Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while most people associate Valentine’s Day with cupids, romantic relationships, and chocolate, I actually think of a tradition with my mom that started when I was in high school. Every year on Valentine’s Day, my mom packed me a special present with a Valentine’s Day card telling me how much she loves me. I’m not sure what started the tradition – maybe it was because I went to an all girls’ school and I didn’t have a boyfriend until senior year or maybe it was because my mom wanted me to know that I didn’t need a guy to make me feel special on this Hallmark holiday. Whatever the reason, she always took the time to give me a gift and a handwritten card. I remember in high school I loved one of my classmate’s scarves, a beautiful cashmere checkered scarf from Bloomingdales. I guess I raved about it quite a bit at home too, because come February 14th that year, my mom had bought that same scarf for me in a different shade! Even when I moved to New York for a year in medical school, my mom still mailed me a care package on Valentine’s Day with a stuffed animal, a framed picture of my parents, my brother, and me, and some glitter art and candy for me and roommates.

I also started getting my mom small presents and tokens of my appreciation on Valentine’s Day, especially because my dad forgets a lot of the time. My dad can be a hopeless romantic sometimes, but when it comes to things like flowers on Valentine’s Day or birthdays, it’s a little too much to remember. My mom on the other hand loves holidays; when she was young, she would celebrate her birthdays for a whole month! Nowadays, I try to give her flowers, a shawl, a purse, or a cute tea set or whatever I find that will strike her fancy (never chocolate though…”You want to make me fat?!” Nope, not going there again). Over the years it has become kind of a special tradition for us, something I really cherish especially since I’m so far away from home for residency.

I’ve compiled a few items that I think would be a great gift for yourself or a girlfriend this coming Valentine’s Day, including a few outfit ideas if you’re going out to dinner with that special someone.

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2016

No matter where you are or who you’re celebrating with, I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day <3