Here’s what we absolutely don’t want this V-Day

IF every Valentine’s Day for the past 10 years you’ve been getting the same red and white teddy bear and box of chocolates, you may want to show your lover this page.

Valentine’s Day is all about love, but if you were to go searching for the perfect gift in the stores, chances are you’d be doing the same old gift-giving dance you did last year. Truthfully, there’s not much imagination that goes into a box of chocolates, wine, or a teddy bear, or even dinner for two, and if you were a bit more imaginative, there’s lots that you could do.

Below men and women reveal what they absolutely do not want for the umpteenth time, and elsewhere on this page you’ll see other options for making the day special. You have a whole week, so get that imagination going!

SHE DOESN’T WANT

Teddy bears

Tania, 32:

I get one every year, so now I have a closet filled with them. It’s like my fiancé forgets the day until he’s heading home and he just grabs one on the roadside. Last year I got a duck. A huge, yellow ugly duck. Smh.

Chocolates

Diana, 28:

I don’t even like chocolates, yet hubby gets a heart-shaped box all the time. And it’s that cloying type with mint and stuff that’s just horrible. He doesn’t even bother to get me Ferrero Rocher, which is at least tolerable. It’s always the cheap stuff that sells on the road in Half-Way-Tree

Dinner for two

Leigh-Ann, 30:

I mean, how unimaginative can you get? ‘Babe, let’s go to Port Royal’. I mean, we’re on that side every other weekend, and we have dinner out together often, so none of this is romantic anymore. You have to come with something different, especially if your woman is already used to the finer things in life. If it’s dinner for two, then you’d better jolly well take me to Strawberry Hill or fly me to MoBay for the night.

Movies

Danika, 22:

Let me be clear, Fifty Shades at Carib is romantic. Fifty Shades that you bought from the illegal DVD man to come watch on my couch on Valentine’s Day is not. Neither is buying popcorn and non-alcoholic wine at the supermarket imaginative. It’s not cute and rustic either. You’re just cheap.

A photo frame

Deja, 20:

I had a guy present me with a framed photo of himself one Valentine’s Day. Note well, this is not a gift, especially when we haven’t confirmed our status yet!

A $1,000 gift certificate

Lilian, 27:

A $1,000 gift certificate to the spa? What will that get me? A single toe pedicure? The thought is nice, but at least find out the cost of one full service and pay for that, rather than have me have to fork out money to add to your gift certificate.

INSTEAD…

Althea P:

I would love to get a relaxing weekend on the east coast.

Kim W:

$200,000 for my school fees.

Julie S:

I would love to get a day off from housework, just a day for myself to do anything — sleep, spa day, or whatever else I desire.

Heather W:

Well, definitely a refrigerator! If I ask for one, I need one.

Julie A:

I am not a Valentine’s Day person, but just to hear him say he loves me does a lot!

Keisha H:

Time and attention. He opened a bar and he has a nine to five so all his time is spent away from home. So my biggest wish is for him to spend quality time with me like we used to.

Kaydian B:

An engagement ring!

HE DOESN’T WANT

Clothes

Nicholas, 28:

I have enough T-shirts and work shirts. Don’t try to be romantic by adding to my wardrobe.

Dressing up

George, 37:

This has become so lame — she dresses up like a sexy nurse and that’s supposed to woo me. This has become too boring; everyone in the movies does it. Just don’t dress up at all. I’d love that.

Edibles

Jeff, 32:

Chocolate-covered strawberries? Whipped cream? This is all so 1992. Plus it’s now sugar ants season. Don’t do anything you read about in books or watch on TV. It’s monotonous and no fun.

Car accessories

Edward, 29:

In the same way I wouldn’t give you an iron for your birthday or Valentine’s Day, don’t give me a buffer and coolant for Valentine’s Day. Sure I’m a car enthusiast, but seriously? How is that romantic?

INSTEAD…

Kirkland B:

We want a spa day too! Or what about a new 75” TV to watch the game?

Conroy H:

In general if the man is a ‘do-it-yourselfer’â then a tool kit is great!

Shanroy P:

A weekend out would be good. Sometimes you don’t have to give a man things, sometimes if you take him a place or two, that would be good, especially if she is willing to stand the expenses.

Warren D:

Fulfilling a sexual fantasy or desire will work for me. She can be sexier than usual and we’ll have a night of passion.

Ricardo J:

Take me out to dinner or cook something different. Send me lunch/breakfast on the job. Give me something like a bracelet or cuff links.