By: Kristen Lotze

Valentine’s Day is this week and you know what that means: time to buy more gifts! If you’re like me, you’ve probably just gotten all your Christmas goodies put away, now it’s time to be creative again and put those shopping skills to the test. Shopping for Valentine’s Day can be a little trickier than Christmas shopping, but fear not; the following is a list of suggestions help you come up with some great gift ideas for your significant other (starting with most expensive to least):

Gifts for Her:

1) Jewelry: I hate to play the stereotype, but guys, women love jewelry. It’s pretty, it’s sparkly, and it shows that you’re invested in your relationship. This gift is popular among couples who have been together for a while, but there’s no set rule on giving the jewels! And jewelry doesn’t have to break the bank in order to have a lasting impact. You can get legit jewelry for fairly cheap, and if you’re going to make the investment, real gold/silver is the way to go.

2) Couples activity: Caution: not for beginners! This suggestion works best for couples who know each other well. Has your girlfriend been nagging you about taking her to the ballet? An art show? Cheesy chick flick? Whatever it is, now is the time to do it. Show her you’ve been listening and can at least feign interest in something she likes. Original/sentimental gifts always resonate more than something store-bought. Just sayin’.

3) Dinner out/meal in: This is a no brainer. Every year, most of the restaurants in the city become a haven for besotted couples out for a nice meal. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with having a nice dinner out to celebrate your relationship. If it’s within your budget, and you’re able to get into your favorite restaurant, a nice meal is always appreciated. If you’re on a budget, consider cooking a meal for your date. It’s cheaper, (probably) healthier, more intimate, and most women love a man who can cook!

4) Flowers: I know, I know; lame, right? Overdone? You might be right, but you would be surprised at how many times I’ve heard girls say they love getting flowers. The tricky part–to avoid the cliche–is to figure out what her favorite flower is. If you can do that, you’re golden. If not, most girls aren’t going to be disappointed if they receive a dozen roses, but I suggest aiming for originality. If you’re not well-versed in botany (and I’m guessing most of you are not), you can always ask the florist for suggestions to help make a unique gift for your valentine.

5) Candy/chocolates/a card: This one is more appropriate for couples who are newly dating/not serious. It’s the equivalent of the elementary school valentine-in-shoebox ritual. It’s not by any means the worst gift idea, (at least you’re doing something), but it’s not guaranteed to cause the recipient to swoon either. Expect more of a polite “thank you” and maybe a friendly hug or kiss on the cheek. Then again, some girls are anti-Valentine’s Day–but still secretly like getting a gift–so something smaller might still have the desired effect.

Gifts for Him:

1) Electronics: Ladies, this is like the male version of jewelry. The newest gadget or Xbox One game is sure to be a big hit. You may not see your boyfriend for a while after you give him said new toy, but think about how happy you’re making him!

2) Activity: Who’s ready for skydiving? Snowboarding? Extreme frisbee golf? It’s been shown that men tend to bond most with the people with whom they share adrenaline-fueled adventures. Look at how they act with their friends–they get into all sorts of debauchery together and it makes them closer. Boys are strange. Nonetheless, finding an activity to enjoy together may not be as hard as you think; Groupon, for example, has plenty of deals to suit just about anyone’s tastes. Another big one to consider: tickets to a sporting event. It’s pretty easy to figure out where your significant others allegiances lie. If you can’t snag some tickets to a live game, consider getting them a sports-themed gift with their favorite team’s insignia on it (clothing, hat, big foam finger, etc.).

3) Food: Enough said. Anything edible will suffice.

4) Card or text: You would be surprised at the effectiveness of something this simple. Most guys don’t expect grand gestures on Valentine’s Day, so a simple text or a funny card will most likely make their day.

The most important thing to remember when shopping is to do your best to be original, and personalize your gift selection to your significant other. Think about their hobbies, likes/dislikes, etc., versus just picking up a $5 stuffed animal at the local gas station in a last minute rush. The more original you are, the more points you score, so brainstorm some ideas and get to shopping! And whatever your gift selection, have a happy Valentine’s Day!