There are at least three times a year when you must buy gifts: New Year’s, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day. For many of us, the toughest is Valentine’s Day, because this is the time when you really need to impress the other party. Don’t worry: The Guide Istanbul is here to the rescue! Check out our list of Valentine’s Day gifts that will tell your lover that you love them, one way or another.

Cupcakes: If you’re dating a chocoholic, why not show your love with a box of chocolate cupcakes? Istanbul Cupcake Factory, Istanbul Cupcakery, Merve’s Cupcakes, and Rococo have some drool-worthy versions of this treat.

Flowers: Flowers can be the present itself, or the accompaniments to a present – depending on how much you’re planning to spoil your lover this year! Either way, we suggest you ask Ege Soley, Flower House, or Marginal Flowers to create a love-filled arrangement for your significant other.

Ege Soley, Süleyman Seba Caddesi No. 83/A , Akaretler; P: (0212) 227 09 22 

Flower House,Yıldız Mahallesi Ihlamur Caddesi No.3/A, Beşiktaş; P: (0212) 259 29 17 

Marginal Flowers, Poyracık Sokak No.7, Nişantaşı; P: (0212) 233 40 00  

Antiques: Romance carries with it a hint of nostalgia, a hint of beautiful memories, of times gone by. What better way to celebrate that romance than by purchasing an antique. You’ll find a wide range of pieces at Sofa in Galata and Sofa in Nuruosmaniye, from toys and jewelry to paintings and tableware.

Serdar-ı Ekrem Sokak No.47 Galata, Galata; P: (0212) 292 39 77   

Nuruosmaniye Caddesi No. 53/A, Cağaloğlu; P: (0212) 520 28 50-51 

A cooking course: Nowadays, being able to talk to each other face to face for an hour practically counts as romance. We’re that busy! If such is the case with you and your sweetheart, consider taking a cooking course together. You’ll be stuck in a room for hours with your hands dirty, so you can’t rely on the cop-out of electronic communication. Whether you love the experience or hate it, you’ll bond through this shared memory. Check out our Agenda for Istanbul Culinary Institute and Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi courses, pick one, and sign up!

Istanbul Culinary Institute, Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 59, Tepebaşı; P: (0212) 251 22 14 

Mutfak Sanatları Akademisi, Meydan Sokak Beybi Giz Plaza B Blok No. 123-126, Maslak; P: (0212) 290 35 50 

Limo rental: Sometimes love means letting your lover go a little wild. So, help her let it all hang out by renting a limo from Inter Limousine for her and her friends’ next girls’ night out. Add in a few bottles of bubbly, and let her have the night of her life. Trust us, she’ll thank you for it. Very very much. Darülbedayi Caddesi Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall Car Park level, Harbiye; P: (0212) 232 66 05  

Jewelry: Brooches, earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces. Sapphire, pearl, diamond, quartz. So many beautiful options to choose from! We hope you’ve done your homework and found out what you lady likes by now. For the best jewelry in Istanbul, head to Gilan, Armaggan, Ela Cindoruk, or Alef.  

Gilan,Akmerkez Shopping Mall, Nispetiye Caddesi No.114, Etiler; P: (0212) 282 05 76 . For more locations, click here. 

Armaggan, Nuruosmaniye Caddesi No.65, Nuruosmaniye; P: (0212) 522 44 33 

Hacı Emin Efendi Sokak No. 4A, Teşvikiye; P: (0212) 241 35 58

Something with hearts on it: You may not be too big a fan of Valentine’s Day, but we’re all huge fans of love. So forget about the jewelry, the limo, and the antiques, and just go straight to the source: the heart. At Kağıthane, you’ll find a range of heart-shaped stuff that will bring a smile to your face and your lover’s. Kemankeş Caddesi Fransız İş Geçidi No.11, Karaköy; P: (0212) 251 71 95. Fore more locations, click here.