Make Your Valentine's Day More Personal, Less Generic

Skip the red roses and box of chocolates, we've got valentine's day reinvented! Stopping by to show us alternatives to those classic V-Day clichés is Sharon Stimpfle, deputy editor of TheNest.com.

1. Ditch the generic and cheesy card from the drug store and instead make him/ her a photobook of the last year of your relationship (would be a great tradition to start!). It's a much more meaningful way to kick off the day than a read-and-toss card. And YES - there still is time! Snapfish.com has a great program where you can upload photos on their site and then pick up the book at Duane Reade the next day! All you have to do is log onto Snapfish.com where you can drag and drop your prized photos into a virtual book.

2. Surprise breakfast in bed! Couples on The Nest are always looking for a great budget friendly date night idea, so we say ditch the overpriced and over-crowded idea of a candlelight dinner and instead surprise him/her with a tray full of his/her favorite goodies. You can keep it simple with the cooking, but splurge on Mimosas …it will still be under $50!

3. Just because you want to give her roses, that doesn't mean you have to drop a couple hundred dollars at your local florist! One of our favorites is to give her everything she needs to enjoy a rose scented bath! Look at this great gift set from Sabon that includes rose bath salt (with real rose petals!) a bath ball with rose petals, and two slices of soaps that that are both enriched with rose oil. And the best part? It's under $50! Extra points for drawing her a bath complete" with candlelight! ($41)

4. Chocolate is always a favorite Valentine's gift for both him OR her - instead of giving your loved one a generic box of chocolates, we say go for a sexy gift that you two can enjoy together - like this fondue set from Sur La Table! After all, they do say that chocolate is an aphrodisiac! For under $80 you can pick up this set that has everything you need for the perfect night in.

5. Blame it on Don Draper, retro drinks are hotter than ever. Now your man can have the perfect gadget for perfecting his own old school cocktails at home with these whisky stones from Abode in Williamsburg. What's great about whisky stones is that they keep his drink cold without diluting them like ice cubes would. These work great with whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or even mixed drinks. Pair them with glasses for the perfect cocktail set. (Cubes - 9 for $21.)

6. We love the idea of a subscription service because you'll be guaranteeing her a special gift every month! And there are SO many options -chocolate, bubble baths from around the world, or even pasta (with your promise to make her dinner every month!
- Bath products from around the world - Smallflower.com - $160 for 6 months
-Chocolates -Vosges Haut Chocolat has a "Lunar Chocolate of the Month Club" where every delivery coincides with a full moon- you receive a limited edition chocolate collection and a card detailing the significance of the moon according to the lunar cycle and chocolate rituals. vosgeschocolate.com - About $42 a month
-Pasta - Yes there pasta of the month! (FlyingNoodle.com $37 a month)

For more great gifts ideas check out the winter issue of The Nest Magazine or visit TheNest.com.