Splash out on your loved one this year

Come Monday morning, some of us may be grateful to even receive a solitary card from a secret admirer, but others may find themselves disgruntled at receiving a predictable gift.

But, fear not, there are many ways to impress your loved one this year that do not include furry stuffed toys or bunches of flowers.

And, if you find yourself single this Valentine's Day and are sick of couples enjoying candle-lit dinners for two, then why not treat yourself to a pick-me-up?

The Evening News has gone in search of innovative romantic gifts that cater for all budgets and don't need to cost the earth.

Proprietor of the Little Shoe Box store at Pershore Retail Market, Judith Synnuck said her pink wellington boots (£12.99) covered in love hearts were proving a huge hit with the customers.

"I ordered them last August but they only arrived a few weeks ago which made me very angry initially," she said.

"But then I realised they'd make the perfect Valentine's Day present for those people looking for something a little bit different this year.

"We've had lots of men buying them for their girlfriends or fiances and they've all said how they know they'll love them because funky wellies are really in the fashion at the moment."

But if wellington boots don't float your boat, how about ferrets?

The Droitwich Ferret Welfare charity has just launched a website selling everything from underwear to umbrellas that can be personalised with your special someone's name and prices start from as little as £1.99.

"Not only are you buying an unusual gift but the money raised from the sale of the products also help pay for the vet bills and care of lost or abandoned ferrets," said Anne Robinson, secretary of the charity. To find out more log onto www.droitwichferretwelfare. co.uk

And that's not the only website where you can pick up some innovative gifts.

A whole host of unusual ideas are featured on the site www.daystoamaze.co.uk

For a bargain £25 you can buy your man or woman their very own one-acre plot of the love planet Venus.

In 1980, a man called Dennis Hope laid claim to the moon and its surrounding planets and this was filed with the US and Russian Governments and has never been contested by either.

So you can now own your own plot of any of these planets, and your gift includes a deed, map of the plant pin-pointing exactly where your acre is located, and a constitution and bill of rights outlining the laws of the planet.

And if your wife or husband is a chocoholic, forget buying them a bar of Dairy Milk, for you can get them their own share in Cadbury's.

Costing £39, it includes an exclusive shareholder gift-pack, a genuine share certificate displaying your loved one's name, and information sent directly from Cadbury's including invitations to meetings and a right to vote on issues affecting the company.

Or maybe boosting your partner's stature is more up your street?

For £59 you can give them a prestigious title of Laird of Glencairn.

By buying a plot of land on the Glencairn estate, it means you become a Scottish landowner, which is most commonly translated in England to Lord or Lady of the Land.

And if your Valentine fancies themselves as the next James Bond, then why not splash out £99 and enrol them in spy school?

They'll learn some essential skills required to conduct a secret agent operation during an action-packed three hours at a secret spy headquarters.

They'll be shown how to use specialist spy equipment, including covert cameras, radios, bugs, listening devices and lock-picking gadgets.

They will also be taught how to use pistols in a VIP protection scenario and learn precision shooting through the powerful telescopic sight of sniper rifles.

And they are also in with the chance of trying their skills at axe throwing and testing their nerve and concentration with a bomb de-activation challenge.

So, this year, there seems to be no excuses as there's plenty of choice out there to help you put a smile on the face of your valentine.