Worst Valentine's Day Gifts
A donut, a card that still reeked of the gas station where it was purchased, a box half-filled with Jolly Ranchers -- these are real gifts given to real people as an expression of real love. You might find that hilarious, depressing or even all too familiar. We consider it a warning of how a lovely little romance can go terribly wrong in one awkward moment wrapped up in pink ribbon.
Read more: The gifts Kate Middleton gets? Pretty amazing, put yours to shame.
We asked Shine readers to share the most awful Valentine's Day gifts they'd gotten and their responses made that single rose from a seventh-grade boyfriend or a home-cooked, slightly burned casserole cliches look like 4-carat canary diamonds. Want to tell your significant other you think they're mehhhh? These gifts will do exactly that.
Give your love diet pills for Valentine's Day and you will be backpedaling seconds after the present is unwrapped. And from what our readers tell us, no assurances that you chose the pills because she looks just like spokesperson Kim Kardashian or because he said he wanted to lose the moobs will get you out of this VDay mess. That goes for gym memberships, toning shoes, Spanx, weight scales and anything else related to not being gorgeous just the way they are.
Of course, you should get your sweetie some sweets! Just don't cheap out when it comes to chocolate, or even worse, help yourself to half the box before you give it to him.
Trust us: You might think you're doing her a service by buying a car-related present for Valentine's Day. But giving her jumper cables as a gift might just stall your whole relationship.
Shine reader Nicole confessed that one boyfriend gave her a little present and sweet Valentine's Day card. Sounds perfect, right? It was until she found the break-up letter tucked inside.
Cheap jewelry does not impress the ladies or the gents. If there's any chance the bling will turn their skin green, then maybe put that few dollars toward one of those cards that plays a funny song.
In the digital age, who doesn't want sweet nothings (or even spicier messages) sent by text? One Shine reader said she adored the sweet and simple "I love you" message she received one Valentine's Day. Until she realized he sent an identical one to his ex.
Check out: 10 signs he's not over his ex
Reader Kristina told us that she spent one Valentine's Day in the pen with her boyfriend! He took her there on a date to visit a friend who was serving time. If the most romantic part of the day is a pat-down from the warden, it is time to spend the holiday with someone on the outside.
Hair-styling tools can be luxury items, fashioned from boar's hair and organic bamboo. But a few-dollar, plastic set from the local drug store isn't any way to tell your sweetheart you adore their lovely locks.
Perhaps the very worst of the very worst is this, a bottle of Beano gas drops given to a Shine reader. She says it was wrapped beautifully and presented to her over dinner at a restaurant -- probably not the best way to air your love...or her little secrets.
She's a lifesaver! He keeps you afloat in stormy waters! Our readers say it's time to move past the cheesy sayings and the gifts meant to get us involved in the hobbies only you love. Need proof? One reader told us getting an over-sized personal floatation device made her want to (sorry about this) jump overboard.
People of the world: Putting a ribbon on a lawn mower, power drill, vacuum cleaner, shovel, or other household item that leads to more work doesn't make it a gift. Forget your delusions of practicality and wrap up something your sweetie doesn't "need!"
Don't believe the Reese Witherspoon movie marathons! Readers told Shine that, as much as they love you and want to spend the rest of their days as your husband or wife, they don't want you to propose on Valentine's Day. Surprise her on the second Tuesday of the month or maybe even Groundhog's Day, but don't pop the question when she completely expects it.
Read more on Shine:
Amazing things made of chocolate
4 gift-giving rules for your new main squeeze
10 tips to find love
Does marriage have an expiration date?
