For the Girls: Valentine's Gift Guide

Girls are very simple to buy for on Valentine's Day, chocolates etc. - so you're sorted, right?

WRONG.

Let me tell you a story. A girl I once lived with received a gift from her boyfriend. It was a simple silver necklace with a delicate heart on it. It was very sweet, it was very lovely - it was very boring. What added to the problem, was the girl in question was very particular in her sense of style. She was the type of girl that had yak's wool wrist warmers, a leather jacket before they became a "thing" and all the most colourful types of scarves you can imagine. Her jewellery was always a statement, and whenever you'd ask "where did you get that?" the answer would be along the lines of "from a shop in Kenya," or "from a market in Barcelona". So a simple heart necklace that was pretty, but not unique, was not up her street. Still, she wore it loyally until they broke up a few months later.

The moral to this cautionary tale is: confectionery, champagne, jewellery and flowers are all okay if you put some thought into the specifics. Had this sweet boy bought my old housemate a one-of-a-kind pendant that he found at a teeny stall at Portabello Market, and some gluten free chocolate cake, he would have been onto a winner.

So let's get to it. I have constructed a gift guide to suit every kind of woman, so you're bond to find something for your beloved, even if there is *gulp* a week to go.

1. Red Lipstick

You girlfriend is: A power woman. She spends her weeks working late, and weekday evenings going to bars with friends after work before running home to you, somehow still looking fabulous.


Make a classic addition to her make up bag, and buy her a lipstick You can't go wrong with red, and you can't go wrong with NARS. This particular shade, is the type that suits blondes and brunettes, and all skin tones, and at just £19.50, isn't going to break the bank. And just in case it isn't to her taste, get a gift receipt so she can treat herself to a different shade instead!

2. A Personalised Hamper

And sure, some twigs, if she's
that way inclined.

Your girlfriend is: indecisive. Between the hours of 6pm and 9pm on Friday night, she will have made four different plans, and you're never sure which one she'll go to. You always decide where to go to dinner because if you don't, you wouldn't have eaten since November.

Perhaps a little more effort than most gifts, but relatively easy to put together. You will need: her favourite wine, Hummingbird cupcakes, a USB with a playlist of some of her favourite songs, a DVD of a film you meant to go and see in the cinema but never got around to and big box to put it all in. Presented nicely, it's got the items that most girls would like individually, but would adore all put together.

3. A Come Together Box

Your girlfriend is: a cheeky minx. When you're out with friends, she'll give you that look, and you know immediately it's time to leave. At Sunday lunch with her parents, she'll stroke your knee under the table suggestively. And when you're alone... let's just say it wouldn't be wise to disturb you.

Now this is something you both can enjoy - and give money to charity! The charity, Unity, has launched a scheme, so when people make a donation of £20 to AIDS Alliance to help fight for safer sex for people all over the world, they’ll be sent a very special thank you: the Come Together Box. Included in the Come Together Box is:
- An exquisitely soft blindfold. No peeking!
- A luxury feather tickler – perfect for stimulating sensitive areas
- ID Glide lubricant to discover electrifying pleasure
- Sensuous game cards to add a touch of spice – from wicked foreplay to earth-shuddering climax
- Of course every box also includes a clear-looking, natural-feeling Skins condom – because the best kind of sex is safe sex.

Doing good has never felt like this before.

4. A Paper Rose


Your girlfriend is: a book worm. She reads all the time, and manages to do things like cook when she's engrossed in a bit of Jane Austen. That's not to say she's a loser, she loves to have a time in the pub like everyone else.

Flowers may be a little typical (not to mention double the price at this time of year) but there is no way your girlfriend won't love this literary paper rose. Not only will this show you care, it will last forever just like your relationship. Or if you dump her, a paper flower will be very satisfying to set alight along with pictures of you and your favourite jumper.

5. A Night Under the Stars

Your girlfriend is: a busy body. When she's not working in her creative job, she's travelling the world, going to the latest gallery openings and visiting the hottest new dinner spot. She probably thinks Valentine's is bullshit anyway, but you have to try, right?


Sorry to tell you, an item probably isn't going to cut it with this particular lady. Unless it's handmade, personalised or really fucking thoughtful. But I can't help you there. The advice I can give you is that doing something on Valentine's Day would be the operative word here. Something like visiting the Royal Observatory to see the stars, or simply setting up a picnic in a park would be much appreciated. Or if you're seriously loaded, a last minute trip to somewhere cold and fabulous like Copenhagen would sit very well with this special lady.

Hope this helps at least someone out there - and Happy Valentine's!