Valentine Shopping

Valentine's Day is a veritable minefield of gifts that are too gushy, not romantic enough or just plain cliche. Shopper columnist Cory Ohlendorf will be online Friday, Feb. 9, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss what to give and where to get it.

Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.

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Cory Ohlendorf: They say 'tis better to give than to receive, but which is easier? I guess that depends on what you're buying and who it's for, because Valentine's Day gets a bit tricky. With so much junk cluttering the marketplace, how do you find something unique and meaningful? So for the next hour, we'll be talking about gifts to give that special someone. It was a lot easier when all it took was some construction paper, a glue stick and some sweet-yet-chalky conversation hearts. And if your single,(there's no shame in it) let's talk about buying yourself a little happy on this holiday that causes such anxiety.

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Alexandria, Va.: Where is the best place to buy modest priced lingerie? I want something more than Victoria Secret. Must be Metro accessible! Thank you!

Cory Ohlendorf: This is where knowing your girl will come in handy. Lingerie is as much a gift for you as it is for her. So while you want something that you'll want to see her in, it has to be (first and foremost) something she wants to actually wear.

That said, Romance For The Senses, in(Metro-friendly) Old Town Alexandria carries a rather extensive collection of brands like the fantastical Mary Green, the sweeter and more comfortable Eberjey, as well as the mother of all fancy things made from lace: La Perla.

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washingtonpost.com: Romance for the Senses ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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Bethesda, Md.: Hi, so here is the thing, I think I am going to be getting engaged on Valentine's Day. I'd say I'm 80 percent sure, what gift is appropriate in return? Thanks.

Cory Ohlendorf: Well congratulations! If you want to get him something substantial, something that will have a bit of the same sentiment, perhaps a watch?

Most guys (myself being an exception) rarely buy themselves watches and some have forsaken them all together thanks to tacky cell phone clocks.

A mid-priced watch, say around $250 - $300, can be a nice piece of jewelry that he can wear and think of you. And on that 20 percent chance he doesn't propose, it still makes a nice gift--or just keep if for yourself. Women sporting big men's watches is very trendy right now.

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Reading, Mass.: Considering the super inflated prices for red roses on the 14th, is it advisable to buy roses a week earlier and freeze them?

Cory Ohlendorf: I am told you should NEVER put flowers in the freezer. They darken and often die soon thereafter, so a week would be death sentence for sure.

Unless your Valentine adores roses, might I suggest giving another type of flower? This is not only more original, these blooms often don't go up in price like roses. My Shopper column yesterday referred to a few different options based off of the Victorian Langauge of Flowers.

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washingtonpost.com: Shopper: Roses Are Pale By Comparison ( Post)

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Cory Ohlendorf: And perhaps I should open this up to you all too. What have been some of your best Valentine's Day gifts? Was it something especially decadent or something that just meant something to you for one reason or another. Don't be shy. Share.

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Belleville, Ill.: With all the tech gizmos and gadgets out there on the market, are any of them worthy of a Valentine's Day gift? Is there anyway to make a PDA romantic?

Cory Ohlendorf: Well ... my short answer would be no. But this holiday is about personalization. About knowing someone so well and showing them how much you care about them. If your Valentine is someone who would be touched by you noticing how much they'd like a PDA, then have at it.

If you not 100 percent sure, then I'd go with a gizmo with a little bit more style, say an iPod, preloaded with that special song or even an old-fashioned mix-tape-like playlist of cheesy love ballads. Plus you can have them inscribed online for free.

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Bethesda, Md.: Are chocolates totally stupid to give? And if not, where are the best ones to give? I don't want to pick up a Russell Stover heart from CVS.

Cory Ohlendorf: No way. When it comes to things that nobody minds getting, chocolate is up there with money. And because it's not exactly romantic to give your beloved a fistful of cash, go with your first instinct.

And you're not alone. According to the National Confectioners Association, more about 36 million boxes of chocolate are expected to be sold for Valentine's Day this year.

The Post.com's City Guide just did a fun taste test of gourmet chocolates, if you like a little spice with your sweets.

If you want really rich truffles (and who doesn't?) try Kingsbury Chocolates in Alexandria or Chocolate Chocolate on Connecticut Ave. They both offer golf-ball sized confections filled with all sorts of gooey goodness.

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washingtonpost.com: Taste Test: Fire and Chocolate

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washingtonpost.com: Kingsbury Chocolates ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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River City: I'm getting my husband a red plaid "Elmer Fudd" hat. He's been wanting one with warm ear flaps and I saw one in red plaid!

Cory Ohlendorf: Practical, warm, red. There you have it. I wouldn't mind one of those myself. Perhaps fur lined. Nice work River City.

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washingtonpost.com: Chocolate Chocolate ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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Washington, D.C.: My girlfriend has convinced me to watch "March of the Penguins" with her after dinner on V-Day. I was thinking of getting her a stuffed penguin along with my other gifts. Any idea on where to get a stuffed penguin? Are there specialty stuffed animal shops out there? Anywhere from Tysons to Arlington to NW D.C. preferred. Thanks!

Cory Ohlendorf: This, I have to say, is so cute. Plus it's thoughtful and collaborative. I'd say the Zoo in Cleveland Park may be the best and easiest place to hunt down a stuffed Penguin. They've got some great gift shops there and I can almost picture the penguins there.

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Greenbelt, Md.: The commercialization of Valentine's Day has totally turned me off. It's gone from expressing how special someone is to you to if you don't buy something expensive you don't love me. It's just another excuse for excessive commercialization.

Cory Ohlendorf: I can totally see your point and I do think some things have gotten out of hand. That's why, more than even some pricey gift, an experience is more heartfelt and meaningful.

The Post's Tom Sietsema has some great options for romantic dinners (from folksy to fancy).

And if it's singledom that has you so turned off, then the Post.com's Erin Hartigan offers some great dinner's for one.

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washingtonpost.com: Romantic Perches ( Post, Feb. 4)

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washingtonpost.com: I Heart Dinner ( Going Out Gurus, washingtonpost.com, Jan. 29)

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Washington, D.C.: Can you name some alternatives to Victoria's Secret and Fredrick's of Hollywood? Fredrick's stuff is a little too "recreational" and I don't want to buy from Victoria's Secret because they're too expensive for the things I would like to purchase regularly as gifts. Who else is there at the mall, in mail order, and in cyberspace that offers a choice to consumers?

Cory Ohlendorf: See Alexandria's question ... one of the first ones we covered. Romance of the Senses really has you covered. Price, selection and the sales people won't make you feel dirty for looking at lingerie.

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College Park, Md.: So two years ago, my boyfriend-at-the-time and I had had a somewhat nasty fight that we resolved just before Valentine's Day. Even though the issues were resolved, the wounds were fresh, so I figured some big-deal, super-romantic V-Day thing would be overkill, so I made homemade fried chicken and rented a really silly zombie flick and we had a movie/picnic on my living room rug. It turns out, he went out and got me a box of Godiva chocolates and a bouquet of mini-roses (they don't get marked up like the regular-sized ones). I was surprised because he had been acting like he didn't plan on doing anything, and I was hearing from his friends about how cool he thought the evening was.

Cory Ohlendorf: There you go. Sometimes low-key is just the way to go. No offense to the newbie couples that are still in the honeymoon phase, but once you're comfortable, a quiet night in with a good bottle of wine can really be the ticket.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm looking for a day in a spa, a 'real' spa, here in D.C., but not the nail salon with a room in the back, something she's going to remember and tell all her friends.

Cory Ohlendorf: First off, great gift idea. Extravagance is always a nice touch on Valentine's Day. Non-salon spas are hard to come by in the District, but you've got a few options. There's awlays the hotel route -- The Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons have some great treatments and definitely will leave her with enough fodder to brag about.

Serenity Day Spa has a few locations around the area and they even have a couples package for Valentines day (that is, if you're game to be pampered with your princess).

Celadon is another spot raved about by the fancy facial set, but I must warn you that they do cut hair there. But trust me, this is a full-scale spa, and not some nail salon with a back-room spa.

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washingtonpost.com: The Sports Club/L.A. Splash ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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washingtonpost.com: Spa at the Four Seasons ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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washingtonpost.com: Serenity Day Spa - Alexandria ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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washingtonpost.com: Celadon Spa ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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Belgian chocolate lover/marzipan nut: We lived in Brussels. I remember reading that Neuhaus chocolates were available somewhere in Northern Virginia -- where is it and is the shop one where one can choose the chocolates (hate chocolate covered cherries)? Are they made in Belgium and shipped here? Don't want Godiva made in the USA but freshness matters. Further, I could buy dark chocolate covered marzipan in Brussels (and Norway and England), but can't find it here. Where do I tell my husband to go to get these things?

Cory Ohlendorf: I like a woman who knows what she wants. SendChocolates.com will allow you to send Neuhaus chocolates via their site, but you can't pick and choose. The Frenchman's Corner in Culpeper, Va (540-825-8025) offers a variety of Neauhaus that's shipped in from Belgium regularly. And you can pick and choose. It's about 70 miles from DC, but what's a little travel for the woman you love?

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Washington, D.C.: I want to get my boyfriend a gift certificate for a spa treatment for Valentine's Day -- he loves massages. What are your recommendations for male-friendly spas in D.C. that offer hot stone massages (the only one I'm familiar with is the Grooming Lounge)?

Cory Ohlendorf: This is a great gift. And you're lucky to have found such an enligtened guy. The Grooming Lounge has some great packages, as well as the Gentleman's Quarters in Alexandria. For a full club experience, toss in a few extra bucks for a shoe shine and hot shave. He'll feel like a new man and you'll appreciate the difference.

Or if you're interested in a couple's massage, try the Robert Andrew salon and spa in Gambrills, MD.

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washingtonpost.com: Grooming Lounge ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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washingtonpost.com: The Gentlemen's Quarters ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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washingtonpost.com: Robert Andrew Day Spa ( washingtonpost.com, City Guide)

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Stuffed Penguins, NW : You can also get stuffed Penguins at the National Geographic gift shop since one of its distributors is National Geographic films. I would call first since I haven't been there since Christmas shopping.

Cory Ohlendorf: Very helpful. There you penguin-hunting boyfriend.

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St. Louis, Mo.: Cards. Are they a necessity when it comes to gift giving on Valentine's? If you are presenting a gift, does it need to be accompanied with a card? What is the real etiquette there?

Cory Ohlendorf: I'm no expert on etiquette, but I think if you're giving a gift, often times that is actually explanation enough. If you're there in person, you should be able to speak your emotions. Carpe Diem!

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Rockvillel, Md.: You asked for great gifts received -- My No. 1 Valentine's Day was actually my sophomore year in high school. Hubby of three years hasn't come close to this one!

My boyfriend at the time brought me a rose at school, followed up with a HUGE bouquet at his house afterward, cooked dinner, and performed a song on his sax that he had written for me. Swoon? You bet! My present to him in return? Some poetry and a research report on baseball. I was clueless and committed myself to learning enough about his favorite sport that we could watch games and discuss. It was really the most considerate Valentine's Day I've ever had. The sweet first love doesn't come close to what I have now, but it's one for the history books!

Cory Ohlendorf: Ah, amore. Young love is hard to live up to.

Good luck to your husband!

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Philadelphia, Pa.: My boyfriend and I are fresh out of college and working for AmeriCorps so neither of us has a lot of money to spend. He loves nature and living in the city has been hard on him. Can you think of anything at all, or any place where I could take him that would be moderately priced and make him feel one with the trees?

Cory Ohlendorf: I've not been to Philly, but our Botanical Gardens is my winter savior. It's warm and humid and filled with all sorts of beautiful and exotic plants. I say, grab some chic snacks, perhaps some cheese, fruit and wine and head to your Botanical Gardens.

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Washington, D.C.: Thoughts for a small town guy with simple tastes and a love of working out and action films? Clothing might be an option, but I don't want him to feel he is being groomed for the big city.

Cory Ohlendorf: A friend of mine, a very simple guy, found living in a city called for a bag. He slung on a great messenger that could carry his work stuff, gym gear and his lunch. It hasn't left his side since. Find your guy a great bag that will equally help him out and add a touch of urbane style.

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Cory Ohlendorf: Ok. That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for all the good questions and if we didn't get to yours specifically, feel free to email me (ohlendorfc@washpost.com). Until next time.

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