The five most overrated Valentine's Day gifts

By Ragan Robinson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: February 11, 2009

Hickory - 1. Balloons

Those shiny 'I heart you' monstrosities don't say "I love you." They say, 'I was too cheap to buy flowers.' The only exception: If they're attached to a box that contains a couple karats.

2. A teddy bear or other stuffed animal

Unless you're buying for a preschooler, this isn't the way to go. Women might giggle at the dancing stuffed pig in the store but she doesn't want you to see one and think of her.

3. Heart-shaped box of candy

OK, this can be part of the Valentine's Day gift but it's hardly romantic enough to be the whole thing. The candy manufacturers put all the thought into it, not the buyer. That's no secret.

4. Lingerie

No woman really believes the lacy unmentionables are for her.

5. Roses

We couldn't believe it, either. But roses ranked below perfume, jewelry and even a mix CD of special songs in our survey. That's not to say flowers aren't a good gift. Try buying blossoms you know your loved one loves or, if you must go with roses, get her favorite color.

*From a completely unscientific survey of women in and around Catawba County. error margin: + or - 100 percent.