There are many people obliged to spend Valentines Day far away from the people they love due to circumstances beyond their control.  They include young kids away at school; military and naval servicemen; rig workers; off shore workers. 

The difficulty of finding a Valentines gift for someone who is not physically present is even more challenging.  Anyone who has spent a long and agonizing time away from their loved ones will say the same thing – it is the meaningful gift that makes them feel connected.

Well that’s fine but where do you find a gift so great it makes people feel connected?

The answer is in simplicity.  It is easy enough to go online and order a dozen helium balloons, a bouquet of three dozen red roses and an accompanying two kilo box of chocolates.  Not that such a gift would be unwelcome!  However, none of these things can be looked at three months down the line in May or June, by which time the balloons will have deflated, along with all the well meant sentiments tattoed on them; the flowers will have wilted and the chocolates will have been eaten long ago…

Traditional Valentines gifts are usually short lived and either die or spoil, rather like short term loves.  A longer lasting affection deserves something a little more durable and something that means a lot more than the soft centers found in that beautifully gift wrapped and delicious but none the less transient box of chocolates. 

This Valentines Day, the trend is to search for something with a little more than the tired and worn out train of teddy bears, cupid dolls and ill fitting red panties with ‘love me forever’ written in sequins across the back (or front!)  A gift that tells someone you love you are thinking of them all the time, not just on Valentines Day, qualifies as a successful present. 

Natural gifts are welcome this year – gifts that come from the earth yet do not deplete the earth’s resources.  Stone jewelry and friendship stones are among the best selling gifts available and they do not break the bank.  Friendship gifts for Valentines can be small tokens rather than sweeping statements yet mean so much more than a passing emotion.  Give a gift you can share for maximum Valentines impact! 

The exchange of gifts at Valentines is one of the most touching rituals still observed the World over.  This year, give a gift that carries the right message to loved ones who are separated by miles – a gift they can hold in their hand and look at every night before they go to sleep; a Valentines gift to remember.