A handy Valentine's Day guide

It’s Valentine’s week and boys and girls are going crazy trying to come up with something new to surprise their loved ones with.Both innovative ideas and cheesy Bollywood-style options take over the minds of lovers looking to surprise their partners.Always close If your partner loves his/her smartphone, than there can’t be a better gift than a phone case with a picture of both of you on it. Personalised greetings, pillows and T-shirts are also great alternatives. Imran Khan, the owner of a gift shop that specializes in customized gifts explains, “The most selling item this season is mobile phone covers. People always have their mobiles close to them.”Making a wish If your partner is romantic, then a small paper sky lantern would work some magic. A romantic date, ending with the launch of a sky lantern with written wishes for each other would be a moment to remember forever. “This Valentine’s Day is a Sunday, so all my time would be devoted for my wife. It’s a time we stay with each other and make wishes for our future. A sky lantern would be great,” said Aniket Dharmadikar, on his first Valentine’s Day after marriage.Long distance love If the one you love is not with you this Valentine’s, or if you are in a long-distance relationship, a mini diary with 365 reasons why you love the person would be a perfect gift to get your partner’s emotions rolling. “You can write all the reasons yourself in a small diary or just buy it. She is surely going to like it,” said Sonali Shah, a graphic designer.A date within Rs 1,000 The recent release of Dilwale increased the expectations of girls who want proposals like those of Varun Dhawan and Shah Rukh Khan. If you have a few friends and guitarists, then you can sweep your girl off her feet with a musical date. A famous flower store in the city also offers packages that include guitarists, that too in a budget of Rs 1,000. “It’s the day of love and we have special packages. You get a guitarist, bouquet and cake at a very reasonable price. Such a surprise would impress any girl,” said Swapnil Patil, the shop owner.Family time Many NGOs in the city have been suggesting that we celebrate Valentine’s Day with family. Neha Patel, a BCom student shares, “You can plan it with anyone you love — parents, brothers, sisters, cousins or friends. I have decided to spend the whole day with my nani, she is my Valentine and I will be having a date with her. In the end, it’s your family’s love that lasts forever.”