Valentine's Day Gifts

To me, Valentine’s Day has always seemed like a strange holiday: it can be the most romantic day of the year or completely forgettable. It all depends on how you choose to celebrate it, and above all what gift you give your partner.

Flowers and chocolates are two traditional Valentine’s gifts, but at this point they may have become a little too traditional. Yes, in movies, women always swoon for a dozen red roses, but think about it: chances are, you won’t be the first person to get her some flowers. Giving such a standard gift is like taping a sign to your forehead saying, “I didn't put much thought into this! I didn't take any time to consider you as an individual.” Jewelry is more complicated. Here, you can go very right or very, very wrong. Some types of jewellery are just as standard and dull as a box of store-bought chocolates (although typically much more expensive). A bracelet or a pair of earrings may be beautiful. But the real question is, do they express her unique personality in some way? Or are they just shiny objects, no different from all the other shiny objects she keeps unused in her jewellery box? Jewelry can be a great Valentine’s Day present, but you can’t just give her any old thing and expect her to be grateful. That’s why I really like the Pandora charms collection. Pandora offers over 600 unique charms, some gold, some silver, with many different precious stones and themes.

Charms make great personal gifts because a charm bracelet isn't just decoration—it tells a story. Each charm recalls the memory of a specific moment in her life, and she can carry those memories around with her wherever she goes. And no two charms are exactly alike. Pandora’s Pavé heart charms are elegant and glamorous, while the Love Bonds openwork charm is expressive and slightly unconventional. Think about how much better that is than some generic present. No one but you has ever given her a gift like this, so she’ll never forget where it came from. The enormity of the selection may seem daunting at first, but you can easily narrow your options down by thinking about what best suits her. Does she prefer gold or silver? Traditional or playful? If you don’t know—just ask! The Pandora line has something for every woman. By getting her a charm especially suited for her, you’re essentially telling her, “Nobody knows and understands you better than me.” And for most women, that sentiment is worth more than a truckload of boring old flowers.