Running out of ValenTIME?
A top five list of quick and easy places for the best Valentine's Day gifts.
Feb 13, 2015
1. Jewelry: Alex and Andi & Dogeared
Love on a chain – Dogeared jewelry is cheap in price but expensive in value.
Deep in love – Alex and Ani jewelry is beautiful in appearance and meaning.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they certainly are not your wallet’s. Affordable jewelry alternatives (that don’t make you look like a cheapskate) are awaiting at department stores like Nordstrom’s, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Alex and Ani bangles as well as Dogeared necklaces have been all the rage this fashion season. Both brands offer hundreds of different charms, each of which signify different energies and meanings.
Alex and Ani products most commonly come with a collection of charms along the bangle that reflect a positive energy such as love, wisdom or adventure for prices starting at $28.
Jewelry from Dogeared always includes a single charm with a shape that reflects a deeper meaning: anchors for friendship, feathers for freedom and Buddhas for happiness. They run roughly $30 and up. Bling that’s affordable, fashionable and Valentine-able. What a concept.
Nordstrom’s nearest SMCHS: The Shops at Mission Viejo, 100 The Shops Boulevard, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
2. Stuffed Animal: Build-a-Bear Workshop
Cute n’ cuddly – The Build-a-Bear Workshop never disappoints.
Beary thoughtful – A stuffed teddy bear makes the heart melt.
You may consider yourself to be cuddly and huggable, but let’s be honest, a stuffed teddy could beat you in cuddliness and huggability any day of the week.
Find the fuzziest and friendliest stuffed animals for your valentine at the Build-a-Bear Workshop. You can personally assemble, dress and name a stuffed new friend for a little as $15.
Valentine’s Day collectibles are on sale now. Limited edition heart-studded puppy dogs and kitty cats are currently running $20 apiece or $30 for two.
In addition, you can dress your stuffed animal in two different Valentine’s Day outfits for just $15.
Build-a-Bear Workshop nearest SMCHS: The Shops at Mission Viejo, 312 Shops At Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
3. Box of Chocolates: See’s Candies
No one could forget the iconic Forest Gump (1994) line, “Life’s a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Well, nobody except for See’s Candies, that is.
See’s gives customers the opportunity to customize their Valentine’s boxes of chocolates. Customers choose, either on-site or online, specific types of chocolates for their box for only $23/pound.
If you’re looking for favorite fudges, truffles and brittles, See’s has got just what you’re looking for. The See’s Candies Mission Viejo Mall location is extending its hours Feb. 12-14 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
See’s Candies nearest SMCHS: 368 The Shops at Mission Viejo, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
4. Mushy Valentine: Hallmark
From the heart – A few word of sincerity is the best way to express your love.
Believe it or not, putting pen to paper very well could score you a Valentine this year. Lucky for you, the Hallmark store has hundreds of cards to choose from. The immense selection gives you ranging options, from Disney’s Frozen to Shakespearean run-offs.
The environment surrounding your Valentine-picking experience is always peaceful inside Hallmark stores: quiet humming jazz is playing and no crowds are in sight.The cool, calm and collected environment may be necessary to ease the stress that goes along with picking out the perfect card.
On top of everything, they’ve got cards for each of the Valentines in your life: mom and dad, brothers and sisters, mother-in-laws, godsons, stepdaughter, and cousins twice removed.
Hallmark nearest SMCHS: Plaza Antonio, 22441 Antonio Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
5. Roses: Pavilions
La vie en rose – These iconic red buds are a must-have for your Valentine.
We all know the classic, oh-so-helpful rhyme: “Roses are red, violets are blue, Pavilions can save Valentine’s Day when you don’t know what to do!”
That’s right, in times of great Valentine-peril (forgetting that it’s Valentine’s Day, getting in a fight with your Valentine, original plans for the day falling apart, etc.), head over to your local Pavilions supermarket and make a beeline to the floral department. Roses on Valentine’s Day can cure any bad sentiments between you and your significant other, and Pavilions has pre-made quality bouquets for just the occasion.
Pavilions florists guarantee the freshness of their bouquets and keep their department open till midnight on Feb. 14. To disguise your last-minute efforts, florists can replace typical grocery store bouquets’ shabby-looking plastic wrap with classy parchment paper and ribbons, free of charge. A dozen roses typically costs $19.99, but will yield a priceless reaction from your special someone.
Pavilions nearest SMCHS: Plaza Antonio, 22451 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688