Shopping for V-day gifts can always be hard, but when it’s a brand new situation, it’s even harder. You need something fun, simple, and cute, but nothing too much – or too little. You need to show you care and are thinking of that special someone, but don’t want to make them think things are moving too fast.

To help you out, here are some suggestions of gifts to give, and – as a bonus – gifts to avoid.

Gifts to Give

Candy- This one’s an oldie, but a goodie. Who doesn’t love some kind of candy? Plus, it’s practical, because it’s edible. You could go the traditional route and just get a Whitman’s Sampler, but I’d recommend an assorted bag of loose candy (Dylan’s is a good place to look, and they even have some pre-packaged assortments, though sometimes local places are just as good and easier on the wallet). It’s a lot more personal than just picking a box up off the shelf, and way more fun to purchase anyway. Not to mention it’s (hopefully) all candy they like, which means less waste (how many times have you thrown away all those coconut candies?) and a cute way to show how thoughtful you are.

Cookies- Your significant other not a fan of candy? Or maybe you just wanted to do something a little different? Maybe cookies are a better route. If you like to bake, this could even be something for you guys to do together. Or, if you’re like me and don’t feel like poisoning them just yet, check the baked good sections at supermarkets – they’re made fresh daily, and most stores have desserts themed to the holidays.

Scarf- If you live up north, this is a great gift; it’s practical, simple, and good middle-ground. It’s not too much, but definitely nicer than a pair of socks. Bonus points if you can knit do this by hand.

Hobby Supplies- If you know your Valentine’s hobbies, this is a great way to show them you care. My ex and I started dating right before V-day and he gave me a journal that year since he knew that I loved to write. Pick a gift that specifically relates to his/her favorite thing to do – whether it be craft supplies (like yarn so s/he can knit you that scarf), sheet music, a journal, a movie poster or DVD. Just make it something that shows you put thought into finding a gift special for them.

Book- Okay, before you ignore this option, hear me out. Sometimes this is one of the best things you can get a person; it’s great because there are so many types of books so you can pick one specifically with your significant other in mind (see hobbies above). For example, if you’re dating someone who’s a bit of a geek, the XKCD book is a great gift, plus some of the proceeds go to Room to Read, which is currently raising funds to build a school in Laos.

Board Game- Not only is this fun, but it’s something you can play together, and it’s something s/he can use over and over, especially in a dorm. Or at Denny’s, if you’re my friends.

Gag Gift- Already have a few inside jokes? Gag gifts are always great, especially if you and your date aren’t fans of big romantic gestures or commercialism. Picking something relating to a joke you both share is a great way to celebrate the holiday without feeling too intense- and who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh?

Gifts NOT to Give

- Unless you two have been really good friends, and you know sizes, do not buy clothing, especially anything that borders on intimate, like PJ’s, boxers, etc.

- Extra emphasis on not buying lingerie, for either party. If it’s a new situation, that’s just a little intense/awkward.

- Jewelry is great, but it’s really, really hard to know what the other person likes until you get to know him/her well. Or if s/he even wears anything beyond the same daily piece(s). Save your money for a later date of greater significance.

- Sex toys, handcuffs, lube, etc.- Yes, I know I said gag gifts are good, but these are a little much. Like lingerie, even if you both appreciate this sort of thing, if you’ve just started dating and it’s your first V-day, this might send the wrong message, and any awkwardness depletes the fun of these.

Basically, if you and your date are just starting out, try for something simple, fun, and personal, but nothing too over-the-top. The day should be about having fun with each other and getting to know each other better, not trying to buy each others’ love.

Did I mention they have nothing to do with food or entering a gym?

That’s right. Keeping a journal of what you eat as well as betting friendly wagers against other dieters has been shown to help people who couldn’t seem to lose weight any other way.

Let’s break these two down to figure out how you can use these techniques to shed those pounds and get in shape.

Money gets results

According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who have financial incentives to lose weight have much higher rates of success at dieting than those who do not. Instead of losing weight for vanity or health, the newest incentive is cash and it’s working wonders for motivating previously unsuccessful dieters. It starts as a bet against someone (a friend, coworker, or family member) that you will lose more weight. Whoever comes up short loses their money to the bigger loser. Somewhere between a competitive personality and greed, weight is successfully lost with enthusiasm.

This trend started out as grass roots after a few studies proved it a success. Its methods are now being duplicated on the internet on sites like StickK.com, fatbet.net and makemoneylosingweight.com. To learn more about online weight loss bets, check out this New York Times article.

I’m weary of anything that requires me to log on to a computer every day to keep me motivated. I don’t check my work email on weekends and I’m definitely going to lie about my weight on a Sunday. Instead, here is my get-fit betting game: All you need are a few friends who want to lose a few pounds or just keep off the senior 30. Make the announcement before the American Idol Top 15 show. Tell the gang you’re serious about shedding pounds and that you want their help. If you fail to meet your weight loss goals, they will be a little bit richer. If they want to join in, have everyone throw in money. Now, why did I say American Idol? Pick a contestant that you predict to go all the way. This can be for an additional $5, or it can be a friendly wager. Now, you can meet every week to weigh in and see who is ahead in the weight loss bet and on everyone’s favorite show. It will be great motivation and a much more enticing reason to get together for a weekly weight check.

Put it in your diary!

A recent study also proved that people who wrote down everything they ate throughout the day lost more weight than those who did not. It doesn’t get much easier than that! If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, they even have an app for this. If you want to win the money from the bet above, you better write down what you eat to ensure the cold hard cash.

Need some motivation to get started? Check out my fitness blog at Examiner.com where you can get daily updates on recent studies and fitness. Get your diet started by visiting online dieting sites like Diet.com to get a free meal plan and tracking tools to keep track of what’s going in and how many calories you are burning. Get new workout ideas over on YouTube. Find full length workout videos or short demos to mix things up in the gym, or get a new fitness videos delivered directly to you every week by subscribing to our favorite fitness channel, DietHealth!

No excuses, ladies. Get to it!

Our trip to Italy began as most do: pleasantly, in romantic Rome. We had been dating for nearly a year and, for two months leading up to the trip, he quit drinking and limited his smoking! I was feeling optimistic. We spent the day walking to all the major sites in Rome except for the Sistine Chapel, which we agreed would be a nice culmination of our travels and saved for the end of our trip.

Reason #1: A Peroni in Florence

Walking along the main promenade our first evening in fiery “Firenze,” he was hungry and stopped by a pizza joint, ordering pizza and a Peroni. “I can’t travel in Italy and not drink at least one Peroni,” he insisted. He was hungover the next morning, and we were an hour late to our reserved date at the Uffizi.

Reason #2: A Moretti in Venice

We arrived in the maze that is Venice by train. Claiming he was hot and in need of a refreshment, he ordered a Moretti at a nearby café. Then, upon arriving at our hotel, he continued to drink at the nearby bar while I showered. Four beers later and much to my embarrassment, he jumped off a bridge into the contaminated channel. A passing resident scolded him and a fight nearly ensued. For the remainder of our stay, he was on a quest to find the highest bridge from which to jump. Due to a “mysterious” ear infection, he ultimately decided against it.

Reason #3: Wrestling Match in Venice

In what became known as “The Wrestling Match that Shook Venice,” a shouting match ensued one evening by the river over who could speak better Spanish. At the climax of this spectacle, I was clinging to a lamppost sideways. He was pulling on my ankles, insisting that we return to the hotel together. After punching his anger out on another lamppost, two nice old ladies asked if I was okay and I frankly replied, “No.”

Reason #4: Peeing in the sink in Bologna

An argument culminated with him walking out, getting wasted, then stumbling back to the hotel and peeing in the sink three times that night. Hungover as usual the next morning, he agreed to sober up. I told him I would leave him if he picked up another drink.

Reason #5: An unwelcome beer in Ancona

The day before my birthday, we were about to board a ship headed for Croatia. After buying the tickets, we purchased some groceries and he insisted that we drink to celebrate my big day. I firmly gave him an ultimatum: “You buy beer and I will leave for Croatia without you.” He opted for the beer; I sold his boat ticket. He bought another ticket and apologized for his flawed judgment.

Reason #6: Fooled in Naples

He purchased a brand new Sony video camera from a guy on the street for 150 Euro. We both knew it was too good to be true. On our ride to Amalfi, he discovered no camera—just a box stuffed with a bag of sand.

Reason #7: Disruption in Positano

A week without alcohol and his mouth was watering. He started drinking, so I changed hotel rooms. When he got back to the hotel and discovered I had disappeared, he pissed off the owner so badly that he was kicked out onto the street. That evening, in a drunken search to find me, he fell down a steep flight of stairs and landed on his chin. The next day, which happened to be a national holiday, was spent having tea and cookies at a nearby café with a marching band, the Mayor of Positano, and six other ambulance drivers, policemen, translators, and counselors.

Reason #8: Visiting Capri’s Blue Grotto alone

I tried a new approach to my travels: shack up at night, but travel solo by day. While he downed shots of tequila at the pier, I visited the Blue Grotto and met a New Jersey cop. I told him of my recent woes, and that I would be going to Sicily. He told me he knew the Chief of Police in Palermo and wrote his name and number in my journal. He told me to call him in case anything would happen on the rest of my trip.

Reason #9: While I was sleeping in Palermo

I fell asleep early and while I was sleeping he decided to drag my belongings into the bathroom and perform a full-on search. Upon finding the name and number in my journal, he tapped me awake and began questioning me. I told him it was none of his business and he proceeded to flush my belongings down the toilet. My camera, iPod, journal, car keys, jewelry—gone. Again, I changed hotel rooms and the next morning was rudely awakened by a swift kick to the hotel door and an angry, psychotic drunk in my face wondering why I wasn’t answering the phone or his knocks at my door.

Reason #10: The Sistine Chapel will have to wait

My passport: the only valuable I had left in possession (other than my life). At this point, I figured, if I want to get out of this in one piece, I should change my flights and leave now. I flew directly home, leaving him high and dry. The Sistine Chapel will have to wait for my next, hopefully drama-free visit.

My voyeuristic tendencies spill over into my online life as well, as evidenced by the blog reading I have bookmarked. Take a peek at some of my favorite strangers—borderline internet-stalking is more fun when shared!

College Call Girl

If you’ve ever had one of those weeks where you’re late on the bills and are contemplating selling your body so that you can pay off your magazine subscriptions, this one is for you. College Call Girl is a sassy hooker, and that’s just how I like it. The unapologetic and extremely candid writing will have you obsessively refreshing your browser, begging for more. If you’re the type to scream “T-M-I!” at your best friend when she details her latest hookup, stick to something more PG-13.

Bobby Burgess

Bobby is like that wacky friend you have who’s always off living in a different country for a few months, alerting you as to his whereabouts with a postcard once in a while or with a knock on the door when he’s looking for a place to crash. He’ll remind you of that guy who always makes arbitrary, random comments under his breath. You try to hate him, but really you just want to have his babies.

Alex Awesome

Bobby Burgess’ girlfriend, aka your new girl-crush.

Boarding Pass

If, on the daily drive to work, you’ve ever contemplated just missing your exit, driving to the airport, and hopping on the next plane to a country who’s name you can’t even pronounce, this is travel-writing blog will be the kick in the ass that makes you do it.