10 last-minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas

Life is good—and then suddenly you remember that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. But now it must be too late to find an appropriate gift or arrange a romantic celebration. Au contraire. With a little imagination, you can still have a Valentine’s Day to remember. Here are 10 last-minute gift ideas to help make your holiday special.

1 of 12 Photo: Getty Images

Hearts and flowers

Flowers are a perfect last-minute gift for Valentine's Day. They're not only traditional, they're also widely available. Even grocery stores carry beautiful bouquets and arrangements for Valentine's Day. Make your gift of flowers a little extra special this year by slipping a love note or some handcrafted chocolates in among the blossoms.

2 of 12 Photo: Spathis Miller/Getty Images

Let me count the ways

Buy your beloved a book of love poems at the nearest bookstore. It doesn't really matter whether you choose Shakespearean sonnets, love poems by Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet, or a volume of modern verse. A book of love poems can transform your last-minute purchase into a gift of timeless beauty.

3 of 12 Photo: i love images/Getty Images

No reservations? No problem

What could be better than a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day? But getting last-minute reservations may be nearly impossible. Rather than settle for something less than perfect, make your own romance with a picnic featuring food from your favorite deli or gourmet shop. If the February weather is too wet or cold where you live, find an indoor alternative: a car parked at a favorite overlook; your high-rise office with a glittering view of the city lights; the cabin of a borrowed boat or RV; or a blanket at home in front of the fire.

4 of 12 Photo: Patrick Meroth/Getty Images

Try a little bling

As a Valentine's Day gift, jewelry is a time-tested classic, and you can often find last-minute deals on a wide range of great pieces. A beautiful pendant or earrings for her; a handsome bracelet or watch for him. Whatever you choose, jewelry is a Valentine's Day gift that is sure to please.

5 of 12 Photo: Laurence Monneret/Getty Images

Smile for the camera

Use your video camera to record an intimate message that will leave no doubt about the depth and intensity of your love. It's a last-minute gift that your beloved can keep and treasure -- and replay again and again.

6 of 12 Photo: Johner/Getty Images

Frame it

If a picture is worth a thousand words, why not send your beloved an eloquent Valentine's Day message with a framed photo that declares your love? Whether you choose an image of the two of you or one that evokes a memory you share, the right photo will make your Valentine's Day picture perfect.

7 of 12 Photo: Getty Images

Start a love journal

Buy a nicely bound journal and write on the first page, sharing just one of the many things you appreciate about the man or woman of your dreams. Make this year's Valentine's Day gift the journal and that first romantic page. Then pledge to write a new entry each day of the coming year, and give your beloved the completed journal on Valentine's Day next year.

8 of 12 Photo: Tom Merton/Getty Images

Get a room

You don't have to fly to Paris to have a romantic evening. Call around to local hotels and book a last-minute room for two. February is the off-season for travel in most places, so you should have no problem finding a boudoir for the night that will fit both your budget and your mood.

9 of 12 Photo: Tim Hall/Getty Images

Say it with ink

Be spontaneous! Make a permanent declaration of love with matching tattoos. Actually, they don't have to match. You can each get a tattoo that has meaning not only for you but also for the person you love, and together make a statement that time can't erase.

10 of 12 Photo: With love of photography/Flickr/Getty Images

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4Comments

Best

Feb 13, 2012 2:18PM

Whoa, some of these aren't bad, but the tattoo one *boggles* NO intelligent person would suggest getting any tattoo spontaneously. Certainly not MATCHING ones! Even tattoo enthusiasts don't think "Hey, let's go get a tattoo together, like, right now!" Whoever suggested that seriously needs help.

Previous replies

Julian H

Jan 7, 2013 8:57PM

Idea number 8 ruined my life. I kept up with that journal for about 3 weeks. Then I forgot about it. She wrote it in everyday faithfully. Valentines Day is next month. She keeps telling me how excited she is to trade. My last entry was in the month of March. I put it in a calculator...I have to write 10 entries a day at minimum to catch up so we can trade this year. I'm screwed lol. I'm never doing this again.