Best Valentines Gift I've ever seen...

[Think-First]

I'm sure you've seen it any number of times as well haven't you?

No I'm not going to tell you what it is because if you know anything about women you understand the "perfect" gift for my woman will mean little to yours.

You see watching the endless parade of men coming through the store already knowing what they're going to get their sweethearts for Valentines Day, the same one they get every year with a slight variation in the flowers or type of chocolate, it's amazing how they figure they got their bases covered and all is well. Now just because it doesn't produce the magic it once did, doesn't produce the "romance" they think it should is written off as normal for a relationship that's been going on for awhile.

When I ask the simple question of what he thinks she'd really like that's different I get a number of blank stares or total confusion that she'd want something different at all. That's what all women want right? Hey if things are good I surprise her with a necklace or earrings but hey it's usually one of those boxes of chocolates, flowers and we go out for a nice dinner. After all it's what she expects right?

Wow.

So in other words in all the time you've been around this woman you've never observed her enough to know what she wants/likes/wishes for that would make that the best day she's ever had? Have you ever taken the time to leave personalized cards in places you know she'll find them throughout the day? Maybe a sticky note on a small box with a little keepsake of just the kind you know she likes in a place only she would discover when no one else is around? When she fell asleep the night before did you put something under her pillow for her to find in the morning? While others may get teddy bears you know she really likes soft cuddly kitty stuffed animals so that's what she finds at her desk, in her car, hanging from the ceiling with balloons when she walks in the front door?

Remember David's well documented lock box she has. Did you find just the right for her this year?

You're celebrating a life partner unlike any other. Why tell her she's just a woman after all by getting something so ordinary as chocolates and flowers?

If you've been observing her and her magical ways this should be an easy one.

Instead of a preprinted card, heart shaped box of chocolates and dead in 5 days flowers - again - daydream some magic moments of things you know she'd love that are simple, special to her and will make this one like none she's ever seen before.

[Cyno]

Great post, Think First.

More Ideas on romance...

On non Valentine's Days (364 opportunities / year), I like to randomly have a package delivered by UPS containing a new sweater, or candle holder, or perfume, or whatever, that she has expressed interest in at some point previously.

The combination of restraint to ward of impulse purchases, coupled with remembering what she really like, further enhanced by the unexpected delivery (and who doesn't like an unexpected, sealed package with their name on it in the mail), demonstrates several characteristics of male behavior, that wreak of attraction combined with emotional connection, I.e. Romance.....

Works quite well, and takes little more work than doing similar for myself when I want something.

I also have learned one more fantastic and endearing thing to do, that you can and SHOULD do anytime.

When we are out together and walking from a parking lot to a store, or wherever, it doesn't really matter, instead of just focusing on getting where we are going, I remember that "I'm WITH her!" and I make sure she knows it's fun to be together. I'll just keeping looking at her as we walk, until she realizes that I keep looking her way, then I smile like we are sharing an inside joke, or anything that is fun and about just us. She'll smile back grab my arm and continue on proudly and a bit like a happy teenager.

I love looking at her pretty face and enjoy who she is, so this is not something faked, just something remembered. Creating that private bubble of, "it's just you and me, together"

[Think-First]

Great point Cyno!

And you nailed it when you mention it's not something faked or artificial. If you have to fake having a good time with her then why are you together anyway? Duh!?!?!? And if you do enjoy being with her then doing as Cyno suggests makes it clear to her in many small ways such as this that take no more thought than simply doing it.

Look if you have a favorite show, hobby, car or sports team getting excited and waxing eloquent about it is easy and natural. Yet we've been "conditioned" that no matter how excited or much we enjoy our relationship it's both normal and correct for us to stop acting like teenagers and be more "mature." What utter bull crap!!!

Think of all the ways you telegraph your feelings:

Does your face remain passive and bored or does it light up when you see her?
Does your body stance remain aloof or do you turn to her fully engaged with your full attention on her?
When close do you maintain a certain "maturity" by avoiding contact or do your hands and body touch her with small and subtle gestures inviting her closer?
Do you avoid holding hands or gladly hold hands, arm goes naturally about her with a tickle or fingertip light graze against her back?
Do you roll your eyes and twist your lips when she begins to talk about something that upset her or are you paying full attention while looking for ways to turn her sour mood into a lighter one with a tease or funny observation that puts her at ease yet lets her know you are fully focused on hearing what she has to say?

Of course this is a small list and if you have more add them in but the idea here is that there are many ways you speak to her without saying a word.

And think about this, if she comes to you down and somber about something, it may be nothing more than she is feeling the need for an emotional lift because she knows she's feeling down and wants YOU to turn that emotional fix from something negative to something positive. "Please I'm going to start an argument or worse if I don't get out of this mood. Help me find a positive way to turn this around, have a good laugh and maybe sneak in a little prelude to something more later? Make me anticipate something besides this gloom I'm in right now!"

Be the leader who enjoys being one. She'll enjoy you all the more for it.

[Cyno]

Those are excellent tips Think First.

Here's another fun one.

When I come home from work and through the front door, I announce, "I'm home! Now who's ready to have some FUN!!"

I can tell you it instantly sets the mood for everyone in the house, instead of quietly walking in, half tired and half defeated.

[Think-First]

Great idea! And so simple as well...