Is it possible to turn an impersonal gift card into a personal expression of love and affection? Of course it is! Just be sure to give your Valentine a little something to open now along with a gift card to enjoy later. Below are some ideas to get you started.

Gift card ideas in the “For Her” and “For Him” sections can also be adapted to Valentine’s Day.

Music to Valentine's ears

• Chick Flick. Do you typically object to romantic movies?  If so, surprise your Valentine with a gift card to the movies, a box of tissues, her favorite movie candy and your pledge to willingly watch (even embrace) a movie of her choosing. A gift card to the video store works just as well here.
• Rock my world. Attach a gift card for downloadable music to a box of conversation hearts and scribe the words, “You rock my world” on a homemade card. For a more thoughtful gift, add a mix of love songs or “your songs” burned onto a CD. For a more extravagant play on this gift, attach the music gift card to a GPS or other “worldly” (but still useful) object.


Keep the flame alive with a romantic candlelight dinner.

• Putty in your hands. For the do-it-yourself Valentine, give a gift card to a home improvement store along with a canister of wood putty, all-purpose putty, or museum putty. For the playful partner, try silly putty and an entertainment gift card instead. Then tell your Valentine, “I turn to putty in your hands.”
• Dream come true. Put together a dreamy Valentine gift card combination such as a gift card to the spa, salon, or other dreamlike experience (guilt-free shopping! shoes! chocolate factory!) Pair it up with a dreamy object such as a CD of relaxing music, a soft candle or a soothing eye mask. It could also be a book about dreams and a gift card to the bookstore.Tell your Valentine that being with her (or him) is like a dream come true.


Bananas for you!

• Beyond measure. If you have a creative Valentine, get a gift card to the fabric, art, or craft supply store and attach it to something used to take measurements—a ruler, yard stick, measuring cups, measuring spoons, or tape measure. Handwrite a note that says, “My love for you is beyond measure.”
• Piece of cake. For the Valentine who loves to bake, get a gift card to a cooking store and add cake making ingredients or accessories such as a cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, or a cake server. Tell your Valentine that “Loving you is a piece of cake.”  Or make the cake yourself but leave it unfrosted and write, “You’re the icing on my cake.”  Change to pie ingredients and write, “Loving you is easy as pie” instead. (This is making me hungry!)


You make my dreams come true.

• Couples therapy. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with aroma and massage therapy for the both of you. Get a gift card for a couples massage or get a gift card to the bath and body shop. Pair it with a lotion, massage oil, or a romantic candle. Tell your love that you want to spend some time in therapy together.
• Keep the flame alive. Get your longtime Valentine a set of matches and a gift card to “your” restaurant. Attach it to a candle or a lantern, if you’re more of an outdoorsy team.  Write, “Still keeping the flame alive” on your heartfelt note.
• Heartburn.  If, like mine, your Valentine suffers from heartburn or other indigestion issues, he’ll enjoy a box of his favorite acid blocker tied up nicely with a gift card to a favorite restaurant.  Add a fun-loving note that reads, “My heart still burns for you, Valentine.”
• Heart skips a beat. If you’re not ready to rock the music gift card suggested above, get a Symphony candy bar and a gift card to the symphony, opera, or other musical venue. Write a note that says, “My heart skips a beat whenever I’m with you.”
• Heart card. Speaking of hearts, a Health Center in my area sells gift cards for classes such as CPR and treatments like a women’s heart spa package or a comprehensive heart screening.  Get your Valentine a gift card such as this and pair it with a copy of Titanic on DVD. Add a note that reads, “My heart will go on…I want yours to do the same.”
• Puppy Love. I’m not much of an animal lover, but I have plenty of friends who are.  If your Valentine loves pets, I wouldn’t necessarily suggest getting a pet. But a gift card to the pet store might be nice.  Attach it to a box of animal crackers or goldfish crackers and write, “It’s not Puppy Love.  My love for you is true.”
• Love grows. Is your lover a nature lover?  Then get a gift card to the gardening store, a nature exhibit, or other ecological event in your area and attach it to a potted plant or a seed packet. Tell your Valentine that your love grows more and more each day.
• Bananas for you. From the serious to the silly. Tie a gift card to the ice cream store to a bunch of bananas or makings for a banana split. Write, “I’m bananas for you!”
• Green Valentine. Get your eco-conscious sweetie a green Valentine. Pack an organic picnic lunch in a reusable shopping bag and get a gift card for an environmentally friendly adventure–like tandem bike riding through the city, electric car rental, or a guided walking tour. If you prefer to skip the adventure, get a gift card to an eco-friendly store and give a shopping excursion instead. Be sure to make a green Valentine card out of recycled materials and maybe even start the day with some Green Eggs and Ham.

Look in the “For Her” and “For Him” sections for other gift card ideas easily adaptable to Valentine’s Day.