Five Quirky Twists on Classic Valentine's Day Gifts

Valentine's Day is a great day for couples, both old and new. However, even new relationships may have participants who are more than a little experienced with Valentine's Day. Sure, flowers and chocolates might still bring a smile to their faces, but maybe you want to do more than that. You want to surprise your date. You want to make your Valentine's Day with him or her something that will stick, even if your relationship go south sometime in the future.

Valentine's Day can end up being formulaic if you're not careful. Some couples are okay with that, but if you're the kind of person who wants to go the extra mile for your date, this is the list for you.

1. Cool and Unusual Chocolates

Just because you don't want to give her traditional chocolates doesn't mean that you have to remove chocolates from the equation entirely. Making chocolates special for Valentine's Day is about going for something new, something you would buy otherwise. Skip the drug store for this shopping trip. Go around the mall and look for a dedicated chocolate store, or if there isn't one, find one online. Look for unusually flavored chocolates to spice up the occasion. Add a handwritten card and you've got a nice twist on a classic gift.

2. Comfortable Lingerie

Crotch-less panties may be sexy on occasion, but they're not quite romantic. Good for a romp at night, not so much for Valentine's Day. There's no reason for lingerie to be trashy. Lingerie can be comfortable, sexy, and classy, all at the same time. If you're a man, you shouldn't pick out something you're bound to see at a strip club. Boy shorts and a lacy bra can be just as sexy and can make your girlfriend feel comfortable. If you're a woman, surprise your partner. Put on a long coat and wear nothing but a teddy underneath.

3. Couple of Couples

Valentine's Day is about celebrating love, so why not celebrate it with other couples? You can team up with your friends to give your respective significant others tickets to a show or place they will all enjoy for a weekend for just the girls. If you're a girl, have you and your girlfriends do the same for them. It's different, but no less special.

Alternatively, if you have best friends, you can go out with them on a double date. Your girlfriend or boyfriend isn't the only person in your life you love. You also love your friends and your family. Why not show your best friend just how much she matters to you?

4. Customized Jewelry

Women expect to receive some sort of trinket on Valentine's Day, like a bracelet or a pendant. You can make it more special simply by customizing it. Depending on the size of the adornment, you can either engrave her name on it, or an excerpt from her favorite poem. This a simple twist on a classic gift that will make it unique and memorable.

5. Go Think Outside of the Chocolate Box

Just because it's Valentine's Day doesn't mean you have to limit yourself. Any present or activity you plan should be about celebrating your partner. There's probably something he or she has been talking about. It might be a gift or a place he or she wants to go to. Whatever it is, he would have talked about it on occasion. Just listen for the clues and you'll have a fantastic idea of what to do or buy for Valentine's Day.

Flowers are nice and all, after all, but season tickets to his favorite sport or the collector's edition of her favorite book will definitely be received with greater excitement. Not only are they more practical, they will also show him that you listen all the time.

With these ideas, you can turn classic gifts into timeless ones. Now pick one and prepare to celebrate Valentine's Day with your partner.