This Valentine’s Day, Jack Knows Best

Have you met Jack yet? He’s a personal shopper for mens at J.Crew. And this Valentine’s Day, he offers some great advice for gift-giving.

Do I have to get someone I just started dating a Valentine’s Day gift (and if so, what)?

Whatever you do, don’t ignore the holiday—that holds whether you’re going on date number 3 or 300. While it might seem like a trite celebration to you, it’s not to her, so plan on acknowledging it in some way. If you want to do something that’s more of a token than an outright statement, consider flowers and chocolates—there’s a good reason why they’re a cliché: they always work.

To make your sweets a little less expected, pass on the heart-shaped box from the drug store and go with something from an upscale chocolate shop or gourmet grocer (classic macaroons in fancy wrapping are my go-to). If you feel comfortable making more of a declaration, I’d go with jewelry—I don’t know a single woman who feels she has too much of it, and it comes at all price points (and better yet, it’s one size fits all, so you avoid that potentially messy gauntlet).

Black Almond Truffle Candle, $22.50

Mélange ribbon necklace, $118.00, Item 23676

Flutter-flower clutch, $128.00, Item 24808

EMQUP5GC9K2X