Readers weigh in on best gifts for Valentines

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John M. Steiner / The Sun Cassie and John DuBray stand Monday with their dog, Bella, and are expecting a new baby to arrive later this week to help celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Talk about it

Flowers, candies and chocolates typically litter office cubicles and kitchen counters Feb. 14. And while those gifts are good, The Jamestown Sun polled its online readers to see what sort of gifts, dates or demonstrations of love they’d prefer this Valentine’s Day.

According to its unofficial poll, “dinner” was the top vote-getter with more than 21 percent of votes as of Monday.

Jamestown resident Steven Clark said a good Valentine’s Day dinner could take place either out on the town or homemade in the kitchen.

“I guess it depends on your cooking abilities and ... your lifestyle,” he said.

He said if the couple typically eats at home, an evening out would spice things up and vice versa.

But Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be limited to a table set for two.

For Jamestown resident Cassie DuBray, Valentine’s Day this year will hopefully include a party of three.

Most years, an ideal Valentine’s Day for her would include a candlelit supper with her husband, John DuBray, she said, sharing a box of chocolates and enjoying an evening without interruptions.

But 2011 is different.

DuBray is expecting and the couple’s little boy or girl is due Feb. 11.

“This year my ideal Valentine’s Day would include being at home with my husband, my parents and my precious little bundle of joy,” she said.

DuBray’s parents, Doug and Lindasue Spencer of Canby, Ore., were married on Valentine’s Day 1981. They will celebrate their 30th anniversary with their daughter, her husband and with hope, their second grandchild.

And if a new baby isn’t in the plans this year, going traditional may, indeed, be the best gift of all. The third and fourth place poll answers were flowers and jewelry, respectively.

But if the budget doesn’t allow, the authors of Women on a Mission: Mom Edition (http://www.wom-mom.com) offer a few thrifty tips and tricks.

Lori Listopad of Jamestown co-writes the blog along with her friend Ethne Denham in Minneapolis.

“For a gift, forget jewelry and flowers — how about a pair of fabulous new shoes?” Denham said.

Denham said a date night with her husband is an ideal Valentine’s Day for her.

“We spend lots of time trying to come up with the PERFECT Valentine’s Day gift for our hubby, boyfriend, or even friend. ...” Listopad wrote. “You don’t have to spend a fortune on that special someone. The thought does count!”

Even if the thought is more of a little joke.

“I usually buy my husband new boxers in as obnoxious a pattern as I can find,“ Denham said.

Like Denham, Listopad said Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be elaborate. The little things are more important.

“Consider your sweetie’s favorite things and build them into the day,” she said.

Her gift ideas include:

* a children’s book from her son to her husband

* a candy bouquet

* fun food items like homemade hot chocolate mix

(For more ideas, visit http://www.wom-mom.com/2011/02/v-day-gifts-thoughtful-and-thrifty.html)

“More than anything it is most important to remember your Valentine everyday — not just on V-Day,” she said. “V-Day is a great reminder to be thoughtful, but try to incorporate thoughtfulness into every day. Think outside of the box. Some of my favorite memories of my husband are the times that he totally surprised me.”

For readers still unsure of what to give or do, perhaps less is more. More than 19 percent of poll takers said they preferred “no gift at all.”

Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan-anderson@ jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, valentine