Whether you think it’s a ‘Hallmark holiday’ or the best day of the year, there’s no getting around it: Valentine’s Day is upon us. A true romantic might say that you shouldn’t be restricted to a single day to show how much you love or care about someone, but let’s be honest: How you choose to spend February 14 — and what you choose to spend your money on — will mean the world to your significant other.

Despite the commercialism, Valentine’s Day was not actually started by greeting-card companies. There are a number of stories about the holiday’s origins, including those involving at least two saints, both named Valentine, who were martyred for their Christian beliefs in the middle of the third century AD. More than 200 years later, Pope Gelasius I set aside February 14 to honor one of these martyrs and used the occasion to supplant a Roman pagan celebration that paired men and women together by lottery. He was partially successful: the lottery ended, but men still choose this day to declare their affection for their loves-to-be.

We don’t know exactly how ancient Roman men managed to woo the women of 600 AD without heart-shaped balloons.

Lest the love of your life think you’re out of date, here are some recommended gifts for him and for her that will surely show how much you care.

For her: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but jewelry should do the job without making too much of a dent in your wallet.

Folli Follie (Tel: +2 (02) 338-0613) has a wide selection of yellow and white gold designs that should do the trick. For a delicate look, check out Swiss crystal maker Swarovski for pendants, key chains, earrings and rings ranging from LE 250 to LE 1,600. For the designer-name fans, Montblanc platinum jewelry with precious stones runs about LE 2,000.

For Him: Cufflinks are an important, often overlooked aspect of elegant dress. Simple ones run about LE 150, but for high-end style, head to S.T. Dupont, located in CityStars or Radwan El-Ogeil in Mohandiseen. Both stores showcase silver- and platinum-plated cufflinks (LE 1,200–2,100) as well as diamond cufflinks (around LE 3,800).

You can never go wrong with perfumes. There’s something seductive about a woman with a well-chosen scent, while a bear hug from a man feels so much better when paired with a masculine smell. Premium Store and Mazaya, both located in CityStars, have just the thing, and you can never go wrong with a visit to Faces at Maadi City Center, which carries both standard international favorites and the latest releases from top designers.

For her: While classics including Burberry Touch, Carolina Herrera 212 and Lolita Lempicka are always a good choice, Escada has recently introduced Into The Blue (LE 383 for 75 milliliters (ml), with a 10 percent discount at Premium) with a youthful, fresh scent. For a more mature woman with a more sophisticated aroma, sample Femme De Montblanc (LE 350 for 50 ml; LE 470 for 75 ml).

Ladies love to pamper themselves — what could be better than a warm bath followed by a massage with body lotion? Guerlain offers a perfume, shower gel and body lotion pack for LE 520. You could also try Calvin Klein’s Eternity with perfume, shower gel and body lotion (LE 475), or Guerlain’s L’Instant with body lotion and perfume (LE 320). Guerlain’s newest aroma, Insolence, comes in perfume, shower gel and body cream (LE 900 for the set).

For him: Classics include Hugo Boss and Givenchy Pour Homme; Givenchy has also recently fielded Very Irresistible. All run about LE 230 for 50 ml. For packages, try Calvin Klein’s Eternity with a shaving cream, deodorant and perfume (LE 425).

For her: It may sound cliché, but women can never get enough shoes or bags. Shoeroom, Charles & Keith, Pretty Fit and Walking Culture, all located in CityStars, are the places to go for formal, casual and evening shoes.

Prices start at LE 150 and go up to LE 600 for boots or pure-leather footwear. Handbags range from LE 150 for a simple little clutch up to LE 500 for some serious carry-alls. Glitter, also at CityStars, has a substantial selection.

For a wider choice, check out Beymen at the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza for designer bags and collections with the latest fashions. A bit harder on the pocket (but oh so easy on the eyes), designer bags are any woman’s delight.

Wearing the veil certainly doesn’t mean a woman has given up on class and chic. In a stylish Gucci or Christian Dior scarf, she’ll look just as fab as she feels. Designer scarves range LE 250–5,000 at Nour El-Din in Mohandiseen and Heliopolis.

For him: Complete your guy’s ensemble with designer belts (LE 275–800), shirts (LE 150–800) and ties (LE 100–1,000) available at favorites including The Tie Shop and La Cravate in CityStars. To keep him warm during those cold winter nights, you could go for a snow cap (LE 195) or scarf (LE 200), both available at Daniel Hechter in CityStars.

If your loved one is a business leader, head straight for S.T. Dupont in Citystars for pen sets, key chains, wallets and cufflinks ranging from LE 1,275 to LE 3,400. Radwan El-Ogeil and Montblanc also offer an impressive selection of gold- and platinum-plated pens (LE 1,300) and black key chains (LE 550).

Then there’s the newly opened Ermenegildo Zegna in the First Mall at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza. The ultimate word in men’s Italian suits (LE 6,800–18,000) Zegna also offers belts and cufflinks (ranging from LE 800–1,200) as well as other men’s accessories.

Adored by women across the world (and considered an aphrodisiac), chocolate has to be one of the most appropriate presents for Valentine’s Day.

Chocoholics can rejoice at the recent redesign of Chocofolie on Amman Street in Dokki (Tel: +2 (02) 761-3389). For Valentine’s Day, this café and chocolatier has created the Chocofolie Signature Box filled with special handmade treats. Among the sumptuous offerings designed for the holiday of the heart: dark chocolates, truffles and pralines with classic, fruit and spice flavors, “chocolate love slabs,” black and white chocolate hearts and strawberry-and-cream red chocolate hearts.

You can mix and match chocolates for a sweetheart basket, purchase them individually, or pick up a heart-shaped chocolate cake or a Valentine-red heart cake. For a great evening in, there is always the take-away fondue set, which comes with an assortment of items to dip into the heavenly melted chocolate. Chocofolie has treats to suit almost any price range — varying from small treats at the LE 10-20 mark all the way up to gourmet gift boxes for LE 250 and more.

Books are the food of the soul, and the perfect gift to fill those empty hours or lazy days on the beach. Between Diwan bookstore in Zamalek (Tel: +2 (02) 736-2578), the American University in Cairo bookstore Downtown (Tel: +2 (02) 797-5900), Al-Kotob Khan in Maadi (+2 (02) 519-4807) and Virgin Megastore in CityStars, you’ll find just about any topic and genre you’re looking for.

Prices vary from LE 50 for paperbacks to LE 500 for larger tomes. Check out this month’s book review section beginning on page 104 for Egypt Today’s recommended reading.

S.T. Dupont offers couple’s pendants — two separate pieces that can interlock like a jigsaw puzzle into one complete pendant — in a variety of designs. They also offer silver- and platinum-plated lighters (LE 840–LE 1,650) and key chains (LE 1,000).

Don’t give your loved one an excuse to be late — give him or her an extra-special timepiece. Montblanc offers a limited selection of gold- and platinum-plated watches averaging LE 10,000. Mazaya offers a larger selection of brands, including Guess and Fossil (starting from LE 500) and Gucci and Christian Dior (starting from LE 6,000). Near the top of the line is an Omega, which runs LE 9,000 for a standard design, LE 13,900 for gold-plated and LE 20,000 for diamond timepieces. Or you could go all out for a Rolex, starting at LE 50,000.

For many, music is a part of the heart and soul. Make your loved one a romantic soundtrack to play on a new Creative mp3 player. The Virgin Megastore at Citystars has 2-gigabyte players starting at a very affordable LE 850.

The most important thing for a couple to share is their memories. Immortalize those magic moments together with a scrapbook. Blank books run LE 100–200 at Diwan.

The recently opened La Perla store in Mohandiseen offers the best Italian fashion you won’t be wearing in public. La Perla’s lingerie has attracted a long list of the rich and famous, including Katie Holmes, who reportedly chose these delicate garments for her recent wedding to Tom Cruise. While the lingerie already comes wrapped in attractive boxes, a couple’s Valentine’s Day trip to La Perla is bound to be a treat for women and their men alike: The store is set up in chic modern, minimalist style — a sexy and sophisticated atmosphere to match the lingerie you’re looking for. et

The only thing worse than getting a bad gift is giving one. et polled guys and girls alike for Valentine “don’ts.”

Teddy Bears: Ladies, they might act grateful, but most guys find teddy bears too mushy for their taste. The fact that you like them is totally irrelevant.

Candles: Guys don’t usually take those long, peaceful candle-lit baths and don’t really seem to have use for them, except maybe for lighting their cigarettes.

Anything that has your names printed on it: loud red hearts, pillowcases, T-shirts or couch cushions. Even if he likes it, it will eventually end up hidden in his bottom drawer to stop his buddies’ teasing.

Money: Although money is sometimes the perfect gift for guys, there is nothing more disappointing or less romantic for a lady waiting for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift to hear her guy say, “Go buy yourself something nice.”

Sunglasses: Such a bad idea. Women spend hours with their friends looking for the perfect shade and shape; anything you pick out without her is likely to be too big, too small, too dark, too light, too old, too new, etc.

uys, we know it’s a challenge to meet your lady’s expectations when taking her out. But really, we don’t ask for much. To help you out, here is our suggested perfect date.Start the day off right with breakfast in bed. Find out her favorite foods, prepare the meal yourself and serve it with a side of flowers and a big smile.

Remember, women just love to feel pretty. What better way to recognize her new hairdo than by giving her the perfect dress to wear with it? Shop for an ultra-feminine evening gown, preferably red, and have it sent to her in a classy box with a note telling her when she should be ready. Check out the choices along El-Horreya St. in Heliopolis or at 69 in Mohandiseen.

Then get a limo to pick her up at the arranged time and leave her your gift in the car with a sweet note attached to it.

Rent a yacht, decorate it with flowers and chocolates and play her favorite music. Sounds posh, but rental rates are only around LE 800 per hour.

Now you’ve got her attention. All you have to do is to win her over with your charm and personality.

Miles Raymond, wine snob extraordinaire in the movie Sideways, said it best: “If anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f---ing Merlot!”As a confirmed wino, Raymond would almost certainly be lowering his standards if he were living in Egypt. Here even wine novices — even those who drink white zinfandel (the lager of the wine world) — turn up their noses to most locally distributed wine, which often tastes harsh, grapey or just plain bad. Luckily for people who like to have their wine and, er, drink it too, a new wine distributed by Al-Ahram Beverages has turned up on the shelves of local suppliers. Made with South African grapes, Cape Bay has a taste that’s not too sharp and is sure to please the Obelisk-numbed taste buds of wine drinkers in Egypt. Though Cape Bay is a Merlot, it’s hard to complain about this subtle, and most importantly, palatable, new wine. Cape Bay Merlot is available at Drinkies for LE 60 per bottle.

Take your Valentine to the next level of luxury at some of Cairo’s finest hotelsLe Meridien Pyramids (tel: +2 (02) 383-0383) is offering guests a night of food, drink and music in two of its signature restaurants. Both options include five-course dinners, wine and a heart-shaped Valentine’s cake for two. The Med bar and restaurant has a classical ambience with softer lighting and music, while more of a party atmosphere is to be had in the Laredo Tex-Mex bar and restaurant, with a live DJ and dance floor.

Make an overnight of it at Conrad Cairo (tel: +2 (02) 580-8000), which has a special package for a Nile-view room decked out with romantic extras like red roses, chocolates, strawberries and a glass of sparkling wine on arrival. The package — which also includes Valentine’s dinner, a luxurious breakfast-in-bed and late checkout — costs LE 1111 all-inclusive.

The Semiramis InterContinental (tel: +2 (02) 795-7171) has options to suit any of your Valentine’s plans. For fine dining, the Pane Vino restaurant has an Italian menu, roses for the lady and a live classical guitarist creating just the right ambience. If you are looking for the best Oriental experience available, the famed Haroun Al-Rashid nightclub is home to some of the world’s best oriental dancers, alongside a fine dinner menu.

If you want to take it to the next level, you can’t get much higher than The Revolving Restaurant atop the Grand Hyatt Cairo (Tel: +2 (02) 365-1234). The highest revolving restaurant in the Middle East, this fine dining establishment is sure to set the scene for a memorable night. With the food, drink and backdrop taken care of, the rest is up to you.

The InterContinental CityStars (tel: +2 (02) 480-0200) is in full Valentine’s mode, with four restaurants pulling out the stops for the perfect night for you and your loved one. Maestro (Italian), Fayruz (Lebanese), the Esplanade (international buffet) and Shogun (Japanese) all have customized Valentine’s Day menus and romantic ambience. A special Valentine’s room package comes with flowers, chocolates, dinner and breakfast all included in the price.

For a Valentine’s Day with a twist, celebrate Chinese New Year instead. On February 18, Spice, the Cantonese restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza (tel: +2 (02) 791-7000), will host Egypt’s most luxurious and authentic Chinese New Year feast. From the festively decorated lobby and restaurant down to the traditional eight-course menu of Chinese delicacies, this will be as close to Hong Kong as you will ever get in Cairo.  et

Additional reporting by Imogen Kimber