Sweet Gifts for Your Sweetie ⋆ College Magazine

By Ally Lopez > Senior > Journalism > University of Maryland, College Park; Photos by AR > Sophomore > Graphic Design > UMBC

With only one week until the most romantic day of the year, the question stands: what in the world are you supposed to get for your Valentine? With your barely-there wallet in mind, here are some gift suggestions that will be sure to woo your love this year, however deep your relationship.

Crush/not yet committed

For her: Listen up guys, whether you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level or not, your gift (or lack of) carries a lot of meaning on this day of romance. “I want to be spoiled by my Valentine with the best he can offer,” said Kaitlin Rodriguez, a freshman at the University of the District of Columbia. If you’re looking for a totally noncommittal gift, a box of chocolates is the perfect choice—but stay away from tacky, cheap drugstore brands and go for classy finds such as Godiva or Swiss Colony . However, if you’re looking for a gift that shows you’re ready to step it up a notch, then consider making an early trip to her dorm and bringing or making a special V-Day breakfast (with your chocolates in hand, of course).

For him : Contrary to popular belief, or mine at least, Valentine’s Day is not all about the ladies. “Guys deserve a little something, too,” said Keith Engler, a senior at Northwestern University. “Even if it’s just a card, anything that shows she’s thinking of you is pretty sweet.” Channel your inner Martha Stewart and whip up your best batch of sweets for your next study session with that guy you’ve been crushing on during lecture. If you need a something with a subtle hint, give him a guy-friendly romantic comedy, like High Fidelity or About a Boy , that you two can watch together in your snuggies while eating your homemade treats.

New romance

For her: “ What living, breathing girl doesn’t love flowers?” asked Rodriguez. Don’t feel limited to getting your girlfriend a dozen, long-stemmed red roses – opt for a bouquet of her favorite flowers. If you’re feeling gutsy, take different spin on the bouquet with a cookie bouquet. If she’s not a flower-child, browse through the best Facebook pictures you can find, and put together a calendar, like this Shutterfly one, so she has something to smile at all year long.

For him: Josh Sandler, a junior at the University of California, San Diego says that although Valentine’s is certainly all about the ladies, a little gift wouldn’t hurt. Valentine’s themed boxers or a copy of All About Us , a book of questions to get to know one another better, are perfect for your boyfriend. “I wouldn’t normally expect a gift from a girl I just started dating, but a something small might make me see her in a different light,” Sandler added.

Long-term relationship

For her: Your exquisite girlfriend deserves an exquisite piece of jewelry. This gorgeous heart bangle bracelet is a sure to be a material sign of your love for her! For a gift that keeps on giving, look into KindNotes , a unique idea of 31 sweet messages from you

enclosed in a jar for her to open whenever she needs a feel-good moment. “Guys don’t always have the perfect thing to say to their girl at any given moment, but this gift is a perfect close second. I know my girlfriend would love that,” said Engler.

For him: For weekend nights in, what better way to turn a boring night in, into a fun night going down memory lane… literally! Check out this spin on a classic game with a personalized game sheet called Loveopoly . A more serious option for your serious relationship is this secret message tie that he’ll need for upcoming job fairs and interviews, and hey, the thought of him always thinking about you just warms your heart.

Whatever your hearts and wallets have in store, just remember: it’s the thought that counts. Happy Valentine’s Day!