Unique Valentine's (and Singles Awareness Day) Gifts/Ideas for All.

Valentine's Day--the holiday that sparks a variety of opinions. Most men view it as just another day society expects them to shower their special little lady with gifts, while the ladies think it's oh so romantic and all about love and all that good sappy stuff. Not one of those people? Then perhaps your one of the people who celebrate "Single Awareness Day" because you just don't have that special someone in your life. Maybe you're even one of the people who think that Valentine's day is just a big crock so people can get more money out of us. Whatever it may be, people are usually very gung-ho about February the Fourteenth, very bah humbug towards it, or simply apathetic.

Well, my friends, I've taken into account all these different views on Mr. Saint Valentine's own personal holiday (which was in fact created to honor one of more Christian martyrs by the same name, and somehow became about lovers) and scoured the web for gift ideas, or ways to spend the holiday, that can please every type of Valentine's Day person.

Forget about Cupid nipping you in the butt with his damned arrows (I mean OW, I know they say love hurts, but come on!) and find a way to enjoy yourself on this day, Prince Charming/Lovely Princess, or not!

If he's going to be showering you with those gifts you want, you better be giving him something great as well. This holiday is not about you afterall. It's supposed to be about the both of you.

Something Sexy
Now we've all heard about a girl buying lingerie for her to surprise her guy with (or the guy picking some out for her so she can wear it for him), but how about stepping it up a notch and getting a sexy game. This can work to add excitement in long term relationships, help better your sex life, and even provide a more open gate for communication which may result in your bond being even stronger than before.

I've only played maybe two of these personally, but these games can come in many varieties such as sexy dice, board games, cards, and even apps nowadays (though those aren't much of a gift.) RedEnvelope has some "Get Lucky Dice" which have actions, body parts, and parts of speech labeled onto them for a sexy game of chance, as well as as sexy version of Jenga with actions on each block, and a game called Speak Love, Make Love that involves giving, recieving and communication. Romantic Gifts has a game called "Entice Him" which is all about---you guessed it---pleasing your man .They also have cards and many other items that would also make good, sexy gifts like scratch offs, massage oil, shower sex kits, and more!

You may be thinking that this shouldn't be about sex, and I'm not saying that it is, but who wouldn't get a little riled up if you snuck one of these along with a box of chocolates or something? It's a great way to add some spice to a relationship and I bet a lot of men wouldn't even see it coming!

Something Practical
You don't always have to think big when it comes to gift buying. For a guy it can be as simple as something he'll really use. My brother in law recieved a face mask for hunting on year and he couldn't have been more excited. Why? Because it related to something he really enjoyed and he could actually use it. I got my own guy, who is obsessed with washing his car, a little car wash kit once, and he absolutely loved it. It doesn't matter if it doesn't seem like it has the grandueur you may want to give him, If it shows you know what he likes and it's useful to him, he'd like it either way.

Go somewhere fun
Maybe you don't have plans yet, maybe you expect him to take you somewhere. Why not the other way around? Take him out to his favorite bar, go do something competitive with him, have a good time together. It doesn't always have to be about gifts, but enjoying one another's company.

Oh a box of chocolates and flowers, how---GENERIC! Don't get me wrong, I love the box of chocolates(aside from those dang sneaky coconut and orange flavors) and flowers as much as the next girl, but that's probably been done about a billion times.

Something Romantic
Now I'm not talking about something incredibly cheesy or anything like that, just something that'll make her smile. Perfect romantic gifts ideas are personalized. Like Rihanna said (or should I say the people that write Rihanna's songs) every girl wants to feel like "the only girl in the world". What better way to do that than to add your own personal touch to a gift for her? Snapfish allows you to create your own photo album. You could fill it with favorite memories of you and her or even reasons you love her. They don't have to be sappy if that's not your style. They could be pictures of you guys standing on your heads or a reason could be "I love how you perfectly crunch your potato chips". It's still guaranteed to make her smile. Write and act out a silly little love poem for her, or make her her favorite dinner.

Something creative
Romanticraft has some creative ideas for a little something special you could make her. I'll admit, some are pretty cheesy, but some are cool as well. Either way, I think a lady'd be grateful for either one. Send her on a scavenger hunt, take her out somewhere neither one of you have been before. Make the day fun. You don't always have to break the bank to give someone a day they won't forget.

So you wanna sit at home and bah humbug over the overrated lovefest that is Valentine's Day, fine. Don't wallow over being single, however. Make the day a fun little reminder to yourself that you've got plenty of things that make your life amazing and you don't necessarily need to have found the love of your life yet.

Treat Yourself
Skip the diet or the gym and nibble on something decadent to boost your mood. I'd probably choose Ben and Jerry's Cinnamon Bun Ice cream, because that's the closest I've come to tasting heaven. Try that recipe you found online. It can be a day dedicated to loving yourself and treating yourself to anything your heart desires. Sit at home and watch some horror movies or invite your friends over so you can all laugh and make fun of how "scary" (cough predictable) they are.

Go out with some friends.
Perhaps you're all celebrating Single's Awareness Day together, so why not go out and have some fun? It could attract other singles who decided to do the same and that man or lady who has their eye on you might make a move since you're obviously just with your pals on Valentine's rather than a special someone. Go to a Trivia Night and own everybody else(without cheating on your smart phone--I hate that!), hit up the lanes, or even a random road trip. Anything's game when you're all to yourself.

Buy yourself something
In denial? Wanna pretend that you've found your Mr./Mrs. Right. Buy yourself something you enjoy and send it to yourself gift wrapped if that floats your boat. Perpetual Kid has some super fun items for your "inner child" that I wish I had money to get, despite how pointless or impractical they may seem. Cartoon sound machines, thumb wrestling arenas, farts in a jar, Instant irish accent breath spray, gummy shot glasses, all ears iphone cases(give you brand new looking ears!), glow in the dark periodic table soap, duck shadow shower curtains, and so much more. Keep yourself entertained on this often lonely holiday!

Make the best out if. Granted, you should make the best out of every day, but some of us need a little something like a holiday to remind us.

To me, Valentine's day is a day to appreciate that special person in your life, or the special people. Growing up, my family always got each other gifts and did something fun on Valentine's day. It doesn't always have to be about romantic love :] Appreciate life and what you have.