Beyond Chocolate and Flowers: Unconventional Valentine’s Day Gifts

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Candy and flowers are great gifts to give your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, which this year, falls on a Saturday. (Make your dinner reservations ASAP!)

But let’s get a little more creative, shall we?

A thoughtful trifle that taps into his or her interests — whether that’s the local gourmet food scene or on-trend tech gadgets — is definitely more from the heart. Herewith, we’ve rounded up seven original gift ideas to inspire your inner Cupid for this Valentine’s Day.

For the Foodie: Ultimate Cook Combo Pack

Perfect for the cook who has everything: Show you care about your valentine’s passions and give him or her this luxurious combination pack from The General Store Seattle. You can mix and match the unique and all-local items, including Dave Ulmen’s gorgeous handmade cutting boards, Out of the Woods of Oregon’s bread & bagel Slicers, Chavah Garden’s printed flour sack tea towels, San Juan Island sea salts, Chicaoji’s hot sauce, Island Troller’s sashimi-grade Albacore and Moulton’s Seed Garden Bombs.

For the Big Top Fan: Teatro ZinZanni Gift Certificates

Treat your sweetie to a night under Teatro ZinZanni’s velvet Moulin Rouge-style Spiegeltent near the Space Needle. Enter the doors while the fast-paced action of aerialists, acrobats and cabaret stars unfolds all around you. The best part: It’s all served up with a multi-course feast. Experience the show The New York Times calls “the hottest ticket in town” and USA Today says is “a top ten entertainment destination.” Teatro ZinZanni gift certificates never expire and performances go year-round. On stage next: Chef Caesar returns to the tent in The Hot Spot, February 5 through June 7. Tickets start at $99, visit zinzanni.com/seattle for info.

For the Traveler: Book a Sweetheart Package at Black Rock Resort in British Columbia

Plan a getaway for two to Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, BC, where the extra special Sweetheart Package includes all the frills for a memorable romantic weekend. The package features a two-night stay in a suite of your choice (either a studio or one bedroom), a bottle of vino and chocolate-dipped strawberries, natural bubble bath for a relaxing soak, dinner at Fetch Restaurant, continental breakfast in the mornings and a late check out. Ample activities–hiking along the nearby Wild Pacific Trail, unwinding in oceanfront hot tubs–will keep you extra busy. Black Rock’s Sweetheart Package starts at $270 per person. Dial 877.762.5011 or visit blackrockresort.com to reserve your spot.

For the Culture Club: Valentine’s Day Discount to Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios

In Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities, the latest acrobatics marvel from Cirque du Soleil, a scientist during the turn of the 20^th century is researching ways to travel in his lab when he is visited by characters from another universe. Witness the spectacular costumes and nimble feats with a discounted ticket price of up to 20 percent off. Kurios runs through March 22 at Redmond’s Marymoor Park. Discounted ticket offer valid through February 14.

For the Spa Lover: Book An ‘I Luv Me’ Facial at Skoah

Whether you’re gifting this skin-replenishing treat to yourself or your sweetheart, Canadian spa company Skoah aims to please. For $70, expect a 45-minute facial plus a neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage complete with cinnamon- and vanilla-infused massage cream. Book at Skoah’s Bellevue or Seattle locale from now until February 15.

For the Fragrance Addict: Angel by Thierry Mugler Limited-Edition Love Set

The iconic and deliciously musky fragrance from noted French fashion designer Thierry Mugler comes in one giftable set ($85) and includes perfuming shower gel, perfuming body lotion and a .8-ounce eau de parfum in the signature shooting star glass bottle. It’s all wrapped up in one clever clutch. Spring over to Nordstrom to snag a set for your gal.

For the Health Nut: The Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer

For moments when manually cutting a banana just won’t do (or when your kiddos are clamoring to whip up their own cereal topping) this plastic banana-shaped tool slices and dices your potassium-filled fruit with the greatest of ease. It’s well priced at a little over $5, so show a little love to your health-conscious valentine. And if the product reviews are any indication, the banana slicer is life-saving, kitchen must-have: “What can I say about the 571 Banana Slicer that hasn’t already been said about the wheel, penicillin, or the iPhone…. this is one of the greatest inventions of all time. My husband and I would argue constantly over who had to cut the day’s banana slices. It’s one of those chores NO ONE wants to do…Our marriage has never been healthier.”