Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that special woman in your life, but haven’t got a clue where to start? Whether your girl’s the sporty type, or loves all things girly, we’ve compiled a list of all the most popular Valentine’s Day gift that you can use to help you decide what the best gift for your girl may be.

Jewelry

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and Valentine’s Day certainly gives gentlemen the perfect opportunity to test that theory. Most jewelers offer deep discounts on their pieces during the first two months of the year, in an attempt to get more people to purchase jewelry for their wives and girlfriends in time for Valentine’s Day. If your lady has a special affinity for all that glitters, then buying jewelry this time of the year is the best way to go.

Spa Certificates

If you would like for your girl to be able to pamper herself for a day then a gift certificate to a nice day spa is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. This is especially popular for moms who spend their days caring for the house and the kids. You can purchase gift certificates for everything from just a manicure, to a full day’s treatment that includes manicures and pedicure, seaweed wraps and facials, and even add in a full body massage to top it all off. We can guarantee if you want your lady to feel extra special, then there’s no better way to go than a gift certificate for her favorite spa.

For Outdoorsy Types

If the lady in your life is more the outdoorsy type, then jewelry and spa probably won’t do the trick. For sportier women, there are a few different things you can get her that will make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. This first would be tickets to see her favorite sports team play. Make them good tickets, too; front row seats if you can. Other women who prefer outdoor sports may enjoy a pair of their favorite hiking boots, some repelling gear, or even just a nice, weekend camping trip with just the two of you.

Other women who prefer the out of doors may enjoy a special day at your local (or not so local) botanical gardens. These spectacular gardens provide an experience that no one should miss out on, and that we guarantee your woman will love. Make the day even more special and pack a special champagne brunch for the two of you to enjoy amongst the flowers. Whichever you choose for your wife or girlfriend, you can be sure that the perfect Valentine’s Day gift will be remembered for years to come.

Now that cooler weather has arrived, boating enthusiasts in the Northern climates have to find other things to do to keep busy, but in Florida, it is prime time for boating. Cooler, more comfortable conditions mean people there can spend countless hours enjoying their favorite pastime.

No matter where the aquaholic in your life plans to spend the winter, be it Florida or in some land-locked region, this Valentine’s Day, surprise him or her with a nautically nice gift that will be of use the next time they’re on the water. Not sure what to get?

One of the nation’s foremost boating experts, John Greviskis, host of Ship Shape TV, shares his picks for this year’s top nautical gifts:

* Eco-friendly gifts
Since the majority of boating enthusiasts are also concerned about the welfare of the environment, you can’t go wrong with an eco-friendly gift like a donation to the Floirda Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida or the Monofilament Recovery & Recycling program (MRRP) of Florida. They all do great work and not only will the recipient appreciate the thought, but they’ll get a kick out of knowing that in some small way, they are helping the environment.

Perhaps you’d like to accompany the certificate announcing your donation with an eco-friendly gift. Whether the recipient has a small dingy or a luxury yacht, Greviskis says they’re sure to appreciate having a Torqeedo electric motor on hand. The award winning motor redefines mobility with its simple charging, light weight, foldable design. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-manganese high-performance battery that connects to the head of the motor, eliminating the need for heavy batteries and cumbersome connections. A waterproof carry bag is included for easy storage. There are models available starting at $1,599.

Or how about a gadget like the Stormtracker Weather Alert Radio/Flashlight. The lightweight device is ideal for boating, camping, road trips and home emergency kits. It features an AM/FM radio tuner with seven NOAA weather frequencies, a 5-LED flashlight and cell phone charger port with universal adaptor set. The device requires three AAA dry cell batteries or the built-in rechargeable NiMH battery for power, but in an emergency, there’s a built-in hand crank that can recharge the internal batteries to provide 15 minutes of runtime for radio, flashlight and cell phone charging operation. (The flashlight is priced at $39.99)

* Great gifts for anglers
Looking for a great gift idea for an angler? You can’t go wrong with a new tackle box filled with designer lures for them to try out, or how about a high-tech gizmo that will revolutionize the way they maneuver through the water. Garmin’s GPSMAP 5000 Series “Touchscreen” Network Chartplotter is preloaded with marine map coverage of the coastal United States, Alaska and Hawaii, making it easy to get from here to there. The sleek, visually stunning multifunction displays are loaded with Garmin’s most advanced control/display capabilities. They feature brilliant hi-resolution XGA color touch screens for easy fingertip control, a new streamlined user interface and worldwide satellite basemap imagery complementing an updated vector chart graphic format. Users can access weather, sonar, video, radar and super-detailed aerial photomapping when optional Garmin sensors and data inputs are added.

* High tech toys
Let him or her swim with the sharks without getting wet. The VideoRay Scout and Scout X3 cameras are steerable underwater robot cameras that allow the user to observe marine and lake creatures in their natural habitat from the comfort of their cabin. The cameras can also be used to inspect a boat’s hull, running gear, anchor and moorings, locate lost gear and valuables, or to explore reefs, wrecks and caves.

* Practical gifts
Whether the intended gift recipient lives on their boat full-time or just on weekends, a practical gift you may want to consider is the Go-Bike. Inspired by the functionality of a Swiss Army knife, the GoBike offers full-size bike features in a compact body that folds and unfolds in a mere 15 seconds. The bike, which weighs a mere 28 pounds, stows easily in your vehicle’s trunk, boat lazarette, under a work desk, or as checked baggage for adventures abroad.

All these great gift ideas are available at West Marine, the country’s largest retailer of boating supplies and accessories. The chain has 380 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Log on to www.westmarine.com to find a store locator, or shop the company’s online catalog. You can also call (800) BOATING for assistance.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Love may be the ultimate thrill-ride, so is it any wonder that many lovers this year will be looking for Valentine’s gifts to make their mate’s heart race? Adventurous romantics can take to the skies with pulse-pounding, airborne gift options.

“Every year, we see more people giving thrilling sky experiences to their loved ones for Valentine’s Day,” says Roberta Collins of Soaring Adventures, a company that specializes in high-flying experiences. “There’s something about an airborne experience that really underscores the giddy excitement – and romance – of love.”

From hot air ballooning to gliding to sky diving, companies that provide these experiences can now be found in virtually every community. Soaring Adventures alone has over 200 locations nationwide. To really sweep your loved one off his or her feet this Valentine’s Day, consider the following Gift Certificate options:

Hot Air Balloon Rides

“Few experiences combine peace and privacy with adventure like hot air ballooning,” says pilot Rob Wilkinson. A typical hot air balloon experience begins with the inflation of the balloon. Couples can watch as the envelope fills with hot air and the balloon rises overhead. Or, they can participate in the preparation with the ground crew. Then, travelers ascend to 500 to 1,000 feet, floating for about an hour over the countryside, enjoying breath-taking views. Upon touchdown – often in a farmer’s field – passengers celebrate the trip with a champagne toast or fruit juice, an old European tradition.

Soaring Glider Rides

Gliding also combines a peaceful experience with the excitement of actually taking control. Two-person gliders allow a passenger the chance to try his or her hand at piloting the aircraft. The adventure starts off with the glider being towed into the air by a powerful towplane. The rope is released when the glider is about a mile high, and the pilot maneuvers the craft on wind currents.

Skydiving

Particularly appealing for 20-somethings, skydiving is a pure adrenaline rush. The experience of freefall is not for the faint-hearted and is very different from ballooning or gliding. After training and preparation, the skydiver boards a plane that climbs to 2 miles above the Earth. The novice makes the jump strapped to an expert skydiver, who controls the freefall – which lasts several minutes – deploys the parachute and manages a safe landing.

Soaring Adventures of America, Inc. offers a gift certificate that can be used for hot air ballooning, gliding or sky-diving experiences. The company has a 100 percent safety record. For more information go to www.800soaring.com or call (800) 762-7464.

Courtesy of ARAcontent