The displays in stores around Pearl River should be your first hint. Valentine's Day is fast approaching.

For some, Valentine's Day is an opportunity to reaffirm bonds with loved ones, particularly wives, husbands, boyfriends and girlfriends.

For others, it is a relationship trap in which they find themselves desperately searching for the perfect gift. Or at least the one that will keep them out of trouble.

Either way, it usually involves shopping. But what should you buy? Do you check out the display at CVS or ShopRite and pray for inspiration? Go the traditional route of flowers to Pearl River FloristSchweizer Beautiful Flowers? Hit one of Pearl River's many shops such as Jane on Main, Edible Arrangements or the Danu Gallery? For those who can't get those commercials telling us where every kiss begins can turn to Ben's Jewelers or Michel Jewelers.

We were thinking maybe Pearl River Patch's readers can help one another out here and perhaps have some fun in the process.

We are looking for inspiration rather than suggestions. Tell us about the best Valentine's Day gifts you have ever given or received. Tell us about the worst. Both can be fun and the bad ones could help somebody from making a terrible mistake.

Add your stories of gifts past to the comments below or send them to Pearl River Patch Editor Ryan Buncher at ryan.buncher@patch.com.

Editor's note: Any resemblance between your gift stories and the results of Pearl River Patch Editor Ryan Buncher's Valentine's Day shopping is purely unintentional. Honest.