Sweet Little Valentines Gifts

CEBU, Philippines - The line "I love you" is always nice to hear. And always nice to say, too. Lovers say it in declaration of their feelings for each other.

At times, however, the words are misused and lose their meaning. The statement that holds so much power sometimes runs empty. Declaring love without actually meaning it causes emotional hurt and feelings of betrayal.

 That is probably why people have come to look for other proofs of love. "I love yous" are still said, of course, but lovers tend to require other things to test the sincerity of the words. Loving gestures are now needed to support the statement.

Thoughtfulness is one gesture that nurtures a relationship. And it can be expressed in many ways. Say, for instance, giving a loved one even little things to remind that someone cares. The following are just a few examples of those sweet little things to gift a special someone, especially on this day of hearts:

Flowers

Very common, but it still works. Giving flowers is a classic act that doesn't seem to go out of style.  Red roses are the favorite symbols of love, particularly among women. Whether it's a single stem or a dozen, it seldom fails to make the recipient blush, because the gesture often warms the heart. Actually, any sweet flower will do; blossoms picked from one's own garden are the best!

Chocolates and Other Sweets

Very common, too. Chocolates and candies complement a sweet feeling. And what more, chocolates produce the same chemical reaction in the body as that of falling in love. Instead of simply giving the sweets as they are, a little twist enhances the gesture. A Valentine card cut in the size to fit in a regular manila envelope may contain a loving message decorated with M&M's and tiny candies, which are good to use as punctuation marks too.

Cards and Love letters

No email, Facebook post or text message can ever take the place of a love letter written by hand. Or, a poem written only for the loved one is really romantic. These are some of the classic romantic gestures that stir up butterflies in the stomach.

Something Cuddly

A puppy stuffed toy - or even a real one - could prolong the sensation of a hug. The recipient is certain to feel the giver's presence while hugging the gift.

Couple shirts

This one is for both lovers. A gift of couple shirts means the couple has one each. The print on the individual shirts makes one whole, a proud declaration of the relationship without the couple themselves having to say the words.

Artwork

A picture paints a thousand words. With one who has the talent to create great pictures, a dedicated painting is a nice gift to give a beloved. Other art pieces are nice to give, as well, especially if made by the hands of the giver. Or, those with no talent in painting or graphic arts can still create equally nice art pieces. Cut-and-pasting cute pictures from a magazine, for example, can do the trick. A sexy picture of a hunk or a beauty queen can be cut for the body and a head photo of a loved one pasted in for the face. Then a naughty note may be added, like "This is you, the Valentine I would recognize anywhere!"  

Specialty Dish

It is said that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. This works best if the giver is the one preparing or doing the cooking. The gift becomes all the more meaningful because of the prior effort taken. And if the gift goes in a creative wrapping, it's a sure winner. Or simple pancakes can be made easily and cut it into heart shapes. In serving, the giver might slip a loving message beneath the treat.

Again, gifts only work to demonstrate a sincere feeling. It's been proven effective in nurturing a relationship. Well, one who is not sincere won't probably take the trouble of finding a nice little gift to give the other. Carlo Rivera and Kristelle Ortega, Masscom Intern, Univ. of San Jose Recoletos