Valentine's Gifts: Putting a Price Tag on Love

Most of us believe that the cost of a Valentine's Day gift is either very significant, or completely irrelivant. However, there is a third perspective on the matter:

The price tag on the gift really does reflect on the love behind it, but not in the way we usually think of it. If a gift is pricey, then probably the purchaser thinks he or she can just throw money at you to win your heart.

For Valentine's Day, like any other gift-giving holiday, giving something special is the superior order. Not special as in 'expensive', but something meaningful.

If your significant other is an avid hiker, then new shoes would be a much better gift than any candy-and-flowers. If your someone loves to read, even a gift card to Borders or Waldens would show that you care about his or her passions.

But, best of all, Valentine's Day is about showing your love. A home-made card with a picture is practically free, and priceless at the same time. A special dinner at home, a bath together, or any kind of personal attention will get you a lot farther still.

In fact, if you want your love to prosper for the rest of the year, and not just come a-knocking on a few certain dates, then this sort of thing is a good idea for every day - or even just random days.

Giving a Valentine says you care. But doing the same for no particular reason says you're in love.

Remember, St. Valentine died because he believed in the power of eternal love. He knew that it can heal our wounds, ease our pains, remedy our ills, and make the world an all-around better place to live.

He married soldiers - bringers of war - against the Roman Emperor's orders, because he knew that ONLY through love can a person truly be whole. Think about it - it's that important.

When you really consider the deep philosophy behind this day, doesn't a cluster of cut roses or a glittering rock seem a pale comparison?

Save the diamonds for that gemologist in your life. For everybody else, give your love, not your money.