Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: Perfectly Suited For the Many Moods of Love

Valentine's Day is Saturday! If you haven't figured out yet what you'll do for your valentine, here are our suggestions – all locally available. Consider these and if you have more ideas to share, do so in the comments section below.

For Romance ...
Dance lessons
Learning to dance sparks romances, kindles connection and electrifies your relationship. When a couple moves together across a dance floor – practicing the subtle art of lead and follow – their senses are heightened through physical and emotional connection. "One of the best gifts a couple can give to each other is the gift of dance. It's not only fun and joyous; it's a magical opportunity to reconnect through touch on the dance floor," said Stanley McCalla, co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio Mamaroneck. "Just imagine doing a tango, cheek to cheek, chest to chest, with the lady's feet caressing the floor and brushing against her partner's legs. Salsa is another popular dance that we teach. Its rhythmic beat is like a heartbeat – hot, sultry and exciting. The waltz, too, is a romantic dance and a classic choice for couples asking us to choreograph their first wedding dance. With the waltz, you feel the rise and fall of the music and the graceful sway of two bodies linked together in motion. Dance is the embodiment of love and passion." Packages of weekly dance lessons make a fantastic ongoing gift because they set aside time for togetherness, and they can be a prelude to a great date. Lessons also build confidence, fortify communication and invigorate a couple's social life. For Valentine's Day, Fred Astaire Dance Studio Mamaroneck is promoting an introductory special of two 30-minute lessons for $60, which can be used for either a couple or a single person.
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Mamaroneck, 451 E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, 914.381.2562

For Classic Elegance ...
Flowers
You can never go wrong with flowers. They are as classic as love itself. "Red roses are the eternal symbol of romantic love," said German Chino, owner of The Scarsdale Village Flower Shop. "Most people choose the traditional bouquet of a dozen roses; however, even just one gorgeous red rose, beautifully presented and tied with a nice ribbon and bow, can have dramatic impact." Since flowers are so versatile, they suit couples at any stage of a relationship – especially when a nicely written card expresses sincere sentiment. In addition to red, Chino is offering roses in unusual colors, including a gorgeous bi-color blend whose petals bleed from bright raspberry to saturated pink. Other fresh and unique options include mixtures of orchids and roses or bouquets of gingers, orchids, birds of paradise and textural greenery. "It's always best to order flowers and arrange deliveries in advance, but we will be open on Valentine's Day, with beautiful flowers in stock for our last-minute customers. We understand how busy everyone is, but most of all, we understand how important it is to get the perfect gift," Chino said.
The Scarsdale Village Flower Shop, 7 Harwood Court, Scarsdale, 914.723.0852

For Indulgence ...
Chocolate
Chocolate is the taste of Valentine's Day. Foil-wrapped truffles and heart-shaped boxes of candy are tempting choices. However, to distinguish your gift from the plentitude of drugstore iterations, select luxury confections that flirt with the senses. The penultimate gift of chocolate should be gorgeous in its presentation and packaging. Its flavors should be rich and nuanced – complex rather than sweet. Chocolate is a pleasure food. Each morsel is intended to be savored slowly, as it melts in the mouth. Additions of nuts, sea salt, caramel, dried fruit, liqueur and warm exotic spices can add surprising variety and stimulate the palate. Since ancient times, when Mayans exchanged cacao beans for sexual pleasure, chocolate has acquired a reputation as an aphrodisiac. It contains serotonin which is thought to increase arousal; and chocolate's silky texture on the tongue is a sensual experience itself. Bill Vogel, co-owner of Imagine Candy, said some of this year's most popular confections include rich Belgian truffles and solids in a heart-shaped box, salted caramels, mendiants (thin dark chocolate squares with pistachios and cranberries), boxed Chapel Hill dark chocolate and pecan toffee (all natural and gluten-free), Valentine's Day heart pops, buttery Scottish shortbread and an edible chocolate box filled with foil wrapped chocolate hearts. "People associate Valentine's Day with love and beautiful chocolates," Vogel said. "We have lots of artisan, organic, nut-free and gluten-free dark and milk chocolates – and they're all delicious. We give our customers lots of variety and choice so they always find exactly what they're looking for. When you buy good chocolate, you want to enjoy it by eating it and sharing it. That's what it's all about."
Imagine Candy, 22 Harwood Court, 914.723.7887

For Commitment ...
Jewelry
When affection isn't a fleeting affair ... when love has only deepened with time ... when you can't imagine your life with anyone else ... when words are not enough, express your feelings with jewelry. The timeless permanence of gold, silver and gemstones makes each jewelry piece into a lasting statement of adoration and commitment. The ritual intimacy of wearing jewelry close to the body is like a lover's totem; it reinforces the intimate bond of the relationship. For a wife of 25 years, Jonathan Landsberg, of Landsberg Jewelers, suggests an 18k yellow gold Primavera bangle with diamonds by Roberto Coin (Roberto Coin is available at Landsberg Jewelers' Ritz Carlton/White Plains location). For newlyweds, diamond studs make a spectacular and exuberant gift. For a husband or boyfriend, Landsberg recommends a Phillip Stein watch. For a girlfriend, a Hipchik necklace is an excellent choice – and totally on trend now. "When purchasing a Valentine's Day gift, you want that special someone to really enjoy receiving the gift and wearing the gift. That's why selecting a meaningful piece of jewelry is very important. This year, we're loving everything by Roberto Coin. His pieces are classic, sumptuous and understated all at once. They can also be worn in an extremely personalized way. Fashioned out of white gold, yellow gold and rose gold, Roberto Coin's pieces are meant to be mixed, matched and layered within the collection.
Landsberg Jewelers at The Ritz-Carlton Westchester, 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains, 914.761.1122

For Sentimentality ....
Custom Photography Blocks
Start a tradition with personal, heartfelt gifts that celebrate your life together. Mutually chosen artwork or decorative objects are wonderful gifts for a couple to give themselves. The process of mutually shopping for the joint gift is like a fun date. Inside the home, the object will always be a tangible embodiment of the couple's love. Karen Tolchin, co-owner of Current Home, recommends Custom Photography Blocks. "More prominent than a regular picture frame, these archival quality, modern lacquer blocks are the perfect way to showcase or highlight a special photograph in your home," she said. "We are excited about the Photography Blocks because they can inspire traditions based on images of special events experienced together during the year, such as a memorable vacation, a bat mitzvah or a birthday!" The Photography Blocks are carefully edited; they take approximately five weeks to make, and they come in two sizes suitable for placement on a credenza or a tabletop. They start at $300. "We love these custom photography blocks, they make a unique Valentine's Day gift because they are personal gifts that celebrate family, love and the life you have built together," Tolchin said.
Current Home, 8 Palmer Avenue, Scarsdale, 914.723.2462

For Pampering ...
Spa experiences
Spoil your beloved with the luxurious gift of a massage, facial, body scrub, manicure, pedicure or other spa treatment. These services are a wonderful physical indulgence and an ideal psychological escape from the stress of everyday life. For Valentine's Day, Devra Bader Skin Care and Beauty Spa is highlighting treatments that incorporate chocolate – such as a 60-minute chocolate cake body scrub, in which chocolate oils are blended with salts for an incredible massage and exfoliation. For a shared relaxation experience, Tranquility Spa is offers a couple's massage, in which soothing Swedish massage techniques will work to pamper the body, relieve stress and improve sleep.
Devra Bader Skin Care and Beauty Spa, 38 Garth Road, Scarsdale, 914.725.1158
Tranquility Spa, 917 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, 914.713.0066

For appetite ...
Cooking classes
Candlelight, wine and a romantic playlist add essential spice to dinner a deux. Why not intensify the pleasure by inviting your significant other into the kitchen? Taking a cooking class together is a wonderful way to bond, as you discover something new and collaborate on the delicious. Even long married couples that make time to share the kitchen benefit from working together toward a common objective, sharing tasks and learning to appreciate each other's skills. Cooking offers great practice in the collaborative skills of being a couple, and it's a wonderful time to slow down for conversation and connection. Whether you're tempted by sweet or spicy, the Scarsdale Adult School offers a variety of themed classes taught by fun and dynamic teachers – and the best part is, each class is a wonderful prelude to dessert. ... And don't forget; the complement to any meal is a celebratory libation. Zachys Wine and Liquor recommends Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, which they say is "perfect to share with the one you love." In honor of Valentine's Day, Zachys is hosting a complimentary, in-store tasting of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne from 12-4 pm, Feb. 14. Wine expert and special guest Charlotte Raux will be available to answer questions and advise on last-minute gifts.
Scarsdale Adult School.org
Zachys Wine and Liquor, 16 East Parkway, Scarsdale, 914.874.8000

For Creativity
Handmade gifts, gifts of time
To really personalize Valentine's Day for your beloved, make it personal. This is the time to polish your poetic voice and your crafting talents. This is a moment to give generously of your skills and your time. Your sweet creativity will be rewarded by the impact of a handmade card, a handwritten verse, a chain of cut paper hearts, a love note taped to the mirror, breakfast in bed, rose petals in the bath, or homemade brownies cut into the shape of hearts. The significance of a creative gift is expressed through its heartfelt expression of affection and its personal, one-of-a-kind aspects. However, similar impact can also be achieved through special store-bought goods. Declare your love through a book of romantic poetry (try Pablo Neruda), a playlist of bedroom songs or a favorite photo of the two of you in a silver frame. Build anticipation for a future date night by buying tickets to a show, a sporting event, a concert – or, best of all, a romantic weekend getaway where you can spend lots of time together in bed.