Finding the Perfect Gift for the Perfect Guy

Valentine's Day is less than a week away which means it's time to invest some careful thought into what you're going to give to the special man in your life. It can be a challenge to find just the right Valentine's Day gift for a husband or boyfriend, but we're here to help.

We've investigated local shops and stores to collect men's gift ideas and to ease some of your holiday anxiety when it comes to finding something meaningful to give to your man. Read on.

If you're hoping to stay with the romantic theme of Valentine's Day, don't underestimate the power of chocolate.

According to Donna Puzella, owner of Sweet Nothings in Summit, "Men love truffles, too! And even chocolate-dipped strawberries," both of which are available at her shop.

The Chocolate Rose Shoppe in Madison is another place to find fine chocolates and according to the tastes of your guy, you can give the sweet gift a personal touch by choosing from a selection that includes coffee-filled, alcohol-filled, organic, and sugar-free, among others.

For many men, a nice bottle of alcohol makes a good gift.

"The biggest demand is probably in the scotch area, and the malts," said Sarah Hoida of Gary's Wine and Marketplace.

Hoida suggests single-malt scotches, cognac, brandy, or a hearty red wine like a good Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Those appeal to the masses for any holiday," she said.

The educated staff at the Madison store is available to assist you with specific preferences depending on the person you're buying for.

Gary's Wine and Marketplace also sells cigars, wine and beer gift baskets, and accessories such as glasses, bottle openers, and coasters.

At TM Ward Coffee in Chatham, you'll discover a selection of gourmet foods that might compliment that bottle of wine. The store features pretzels, nuts, chocolate candies, and dried fruits which can be incorporated into a holiday gift basket, a tasteful and tasty gift idea for your sweetheart.

For the hard-working man, Valentine's Day may be the perfect opportunity to give the gift of relaxation.

At Terra Sky Center for Wellness, an assortment of treatments is available for men including facials, hot stone massage, barefoot shiatsu massage, and deep tissue massage, the last of which is the most popular with male clients.

Gift certificates can be purchased at Terra Sky for a thoughtful spa gift.

If you're interested in a couples massage this Valentine's Day, you can find it at Table for One in Chatham, whose extensive menu of items also features exfoliating body treatments and wraps, Swedish massage, and therapeutic massage for muscle relaxation, to name just a few.

If you're thinking that you know a guy who might benefit from one of these options, gift certificates are also available at Table for One.

This Valentine's Day, if the man you love is an outdoorsman, there are plenty of ways to give a gift that will get him out into the winter weather.

You can explore Summit Ski & Sport for an extensive selection of skis, snowboards, and accessories. Their staff has the knowledge to help you find a great gift for your guy, or if you're unsure about his particular preferences, you can purchase a gift certificate at any monetary amount.

With outdoor sports also comes the need for protection against the cold. Blue Ridge Mountain Sports has a full stock of outerwear, gloves, hats, and adventure accessories in case your Valentine is suffering from cabin fever.

A few new items have recently arrived at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports that are especially popular with male customers.

Among them are the Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket which is durable, lightweight, and waterproof, the Ice Breaker original Zip Sweater, currently a highly-requested men's item, and The North Face Nimble Zip Shirt, which is an active, windproof pullover at a reasonable price.

And if the love of your life is waiting until the summer to get outdoors, Sweet Nothings carries golf balls in Valentine's Day packaging.

Another fun gift idea that you can share with a boyfriend or husband this Valentine's Day is a set of gift certificates to your local movie theater. The Clearview Beacon Hill, Roberts Chatham Cinema, and the Clearview Madison, all offer gift cards for purchase.

To make this gift a little more personal for your movie buff, you can stop by Sammy's Gift Baskets or Sweet Nothings to pick up a custom movie theater themed basket full of classic movie candies and popcorn. It's an instant date!

For another entertainment idea for your guy, Bang & Olufsen is advertising its Bang & Olufsen Headphones as a holiday gift to please the audio lover. The brand's headphones are especially designed to adjust to fit the ear perfectly, allowing for optimal sound quality.

The headphones come with their own leather carrying case and in five different colors, so you can choose a set that best matches your man.