UPDATE: Make Her Valentine’s Day.com is having a special sale. Enter the CODE20 at checkout and you’ll net 20% off.

Aren’t Valentine’s Day gifts a little messed up? You’re supposed to be letting your significant other know how special they are, and yet you have to show it by getting one of the same gifts that millions of other people get: flowers or chocolates.

Valentine’s should be all about that personal connection, and so should the gift. That’s why making a gorgeous, personalized photo canvas on Make Her Valentine’s Day.com is so great.

The process is really simple: Find that special vacation photo or snapshot that came out great – you know, the one that you’ve had sitting on your hard drive for years – then upload it to the site. Select the size (11”x14”, 16”x20” or 20”x30”) and color scheme (full-color, black and white or sepia) and then check-out.

The high-quality canvases that Make Her Valentine’s Day.com are the same type that photographers use to display their work at art galleries around the world. Known professionally as gallery wraps, they’re created by printing your photo on cotton-base canvas with GICLEE digital printers, then stretching the canvas over a 1.5″ frame. By wrapping the image like this, the canvas creates a sophisticated floating effect without the need for a frame.

When you get a canvas for Valentine’s Day, you’re re-creating a special moment – one that no one else could have given her. It won’t go unnoticed.

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only time of the year when hearts are a flutter. When it comes time to give a gift that speaks from the heart, why not consider capitalizing off of the iconic shape? When roses and the typical box of chocolates just won’t do, try considering some of the heart-shaped gift ideas that allow you to think outside your normal routine.

Heart Pajamas

In shades of red and pink, hearts are a popular design for women’s pajamas. For example, the PajamaCity Red and White Hearts Print Pink Footie Pajamas for Women are made with soft polar fleece and a full body zipper. Two “kangaroo” pockets offer a place to store cell phones and TV remotes.

Heart Shaped Music Box

If you’d like to participate in making a gift from the heart, consider the Woodcraft Classic Plan series, which offers step-by-step instructions with detail photographs. Try your hand at making this heart shaped band saw box with two compartments and music box capability. This gift makes a delightful gesture for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and a wedding anniversary. Plans for the music box cost around $10.

Heart-Shaped Pendant

When it comes to heart-shaped jewelry, selecting a pendant that dangles from the neck is an elegant choice. From sparkling cubic zirconia to a splash of diamonds, there are plenty of options to browse when choosing a pendant. To enhance the personalization of the gift, seek out jewelry that incorporates your love’s birthstone, such as the pictured Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Heart Pendant or 14k White Gold Amethyst Heart Pendant.

Heart Lollipops

Does your sweetie have a sweet tooth? Gifting heart-shaped lollipops is certainly a fun way to say ‘I love you.’ From colorful rainbow pops to melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, there are many different ways to present this gift, including small gift baskets, holiday mugs, brilliant ribbons, and a cheerful stuffed animal. Want to put a little legwork into your gift? Purchase a candy mold and prepare your own.

Giant Chocolate Heart

If you can’t get chocolate out of your head as the perfect gift, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to choose a larger-than-life edible heart. It will certainly be a long-lasting memory when your love unwraps a 3lb Solid Dark Chocolate heart. However, the 1-pound Anatomically Correct Milk Chocolate Heart is perfect for doctors, med students, and those with a sense of humor.

Valentine’s Day is on Sunday! Not too much time left. Here are some great deals on Valentine’s Day Flowers (remember to always read the store policies before placing your order):

Show Your Front Door Some Love for Valentine's Day. photo courtesy of Alison Storm

Need to add a little Valentine’s Day love to your home? This project is easy (we’re talking done-in-less-than-five-minutes-easy) and affordable! The finished product is festive, flirty and fun! It’s perfect for adding spice to your home, or for giving away to someone you love. Here are the simple instructions from making  a feather boa wreath just in time for February 14th.

Gather Supplies

For this project you will need just a few key supplies. Pick up a foam wreath form at a craft store. You can pick them up for just a few dollars at CreateforLess.com. They even have heart-shaped foam forms which would be perfect for this project. You will also need about four feather boas. For our feather boa wreath we used two Pink Multi Luxe Boas from The House of Bachelorette and two Modern Marabou Boas in Hot Passion Pink. Finally, you will need some straight pushpins. You likely already have these somewhere around your house!

Start Wrapping

Securing one end of one of the thicker, Luxe boas to the back of your foam form with a pin, beginning wrapping the boa around the form. Leave a small gap in between the rows. You will fill this in later with the thinner Marabou boa. Space your layers so that you are able to make it half-way around your form with one Luxe boa. When you reach the end, secure it with a pin on what will be the back of you wreath. Continue this process with the second Luxe boa on the other half of your wreath.

Fill in the Gaps

Now that your entire foam form is covered with two Luxe boas, it’s time to fill in the gaps with the coordinating Marabou boa. Since the feathers are slightly different, this will add some visual interest to your feather boa wreath. Secure the Marabou boa in the same way, using a pushpin. Each Marabou boa should cover half of the wreath.

Hang and Enjoy

That’s all there is to this simple, but lovely project that will add some spice to your home for Valentine’s Day. The great thing about this project is that you can reuse all of the materials in other ways. Once February 14th passes, unpin your boas and use them for a bachelorette party or a girls’ night out. You can re-purpose your foam form and create a wreath for another upcoming holiday. Or, snatch up some black boas and create a fun wreath for Halloween.

Here are our Valentine’s Day gift ideas for Him, in random order. We love them all! Remember to always read the Returns Policy before you place your order!

Let’s Go Flying

How about a gift he will remember long after the chocolates have been gobbled? Something like a Let’s Go Flying introductory flying lesson, available for around $99 at any of the 3,500 flight schools nationwide listed on www.letsgoflying.com .

During the flight, your sweetie will sit in the pilot’s seat and take the controls to taxi, take off and fly a plane for around 30-40 minutes before landing. All under the guidance of an FAA-licensed instructor.

Key to My Heart

Offering the “Key To My Heart” is a great way to express your true feelings. This handsome wood box features a green velvet interior. Inside is a large, solid chrome, old fashioned “Key To My Heart” tied with red satin ribbon and sitting on a bed of real, dried rose petals. Measures 6.5″L x 4.5″W. Includes Your Own Personal Message on a parchment scroll tied with elegant ribbon. The “Key to My Heart” can be kept in its handsome display box or it can be removed and the box can be used for storage of cufflinks, watches, money clips and the like.
Price: $39.95
Website: www.creativeromanticgifts.com

Raising the Candy Bar

From $3 for a chocolate covered skewer of marshmallows with heart-sprinkles to $10 for a deluxe chocolate covered heath bar taffy apple to $25 or $50 for a small or large chocolate heart box filled with either truffles or turtles, they’ve got some sweet gifts for sweet guys.

Raising the Candy Bar is the largest kosher candy store in the midwest, and also strong in the niche chocolate market — gluten-free, organic, vegan, lactose free, dairy free, nut free, sugar free and more. Use HAPPYCHOCOLATE until March 31 for a 20% discount.

Website: www.raisingthecandybar.com.

 Crazy Shirts

Not only can you drink your beer, you can wear it too! That’s because Hawaii-based Crazy Shirts produce Specialty Beer Dyed T-shirts. Dyed in pale ale, these beer dyed Ts are infused with hops and barley and designed with water-based inks. Designs include a Limited Edition Crossroads T featuring an ominous design with skulls balanced with angel wings.

It’s available in men’s sizes and retail for $79. The T-Shirt can be purchased online at www.crazyshirts.com or at local Crazy Shirts retail locations across the U.S.

The American Line

The American Line(tm) is the officially licensed men’s colognes for each branch of the US Military.

They are a start-up company whose goal is to raise money for the men and women of the US Military.  The items were launched last month and retail online for $45.00.

Most importantly, The American Line(tm) will be donating a significant portion of proceeds to the US Veterans Administration.
Website: www.theamericanline.org

Uncommon

Uncommon offers you a blank canvas in the form of a sleek case for your iPhone 3G/Gs and your inspiration (or dedication) make it a masterpiece. With Uncommon’s patent pending 3D TATT(tm) printing process, your photograph or image is embedded deep into the shell (much like a tattoo) with amazing clarity! And unlike a common skin, your image is scratch proof and will last for life. Better still, the case is durable and built to protect and even helps prevent the glass from shattering.

Price: $39.95

Website: www.getuncommon.com

Surprise Industries

Surprise Industries crafts surprise experiences: a totally unique gift that’s ideal for the special man in your life on Valentine’s Day.

Heres how it works:
1. Speak with one of their Surprise Experts who will figure out the ideal Surprise Adventure for your tastes.
2. Receive a series of mysterious clues and, finally, an address.
3. Your surprise could be anything from race car driving to sword fighting, but you won’t know for sure till you get there.
Surprises are $50 and up per person (with an average cost of $250 per adventurer), but they are happy to work with any budget.

Website: www.surpriseindustries.com

Real Shaving Company

Give the man in your life the best shave he’ll ever have with the Real Shaving Company Ultimate Shaving Kit! It includes:

* Self-heating face mask – provides “hot towel” treatment to soften and lift facial hair for better shave.
* Daily facial scrub - formulated to unblock pores, removing dead skin cells and blackheads, for closer shave and less irritation.
* Shave cream - double-concentrated cream provides an extra smooth shave. Natural almond oil softens and smoothes skin and helps prevent razor dragging and burns.
* Daily skin soothing balm - natural aloe vera helps condition skin and reduces discomfort and irritation.
Price: $11.99 at Rite Aid locations nationwide.

Baby Bear Shop

Their Lip Balms are surprisingly popular with men. “All the better to kiss you with” Lip Balm Eco Gift Kit is USDA Certified Organic, 100% all natural.

Flavours:

• Pepperminty,
• Lavender Vanilla
• Chai Mandarin.

Packaging and ingredients all made in the USA, 100% Cruelty-Free; for each purchase – a tree is planted.

Featured in Vogue.

Price $17.99 per kit. 

Free shipping on all orders of $30 or more. Promo code “happycorner.”

Good until Feb 14th.

Website: babybearshop.com

Harvard Sweet Boutique

Manly Valentine’s Day Sampler: If you’re looking for the perfect manly gift for your manly man, you need not look any farther! This collection of decadent, dense, rich and chocolately brownies require a man’s appetite to finish! This is the perfect gift for the man of the house, and includes twelve assorted brownies (four Chocolate Fudge, four Mint, and four Raspberry). Packaged in a faux crocodile box, and tied up with a hot red ribbon. Irresistible! $32 plus S&H. 

Available online at Harvard Sweet Boutique:  www.harvardsweetboutique.com

Indigo Wild

Indigo Wild is a luxury brand that uses only top shelf organic ingredients but still makes products people can afford and feel good about purchasing. 

Their Valentine’s Day line, Zum Love, includes all-natural products scented in Peppermint-Citrus. From massage oil to candle’s to goat’s milk soap – they’ve got unique gifts your guy will love! In the image: their Ahprodisi-Pack ($33)!

Available at www.indigowild.com  and in over 2,000 retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods.

Relax Intuit ™ LLC

Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” is the exquisitely soothing, award-winning stress-relief CD that instantly releases worry, depression, sleeplessness. Like an easy chair, an oasis from a stressful schedule or prelude to deep, restful sleep, stress-relief expert Susie Mantell’s warm narration carries listeners into the relaxation of a spa vacation–for just $14.95.  

Found in The Mayo Clinic, Sloan-Kettering, Fortune 500, Canyon Ranch and on TV, in a world that often seems to spin too fast, drift into the quiet place where worries dissipate. Slow down, sit back… just let go.

Website: www.relaxintuit.com

Edible Gifts Plus

You know the old saying- “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This Valentine’s Day why not give him a romantic gift that he can eat?

Start your Valentine’s day celebration with a delicious dinner for two: a 5 star banquet of lobster-shrimp-filet! Your feast includes two 6oz. filet mignon, 1lb. jumbo shrimp and two 8 oz. lobster tails

EdibleGiftsPlus.com is the sought after resource for gourmet treats and sweets to celebrate births, birthdays, weddings/anniversaries and more. This online bakery is bursting with tasty cakes, cookies, chocolates, pretzels and brownies which can be personalized.

Price: $124.95.
Website www.ediblegiftsplus.com

Marshall Books

Journaling pros Kate and David Marshall created this journal to offer a fresh way for couples to say “I love you.” This fill-in-the-blank book prompts you to say what is in your heart, but may not always at the tip of your tongue. Tell the most important person in your life just how much they mean to you by completing the scores of unique, evocative checklists, short answers, and phrases in this attractive gift book:

If we’d first met in a comic strip, the thought bubble over my head would have said…
I adore this little daily ritual or habit we have…
One of your most irresistible physical features is…
I missed you when…

Playful, tender, and personal, “What I Love about You” makes a romantic gift both for couples in passionate love as well as those looking for ways to rekindle the sparks. Expressing love is always the answer.

Price: $13.95

Website: MarshallBooks.net

Your Cover

Show your Valentine how much you love him and how wonderful you think he is – make him the star of his own personalized magazine cover with his photo and headlines all about his life. It’s a gift as unique and special
as he is, plus it’s fun and easy to make, affordable too.

Price: $44.90 for glossy print, solid rosewood frame and shipping
$19.95 for Glossy Photo Print including free shipping
$12.95 for Instant Photo File download to print yourself (great last minute gift)

Magazine Covers can also be printed as posters or on a mug, mouse pad or t-shirt.

www.YourCover.com

M.U.G.

Give the man in your life the skin and hair he wants with Woody’™S Quality Grooming Products. Woody’™S Meat and Potatoes Bar (left) is a simple man’s solution for hair and body maintenance. Natural vegetable oils and mild cleansers will give you man a fresh feeling every time he steps out of the shower.

Depending on the hold your looking for, Woody’s Style Gels (right) are just right for your style. They offer a strong hold that is alchohol free, flake free, and dust free. Choose from a light to medium hold, to the strongest super firm hold. All protect hair from the sun, and provide long lasting stylish hair the woman will find hard to resist.

Price: $12.95 – $13.95

Available at mugonline.com

Valsey and Me

The “best housewarming gift since the potted plant” as stated by the Chicago Tribune. Perfect for any Valentine’s day as well!

Personalized 1x 2 individual soap chips. You can say almost anything you like such as…

Welcome to our home!
I love you!!
Stay Clean!!

All 5 available scents smell nicer than the next one.

Price: the large boxes range from $73-$85

Website: ValseyandMe.com

Clubman

After shave can be harsh on the face right after a man shaves. Clubman offers a great line of men’s grooming products such as Clubman Lime Sec Eau De Cologne. This zesty fragrance will sooth your man’s skin, leaving it comfortable and irresistible to touch. The after-shave will leave behind a scent of top notch lime with a floral and woodsy scent behind it. With Clubman Lime Sec Eau De Cologne you can assure the man in your life won’t be alone this Valentine’s Day.

Price: $10.36 per 12.5 oz.

Available at: clubmanonline.comand barber shops nationwide.

Giorgio Armani

Acqua Di Gio cologne by Giorgio Armani will keep any man smelling fresh and ready to go. Weather off to work, a date, or a causal affiar, this moderate scent is perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift.

Price: $57.19 for 3.4 oz.

Website: fragrancenet.com

Tired of giving chocolates, roses and teddy bears every February 14? Break out of the Valentine’s Day hum-drum and give your sweetie something truly original. Here’s a whole list of Valentine gift ideas that they won’t soon forget.

Cupcake of the Month

Sign your sweetheart up for the cupcake of the month club. It’s a gift that keeps on giving so there is no way they’ll forget how much you love them. Every month they’ll receive a yummy treat: two cupcakes in a jar from the Bangerang Bake Shop. And if you’re lucky maybe they’ll share one with you!

Love Print

Give your honey this “Love Candy” print and let them hang it prominently in your home. That way they’ll remember how much they are loved all year long– not just on V-Day.

Plant a Tree

Mark your growing love by planting a tree in your yard, your favorite park or somewhere special. Watch the tree grow over the years, just as your love grows.

Love Pencils

These lovely pencils from Olive Manna feature phrases like “Love is Patient & Kind” and “Love is Like the Morning Mist.” Pick up a set of three for just $4 and your special someone will think of you with every word they write.

Coupon Book

Get crafty and make your Valentine a coupon book. Make sure each coupon is something they will appreciate. Let them cash in a coupon each month for the next year.

The Five Love Languages

Pick up a copy of The Five Love Languages and give it to your Valentine. Don’t let the gift end there– commit to reading it together and figuring out what each of your love languages are. Then determine how you can speak your sweetie’s language of love.

Reasons I Love You Stones

Pick up a bag of stones from RedEnvelope.com. Each one is etched with a reason for your love. Messages include “I love you… for always getting my jokes” and “I love you…because you’re an inspiration.” Or you could use this idea as inspiration for making your own list of reasons you love your significant other.

An Unforgettable Experience

Shared experiences can help a couple draw closer together. Give your Valentine an experience they’ve always dreamed of like riding in a race car or floating in a hot air balloon. And make sure it’s something you can enjoy together.

Their Name in a Book

Well-known author Karen Kingsbury is giving fans a chance to be in her next book. Anyone who donates a minimum of $100 to the Kate McRae Fund can have their name or the name of someone they love acknowledged in the book where Kate will be a character. Not only will you be supporting this little girl’s battle with cancer, but you’ll be giving your Valentine a memorable gift.

Living in loveliness sets the stage for a beautiful life…

For Valentine’s Day, I want to help spread the Love that I have for the romantic luxury soy candles created by Aglow Eco Living. These candles have gained popularity for their unique personal style and amazing scents.

There are letters for every name and symbols from peace to love – crowns, cross, stars and more. Each one is decadent with hand-strung crystal beading. The love  for these “bling” inspired creations is also shared by celebrities, brides, event planners, home decorators, and ordinary folks like me who just appreciate nice things!

Here is what you will REALLY love: Aglow will donate 15% to  LOVE OUR CHILDREN USA with the purchase of any of their products from the LOVE Collection through March 31st. This is a wonderful non profit organization whose mission is to protect children from domestic violence.

Each item in the LOVE Collection is handcrafted, reusable, made from recycled glass and paper and formulated with soy and essential oil fragrances.

***

If you love the perfume Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, you’ll love her new trio of scents meant to complement the original fragrance.  The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker is a personal collection of three fragrances inspired by lovely moments.  For instance, Dawn is inspired by morning, sunrise and first sunrays, while Twilight is inspired by the evening, by the indefinable moments and indescribable feelings. 

The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker makes a great gift to those who are fans of her fragrances, or even to those who want a little more romance in their lives.  Learn more about each of the three new perfumes below to find just the right one to make it the perfect gift:

Dawn by Sarah Jessica Parker

Dawn is a fresh and clean fragrance, inspired by the morning sunrise and first sunrays. Makes a great gift for those who like clean and fresh fragrances.  Dawn is a very inviting scent and a fragrance for making first impressions. Top notes: citrus cocktail, violet leaves, angelica. Middle notes: masdevalia glandulosa, cattleya leopoldiim, cattleya luteola. Bottom notes: Tahitian vanilla, orris, oakmoss, vetiver, translucent musks.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

Endless by Sarah Jessica Parker

Endless by Sarah Jessica Parker is a fun floral-fruity fragrance to wear in the daytime.  This fragrance starts off with the combination of pineapple and jasmin, and ends with the subtle notes of sandlewood and musk.  Top notes: pineapple, apple, ivy leaves. Middle notes: clove bud oil, jasmin absolute sambac, Roman chamomile. Bottom notes: oakmoss, patchouli oil Indonesia, sandalwood oil Australia, suede musks.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

Twilight by Sarah Jessica Parker

Twilight by Sarah Jessica Parker is a sexy, musky fragrance to wear in the evening. Twilight was designed to be reminiscent of the sweet moments of intimacy and closeness.  This makes a great gift for that special someone in your life. Top notes: bergamot, galbanum, mandarin, pink pepper. Middle notes: peony, jasmine. Bottom notes: amber, sandalwood, incense, musk.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

You can find The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker at Beauty.com.

As a way to celebrate the holidays, we often give gifts to our family and friends. This act of gift giving is a way to show appreciation for the focus of the celebration. There are many options to consider when choosing a gift, and this mainly depends on the holiday and who is receiving it.

The summer is approaching fast and many schools are hosting their graduation. Personalized gifts are perfect for this event because they often remind the graduate of the time spent at the institution. For example, you may want to consider a picture frame that has their name and graduation date engraved below the picture.

I received a personalized picture frame many years ago when I graduated from high school. It was an excellent gift that I recommend for this type of event. I received a silver colored picture frame that had my name at the bottom along with the date of my graduation. I still have this picture frame today and it reminds me of my graduation every time I see it.

Personalized gifts are also great for holidays such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. This type of monogrammed gift can really show your parents how much you care. I recommend choosing a personalized gift for those special days and the person receiving the gift is sure to be pleased.

This post was submitted by our Contributor, Steve.

Designs by K. Cayetano is a jewelery line inspired by the luxurious designs from Chanel, David Yurman, and RJ Graziano to name a few, but are created for more everyday wear. This handmade jewelry line offers several collections to meet the various demands of today’s fashionistas, such as combining silver chain links with freshwater pearls, charm style necklaces, and bold statement pieces. Designer Karen Cayetano Leano hand-selects the beads and stones used in her jewelry line during her frequent trips to Asia, Europe, and throughout the US.

Cassandra Necklace

Pearls & Chains CollectionThe Pearls & Chain collection is just how it sounds, it’s a collection of silver or gold chains at various lengths intermixed with pearls. The Cassandra Necklace is 19′ in length made of 4 strands, 1 of pearls and 3 of various link widths, lobster back closure. Also available of 7′ bracelet version.

The Athena Collection

A more fantastical and romantic line, the Athena collection consists of gold plated chain with 14K gold plated maple leaves and forest green glass stone. Necklaces come in various lengths of 17 1/2′ through 34′ and earrings are available in this collection.

A Charmed Life

A Charmed Life is a collection of antique gold jewelry with combinations of 3 small chains with a vintage appeal. The Amour in Paris necklace comes with the following charms: gold ‘Amour’ coin, rose opal Swarovski crystal, and small gold Eiffel tower.

See Designs by K. Cayetano at the Show

The owners of Taj Salon and Spa will be hosting a fashion show. They’ll be using about 75% of Cayetano Jewelry styles, including the Cassandra in their show. The show will take place on Friday, June 12, 2009 in the courtyard outside of their salon in Brooklyn Park, MN. The main focus of the show will be to showcase hair and makeup capabilities of their staff of course but clothing will be basic so the focal point of the fashion portion will really be the Designs by K Cayetano jewelry. Proceeds from tickets for this event will go to Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP). CEAP is a community based non-profit organization that provides emergency supports and facilitates personal skill buiding and self-sufficiency while enhancing self-esteem.

Contact K. Cayetano

Pricing inquires and any additional information about Designs by K. Cayetano is available on the website or by e-mail at: designsbykcayetano@gmail.com