VALENTINES'S DAY GIFT IDEAS

    

    * What You Need To Know
    * Chocolate is the official source of nutrition on Valentine's Day.
    * Lingerie is a tricky but rewarding gift -- do your research on which pieces will suit your woman.
    * Women love to be pampered, so at-home spa gear is a great go-to purchase.


Valentine’s Day can go one of two drastically different directions: 1) Execute it perfectly and you will be basking in adoration for the next 365 days; or 2) Drop the ball and you spend the next 365 days trying to correct the error of your ways. Don’t fret, though, making your partner’s day is easier than it seems. Case in point: These can’t-fail gifts that let her know she’s the center of your world.

 Expensive, soft cotton bed sheets are not something that a girlfriend really needs. Which is why they would make an excellent pampering Valentine’s Day present. She might think you’ve gone overboard, but once you slip between the smooth sheets together, she’ll understand. The bonus for you is that it will make her want to stay in bed all day! Look for Egyptian cotton with a thread count of at least 400 and go for a designer brand like these from DKNY.

 Flowers are always a popular choice for Valentine’s Day and a pretty safe option regardless of how long you’ve been with your girl. Casual girlfriends and wives alike love getting flowers. Go classic for Valentine’s Day with long-stemmed red roses or think outside of the box with a delicate orchid.

 Lingerie is another Valentine’s Day gift that benefits the gift-giver as much, if not more, than the gift-receiver. It’s a win-win situation. Sizing can be difficult when it comes to underwear. The best way to make sure you’re getting the right size is to take a look at one of her bras when she’s not looking and write down what you find on the tag. You could also go with a sexy slip, nightie or teddy since these items usually come in standard sizes like Small, Medium and Large. Victoria’s Secret has five pages of Valentine-themed lingerie for you to choose from. It goes, without saying, though, that this is definitely not a first-date gift.

 It’s not that the massages you give her aren’t good enough. It’s just that getting a massage from a professional means that she can totally relax and let trained hands work her stress away. Do your research and find a spa or massage studio that provides an all around soothing atmosphere. Start your search with SpaFinder.com.

 Perfume can be a risky buy since everyone’s preferences are different, but if you choose something that you would love to smell on her every day, she will definitely appreciate the sentiment. If you don’t know her scent of choice, try Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Gioia, which is exactly what it claims to be, “A clean, incredibly fresh, aquatic scent that is ultra-approachable, yet memorable.” It comes in a variety of forms, including shower gel, hair mist, body lotion and a special Valentine’s Day gift collection.

Sensual body products
Let her know you’re in the mood for love by giving her a gift of sensual body products. Kama Sutra offers a variety of products made of natural ingredients that serve as the ultimate foreplay aids. Their gift sets offer smaller sizes of popular items like Oil of Love, Pleasure Balm, Honey Dust, Massage Oil, and Body Souffle, so you can try out a little of everything!

Spa gear
Help turn her own bathroom into a relaxing spa experience by getting her everything she needs to pamper herself. Start with some smells-good-enough-to-eat bath and body products. Don’t forget some candles, an essential oil burner or a reed diffuser to set the mood. You can get everything you need at The Body Shop.

Chocolates
Chocolate is the go-to gift for romantic occasions that will never fail you. Avoid the trap of your run-of-the-mill chocolate, though, and go for a brand that defines quality and taste. Lindt LINDOR truffles are guaranteed to be irresistibly smooth and delicious. Plus, they come in red and pink packaging, and in heart shapes for Valentine’s Day.