How a Man Handles Valentine's Day

Sure, the gift counts. It must be something slightly surprising that fits into the realm of her tastes or desires. But too many men forget the story. Men, real men, are often too utilitarian to appreciate that women want the story. They want to know a man thought about them, even went through great trouble to please them. So the gift must have a story. With that in mind, here is how to buy the three basics.

How to Buy Candy

Find a knowledgeable salesman and ask where the chocolate came from and why it was made the way it was. If you can tell a woman you bought fine Belgium chocolate from Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva, or Nirvana because their famous pralines are still made by hand in small shops using original equipment, and that this particular flavor is made only in the spring with fresh hazelnut and was impossible to find, you’ll give her an impression of you she’ll never relinquish.

How to Buy Flowers

Flower arrangement is actually a Japanese art Samurai used to master. But few have the time to know what flora is perfect for each season and event. Find a local shop that delivers where the florist has time to talk. Tell the salesperson what you’re sending flowers for in a revealing way so they’ll be personally involved in the arrangement. Roses are good, but the second time a woman gets roses from you she’ll be half as impressed.

How to Buy Jewelry

Gold: Pure gold is known as 24k gold, but most jewelry is made from either 18k gold, 14k gold or 10k gold. By mixing gold with other alloys, jewelers can create stunning golden shades. White gold, pink gold, rose gold, orange gold and even green gold are just some of the many colors of gold. Whatever appeals to her, make it meaningful. How can it be tailored to her taste?

Diamonds: The diamond is the birthstone for April. Diamonds are the recommended gift for couples celebrating their 10th, 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. When shopping for a diamond, keep in mind that the value of a stone is determined by the “Four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. “Cut” refers to the perfection of the design and the overall symmetry of the stone. “Color” is easy, the whiter the stone, the greater its value. Most diamonds are graded on the GIA color scale that begins with “D” for colorless and continues all the way down to “Z.” “Clarity” refers to the presence of surface or internal flaws within a diamond. External marks are known as “blemishes,” while internal ones are called “inclusions.” And “carat weight” refers to the size of the stone. When you give her a stone, explain the Four C’s and tell her why this particular one is special.

Gemstones: Some peoples attributed magical, mystical powers to gemstones, and believed the stones could cure specific ailments. From a man’s perspective, the great thing about gemstones is some wise marketer designated a birthstone for each month. They’re a great and easy gift for a first anniversary.

January: Garnet

February: Amethyst

March: Aquamarine

April: Diamond

May: Emerald

June: Pearl

July: Ruby

August: Peridot

September: Sapphire

October: Opal

November: Citrine

December: Blue topaz

Also, know the return policy before you buy jewelry. You never really know if she’ll like it or not, so make sure she can return it or trade it in.