KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — Love is in the air... as is the pressure to buy a gift that isn’t the usual trivial trinket. Flowers? Meh. Chocolates? Too predictable and perishable. Matching T-shirts featuring your favourite social network? Don’t go there. And when the girl’s of a certain... geeky disposition (that she refers to you as a guy with “17 Charisma, 11 Strength” is one indication), you can bet that the gift needs to be all at once practical, unique and sentimental.

Let’s see what you can still get for your girl in the remaining days left before V-Day arrives.

Skyrim jewellery

Jewellery may be the standard gift for a girl this Valentine’s, but if you’re dating a girl who loves video games — and so, most likely a Skyrim fan — this Skyrim-inspired silver necklace would fit nicely.

Be warned though — these are the kinds of trinkets she would either love (“Wow, that’s so cool! I’ll wear it to that cosplay party next week”), or detest (“What kind of tacky piece of novelty jewellery did you get from the Internet this time?”). So before pressing that buy button, be sure — be very sure — that she’s a fan.

Or else.

JumpFromPaper Bags

If you’ve just started dating, it’s best not to get too deep into the jewellery/bag/shoe department. Not only do they cost a bomb, but you’ve also got to consider how it would fit into their overall style and wardrobe. (If you’ve figured that out this early, there could be bigger issues ahead, darling.)

Keep it light and playful with the bags by JumpFromPaper, a brand created by a Taipei-based design duo whose unique bags are made to look like they’ve been drawn from a cartoon — an effect achieved using thick black borders and bright block colours. It’s novel and cute, but avoids being tacky. Most are designed for girls, and this one, aptly named “First Date”, goes for approximately US$80 (about RM240), and can be found in Pipit Zakka Store in SS2, Petaling Jaya and Pavilion, KL. 

iPhone cases by Kate Spade

Cases are dime-a-dozen in stores, so if you’re going down this route make sure it’s something special. One generally can’t go wrong with a brand like Kate Spade, which has a variety of iPhone cases that are fashionable, covetable, and would match into any wardrobe theme.

iPad cases by DodoCase

If your gal has an iPad, don’t just get her the usual cases — the designer series of DodoCases such as the Ork and Rex Ray may cost a little more than usual (US$89.95), but you’d be hard-pressed to find better-looking ones out there.

Scott E Vest Essential Jacket

This Scott E Vest jacket may not elicit the oohs and ahs that an Alexander McQueen would, but if your girl’s a gadget hound, chances are she’d prefer this jacket anyday. The US-based brand

is known for making jackets that have an unbelievable amount of pocket space — a jacket like this has pockets to squeeze in an iPad, mobile phones, camera, keys, and even a water-bottle without making a girl look like a SWAT Team agent.

This wrinkle-free jacket comes with 18 concealed pockets, designed to distribute weight evenly, and minimise bulges wherever possible — making it the perfect travel jacket. In fact, why not throw in a couple of air tickets inside one of the concealed pockets? A move up to the next level is almost guaranteed.

Next: What to get for the male geek in your life.