history, a couples’ day at a museum is definitely a DATE.

Cost: Anywhere from free to around $18, depending on where you go.
What it says: “I’m cultured, and I like you enough to want to spend time doing things that you’re interested in.”

For him

Card. Thanks to places like Mongrel, Quirk, and the ever-popular internet, card shopping has become painless.  Enjoyable, even.

Cost: $5 from Pug and Pony Press.
What it says: “I picked this fancy letterpress card especially for you, which means I like you, but I didn’t want to send you into a commitment-phobic hyperventilation attack by spending more than $5 on someone I’m not technically ‘in a relationship’ with.”

New Relationship

For her

Greetings rubber stamp kit. Infinitely more useful than flowers or chocolates, but even better when accompanied by those items.

Cost: $24.95 from Joggles.com.
What it says: “Yes, I do pay attention to you and know all about your quirky hobbies and affinity for anything sold in kit form.”

For him

Italian Air Force messenger bag. Stylish and simple, this printed satchel is perfect for filling with other things dudes need but don’t think to buy for themselves (Moleskine notebooks, plain Chapstik, etc.).

Cost: $40 from Meatbagz.
What it says: “Yes, I am listening when you randomly mention things you need, and if we’re going to keep hanging out all the time, I also want you to carry a bag that I don’t mind looking at.”

Long-Term Love

For her

Photo book. Fill a book with pictures from your fondest (G-rated) memories as a couple.  Romantic and fun.

Cost: $19.95 from Blurb.com.
What it says: “Yes, I remember all those amazing times we’ve had. I love you so much that it wouldn’t be embarrassing to me if people came over to our place, picked this book up off the coffee table, and sighed over our favorite moments.”

For him

T-shirt quilt. Get rid of those 97 confounded t-shirts he doesn’t wear without really making him throw them away.

Cost: Free if you do it yourself, $120 for a 12-t-shirt quilt on Tshirtquilt.com.
What it says: “Yes, that black metal festival / renaissance faire / technology conference was a blast! I love you so much that I want to honor your favorite memories, but I don’t think those memories should continue taking up an entire dresser in our house.”

February 2, 2011 12:00 PM 6