Rotorua Valentine's Day tips

Stuck for finding the perfect gift for your loved one this Valentine's Day? Dana Kinita finds out some of the more original gift ideas available in Rotorua.
Forget the traditional chocolates and flowers for Valentine's Day - it seems self-grooming, lingerie and even tattoos are becoming popular items and activities as people prepare for a romantic night with their loved ones.
Rotorua businesses are experiencing an influx of people wanting to show their affection on February 14 with more than just chocolates and flowers.
Some get waxing done or spice up their lingerie collection, but, if you're thinking about getting you're partner's name tattooed, it may not be the best idea.
St Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day,  a day for lovers, friends and family to exchange gifts as tokens of love, falls  on Monday. The day is named after  early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500AD.
In the lead-up to February 14, Rotorua businesses said they saw an increase in customers.
Seduction Lingerie  owner Donna Shannon said she  was seeing more male clientele leading up to the romantic day at her Eruera St store.

"Men usually leave it to the last minute or on the actual day but we do see them coming in wanting something for their partners. A lot  have snuck the label off their wife's clothes  so they know what size to look for. They mainly buy red and black lingerie sets."
Tonic owner Zarnia Lee has noticed an increase in demand for a specific grooming treatment at her Lake Rd beauty salon. "I do a lot of waxing, especially women wanting a Brazilian a couple of days before Valentine's," she said.
"Some come in wanting spray tans but it's mainly women wanting to be waxed. Nothing fancy, just the standard Brazilian and none of them are first timers. They just want to be nice and tidy for the occasion."
Exquisite Total Image in Eruera St has had a few romantics wanting to give their partners a treat.
"We've had men come in buying vouchers for specific treatments, some don't want their wives to get offended and buy an open voucher so they let them decide what to get - just to play it safe," owner Trish Laing said.
"One gentleman surprised his wife on Valentine's and arranged for her to have her hair done, a facial, a manicure and a massage. She knew nothing about it until she came in. He then picked her up and bought back a new dress for her to change into, a bouquet of flowers and took her out to dinner. It was their tenth wedding anniversary."

Tattoo artist and owner of Globus Tattoos and Gallery Elton Buchanan said he has had customers wanting to show their more "romantic notions".
"It's not often on Valentine's Day but occasionally people want their partners' names tattooed," Mr Buchanan said.
"We kind of view it as bad luck - three times in six months a couple have broken up after having a name done.
"We do sit down with them beforehand and ask what if it doesn't work out but a lot of them believe it will.
"We also suggest perhaps getting a symbol representing them instead.
"One woman came in wanting her husband's name done and said they've been together for years and loved each other.
"Six months later, she finds out he's been cheating on her and wants it removed.
"Then again there's been a lot of couples who we've only seen once so we assume they're still doing all right."
Mr Buchanan also has clients wanting a tattoo of a wedding band on their ring finger.
"I'm doing some this weekend actually. A lot times it's the guy needing it done because of his work and for safety reasons he can't wear a ring but the woman still likes to rock a diamond."
 
For the women

Love vouchers - bought or home-made.  Make or buy a voucher that entitles the bearer to an act, activity or favour. 

Dinner. Most women would love a night off from  cooking whether you take her out to a restaurant, cook her a romantic dinner at home or  fish and chips at the lake or beach.

A pamper session. Pamper her with a massage or beauty treatment.

Love messages.  Start the day with a hug with your loved one, spend the rest of the day sending each other cute messages on your cell phones to remind each other how much you care about each other.

If all else fails, chocolates and flowers will make her feel good.

For the men

Love vouchers - as above, bought or home-made.  Make or buy a voucher that entitles the bearer to an act, activity or favour. 

Boys  like gadgets. Get him the latest gadget of his choice.

Allow him to have the remote control all day and night. He gets to choose.

Love messages.  Again as above, start the day with a hug with your loved one, spend the  day sending each other cute messages on your cell phones to remind each other how much you care.

If all else fails, get him some yummy chocolates and a personalised T-shirt. Buy a plain T-shirt and get a message or name on it - his name or a cute message.