Williamsburg, Va

Contributed by Ann Jurczyk

My Dad gave my Mom a hubcap for Christmas. She gave him an ashtray. Both opened their large boxes with the gleeful anticipation of 5-year-olds. Upon reviewing the contents, both said, "Honey, you shouldn't have." Truer words were never spoken. Granted, Mom was annoyed when she lost her hubcap in a pothole the size of Lake Michigan, but I doubt she'd been pining to find its replacement under the Christmas tree.

Once for Valentine's Day, Dad cut out letters from newspapers and magazines to spell out, "Dinner for two at the Olive Garden." Sorry, but there's nothing romantic about an invitation that resembles a ransom note.

Given my provenance, you may question my credibility to write a gift-giving column, but since it's less than two weeks before the most romantic holiday of the year and you're not ready, perhaps some tips are in order.

1.Plan ahead. Yes, we're all busy with our lives, our children's lives, our parent's lives...but block out 30 minutes on your calendar to plan your Valentine's Day celebration. Arrange for the sitter. Make the reservations. Schedule carpools...handle the logistics today so you're ready for February 14th.

2.Honor him or her. What makes your significant other unique? Mom is now a robust 70-year-old. She spends her afternoons in the garden, drinks a glass of white wine while preparing dinner, and then scoots to the arts center to throw pots. A basket filled with pottery glazes, wine, kidskin gardening gloves and heirloom seeds might not sound as romantic as a card and red roses, but a gift of these everyday items illustrates that her significant other "gets" her. Honest, she'll feel the love.

3.Invoke the past. After couples have been together for awhile, it's easy to forget why you fell for him or her in the first place. Remind them. My husband and I met on a 3-day, 250 mile bike ride through the Shenandoah mountains. He swears I just hung around him because he plied me with gorp during the trip. So one year I wrapped a box filled with trail mix and wrote on the card, "You lured me in by being generous with your gorp, but your eyes, your sense of humor and your intelligence keep me hooked."

4.Relax. Several of the spas in Williamsburg offer couples massages. Book early and often and you're guaranteed a date for next year.

5.Learn together. Couples who tackle new adventures - whether learning to tango or make tapenade - stay together. Wrap something that suggests the course you've signed up for - guitar picks, silicone spatulas, a paper airplane...just be sure the class is something that you both have an interest in.

You might forgo all these suggestions and just stop in at the convenience store for a card, candy and flowers on your way home, but you're more creative and thoughtful than that. Right honey?