Valentine gifts on a budget

By Nicholas Rader
Richwood High School

Most guys think Valentine’s Day is just a clever rouse for girls to get another present. And some guys definitely go overboard on how much they spend for their girlfriends on this holiday - after all, Christmas was just a month and a half ago. I think that if $25 isn’t enough for your girl, then it’s time for you to move on and find someone who appreciates both you and that old philosophy of “It’s the thought that counts.”

If you have to buy a gift, see if you can get your girlfriend to give you a hint. You don’t have to ask her what she wants, but pay attention and see if she mentions wanting a certain movie, book, CD or something like that. That will make your life much easier.

If she doesn’t, you’ll have to come up with something on your own. If you’ve got money to spend, here are some suggestions for gifts that are nice but won’t break the bank:

• Jewelry: You can find jewelry at a store like Kohl’s that isn’t too expensive and will please most girls.

• Purses: Check out the kiosks at the mall for affordable knock-offs of designer brands. Their goods may not be the real thing, but, really, who can afford those?

• Clothing: Check out the clearance rack at your girlfriend’s favorite store or places like American Eagle and Aeropostale - 99 percent of the time, the stuff on those racks is still in style. However, never, and I repeat, never, buy your girlfriend clothing if you do not know what size she wears. Whatever your intention, the situation will only end badly.

• Perfume: This is another gift that requires careful selection. Some girls may think it’s sweet if you get them perfume; others might think you’re trying to tell them that they stink. But if you know what kind of girl your girlfriend is or if you know what scent she likes, this is a good gift.

• Stuffed animals: This is a gift that even the most mature girl will love. Hey, Carrie Underwood likes them!

If you’re like me, though, and are almost always broke, you’ll have to get creative. This can work to your advantage, though, because girls should love this type of gift since it comes from the heart. (If she doesn’t appreciate it, dump her and move on.)

Here are some ideas for a do-it-yourself gifts:

• Mix CDs: Think about songs that you two have danced to or songs that she sings along to or cranks the volume up on whenever she hears them. Bonus points if you design a nice case for it.

• Photo album: Girls love pictures, so find ones of the two of you together for a scrapbook of your relationship. After all, the saying goes that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” (I personally believe that this is why there are more girls pictured in yearbooks than guys, but I digress.)

If all else fails, there’s always the classic standby of roses and a nice card. You can’t go wrong with that.