Trying to find the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I love gift giving and thinking of the perfect something for that special someone. Here are a few quick ideas below. Feel free to comment and add your great ideas too. Or – if you have read through the ideas below and none are a perfect match – just comment and ask me for some personal ideas. I would love to help!
1. Thoughtful photo collage.
Pick a collage frame.
I like this one from Target http://www.target.com/Memories-3-Opening-Photo-Frame-Black/dp/B000XQMQT4/sr=1-6/qid=1233090626/ref=sr_1_6/191-8873554-8583536?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aphoto%20frame&page=1
Then, here’s the kicker – take black and white photos of places special to you and yours (ie: where you met, your favorite date spot, your couch 
. It may seem silly, but put together in a cute collage frame it will be really romantic and something you can display on your wall.
2. Make it a home date night.
Romance doesn’t always equal getting reservations at the best restaraunt, but it also doesn’t mean bringing in food in a box and slapping it down on the table. The key is making the effort. Making your partner’s favorite meal at home and making it a special moment will be a gift to be remembered. Set the table, set the mood with candles – show your partner that you really want it to be a special night – and by making the effort the moment will be that much more special.
3. Family Valentines.
As a mommy I know that getting a date night planned is not always easy, and getting a sitter on valentine’s day is even harder. So here’s the solution.
#1. get a babysitter for an upcoming evening and designate that as your valentines day. (they key here is to not be upset that on Feb 14th your hubby has now assumed the holiday has been pushed back, yet you still expect him to be super romantic. If you agree to put valentine’s day on another date – accept that and don’t put un-expected expectations on your hubby – that he will likely not meet. It’s not fair to either of you).
#2. on Valentine’s Day plan a special something for you and the whole family. Have the kiddos have a craft day and make valentines for everyone - or pretty placemats for your fancy dinner. Plan a nice dinner at home and bust out the fancy dishes. Get all the kids dressed up and let them practice their manners. Then afterwards – don’t clean up. Leave the dishes for tomorrow and spend the evening enjoying the people you love the most.
#Bonus: Looking for a gift to give during your family valentine’s night?? Professional photos are always a wonderful gift – and if you take the time to go and get pictures taken before the date night then it’s even a bigger bonus. Mommy’s love pictures of their kids and their husbands, and pictures of them together are even better.
My favorite local photographer is Holly Clark (she took the photo on my blog header and all my other faborite family pics).
4. Where you first met.
Show your valentine how thoughtful you really are. Wrap up something that is a special reminder of the place you first met.
Chris and I met at a hockey game – so here’s a few examples of what we could do:
A budget gift option would be a small hocket souvenir like this: http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2504992&cp=1919757&clickid=body_featitems_img
An upgrade option would be tickets to a hockey game.
5. Suprise them at work.
Everyone likes to brag about how fantastic their partner is – well, if you suprise your mate at work everyone in the office will know how fantastic you are – and you’ll get extra bonus points 
Take them lunch, flowers and a little gift. Tell them you know their busy, but you just wanted to bring something by to make their day a little nicer.
6. Make it a group effort.
Show the one you love how much you love them, by showing them how much EVERYONE loves them. Send an email to their family and friends saying that you want to share the love this valentine’s day and ask them to write a special note or memory about them. Gather all the notes together and put them in a card or scrap book.
7. Get a custom bracelet made with your anniversary date
I like this one from Things Remembered:
http://www.thingsremembered.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_9951_605638_-1_1?fcref=
8. Give them the gift of a Spa Day
Spa days are very needed in the working mommy world (and in every other world too!) Here’s a few ways to do the spa day.
On a budget?:
Bring home a bottle of wine, great smelling bath salts, candles and chocolates. Easy, affordable and romantic. Done.
Ready to splurge?
If you’re in the Sacramento Area I recommend getting a relaxing facial gift certificate from Jody at Aqua FX. She’s ridiculously awesome and it will be a treat.
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Pamper.Me.Jody.Aqua.fx.916-608-4444
9. Take a local get away.
There are always fun get-aways in your town, that you often miss because you are too busy living. Take an evening (or weekend) out, but keep it local. It will cut down on travel costs, but will still be fun none the less. Check out your local paper or trip advisor. Here are a few of my favorite California get aways.
Sacramento:
Hotel: The Inn at Parkside
Activity: Kings Game
Dinner: Mikuni
Los Angeles (go to the OC! – relax by the beach)
Hotel: Surf and Sand Resort
http://www.surfandsandresort.com/
Activity: Laguna is known for it’s art galleries. Take a tour!
http://www.lagunaartmuseum.org/
Dinner: The Studio at the Montage
http://www.studiolagunabeach.com/
Ok – that’s it for now – email or comment me if you want more ideas
I give Brandon the gift of not having to give me anything. It’s not pretty, but it works:)