A bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, jewelry, a card or an show of service or affection. They are all proven winners on Valentine's Day for most women.
While men are harder to surprise, there is no shortage of advice and ideas on how to answer the perennial question of what to get your husband, father or boyfriend on Valentine's Day.
For the stylish guy, The Huffington Post suggests a warm hat, sweater, socks or sneakers will add to his wardrobe and keep him warm. If women are unsure of the proper clothing sizes, then cufflinks, sunglasses or a tie could potentially put a smile on his face.
But not all men like fashion accessories, so a neat gadget might be the better route to go.
"What guy doesn’t love tools?," writes Heavy.
A new drill or a gift set of shop tools could excite the mechanic, architect, engineer or do-it-yourselfer. But computer or cellphone accessories could also prove to be a useful gift this February.
Or, as Paste Magazine suggests, a shaving kit or new cologne could add to a man's bathroom essentials.
If none of these ideas sound appealing, a sweet Valentine treat can be tailored toward a man's taste preferences.
"Instead of chocolate-covered strawberries, give him chocolate-covered bacon. Or bacon candy. Bacon brittle! Really, any bacon-based sweet will do," reported The Cosmopolitan.
But what happens if a guy doesn't like sugar? Cosmopolitan writes that beef jerky or a steak dinner might hit the spot. In fact, some men might appreciate a romantic home-cooked meal even more than a store-bought gift or out-on-the-town dinner date: "There’s far more romance in a home-cooked meal than there is at a fancy-schmancy restaurant," wrote Dan Myers for The Daily Meal.
Lisa Koivu wrote on U.S. News, "I just might be the world's worst cook, but there is no denying the sense of accomplishment I feel when I really take the time to plan out a nice dinner and I know that my husband appreciates the effort as well."
Koivu shared that some couples might even enjoy cooking a meal together to increase their quality time, but at the end of the day she said that couples need to remember the true meaning behind the holiday.
"Of course I love receiving a card from my husband and maybe some chocolates or flowers, but at the end of the day, I think Valentine's Day is little more than a once-a-year opportunity to remind your favorite people just how much you care about them," said Koivu.
Email: kclark@deseretnews.com Twitter: @clark_kelsey3