Etiquette and the Romance Factor

Music. Dance. Poetry. Perfume. Sexy lingerie. Chocolate. Etc... We have been bombarded with gift suggestions for your Valentine. So we’ve rated several gifts from “1” (barely romantic) to “10” (awash in romance).

1. Perfume. You have a great chance of finding one that you love, s/he hates - making perfume one of the most potentially dangerous gifts. But find one that puts you both in a romantic mood, and you've hit the jackpot.

2. Poetry. Besides being romantic, it’s cheap – Free at your public library!

3. Overnight stay in a luxury hotel suite. The most fantastic fantasy packages can be found. Your price and pocketbook are your only limitations.

4. Private music. Singing Telegrams can deliver a singing telegram to your Valentine - upbeat, sentimental, or whatever, over the phone or in person. (Updating this to 2025, they can be delivered online, as well.)

5. Music. Centuries of love songs can be on the agenda.

6. Dancing. Valentine’s Day is a popular time for dances with romantic themes.Can't get him to go? “She drags him in for the first lesson - after that, he drags her in,” said Emily, of the John and Emily Ross Dance Studio.

7. Chocolate. It’s smooth, sensual, melts at body temperature, and generally needs no introduction. Careful, though — a third of women are dieting at any given moment.

8. Lingerie. This is pretty romantic once you get it home, but a man in the lingerie department is great material for a humor columnist. If you don’t know her size by number, go for “one size fits all,” like stockings decorated with hearts or a red negligee. Decide what you want before you go in, march right up to the clerk, and ask for it. It’s her job not to laugh.


9. Diamonds. The Romans thought diamonds were splinters of fallen stars, Greeks thought they were tears of the gods, their inner fire analogous to love's passion. Can’t get much more romantic than that. Before you spring, cultivate the acquaintance of a jeweler you feel you can trust.

10. A kiss. Ah, one of those best things in life that are free. A kiss can be discreet and friendly, or amorous and fervent. - From an article by S. Boynton for the Press Democrat, 1993

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia