Top 10: Valentine's Day Gifts With A Twist

The twist: It's that little move that makes a regular dance a global phenomenon, that euphoric moment that turns a generic idea into a stroke of genius, and that extra bit of planning that transforms a clich gift into an a lifetime keepsake.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, don't just give your beloved a gift. Give her a gift with a twist!

Number 10

A bouquet of flowers
The tradition: Roses
The twist: Flowers are beautiful, but they ultimately whither and die. Give her something as lasting as your love by garnishing the bouquet with a variety of tiny tokens. RedEnvelope is a great source for helping you add this little unique twist to any regular bouquet. A vase full of candy might be a nice addition to your bouquet, or you can truly win her heart by including gift certificates to her favorite day spa. If you'd prefer a more personal touch, you can also include certificates of your own entitling her to a free massage and a night of unlimited touching. If you're buying roses anyway, you might also want to pick up a bag of rose petals. When strategically placed, these flower fragments can become the perfect accessory for a romantic bath for two.

Number 9

A home-cooked meal
The tradition: The well-intended, but ultimately disastrous, home-cooked meal.
The twist: Hire a professional chef to cook for both of you. Your local Yellow Pages are full of qualified caterers who will not only cook a sumptuous feast for you, but who will also provide waiters to serve you and clean up afterwards. All you have to do is show up and enjoy. Bon apptit!

Number 8

Lingerie
The tradition: Lingerie that you find arousing (think latex nurse outfit).
The twist: Present her with a provocative piece of lingerie from a high-end retailer, like Agent Provocateur or Lejaby. And rather than buying her the teeniest, tiniest and trashiest thing you can find, buy her lingerie she'll actually wear. That means making sure it will flatter her best assets, while concealing the areas she might be most sensitive about. For instance, if she likes to show off her chest, buy her something plunging or low-cut and if she has great thighs and legs, buy her a sizzling thong set. The sexier she feels, the more likely she'll be to wear it over and over and over again.

Number 7

A mix CD

The tradition: A CD of songs that have a special significance in your relationship.
The twist: CDs are so 1999. Truly impress her by putting "your song" on a brand new MP3 player with photo and video capabilities. If an MP3 player is out of your price range, you could buy her a digital picture frame to keep on her office desk instead. While viewing 20,000 photos of you holding hands and making out in the park might sound like someone's version of Hell, your girlfriend will absolutely adore it.

Number 6

Jewelry
The tradition: A bland ring or necklace.
The twist: Titanium's the new silver. Rather than dropping cash on some random unoriginal accessory, buy her something that'll stand out -- like a pink sapphire tension set titanium ring. Have the ring engraved with a personal message. The message could be as simple as your names and anniversary date or as grandiose as an excerpt from a romantic love poem. Regardless of what you choose, she's guaranteed to appreciate this thoughtful -- and lasting -- declaration of your love.

Number 5

Chocolates in a heart-shaped box

The tradition: A box of chocolates purchased at the local pharmacy.
The twist: Avoid clichs this Valentine's Day and give her chocolate-covered strawberries instead. You can prepare these decadent treats yourself or you can simply leave it to the professionals and buy them online through BerryGourmet.com. All of their long-stemmed strawberries are hand-dipped using only the finest chocolate and are available in a number of mouthwatering flavors.

Number 4

A horse and buggy ride
The tradition: The clichd carriage ride.
The twist: Why limit yourself to just a carriage? Go up, up and away in either a helicopter or a hot air balloon. Her heart will positively soar looking down on the bright lights and landscape of your city as you glide through the air. As an added bonus, you can even bring along a picnic basket filled with food and champagne to enhance your special ride.

Number 3

A love letter
The tradition: Expressing your intimate thoughts in poetry or prose.
The twist: When it comes to love letters, the key is presentation. For a small price, companies like CandleLight Messages will design your romantic love letter on beautiful handmade paper and place it inside a glass bottle with fragrance beads. If writing isn't your strength, you can make her a special video or photo slideshow set to some of her favorite romantic songs. No matter how feeble your effort, cherished gifts like these are certain to end up in her special "memories" box for eternity.

Number 2

A hotel stay
The tradition: A room for the night at an upscale hotel.
The twist: A night away is always a treat, but it's especially nice when it's in another city altogether. Whisk her away to a trendy boutique hotel in a spot she's always dreamed of visiting. One place that's sure to send shivers down her spine is the Ice Hotel in historic Quebec City (Canada). This 30,000-square-foot winter wonderland contains an exhibition room, a swinging disco and a bar stocked with plenty of ice. Regardless of where you go, heighten your experience by booking a pair of professional masseuses for a relaxing couple's massage.

Number 1

A romantic dinner
The tradition: The traditional Valentine's Day dinner at a local romantic joint.
The twist: Spread your dinner across town with multiple courses at different locales. Rent a limo and go out on the town as you relive some of your most memorable dates. Have an aperitif at the lounge where you first met, enjoy dinner at the restaurant where you proposed, have dessert at the caf where you first confessed your love, and finish it off with a well-timed nightcap back home. She'll fall in love all over again as the emotions conjured up by each location begin to set in.

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