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Xbox GamerchiX Valentine's Survival Guide
TriXie recently asked the GamerchiX some important questions about Valentine's Day. Use it as a guide to keeping your girl happy and staying out of the doghouse.
TriXie: What is an appropriate gift?
IvoryDoll: The best Valentine's gift I ever received was a poem written by my boyfriend. It didn't cost anything, didn't take a lot of time, but I still remember it and have kept it in a special place. He was well rewarded.
Andrasta: Money is not a valid excuse for a lack of a gift. One year we were struggling financially, and I arrived home on Valentine's Day to find little construction paper hearts everywhere. I'd open a cabinet or draw and one was there; there were hearts under the toilet lid and behind furniture. I was finding them for months and every single one made me smile.
TKay27: It's not that it cost ten dollars or ten thousand dollars. It's something that thought was put into. It's unique and unexpected.
the bad cookie: It could be something as small as getting of picture of you two together and having it framed.
Venus Envy: What would be really romantic for me is to go for supper (yes, even at Taco Bell!) and then be brought to a game store and told I could have any new game I wanted!
Enfarine: Maybe you're better at a certain game than she is, so you give her "training" to help her improve her skills in the game. But this training shouldn't involve insulting her skills in any way.
Plazma Princess: A gift card to Victoria's Secret or any game store is a plus.
Catalina PMS: My husband had just enough money to buy me a single silk rose and a card. He tore the middle of the card out and wrote his own feelings for me in it. I cried. I still have both.
Moose Muffin: Ethernet cables; you can never have enough Ethernet cables.
Lithop: Potted mini roses and spending the night in playing regular board games
TriXie: What kind of gifts would make you mad?
Jadzia 360: Something obviously not intended for me in the first place (a game you know I won't like).
LIL MIZBEHAVIN: Grocery store candy and a handful of store flowers are a big no-no.
Lachica38: Anything for the home, like a vacuum cleaner, bread maker, sewing machine…
Silverstarlight: I do not want a mop … unless he plans on using it.
Enfarine: Don't assume that what has wooed one woman will make all others melt. Women compare notes and don't tend to feel impressed if you give her a routine identical to your previous twelve girlfriends.
Chrissylas306: Don't get me something that you grabbed from Walgreens or Wal-Mart on the way home. I don't want to feel like an afterthought.
MechAngel: Don't buy a ridiculously expensive diamond necklace for a girl that wears hoodies and jeans every day.
TriXie: Is just a card okay?
Jadzia 360: If money is tight, a card is fine, but follow it by doing something nice for her.
X cap k X: Card's aren't okay, unless it's just a friendship.
Silverstarlight: A card is awesome as long as something sweet is written in it.
Blastchickbaby: When our son was first born we were broke. But my husband bought me the most beautiful card, and included a personal declaration of what I mean to him I'll take that over a lot of gifts any day.
Hotpinkrobot: It doesn't have to be hearts and flowers; it could be a fart joke or a dirty limerick if the sentiment is there.
Moose Muffin: A card is the slacker's way out.
MechAngel: A card is okay if it comes with a sincere inscription and a kiss.
TriXie: Is it better to take you out to a nice place or cook for you?
Jadzia 360: If he can cook without burning down the house, I'd think very highly of the effort put into making a home-cooked meal for me.
TKay27: If you're married or live together go to a nice restaurant. If not, a romantic home-cooked meal would be appreciated.
Blastchickbaby: It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive, just somewhere we can dress nice for a change and get out of the house.
The bad cookie: Home-cooked meal. Just don't tell me you made it when I can see the carry-out boxes.
MechAngel: Italian restaurants to the romantic thing well.
TriXie: When, if ever, is it okay to blow off Valentine's Day?
LIL MIZBEHAVIN: Skipping Valentine's Day is a huge no-no.
Andrasta: If you are in any kind of romantic relationship, you must participate in this holiday or suffer the consequences.
MEESA80: Think of it this way: you should treat every holiday/birthday like it is the release day of that new game you really want. Would ya miss that? I doubt it.
K8T3: Debt, sickness, school exams, family emergency, moving.
Enfarine: If both parties think that V-Day is a Hallmark scam, then blow it off.
Catalina PMS: I can't think of any. It doesn't take any time to just say Happy Valentine's Day and/or I Love You.
BM2 Love Angel: There's no excuse. It is unacceptable, period.
FiestyFox: Death and serious illness.
Lithop: The guy is extremely sick (like puking his guts out).
Twylyght Myst: Being very ill or nuclear war.
Jolene Allen: I don't really think there is an excuse except maybe the world blew up.
MechAngel: You cannot skip it! Girls live for this kind of stuff; especially new flames.
Maekom: My husband is missing this Valentine's Day because he'll be on a submarine in the middle of the ocean. I consider that an adequate excuse.
TriXie: If you've been dating only a month can he skip it? Two weeks? What is the dating cutoff for Valentine's Day?
X cap k X: I think if someone is in a brand new relationship they should definitely be on the ball about Valentine's day gifts.
Lachica38: Anything less than two weeks.
K8T3: One month.
Silverstarlight: If you like someone a lot you should NOT skip Valentine's Day. Even if you've been dating two weeks it's a great way of showing how much you are interested.
Blastchickbaby: If the relationship is to the point where you spend Friday night together without someone having to ask the other one for a date, then Valentine's Day should be acknowledged.
Chrissylas306: There is a fine line between romantic and creepy. If you haven't been dating very long then simplicity will be your friend. Be thoughtful but don't go over the top.
Pinkuh: The first weeks are some of the most important. You're founding the base of a relationship. Even if it's a silly gift, some effort should be made.
BM2 Love Angel: Don't go buying diamonds and pearls. You don't know the person that well yet. Give something that will show you care without showing off.
The Danger Doll: If it is early in the relationship it may benefit him to get a nice gift. Every woman likes to be pampered at least a little.
TriXie: Any other advice?
LIL MIZBEHAVIN: Maybe sign up for a dance class together if that is something you think she would like.
Andrasta: Don't blow it off. Reschedule if you have to. It really hurts when all of our girlfriends are out being wined and dined, and we're home eating macaroni and cheese, watching reruns.
TKAY27: Dating is essentially a whole series of awkward moments that lead two people to get to know each other. If a guy is unsure what his new flame expect, he should just ask.
Maj1013: Men bear the brunt of Valentine's Day, which is utterly unfair. Ladies, turn it around this year. Spoil your man. Let him win at Far Cry.
Hotpinkrobot: Do what your instincts tell you, not the television, not your friends.
The bad cookie: Don't forget your good friends and single friends on Valentine's Day. You have no idea how good a rose and a note can make a girl feel when she's single and lonely.
Enfarine: Valentine's Day and the few weeks surrounding it are peak times for breakups. So if you find yourself being dumped or doing the dumping, hang in there…there's always next year!
Pinkuh: Girls need to show their men equal treatment. The holiday isn't all about us.
Sirius389: Make the day count. Spend it together with the one you love; gifts shouldn't be the first priority.
The Danger Doll: I personally think that this holiday is silly. People should love and love hard always. We never know when the jig is up here on this planet, so we should let those we love know as frequently as possible how we feel.
