The Valentine’s Tree is not the usual gift. All you will give your significant other will be a piece of paper. But if they care about the environment, that paper might be better than any teddy bear or expensive meal: it’s a certificate for the tree planted in their name. That’s right, through your $25 contribution an organization involved in a reforestation project will plant a tree in the place you choose (US, Israel or the Amazon), and you can even track it online.

So if you think this would work for your girlfriend or boyfriend, hurry: it’s just a paper, but you have to order now to receive before the big day.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $25 on TreesInstead.com.

This is true love indeed: admitting bacon doesn’t hold first place in one’s heart. No, its spot was stolen by someone else, and they need to be told. Teary eyes and passionate kisses guaranteed.

Hey, they might even surprise you one morning with your former love…

Not a bacon fan? Choose between the other 3: ham, pork and steak, or get them all for $5.99.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $1.75 on Sweet-Meats.com.

Via Fashionably Geek

The MyJones Love Potion #6 Soda is here just in time for Valentine’s and gives you an easy way out if your significant other is an adept of the “gesture that matters”. Soda doesn’t make a good present for any opportunity, but in this case it comes with… you.

Each bottle in the 12-pack will have a photo printed on the label, and this is your time to shine: come out with the silliest, soppiest picture and love message to blow them away! Yeah, it’s just a drink, but they’ll be reminded of your feelings with each sip (and we’re supposed to celebrate love, not how much money we spend on presents, right?).

Besides, each 12-pack comes with extra surprises: 12 lip balms and a poster. If you’re a guy, your girlfriend will love the balm (trust me, we’re addicted to it); if you’re a girl, hey, you got a present too!

How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on MyJones.com.

Via Outblush

If you want to remember your love all day, everyday… just tell these guys what you want printed. Each page of the calendar features a picture which will have your name/your lover’s name/your friend’s cat’s name inserted in a fitting way (cloud lettering on the cloud-themed page etc.)

Although a calendar is still a lame present, this will make it a bit better. At least you’re making it clear it’s just for him/her, right? Well, unless their name is longer than 10 letters, in which case think of a nickname or something, because that’s the maximum length.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $21.50 on Firebox.com

For all of you who can’t stand the anatomically incorrect hearts pictured in disgusting pink all over the place… this is IT. The Personalized Heart Butcher Knife is 4″ long, hand painted, rusted, signed and glitter dusted (see, glitter, it’s perfect for VDday) and even comes in its own hand drawn box. It’s also a bit scary and a very intriguing object of art. Sadly, it’s too small to actually chop bones with.

Even if you don’t need it as a present for next week, you’d better hurry: only available until the end of February.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $25 on ElizabethMcGrath.com.

Via BoingBoing

As you can see, this 3D Valentine’s Day Greeting Card doesn’t look so impressive in a picture, just some blurry hearts on a white backgroup. But the glasses make it stand out from all the gushy Hallmark ones, because the design is blurry on purpose: when seen through the 3D glasses, the blue and red hearts appear to be floating.

All you need to do now is write the appropriate message and wow the girl you’re after. That is, unless she thinks you’re a total dork and wishes she’d hooked up with the guy who buys Hallmark cards.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $2.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Via name

However, if you and your significant other are of the geeky persuation, the Holographic Candlelit Dinner Kit might not seem a silly idea. After all, everyone has their own image of the perfect date… and yes, it might include staring at light and wearing funny glasses.

The candle included in the set is just there for aesthetic purpose, since a lightbulb would work too. The magic is in the glasses: the lens are designed to diffuse the light waves into heart-shaped rainbows, so you won’t need an active imagination or illegal substances to get a true “love is in the air” experience.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

If she’s into big, expensive presents… you’re on your own there, you need to figure out if she wants an iPod, a new perfume, some jewelry or tickets to an exotic country.

For the rest, we’re here to help. Coming up, 8 affordable presents that will show her that you went that extra mile for something unique. Mix and match if you want, there’s nothing stopping you from getting more from the list!

1. You can’t go wrong with chocolate. But let’s admit it, she can buy all the fancy stuff for herself all year long! But I bet she never got a Chocolate Pizza before…

2. Breakfast is a whole ritual, and for many of us cookies simply cannot miss from the menu. The Valentine’s Edition Dunk Mug makes cookie-lovers’ lives a bit easier with the special compartment – and it comes in pink to match the occasion. (Unless she hates the color, in which case there’s a regular version you can go for.)

3. To fill the cup on Valentine’s morning, nothing could be better than some “You Warm my Heart” Hot Cocoa Mix. Delicious chocolate and floating marshmallow hearts, aww.

4. Still not enough sweets? There’s more! The Message Cookies spell out your feelings – literally. There’s nothing wrong with being cheesy if it shows her how much you love her!

5. If your girl leans towards the geek side, she might appreciate techy presents better than the usual beauty products. And because Valentine’s is a special occasion, get her the best of both worlds: a designer flash drive in a special “in love” edition. The Pink Meletta Mimobot is trendy and useful at the same time.

6. Wii fanatics are bound to love the Chocomiis. Two delicious chocolate figurines representing the happy couple… and you can even bite the other’s head off (in a very literal way) in case you get angry. Although we hope that, since you’re celebrating Valentine’s, you’ll try to keep a peaceful atmosphere.

7. Showing up in a Binary Love t-shirt, carrying a bouquet of flowers, can do more than any regular gift for a girl who’s passionate about her computers. How many people know how to write “love” in binary? You’ll be the only 2 people on the street who know the meaning. Even better, you can get matching t-shirts and reach the heights of geeky love.

8. At the end of the evening, celebrate in style. Sparkling Gold Cuvee is not just a fancy brand name – it actually has flakes of gold floating inside the bottle. It can’t get any better than this.

And there you have it. 8 ideas to get you through this February 14th. But remember: you shouldn’t save all the nice gestures for special occasions. It won’t hurt if you get her some special chocolate on a random Monday, will it?

Outside, a pizza box, guaranteed to get angry glares from the SO on February 14th.

Inside, a delicious surprise: a pizza-shaped taste explosion, with milk chocolate slices, white chocolate heart, red Smarties, white chocolate balls and milk chocolate sprinkles.

She’ll feel pampered in the most original way while delighting in the Belgian chocolate… and she might even share it with you.

How much under $29.99?
A little: £14.95 on Firebox.com.

The Shit Bitch Bear is one, but not the other… and it could work, really. Yeah, it’s not exactly the typical “I love you”, but girls do get bored of always getting the same things.

Of course, don’t ever try to give it to someone who makes a big deal out of Valentine’s or who lacks a sense of humor. Actually, don’t try it with 99% of the female population.

But if your significant other is a bit twisted, doesn’t appreciate commercial holidays and can take a joke… I say give it a shot. The message is positive, underneath it all.

Also available in brown, but it kinda looks like a truck hit it, so I’d personally go for the white one.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on LoveisLame.com.

Via TCritic