This Tulsa

We all know that this holiday puts a lot of pressure on guys to make it a fabulous and memorable day for the special women in their lives. The problem is that many guys lack either the funds or imagination to come up with the perfect Valentine that will have her gushing to all of her friends the next day. Let’s face it, this holiday was created for women, so in an effort to help out everyone here are some tips for guys from a woman (categorized by price).

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Think ahead! Many of the nicer restaurants offer reservations. Getting on that list shows your forethought and she will be thrilled that you did it! Ti Amo’s is a classic Valentine’s Day spot, their intimate booths and delicious Italian food will wow her for sure. The Melting Pot and Mahogany’s are also great pics for a romantic meal.

Diamonds are forever. This is a fail safe gift that will make any woman’s eye’s light up with surprise and excitement. Israel Diamond is wonderful if you have a little extra to spend, but watch for deals at other stores and you can find a beautiful sparkle that is moderately priced. Macy’s sells fine jewelry and has a great selection, plus they always have sales going on and you get extra discounts for using your Macy’s card. Sam’s Club also has some quality jewelry at reasonable prices. Don’t be scared that it’s WalMart’s big cousin…sparkle is sparkle.

Flowers always bring a smile. Most women love fresh cut flowers and a beautiful arrangement will have her blushing all day. Toni’s is one of the nicest places in town for a beautiful bouquet; just make sure you order in advance!

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Looking for jewelry but don’t have a fortune to spend? James Avery is located in Woodland Hills Mall (lower level by Macy’s) and offers a wide variety of jewelry with lots of sterling silver. From rings to necklaces and earrings you can’t go wrong with a gift from this unique shop.

Eat your heart out! Everyone does Valentine’s Day dinner out but who wants to deal with crowded restaurants and long waiting times? To try something a little different, go to the Marriott at Southern Hills and enjoy their delicious breakfast buffet. For around $20 (not including tip) the two of you can enjoy a buffet of muffins, assorted pastry, fresh fruit, hash brows, sausage, bacon, made-to-order omelets and many other tasty treats. To add even more romance get a room package that includes a super comfy bed and buffet breakfast the next morning.

Play games! Since the only Dave & Buster’s in the State just opened in Tulsa, why not go have some fun? Just be sure that she is into this kind of thing before planning a date around it. Have some food and a couple of drinks and relish in some childhood delights by playing everything from skee ball to trivia games.

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Flowers for less. Go to Sam’s Club or Reasor’s and you can pick and choose from several bundles of flowers to make your own arrangement. Buy an inexpensive vase to go with it and viola! you just did something thoughtful and creative!

Want to scare her into your arms? If you enjoy horror flicks and don’t mind crowded theaters, check out My Bloody Valentine which will be opening on (what else) Valentine’s Day. Added bonus: 3-D flick.

Funky food and fun. Cosmo’s is one of my favorite places to go to grab a drink or eat a whole meal and I enjoy they kooky atmosphere and fun staff. You can sit at a regular table or grab a seat in a plush chair and pick one of their many board games to play while you hang out. It is different and fun, my husband and I are regulars!

Want something inexpensive and low key? Here are a few ideas that always work… Stay at home, get a bottle of wine and make her dinner. Get some massage oil and make her literally melt in your hands. Have a picnic dinner in your living room and watch a romantic movie that you would never watch otherwise but know she will love. Make a Valentine’s Day card for her and be creative. My favorite V-day gift is the “love box” my husband made me with “I Love You” written in 100 languages!

Whatever you do, make it special in your own way and hopefully you will get some good lovin’ in return!

DO NOT: Buy her a gift card, forget to get (or make) a card or leave everything up to her! This only spells disaster.

Hopefully some of these ides will help you guys out and keep you in the arms of the one you love this Valentine’s Day. Have any other great ideas? Leave them in the comments.