You’re all set to buy your significant other a Valentine’s Day gift. You buy it, wrap it up, and eagerly await the moment when she’ll unwrap the gift. You’re expecting a squeal of delight, but all you get is a crestfallen look and a halfhearted thank you. What did you do wrong? Here’s how to know if you’re buying her the wrong gift for Valentine’s Day.

• Purchasing gifts for you.

This is a trap a lot of people fall into: You have no idea what a person will want, so you assume that anything you would love, they would love. Believe it or not, women tend not to be thrilled when receiving power tools or a make-your-own beer set for Valentine’s Day. Instead of thinking about what you want, put yourself in her shoes and think about things you know she uses or likes. Reference her hobbies and favorite movies, music, and TV shows to get an idea about what kinds of things she likes.

• Buying the wrong size.

This is a mine field. If you don’t know her size, don’t buy her clothes. Otherwise, you can’t win unless you get her size perfect by chance. If it’s too small, she’ll argue that you wish she was that thin. If it’s too big, she’ll be insulted that you think she’s heavier than she is. It’s a no win situation that you should just avoid completely.

• The old standby: chocolate.

This is also a touchy subject. Sure, Valentine’s Day is a big chocolate holiday, but what if your wife or girlfriend happens to be on a diet? You’re going to be made to feel bad for tempting her with something she shouldn’t have. If you really want to get her chocolate, stick to something that is considered sumptuous, but has nutritional value. Think dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage, or chocolate covered fruits.

It’s not too hard to pick a gift that will be appreciated. Just avoid the common pitfalls, and remember that you’re not buying a gift for yourself. Put some real thought into it, and you’re sure to get a great reaction from your wife or girlfriend this Valentine’s Day.

Still haven’t found that perfect Valentine’s Day present? Name a star after someone for a gift idea that is sure to please that special somebody today!

It’s the same story over and over: a husband wants to buy his wife the perfect gift for her birthday. He has no idea what to get her, and ends up with a flop that his wife hates. How can you avoid the pitfall and get your wife the perfect gift for her birthday? Here are some ideas.

• One gift that is sure to get a positive reaction is a piece of jewelry. You probably know at least a little bit of what your wife likes in terms of jewelry. Lean towards metals she likes: some women prefer white gold over yellow, or may like the look of silver better than gold. It doesn’t have to be expensive; you can get your wife some handmade beaded pieces that will make a fashion statement and fit into any budget.

• Gift cards to her favorite store may seem like a way to get out of getting a gift, but it’s really not. Your wife will appreciate the opportunity to go shopping without having to worry about spending her own cash on the trip.

• Personalized gifts always add a touch of elegance to any gift. Remember that jewelry that was mentioned earlier? Having it engraved with a message from you makes it even better.

• Think about what your wife really enjoys. Does she have a favorite musician or band? Depending on your budget, you can either get her a CD or buy her concert tickets. Has she been hinting at a much needed day at the spa? Buy her a voucher to go and take care of the house for a day while she’s away being pampered.

When you’re buying your wife a gift for her birthday, the most important thing to remember is to buy something that fits with her personality. If she’s been pointing out certain items in stores or while online shopping, she’s been trying to give you the hint that that is what she wants for her birthday. Finally, no matter what the gift you get your wife is, be sure that it fits into your budget.

Make your wife’s birthday special this year with the unique gift of a star named after them. Register a Star now!

If you’re looking for a birthday gift for a friend or family member that will match their personality, consider their zodiac sign when shopping:

• Aries (March 21–April 19) is adventurous, so buy a gift that will tap into that side. Think skydiving or para-sailing.

• Taurus (April 20–May 20) isn’t into the element of surprise, so don’t throw a surprise party for a Taurus. Get something like a gift card for dinner or a movie, or a piece of clothing.

• Gemini (May 21–June 21) likes exploring, so buy them something that lets them explore new places. If it’s in your budget, a trip to a new location is great. If your budget is smaller, a gift card for a new store or restaurant works.

• Cancer (June 22–July 22) likes feeling cared about, so buy a personalized gift that shows your love or affection for them.

• Leo (July 23–Aug. 22) is all about compliments. Buy a gift that showcases their abilities, such as equipment to complement their fitness achievements and goals.

• Virgo (August 23–September 22) doesn’t like attention, so getting a gift that goes to charity in their name is a great way to honor them on their birthday.

• Libra (September 23–October 23) wants to live in a fantasy world where all their dreams come true. A birthday is a great opportunity to make this desire come true, so make it all about them. Pamper them with some high end wines and a spa day.

• Scorpio (October 24–November 21) enjoys traveling. Luggage, lessons to learn a new language, and travel vouchers are all perfect gifts.

• Sagittarius (November 22–December 21) likes to learn about new things constantly. Find out what their latest interest is, and buy something to help them explore it further.

• Capricorn (December 22–January 19) looks towards their goals and works hard to achieve them. Help them out by getting a gift that will help them meet their goals: for example, a laptop for a student working to graduate college with honors.

• Aquarius (January 20–February 18) is one-of-a-kind and likes to give back to the community. Find a unique piece of jewelry or artwork; bonus points if some of the proceeds go to charity.

• Pisces (February 19–March 20) likes gifts that are catered to their personality and have meaning regarding your relationship with them.

Get that someone special the perfect present. Buy a star gift kit today!

We all know that one person who seems like they have everything. When music, movies, or video games they like come out, they purchase it for themselves on release day. They keep themselves equipped to participate in their hobby. What can you get the person who seems to already have it all when their birthday rolls around?

• Hobby-related Gifts

The first idea is to buy a gift that’s related to the person’s hobby. While it may seem like they have everything they need already, really look into their hobby and learn what it entails. Are they into fitness? Maybe they need new running shoes or clothes. Do they like music? Think about a rare or signed version of an album from their favorite musician or band.

• Magazines

While this person may already have everything, do they have a magazine subscription to read about their hobbies and interests? There are hundreds of magazines out there, so chances are you’ll be able to find one that will cater to this person’s interests that they don’t already have.

• Cakes

If you can’t think of a gift, why not get a specialty cake that will be enjoyed by the birthday boy or girl and their friends and family? Think gourmet ice cream cake, complete with a personalized message. This isn’t going to be just any cake; this is a gourmet cake made with the highest quality ingredients, complete with high end ice cream. Don’t think that getting a cake is an excuse not to get a gift; it is a gift!

• Drinks

A good quality bottle of wine, a beer from a faraway microbrewery, or even a gourmet iced tea – these are all gifts that aren’t likely to go to waste. It doesn’t matter if that person already has plenty of wine, beer, or even iced tea; what you get them will probably be different from what they have, and it’s something that will be consumed at some point. If you want to give a continuous gift that gives the benefit of variety, a monthly subscription type service that sends a different beverage every month is a great idea.

Looking for a really unique gift idea? Name a star after someone you love today!