5 spot: Need help picking a Valentine’s Day gift?

FARGO – Did you find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift yet?
Feb. 14 can be a big day for those of us lucky enough to have found our match, but it’s not all about how much we spend on meals and gifts. That’s why it’s worth thinking through the options before we spend our budget on something that won’t woo our significant other.
Here are some tips that could make preparing for Valentine’s Day a little less stressful.
A memorable twist
There’s nothing wrong with a nice bouquet, but Annette Shotwell, co-owner of Shotwell Floral in Fargo, said it helps to know the recipient’s favorite color or preferred flower so the bouquet can be customized.
Consider purchasing a keepsake vase, she said. A good glass vase can be refilled annually or on other special occasions, such as the birth of a child or an anniversary, giving your loved one something to look forward to.
“That’s a wonderful thing because that’s a memory,” she said.
Or, get a gardening book and gift card to a favorite local nursery for a surprise the green thumb in your life can use in the spring.
Let them choose
Hate shopping, or don’t trust your own jewelry judgment? Have your loved one make a wish list to make it easy.
Many jewelry stores, including Wimmer’s Diamonds in Fargo, allow customers to create a registry of items they’re interested in. Their loved one can stop by after that to see what’s on the list and make a purchase.
“It makes it real easy for the husband or boyfriend to come in and look at the items and decide or pick one,” said Nancy Brenk, a certified gemologist appraiser at Wimmer’s.
Pick up a sweet gift
Chocolates have been a go-to part of a Valentine’s Day present for years, and Carol Widman Kennedy said it’s still a welcome gift today.
“I don’t know too many people that don’t love chocolates,” said the co-owner of Carol Widman’s Candy Co. in Fargo. “It’s a very traditional thing to give.”
The candy store offers different sizes and weights of boxes for Valentine’s Day, she said, and carries heart-shaped boxes and tins for the holiday.
Customers can choose their own candies to fill a box if they know the recipient’s preferences – dark or milk chocolate, for example. Otherwise they can pick up a pre-filled assortment.
Just don’t wait until the last minute, she said.
Something to share
Couples share many parts of their lives, so it can make sense to buy a gift that’s meant for both to enjoy.
For example, booking a hotel room and airline tickets for a trip for two would make a great gift for a significant other who loves traveling – and even better, they’ll get to share the experience with the one they love.
Or, sign up for an annual membership at a favorite local museum, zoo or social club that they’ll be able to experience throughout the next year.
Keep a list
This might not help much this Valentine’s Day, but the best thing I’ve learned about gift-giving is to pay attention year-round.
I don’t make a big deal about it, but I keep a list on my phone where I can store notes when an idea strikes me. My partner mentioned once that he was running out of places to store his hats, for example, so I looked around months later and bought a nice hat rack last year that he loves.
By simply making a note, I have a running list of gift ideas that come in handy throughout the year – his birthday, our anniversary, maybe even just a big achievement at work.
This tactic proves you listen to your loved one, and it can help make the gift-buying process a breeze when the next holiday rolls around.
Pay attention, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to come up with something memorable.