With Valentine’s at the door, here is a Valentine’s Day gift guide for all the levels of Valentine’s Day dating.

The Secret Admirer

There’s no better time than Valentine’s Day to share your desire for that cutie you’ve had your eye on. After all, the secret admirer is what Valentine’s Day used to be all about. Whether you’re giving or receiving, everyone loves a little mysticism in their life and it’s always flattering to know that someone has a crush on you even if the admirer is uglier than a skinhead Britney Spears (but hopefully a little less psycho).

What to give: Send a card in the post and if you’re too shy to reveal yourself sign it with ‘from your secret admirer’… very fifth grade but in an adorable kind of way.
Why it’s hot: It’s fun, is guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face and can give you an opening if you want to take things further.
What not to give: Don’t include something weird in the card, such as freshly torn out eye lashes… that’s just creepy.

The Casual Lover

You’re there for each other at the most important times… ok maybe not the most important but when you last contacted him/her, getting a little action was well and truly up there on your list of priorities. If you are going to have a little meet and greet on Valentine’s Day then a gift is definitely in order. But keep it simple and down play on the romance – the last thing you want to do is turn your booty call into more of an emotional roller coaster than a sappy Meg Ryan movie. What to give: A bottle of champagne, don’t blow the budget but try to buy something a little more classier than the $5 variety popular with university students and underage drinkers alike.

Why it’s hot: It’s classy and sexy, not overtly romantic while still sending the right message.
What not to give: Bunch after bunch of long stem red roses with a card saying ‘I have always loved you’.

The ‘Just Started Dating’ Couple
You know you’re into each other but it’s still early days – you may not be ready to declare true love but at least you have a date on the ‘most romantic day of the year’. If you want to take things to the next level then you’re going to have to do something special – but not too crazy that you scare someone away. Adding a personal touch to a gift is a good idea; it shows that you’ve been paying attention over the first few dates and that he hasn’t spent the whole time ogling her breasts or that she hasn’t spent the whole time trying to figure out his bank balance.
What to give: Organise dinner at a restaurant he mentioned he wanted to try or send the flowers she told you were her favourite. Have no idea what he or she likes and dislikes? Well start listening! Chances are he/she has dropped plenty of hints by now.

Why it’s hot: It shows that you care enough about the things that excite them and that you’re willing to put in some effort.
What not to give: Nothing, zilch, nada. If you want to keep this woman or man around then you better step up and acknowledge that Valentine’s Day is super important for some people. If you’re not willing to get into the spirit of things then don’t be surprised if you’re dropped faster than an Australian Idol reject.

The Love is all Around Couple
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, you have spring in your step and your counting down the minutes until you can see each other again… awww isn’t love grand! For you Valentine’s Day is all about romance, romance, and more romance.
What to give: Effort is the key and making the gift extra personal will make it one to remember. Seeing as you know your partner better than I do, I’ll leave it to you to decide but just make sure it’s big and most importantly, thoughtful.

Why it’s hot: It shows that you listen and that you care enough to make a special effort for that person.
What not to give: Anything cheap and easy… this will look especially bad if your other half has really gone out their way and had “I LOVE YOU” written in the sky and all you’ve coughed up is a $10 bunch of flowers you picked up from the service station that have already begun to wilt.

What are you hoping to get for Valentine’s Day? Tell us all about it!