Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Do you know what you’re getting your sweetie for the most romantic day of the year?

We all know the traditional gifts for this February holiday: candy, jewelry, flowers, cologne, perfume, teddy bears, and dinner and a movie. These gifts are all nice and well, but they’re traditional and predictable.

Don’t get me wrong, I love flowers, perfume, and especially chocolate, but these types of things are expected on Valentine’s Day. Let’s go outside the box a little bit and try something different and unique.    

First off, don’t worry about having the most romantic gift in the world to give to your sweetie. You’ll just stress yourself out more than anything else. There are plenty of gifts out there to give to your loved one on Valentine’s Day, and they don’t have to cost much at all.

You don’t have to buy her a $250 necklace or a $90 bottle of cologne for him. Pay attention to what your sweetie loves to do. If he or she has a favorite hobby, base your gift on that. Get fishing gear for your fisherman or a craft kit for your innovative gal. When you know what your significant other is into, there are endless amounts of possibilities for gifts.       

Creativity can also play a key part in choosing a Valentine’s gift. If you’ve been with your honey for a while, get a shadowbox and put little trinkets in it from past dates in it, like ticket stubs or dried flowers.

You could even make a collage of your favorite pictures of each other, a CD of all his or her favorite songs, or you could write a love letter or poem. Sometimes the best gifts come straight from the heart.

Second, don’t worry about making the night absolutely perfect. The higher your expectations, the more likely your Valentine’s won’t be as perfect as you thought. Who says you have to go out for dinner anyways?

Cooking a homemade meal together can be more romantic than actually going out to a fancy restaurant. Plus, it’s cheaper and you can be alone. If you mess up the recipe a little bit, just laugh it off.

Another idea that fits the season and is really romantic is ice skating. Even if the two of you have never done it, it’s worth giving it a try. Although you won’t be alone, you’ll be trying something new together, so neither one of you will have any expectations because you won’t know what do expect!

The last and most important thing is to just be with that special person.  

If it’s love, there’s nothing better than spending time with your sweetie. Life can become so hectic, it’s just nice to relax with your loved one and spend the whole day together. Both of you need a break, so take a break together.

Maybe you can find a hobby to enjoy, go on a mini-vacation, or rent movies and cuddle on the couch. Whatever you decide to do, do it together and really savor every minute of it.

If you’re still struggling with what to do or what to give, here are some links that may help give the left side of your brain a boost:

http://holidays.lovingyou.com/valentine/

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftstomake/tp/ValetinesDayGifts.htm

http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/ 

http://www.celebrations.com/valentines-day

Even if you don’t go on an expensive date or exchange extravagant gifts, you and your sweetie can still have the perfect Valentine’s Day just being with the person you love, sharing a homemade gift (and a small box of chocolates), and spending the night in, is romantic enough.