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Feb 14, 201207:44 AMBay Buzz

This One’s For The Boys

As the 5-minute timer ticked at the bottom of my screen, I rushed to type my credit card information and seal the deal on what I believed to be the most amazing bargain on concert tickets I had ever seen. Floor seats at the upcoming concert of one of my fiancé’s favorite bands were going to be the perfect Valentine’s Day present. The location and price of these tickets were such a steal, it almost seemed too good to be true.  That’s probably because it was.

Approximately 15 seconds after I received my purchase confirmation email, the sad reality of what I had just done became clear. Parking passes. That’s right, parking passes. I hadn’t snagged amazing seats at the concert; I had snagged an amazing space in the parking lot. Now what? Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” quite like a VIP parking spot at a concert I don’t have — and can no longer afford — tickets to, right?

We’ve all made these kinds of mistakes (or at least that’s what I keep telling myself).  So just in time for tomorrow’s festivities, I’ve compiled some helpful advice for the Mobile Bay men who are still searching for that perfect Valentine’s Day present. Follow these 7 Dos and Don’ts of Valentine’s Day gift-giving to ensure your day will be a success!

DO Get her a gift. This may sound like an obvious one, but it’s the first trick relationship newbies need to master. When you ask your significant other what she wants for Valentine’s Day, she will inevitably give a reply to the effect of “Oh, don’t worry about me! I don’t need a gift!” Beware of this statement! She really would like a gift; she just doesn’t want to sound presumptuous. It doesn’t have to be big, expensive or even a material gift at all. Just make sure you do something special for her to celebrate the day — that’s all she really wants.

DON’T Give her a gift card. I’m normally an avid proponent of gift cards, just not for Valentine’s Day. Gift cards can be interpreted as a last-minute purchase.

DO Buy her flowers. Yes, it’s completely unoriginal and expected, but what girl doesn’t love a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers? Add some innovation by selecting a bundle of her favorite flower in lieu of the standard red roses.

 

DON’T Buy her clothes. While the gesture is thoughtful, the risk of buying a size too large isn’t worth it.  Trust me.

DO Make her something. Some of my favorite Valentine’s presents from years past have been the ones involving markers and construction paper. Hand-made cards decorated with shapes that look a bit more like ice cream cones than hearts are priceless. Get creative and invest some time into it—it will go a long way!

DON’T Procrastinate. Dinner for two at her favorite restaurant is always a great idea, just not when you think of it the night before. Restaurants and flower shops book up quickly, so make sure to make plans well in advance.

DO Plan something for both of you. Strive to make a memory that will last a lot longer than a box of chocolates. Has she always wanted to learn how to play golf? Take her out on the links, and show her the ropes! Spending quality time together will mean more to her than any present will.