by Emilie Carrillo

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: September 19, 2008

Romantic gifts are easier to give than most people think they are, as long as you are paying attention. This is definitely not a list of the most romantic gifts, because no such list exists.

Both men and women consider different things to be romantic. One woman could think that a diamond necklace is romantic, another may swoon at a dozen roses and still another will come close to tears when given a sweet note.

My husband mastered the art of romantic gifts within our first few months of dating. He has a knack for remembering things we've done and said. On our first Valentine's Day he sent me flowers at work with balloons attached.

Only they weren't just any balloons. He had chosen balloons with meaning. All of them had pictures of something we had enjoyed together: One of a movie we went to, another of a singer we both dislike but tease each other about, etc. The card also included plenty of inside jokes and cute sayings.

The flowers by themselves would not have made a romantic gift for me, but with the balloons and card, it was very romantic. In fact, I've told him that he can skip the flowers from now on, since I think they are kind of a waste of money.

So, when trying to decide on a romantic gift, think of something that you as a couple have done together. For instance, men: If you went to a cute Disney cartoon together, get her a stuffed animal of one of the characters, with a note attached about how much you enjoy being a kid with her.

Or ladies, if you know your man has been dying to watch that new superhero movie that was just released, buy him the DVD and tell him you'll bring the snacks for your movie night.

The most important thing about romance is that you pay attention. No woman wants a man to buy her a gold necklace if all she wears is silver. It's not romantic because the woman knows the man doesn't pay enough attention to realize she never wears yellow gold. Men who don't like repairing things around the house don't want to be given a tool set.

And someone looking for the perfect gift should never just google "romantic gifts" because you'll end up finding an article that says you should never buy a woman kitchen appliances for Christmas. But, I would think it was very romantic for my husband to buy me that stand mixer that I've been eyeing.

As the saying goes, "It is the thought that counts." And with romance, you have to put a lot of thought into it.

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