Valentine's Day Gifts for Women

It is no surprise that women enjoy receiving Valentine's Day gifts.  However, it's not always easy choosing the right gift, especially if you are in a new relationship. To make choosing something a little bit easier, read on about the most common gifts given for Valentine's Day. Find the one that best fits the stage in which your relationship is in, whether you are just getting to know one another or if you have been dating for several years.

If you are married, have children, or even just want something out of the ordinary, there are many other options for showing your affection on Valentine's Day. Check out these non-traditional gifts for women that steer clear of the same old flowers  and chocolate  routine.

Flowers and Chocolate

The traditional flowers  and chocolates  are always a safe bet when you are strapped for ideas. Prices vary according to quality and quantity. You can spend as little as $20 or up to $100 or more depending on how gourmet you want to go. This is a perfectly suitable gift for newbies, but equally appreciated if you have been together for a while. Mix it up a bit. If you bought your lovely lady flowers at other times throughout the year, give her a different kind for V-Day. Make the gift last. If you want the gift to last longer than a week and you don't mind spending a little more, consider getting a gift that arrives monthly, such as a bouquet of the month  certificate. You may also think about a bulb of the month kit  for a woman with a green thumb. Get creative. For the creative guy whose lady loves the garden, give her a pretty wicker basket full of bulbs, seeds, gloves, and a new set of gardening tools. Or if you are really creative (and a handy with a hoe) consider digging up the garden yourself and planting her a garden ahead of time (as early as fall for bulbs). See the Regional Gardening Guides Directory to see when and what you can plant. Be sweet. Chocolates are usually a favorite, but they can be a gift that takes a turn for the worst if you are not careful. Women on diets and girls who worry about their figures are probably better off with flowers. On the other hand, if your girl is a slave at the gym and rarely treats herself to sweets, make this a special occasion to give her some decadent chocolates. Also see the Valentine's Day Gifts for Chocolate Lovers guide for more hints about giving chocolates. Birthday suit bliss. For some, plain old chocolates simply won't do. Get racy with chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, or some other chocolate concoction and use your imaginations!

Jewelry

Jewelry  lasts longer than flowers  or chocolates  and will remind her of you every time she wears it. There are many types of jewelry in every price range: inexpensive but attractive pieces to suit many tastes, as well as luxury items with precious gemstones. Jewelry is a fine gift at just about any stage in a relationship. Just make sure not to spend too much in the beginning stages. Try to keep it under $50. At about 6 months feel free to spend up to $100. You get the idea. Just make sure to consider her personality when choosing a piece. Also, hold that diamond for a special occasion, namely a proposal. However, Cubic Zirconia  is a great substitute for a diamond  and does not burn a hole in your pocket. Whatever you do, make sure that you know the woman well enough to choose a piece that she will wear. If not, stick with something simple. Plain silver and gold is usually a safe bet. Note whether she prefers gold or silver, stones or gems, polished contemporary jewelry or something more Bohemian. If she likes bold pieces that's one thing, but if she prefers something understated make sure not to go overboard. There is nothing worse than accepting a gift knowing that you would never be caught dead wearing it!

Perfume

Fragrances are always a good choice if you have been dating more than six months. Expect to spend at least $40, if not up to $70 for a single bottle of designer perfume.  There are a few ways to guarantee that this choice won't backfire on you, such as following the tips below and reading the Guide to Perfume. Ask ahead of time what she wears. But don't be stale and get her the same thing! Remember the name. Look it up to find out which "notes" it has, such as citrus, floral, or oriental (broad categories are supplemented by more specific undernotes such as vanilla, amber, rose, etc.). When shopping you can then compare the "notes" of her favorite fragrance to others. Choose the fragrance which most closely matches the tones in her favorite scent. You can also opt for a gift set  of small fragrances by a particular manufacturer. A set will include several small bottles of five or six of their top sellers to give a lady a taste of all the fragrances without being stuck with one that she doesn't enjoy. If you are still unsure about which scent your lady prefers, perhaps a gift certificate to a perfume shop would be more your speed. Careful, though, gift certificates can seem impersonal and may turn her off.

Clothes and Accessories

Clothing  can be a tough gift to choose, even when you know a woman very well. Most women are very picky! They don't like certain colors, or fabrics, cuts, or designs -- you name it! Plus, selecting the right size always seems to baffle men. Make sure that you and your partner have good body confidence before embarking on this journey. Cost varies, but even nice gifts can be relatively inexpensive. Accessories  are always safe if you are unsure about sizes; think hats,  gloves,  a scarf,  or handbag.  Silk pajamas.  Not too racy, but sweet, luxurious, and also functional. Camisoles and shorts sets  are also nice, perfect for younger women. A fluffy terry-cloth robe  or a seducive satiny one is safe when you are unsure about sizes. Make sure to choose the fabric that best suits her personality. If she is a homebody she would probably enjoy something warm and comfortable like a fleece  or luxurious terrycloth made from Egyptian  or Turkish cotton.  If she tends towards the fashionista end of the spectrum she may prefer something more luxurious like silk  or satin.

Lingerie

Lingerie  is a tricky area that shouldn't be ventured into until you have been together for at least 7 months or so. Know your woman well before racing off to get her that seductress black leather  number. Remember, you don't want the lingerie  to scare her. However, don't be afraid to go sexy. If you have been in her boudoir, you probably have gotten a sense of her fashion style both on the outside and underneath. Make sure that you are both comfortable with your body image before going into this category. One rule of thumb: always trust your best instincts. When in doubt, make a date to go together to choose something you both would like. Or just buy her a nice piece of jewelry instead. For ultra-feminine ladies, items with lace or ribbon details, soft colors or patterns. For modern chics, solids, fun artsy prints, and bold colors without frills. Sure-fire bets: Victoria's Secret,  La Perla,  and FigLeaves.

Health and Beauty

Women love to be pampered. Beauty products are usually a good choice, but I don't mean buying her wrinkle or blemish cream (unless of course you are looking to break up with her). Keep it simple and light for beginning relationships, and feel free to indulge if you have been together for awhile. Depending on where you live, for $100-$300 you can treat your lovely lady to a day at a local spa where she can get a facial, massage, hair treatment, or manicure/pedicure. The more money you put down, the more she gets; perfect gift from a husband to wife for any holiday. For an inexpensive alternative (under $30), opt for a spa gift set  of bath gels, soaps, creams, and the like. They last for several uses, help relax her, and treat her bod to a luxurious spa-like experience within the comfort of her own home- or yours. Some particularly nice brands to try are Avon,  Aveda,  Bath and Body Works,  Philosophy,  Sephora,  etc... Does your significant other seem stressed? Opt for some soothing aromatherapy oils  or candles.  Maybe try an eye mask.