A gift-giving guide for Valentine's Day

Common+Valentines+Day+Gifts

Nikitha Gajula | Staff Photograp

Common Valentines Day Gifts

By Maddie Galassi

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, the pressure is on to get that special someone in your life something thoughtful and creative. Whether you’ve been together for years or weeks, or whether you’re searching for something thoughtful for a friend, it can always be a challenge to find the perfect gift. 

Here is a gift guide sure to please all of your Valentines:

For the best friend:

Getting a gift for a friend on Valentine’s Day is a cute reminder that your significant other isn’t the only one on your mind. An excellent gift that won’t break the bank is a Valentine’s Day baked treat, which will show them that they’re on your mind and that you took the time to make them something special! Conversation Heart Cookies will satisfy any sweet tooth and are a great twist on conversation heart candies that are essential to any Valentine’s Day. Chocolate Covered Strawberries are another elegant classic that’s sure to please.

For the romantic:

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Although some try to steer clear of cliché Valentine’s Day gifts, the classics are exactly what most romantics look forward to most during the holiday. A bouquet of flowers is easily attainable from Campus Florist, and it is a Valentine’s Day staple. A box of chocolates, although predictable, is what many hopeless romantics look forward to for Valentine’s Day, and it’s hard to go wrong with a box of yummy treats. Fannie May in Champaign has the candy necessary to make the day extra sweet. 

For your long-term partner:

Gift-giving can get tough when you’ve been with someone for years worth of holidays. Opting for a nice dinner out and a night of Netflix can end up being more fun (and less stressful), than picking out gifts. Big Grove Tavern, located at 1 E. Main St. Champaign, is a perfect combination of relaxed and delicious for a casual date. If you’re searching for something more upscale, Miga, located at 301 N. Neil St., has Asian-influenced cuisine with a wide variety of options.

For your first Valentine’s Day together:

A first Valentine’s Day with a significant other brings an added amount of pressure to make it memorable. It’s hard to go wrong with a piece of jewelry for the girl in your life, like this Linked Heart Ring from Pandora, that will leave her, and your wallet, happy. For him, a watch like this one from Fossil is a classic gift choice that is useful and will show how much you care. 

For the person you’re not-quite-dating yet:

One of the hardest people to get a gift for is the person you’re not sure if you should get a gift for. For the person you’re just starting to see, a funny or cute card like these from Etsy show that you’re acknowledging Valentine’s Day but aren’t going overboard.

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