Depending on your age, finances and romantic status, Valentine's Day can either make your skin crawl or your heart sing. For those who just can't get enough of plush toys, long stemmed red roses, chubby little Cupids and all that extra attention from those you love, tabloid! presents the ultimate guide to a V-day with style.
Toys for Boys
Hardware that will keep him smiling
Sounds good: RockStar iPod and MP3 Players from Belkin work with all MP3 and DVD players, portable media devices and connects up to five sets of headphones. For couples whose music tastes don't really harmonise, you can add both iPods to mix songs. Guaranteed to put back a spring in the step is the stylish Belkin Sport Armband Plus with FastFit, available in styles and colours to suit various iPods. More cosmetics for hardware: the nifty Laptop Hideaway stores away the power supply, mouse, and paperwork with the computer. If you are dating a rock star or someone with musical ambitions, splash out on the TuneStudio for iPod - the first four channel audio mixer that creates high-quality digital recordings directly onto your iPod. Bands can easily attach instruments and microphones to TuneStudio and record jam sessions directly onto an iPod.
Leave-it-to-the-last minuters should definitely be checking out QuickDubai.com. The portal lets you select gifts such as a voucher for a hot air balloon ride, a lovers' hamper filled with massage oils, or even a heart-shaped USB necklace. They even wrap and deliver with a personalised card, on time to any destination in Dubai.
Gifts for a partner abroad? Online shopping beats traffic, busy malls and busier schedules. The new portal emirateshighstreet.com features over 400 gift ideas, including spa treatments, electronics, sporting goods, watches, fashion accessories and jewellery. Select, purchase and arrange delivery to any one of over 60 countries worldwide. Between now and V-day, each online purchase of or over $75 (Dh275) - or 25,000 Skywards Miles - gains one entry into a raffle to win two Business Class tickets to any destination on the Emirates network.
For the kids in your life - be they aged four, or forty. Teddy bears from Hamleys come in caramel, pink and blue, and even Valentine's specials, heart-covered ones. Prices start at Dh59 at Dubai Mall.
Fashion with a passion
What to wear, gift or enjoy - and it's not all red.
We adore Carolina Herrera's heart-strewn tote.
At Louis Vuitton: The red Stephen Sprouse rose blooms afresh. The iconic rose print has been re-interpreted by Marc Jacobs for the label this spring on handbags and textiles.
Fabulosity for Free: Throughout February, Frank Provost are offering hair makeovers at any of the salons across the UAE. Along with a cut and blow-dry, you get a complimentary hair up, as well as a red rose on V-day.
Smell sweet: Spritz on some unusual fragrances like Diptyque's Baies, Lily from Penhaligon's of London and the seductive Hypnotic Poison from Dior.
Finishing touches: Dip your talons in CND's Candy Apple nail colour, a special hot hue created for Valentine's Day.
Sky high heels: Whether in love or out, girls are likely to fall for the Valentine Collection from Casadei with its candy colours, seriously chunky heels and playful styles. Fans of the Italian brand include Angelina Jolie and J-Lo.
Free Jimmy Choos anyone? Buy chocolates from Galler (worth Dh500) and you can win a raft of prizes. Cream of the crop is a chauffeur driven trip to Harvey Nichols with three girlfriends, where four pairs of Choos will be gifted, followed by a manicure and pedicure at Profile Salon, lunch at Almaz by Momo and a Dh1,000 gift voucher from Galler. Men will be given a choice of a Range Rover Sport or any available Jaguar model for the weekend, invited with three mates to the Dubai Autodrome, where they will be taught racing techniques by a professional instructor, followed by lunch at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club and a Dh1,000 gift voucher from Galler. The promotion is valid at all Galler outlets across the UAE.
For handbag fetishists: here's another one in the colour of the season. Designed by lovely French actress Isabelle Adjani, the red croc handbag is a true classic. The Adjani has been exclusively designed for Lancel Paris.
At upscale designer store Boutique 1, the Valentine's offerings include handbags in hot hues from Furla, Luella and Mulberry and the signature scent, Boutique 1, created to bring you Dubai in a bottle.
These rock
Valentine Masterpiece by Damas: A design with several hearts, with the innermost heart entirely in gold. This heart-shaped pendant combines 18k white and yellow gold with diamonds and mother-of-pearl.
Girl pleaser: How about some understated bling the Baccarat way choose from three styles of necklace with the iconic heart at their centre; in silver, pink gold and diamonds.
Gucci Love Collection: Watches, necklaces, pendants and earrings from the couture house, with heart motifs, are now in store - just in time for V-day.
Geek Goddess: Virgin stores are selling the cool and delicious Active Crystals Color range, which are Philips accessories blinged with Swarovski crystals. Memory keys, in-ear headphones and USBs that look so pretty they can be worn as jewellery. Dh429 for headphones and Dh729 for USB memory keys.
Recession-proof gifting: High-quality sterling jewellery from Thomas Sabo, newly opened at The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence. In store now are some edgy and cool picks in sterling silver. Winged heart pendants with pavé accents, leather bracelets, jewelled dog tags, angel wing earrings and necklaces, and crowned skull motifs for both sexes.
Links of London: Newly appointed creative director Elizabeth Galton has done a new collection which is a modern take on heart-shaped jewellery.
