Valentine's Day 2012 is less than 24 hours away, but many lovers and romantics are still scrambling for that last-minute gift idea.
Whether you're planning to spend $10 or $1,000 (or more), gifts related to this special day also act as a huge booster for the economy.
According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans are expected to spend some $17.6 billion on Valentine's Day gifts this year.
That averages out to be $126.03 per person, an 8.5 percent jump from 2011 and the highest in 10 years.
The survey also reports that more than half of all tablet owners will look for gift ideas (and purchase gifts) using their iPads, Galaxy Tabs, Playbooks and other devices.
Before settling on Valentine's Day regulars like breakfast-in-bed, flowers, chocolates or massage packages, here are some last-minute gift ideas for the romantic at heart, guaranteed to score plenty of (additional) points with your better half.
Valentines DayREUTERSBy now, it’s too late to order anything online in time for Valentine’s Day delivery. But there’s still hope for other great online deals, thanks to sites like Groupon and Living Social.Take New York City for example. Groupon’s best deals include an In-Home Cooking Lesson for Two (starting at $99) and a Star Naming Gift Set ($14). Living Social has a three piano lessons on sale for $60 and a 2 ½ hour cake pop course for two ($39).Both sites also include (really) last-minute deals on restaurants and bars (location-specific): check out Groupon's "Now!Deals" and Living Social's "Instant" sections.Screen ShotIf you’re in New York City for Valentine’s Day this year, treat your lover to the Museum of Sex. For an appropriate price of $69, the Valentine’s Day package includes 2 admission tickets, 2 drinks at OralFix Aphrodisiac Bar, 1 (edible) massage candle and other toys in a satin bag, complete with white rose petals.Current exhibitions include F*ck Art and Universe of Desire.More information at museumofsex.com.REUTERSJeremy Lin has become a rising star on the New York Knicks and in the NBA. Playing in just six games, Lin has become a household name due to his abilities on the court and his humble demeanor off. Find out where you can watch tonight's game live as Linsanity continues!REUTERSBon Iver’s two studio albums (and EP, for bonus points) make an exceptional gift for any music lover’s collection.Fresh off the band’s Grammy wins, copies of “Bon Iver, Bon Iver” will surely be flying off the shelves and iTunes this week. Bon Iver will not only help set the mood (thanks to Justin Vernon’s smooth falsetto), but will surely make for good dinner music (among other occasions)."Bon Iver, Bon Iver" and "For Emma, Forever Ago" are both in stores now.REUTERSA trip to Arizona or Florida, along with tickets to a spring training game will warm the heart of any baseball lover. Plus, haven’t you always wanted to go to Peoria, AZ (Mariners) or Port St. Lucie, FL (Mets)?For more information visit mlb.com/mlb/tickets/spring_training.jsp
MLB.comMadonna's newest single from "MDNA" dropped Monday. "Girl Gone Wild" is a song about, well, a girl gone wild. With lyrics like "I got that burnin' hot desire/ And no one can put out my fire/ It's coming right down through the wire/ Here it comes/ When I hear them 808 drums/ It's got me singing" it is clear the song is dance beat.REUTERS
