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If you're a guy who's already picked up some Valentine's Day gifts for your girlfriend, then you're probably one of the few. With February 14th looming around the corner, we're here to help the bulk of you avoid that seemingly inevitable Victoria's Secret trip. We've already offered a few suggestions, like the only stuffed animal you should ever buy her, a hipster teddy and a Brooklynite engagement ring, but we've got more. Have a look below at our shopping guide for some items that your loved one will actually enjoy (instead of pretending to—or not—for your sake).
Opening Ceremony
(35 Howard St., New York, NY 10013; 212.219.2688 and 20 W. 29th St., New York, NY 10001; 212.679.2222)
Under normal circumstances, socks for your girlfriend on Valentine's Day might be the worst gift possible. But Opening Ceremony on Howard St. is offering up a limited edition Happy Socks/Giles collaboration that makes the idea a whole lot cuter: seven printed pairs of socks in an adorable shoebox ($100), that she can later use to store all of the love notes you send her (right?).
And since no one does desperate romance quite like the films of yesteryear, head to the OC location inside of the Ace Hotel and peruse their Criterion Collection DVD’s (we recommend titles like L'eclisse and Written on the Wind to bring the heat). Bonus points for booking a room upstairs and ordering a ton of room service.
Saks Fifth Avenue
(611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212.813.1615)
Shopping for a gift in a colossal department store is pretty painless once you realize that there's a surplus of commission-hungry associates ready to show you things you could never find on your own. At Saks, the possibilities are endless—an obvious one-stop shop for the entire Valentine's Day rigmarole: perfume (Acqua di Parma to YSL and everything in between), Hanky Panky lingerie gift sets ($49), and enough expensive chocolates to get you both through the rest of winter hibernation.
In God We Trust
(70 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn, NY; 718.389.3545)
Forget diamonds: raunchy, NSFW necklaces are a girl's best friend. In God We Trust has become infamous for their hand-engraved "Sweet Nothings" necklace collection that are anything but, and at only $40 a pop, they're a perfect add on. For something a little more PG-13, their "Someone Likes Me" ($200) necklace, in traditional broken heart friendship necklace style, will take her back to when romance was as simple as making out under the bleachers.
Adore Floral
(323 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012; 212.925.8182)
You know that girls like flowers, but what you might not know is that girls don't like boring rose bouquets. If you're going to send flowers, we which advise that you do, put some thought into it. Our friends at Adore Floral know how to put together arrangements that don't scream "tacky" in the way that a dozen red ones will. Arrangements range from $55-$215, depending on the blooms you choose.
Catbird
(219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718.599.3457)
For an updated take on the dreaded "love coupon" check out the brothel coins ($3.50 each) at Catbird in Williamsburg. The solid brass coins are meant to replicate brothel currency of the Wild West, and are engraved with sayings like "good for one screw" or if you're feeling ambitious, "good for all night" The rest of their jewelry is all Valentine's Day suitable, including the stackable, 14k gold "Alphabet Rings" ($88 each), sold individually so you can choose what letters to give her. But the best offer at Catbird? They'll send out a bike messenger—dressed as cupid—to personally hand deliver a Fotsam + Jetsam Love Note Locket or Love Stamp necklace to your girlfriend. Do it while she's at work so her coworkers get jealous. Sign up here.
Louis Vuitton
(louisvuitton.com and all Louis Vuitton boutiques)
There's plenty of heart-shaped (and expensive) trinkets to pick up at Louis Vuitton.
The Monogrammed Canvas PM Coeur ($390) and the Bleu Infini Leopard PM Coeur ($490) provide just the right amount of sweet without being too sugary.—Tiffany Yannetta