Valentine’s Day can be a special time but it can also be the most agonizing. Whether you have a special someone or if you’re left crying over a bowl of ice cream while watching sappy movies, everyone wants gifts-even better if it’s candy. The predicament comes to deciding what to buy. My go-to is chocolate, but whatever makes your taste buds sing. With the help of a bouquet of fake red roses (real ones don’t last), I bring you the dos-and-don’ts of Valentine’s.

When thinking of Valentine’s Day, I most immediately think of a box of chocolate. You can go extravagant and get an expensive 50 piece set or go cheap and get a two dollar chocolate box at your local drugstore. This ranks a four-out-of-five on a scale of red roses.

The little box of Sweethearts just don’t cut it. Maybe it did when you were in first-grade but to be frank, I didn’t even like them then. Sure the little conversations they imprint on them are cute to some and they would make a great starting point for a cheesy romance woo, but they aren’t meant to be eaten. Speaking of inedible gifts, the candy bracelets that leave your wrists soggy are also not meant to be a meaningful gift.  Despite their cheap price of about $0.90, the colorful hearts and candy bracelets only get one-half of a white rose.

Another type of (in)edible gifts would be your significant other’s favorite candy. As long as you correctly recall their favorite candy, no one can go wrong, and unless you their preference is super expensive and covered in gold, it can be pretty affordable too. From sour to sweet, bitter or rich, their chosen candy is sure to be a hit for anyone, therefore getting a 4.5 red roses.

Recently, sites and companies have made personalized M&Ms available. Though they are available year round, they can make a special present. With the ability to inscript anything on the sweet treat, the small chocolate can be elevated from a ‘ooo candy’ reaction to a ‘aww that’s so thoughtful’ one.  A customized color and amiable script can make someone’s day, also resulting in a four-out-of-five rating.

Considering the plethora of gifts to be given, one that comes from the heart can mean more than anything. The after Valentine’s sales on candy has us cleaning out the shelves and our banking account, so why not indulge every once in awhile?