Here are three terrible Valentine’s Day gifts and what you can do to ensure you don’t get them:

1. Exercise equipment - Unless your mate has very specifically requested a new workout DVD, gym membership, diet book or voucher for plastic surgery, don’t go there. Even if your gift of good health is grounded in the best of intentions, you are sending the message that your significant other is less than perfect. If you fear you may be on the receiving end of a new pair of toning sneakers, don’t be subtle. Say “Remember that romantic dinner we had last Valentine’s Day? It would be so nice to go back to that restaurant again sometime.”




2. Stuffed animals - Though plush toys (stubbornly) remain one of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts, giving your true love a stuffed animal is only appropriate if you still need your parents’ permission to see an R-rated movie. When the occasion arises, let your significant other know that you are all set in the pink teddy bear department. Say something like “What a sweet little guy! This is the perfect way to complete my stuffed animal collection – I won’t ever need another one!”




3. Drug store chocolates - Nothing says “I picked this up at the last minute on my way home from work because I completely forgot about Valentine’s Day,” like a cardboard box of stale candy wrapped in dusty cellophane.

Timing is everything, so be sure you start dropping hints about a week or so before V-Day. That way your honey has plenty of time to find the perfect gift… or at least to come up with the perfect excuse.

Need a gift for a horsey friend or relative? Here are some great ideas that you can find at saddleries (also known as tack shops), which are specialty stores catering to equestrian sports. Many are online or have websites for online purchases.

For a horse-crazy child:
There are so many accessories at online tack shops, but first check with the child or the parents for what equipment is needed before making any purchases. Outerwear like helmets, breeches, boots, gloves, and jackets are specific to the riding discipline that the child engages in (like English, Western, polo, eventing, dressage, etc.). Also, equipment needs vary with the amount of time a child has been riding or if the child has his/her own horse or pony. More experienced riders may be in need of a saddle, bridle, or other piece of tack, while newer riders may need a new helmet or a pair of boots. There’s also an array of personalized gift options, like bracelets and belts that riders of all levels will enjoy. Younger kids will enjoy horse toys, such as the beautiful and realistic-looking Breyer horses, and accessories like wooden stables and jumps. There are also great horse books available, fiction and non-fiction alike.

For your barn friends:
Your riding buddies are super-important! They watch out for your horse while you are away, help you at shows, and keep you company when you ride. Some of the best friendships are made and cultivated at the barn. Say thanks with horsey jewelry, personalized horse decor like blankets with their horses’ pictures, or horse picture frames. Give the gift of health with a gift certificate to a spa for a massage or body treatment for achy muscles from riding. Another idea for the person who has everything (as many barn friends often do) is a gift certificate to State Line Tack or another top notch saddlery.

For your trainer:
Express your gratitude for the advice and wisdom your trainer offers you and your horse. Very often your trainer is also a barn manager, caring for your horse around the clock, as if it were their own. Trainers work very hard all year long giving lessons, training horses, going to shows, and more. It’s important to note that money or gift cards are almost always an acceptable (and very much appreciated) gift to most trainers and is not at all “tacky,” especially for younger trainers who may work part-time while in school, or who may also be supporting a horse on a limited budget. One nice idea is to give a smaller or handmade gift together with a monetary gift. Other good gifts for trainers include watches, framed pictures of special moments throughout the year, personal organizers for the coming year (electronic is nice, but consider paper for the technologically-challenged), or gift certificates to top-notch saddle shops. Get together with others for a group gift of a more expensive item or maybe a vacation for a hardworking trainer.

For your horse:
Who is more important than your horse? He is there for you all the time, giving you his undivided attention and love. He’s always happy to see you and spend time with you at the barn. A new winter horse blanket is always a nice way to say I love you. Another option is a wool dress sheet for shows. These come in all colors and can be personalized with your or your horse’s name. Other possibilities include a new halter with a nameplate, horse treats, or bran mash. He deserves it!

Nothing brings a smile to the face of a new college student like a care package from home — especially when that care package is filled with tasty goodies from Figis.com. Figis offers a huge variety of nuts, snacks, fruit, chocolates and baked goods to satisfy the late-night study cravings of any college student. Want to promote healthy snacking? Pair nuts and dried fruit with Figis’ delicious sausages and meats or delectable dairy cheeses. Figis coupons on Coupon Cactus let you splurge on a care package for your collegiate and still have plenty of money to pay that first tuition bill! Through September 30, 2010, you can save 25% off any order with a money-saving Figis coupon on Coupon Cactus. If you’re a Coupon Cactus member, you’ll also receive 3% cash back on Figis purchases.

If you’re looking for a unique gift that will be enjoyed and appreciated, Figis.com offers gifts for every person and every occasion. Well-known for their fabulous food gifts, Figis also offers a distinctive selection of floral, apparel, jewelry, home accent and collectible gifts. You’ll also find charming holiday-themed gifts on Figis.com. A Figis party basket or appetizer tray makes a wonderful hostess gift. Figis gifts are perfect when you want to give something the whole family will enjoy. When you’re ordering gifts for friends and family, why not gift yourself? Serving succulent ham and smoked turkey with a selection of delicious Wisconsin dairy cheeses from Figis would certainly make holiday entertaining less stressful! With the holidays coming up, start watching Coupon Cactus for money-saving Figis holiday coupons.

I just realized that my Mother was right about something once again…time sure does fly by quickly when you are an adult! May is already here and it’s time to honor your lovely Mother once again with something special for Mother’s Day. The folks at Harry and David have answered the call with many great gifts, and Coupon Cactus is offering fantastic coupons to help save you a bundle of money to boot!

At Harry and David, you will find the perfect gifts for Mother’s Day, anniversary, birthday, corporate occasions, congratulations, get well, graduation, hostess, kosher, new baby, sympathy, thank you, thinking of you, wedding and every holiday. Stop by their store to see their selection of delicious chocolates, cheesecakes, cookies, candies, gift towers, wine, Moose Munch, and even meats. While shopping at Harry and David, you will also find beautiful floral arrangements and amazing themed gift baskets overflowing with spa items, fruit, gourmet snacks, bakery treats, and so much more. To showcase your own personalized style and tastes, at Harry and David, you can even create your own unique gift baskets for someone special!

You can be certain that all of your gift choices from Harry and David will always be enjoyed because they offer the “Strongest Guarantee in the Business”. Simply put, if you are your recipient are not happy, the gift will be replaced or a refund will be issued!

Be sure to stop by Coupon Cactus to pick up the fantastic Harry and David coupon codes before you place your order. Just in time for Mother’s Day, Coupon Cactus currently has coupons for 20% Off Any Order and 33% Off Tower of Sweet Treats (expires 5/9/10). You will also find coupon for Free Shipping on Select Gourmet Gifts and 33% Off Select Gourmet Gifts (expires 6/30/10). Coupon Cactus members will save additional money with the 2.50% Cash Back that is offered. Let Harry and David make all of your celebrations both easy and delicious! Stop by today and see what treats you can find.

Graduation time is coming and spring is loaded with engagement parties, weddings and showers of all types – these are often occasions when you want to go above standard fare when it comes to a gift.  If you’ve got a special person who’s celebrating a special occasion, you should do your best to impart a special and meaningful gift.

At Personal Creations you can find the perfect gift for any occasion, and then make it even more special by having it personalized for that special someone you are celebrating.  A high school or a College graduation represent an amazing point in someone’s life and Personal Creations offers gifts for that will make the incredible unforgettable – like music boxes, wooden photo albums and the most beautiful glass frames all engraved with the personal information for your special graduate.

You can also make the celebration itself more special by picking up personalized party decorations: Personal Creations offers personalized banners, flags and napkins to take your once in a lifetime celebration to the next level and make it truly something that your guest of honor will never forget.

These are more than just gifts, they are personal keepsakes that the recipients will be able to proudly display for years to come.  With a well though out, truly personal gift you can give someone a memory of a special occasion that will last a lifetime.

Don’t forget to check out our Personal Creations coupons to save money on your special personalized gifts for any occasion.

Are you sure it isn’t December? My gift list is already a mile long. September is a big gift-giving month in our family. There’s my sister’s birthday, my nephew turns 16, a niece is off to college, my daughter bought her first house, a new baby arrived next door, Mom and Dad’s anniversary, my cousin’s wedding shower — the list keeps growing! If it weren’t for Wrapables on Coupon Cactus, I’d be totally stressed!

Who has time to gift shop in September? All my time is devoted to buying school clothes, stocking up on school supplies and shuffling the kids between soccer practice, gymnastics, karate and music lessons. Wrapables.com on Coupon Cactus solved my time crunch and my gift-giving dilemma without trashing my budget. Wrapables offers unique, creative gift items for everyone on your gift list. Distinctive home decor, exotic bed and bath accessories, unique dining and entertaining pieces, fun fashion accessories, cute gifts for babies, kids and pets — Wrapables has something for every gift-giving occasion.

I just dropped the kids off at soccer and spent a delightful hour at the coffee shop. I opened up my laptop, logged onto Wrapables on Coupon Cactus and powered through my entire gift list. With Back 2 School Sale, Labor Day Sale and Free Shipping Wrapables Coupons on Coupon Cactus (hurry, coupons expire next week), I saved a bundle and got some great gifts. With the 3% cash back rebate I earned as a Coupon Cactus member, I even added a little Wrapables gift for myself. Christmas is coming. I say, bring it on! Wrapables and I are ready!

We were in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It was our family’s summer vacation. Every year my father drove us either north or south from New Jersey to sightsee. Everything was planned to the last detail with his AAA maps and guide books. Last summer it was Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. This summer it was New England.

Today was to be the highlight of our trip. We’d taken a ride on a tour boat to see the charming lighthouses of Boothbay Harbor. Now we were in for an even bigger treat – a lobster lunch. It was a place right on the dock. Boats and gray green sea surrounded us, up in the distant hills were charming New England church spires, cottages and pines.

Lobster traps were piled high on the wharf. There were outdoor picnic tables and tanks where you got to choose your own lobster. We tied the plastic bibs around our collars and dipped the sweet white lobster meat into the little red-and-white checked cardboard containers of drawn butter. It was delicious.

And what better way to end a delicious meal than with a palate-pleasing sweet? To me, even then, dessert takes the sublime up a notch to sheer perfection.

“What’s for dessert?” I innocently asked.  Oliver Twist did not receive a more shocked reaction for asking, “Please sir, may I have some more?”

My parents were aghast. Here they had just proffered us a treat undreamed of in their own childhoods and their greedy offspring had the gall to ask for dessert.

Today I remain resolute that a delicious meal should conclude with dessert. And happily for me, the folks at Lobster Gram agree. Their Fantastic Father’s Day Feast for four includes Maine lobster tails, filet mignon steaks, Alaskan king crab legs – and chocolate-dipped gelato ice cream balls.  By using a Lobster Gram coupon at Coupon Cactus I can get an additional 15% off the special price of $149.95 plus 4% cash back.  I’m ordering now for delivery in time for Father’s Day, June 21.

My sister tuned me into Zazzle on Coupon Cactus. Her insurance company hosts the local Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. To raise community awareness, she sponsors a t-shirt design contest and has the winning design printed onto t-shirts worn by walk participants. She said Zazzle makes it easy. She has used Zazzle to create personalized mugs, magnets and notecards to advertise her company. She passes out the magnets at community health fairs. She fills the mugs with home-baked chocolate chip cookies to thank new clients for their business. It’s that thoughtful personal touch that gains her so much referral business.

Zazzle.com makes high quality custom products designed by you. With production by Zazzle you can create your own shirts, postcards, mugs, calendars, shoes, aprons, bags, stickers, buttons, embroidered bags and hats, key chains, magnets, mousepads, bumper stickers, photo sculptures, posters, skateboards, ties, cups and more. You create the design, choose the product, and Zazzle handles the production; shipping your order in 24 hours. You can order one item or hundreds. Zazzle uses only top quality products so your masterpiece always looks professional.

If you’re looking for unique gifts, Zazzle also offers popular designs by Disney, Star Wars, street artists, and more. Save on your order with Zazzle Coupons on Coupon Cactus. Until March 21, 2009, save 50% off posters, just one of the great Zazzle coupons you’ll find on Coupon Cactus; and Coupon Cactus members earn an additional 6% cash back on every Zazzle order.

Zazzle opens a world of unique creative possibilities. Put your child’s art on cups to give the grandparents. Create a t-shirt to identify your group. For his birthday, I’m turning my nephew’s amazing dragon designs into a personalized skateboard. Zazzle lets you unleash your creativity. What will you do with Zazzle?

The clock is ticking! Just 9 more days until Valentine’s Day. The pressure is on. Sure, you can say ”I love you” with flowers; but your expression of “enduring love” will have withered and died before the week is out. Chocolates are always nice, but your sweetie won’t be thinking loving thoughts while sweating off those extra pounds at the gym. A romantic dinner is a safe bet; who doesn’t like to eat out? But memory of a good meal starts to fade with the first twinge of indigestion.

It’s time to stop relying on the same old mundane standbys to express your love. It’s time to ramp it up a notch and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. This year, give your sweetheart a Valentine’s Day gift as unique and special as your love is. A personally selected gift from Collections Etc. is a gift of love that can be cherished and enjoyed all year round. With each use or glance, your sweetheart will be reminded all over again of your thoughtfulness and love.

You’ll find a treasure trove of exceptional gifts for all the special people in your life at Collections Etc. I got my Valentine’s Day order in last night and saved enough with Collections Etc. coupons from Coupon Cactus to add a little something for myself to the order. You’d better hurry though; Today’s the last day to save 20% off orders over $50 with Collections Etc. coupons on Coupon Cactus. Order by tomorrow and get free shipping on orders over $50 with another Coupon Cactus coupon. If you miss out on those great deals, don’t worry. You’ll find more money-saving Collections Etc. coupons on Coupon Cactus and Coupon Cactus members always receive 2% cash back on their Collections Etc. orders too.

Dinner, flowers, a card, maybe a box of candy if your sweetie isn’t on a diet. Typical, predictable and (yawn) oh, so boring. If you’re looking for a way to surprise and impress your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, take a wander through the Xperience Days website and indulge your wildest fantasies.

• Take an exotic culinary tour of New York’s Chinatown and learn about the inscrutable Chinese culture while munching on delectable Asian delicacies.
• Fly up, up and away in a colorful hot air balloon and sip champagne while you drift lazily over the serene New Mexico landscape.  
• Escape through Elizabeth Arden’s exclusive Red Door and immerse yourselves in the ultimate spa experience with a rejuvenating couples massage.
• Share a memorable evening of cooking, camaraderie and fabulous food with celebrity chefs during a hands-on cooking class in fabulous Reno.
• Pack a sumptuous picnic and take your baby off-roading through the Las Vegas desert in a classic dune buggy.
• Put a new twist on your old standby with a romantic dinner aboard a four-masted tall ship as it cruises past the glimmering Chicago skyline.

The possibilities for romance, excitement and surprise are endless at Xperience Days. When you’re searching for a creative gift to celebrate a special birthday, anniversary, graduation or retirement, Xperience Days offers unique experiences designed to make your most fantastic dreams come true. You’ll find many Xperience Days adventures quite reasonably priced, particularly with Xperience Days coupons on Coupon Cactus. Until February 14, 2009, Coupon Cactus has a coupon for a free gift with any purchase and Coupon Cactus members also receive 3% cash back when they book an Xperience Days adventure on Coupon Cactus. This year, make Valentine’s Day an event to remember with reservations on Xperience Days.