While a few offered up suggestions, we were surprised by how many women simply bought themselves whatever they wanted and thanked their husband for footing the bill.  While efficient, it isn’t exactly romantic and we think guys need to put in some effort this year.  Here are a few suggestions that will help even the clueless figure out the perfect gift to ensure romance (and brownie points) on Valentine’s Day.

Ask Her Friend For Help – This is a terrific approach on two fronts: The first obviously being that her female friend will more than likely have a far greater ability to recognize and select a present your significant other will actually like. The second, more long-term (and mildly selfish) strategy is that her friends can make terrific allies for you in the future and it never hurts to make a good impression with her girls.

Make Her Feel Unique – While most men like to play it safe, you might consider taking a small risk that might pay off. We have to stress: nothing over the top, but introducing some color and flair into the gift (based on her taste) shows confidence and understanding of her unique personality.

Web History – Short of being creepy, the occasional glance at your significant other’s web history can provide insight and gift ideas.  Many women consider online browsing to be a recreational hobby and you might just get lucky.

Thought Trumps Price – As cheesy as the saying is, it’s really the thought that counts, especially when you take the time to figure out what she would want.  Find something you know she’ll love that she probably wouldn’t buy herself.  That doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg, just show that you listen and understand her and it’ll mean so much more.

Just Ask Her – This is a shockingly well-received approach for the man without a clue. Usually a good 10 ideas are in the chamber, just waiting for you to pull the trigger and ask… but let’s call this a last resort.

We know this is an overwhelming task, so always feel free to call in an expert.  In fact, if she happens to like pearl jewelry, we are happy to help!  You can always check out our latest collections here and call The Honora Store fashionistas for professional advice at 212.308.8707 or email them at retail57@honora.com.  Either way, we wish you the best at wowing her on February 14th!  Good luck Guys!

Tell Your Friends – A trusted best friend always knows what her bestie (that is best friend for any guys who might read this) wants or needs.  If you know that your significant other has a good relationship with one of your friends, than it is a safe bet that this is one of the first places he is likely to go.

Web History Is Your Friend – While guys often go out of their way to hide their browsing history, this can be an ideal way for you to drop a hint.  Making sure that ideal gift is high up on your browsing history (you may even want to stop by that page a few times) can go a long way towards getting a gift suggestion on his radar.

Point It Out – If you are out and shopping with your significant other and see something you might like, point it out.  We wont lie, these “subtle” hints can often get missed by husbands and boyfriends, but occasionally they take note and will think back to those moments when figuring out what to get you.

Ask Him What He Wants – It is almost a given that once you ask, he will undoubtedly ask you in return.  While this is a bit underhanded, it is effective and also helps you figure out exactly what he is looking for as well.  That is certainly a win/win for everyone!

Just Tell Him – This really depends on the kind of relationship you have with your loved one, but often times simply telling them what you want can take a lot of pressure off of them and help you get that perfect present.  More often than not, he will appreciate the direction!

BONUS TIP: Just Buy It – This one comes courtesy of all of our friends on The Honora Facebook Fan Page.  We thought we were bold, but we have nothing on these savvy ladies.  They just buy exactly what they want and thank their husbands when it arrives!  So kudos to women who know what they want and know how to get it!

It’s not an exact science, but maybe, just maybe our collective wisdom will help you get that perfect gift this year.  Ladies, if you feel that your guy is going to need a bit of extra help, rest assured that we are going to be offering some suggestions that you can pass along to him a little later this week!  If you have any suggestions we may have left off, be sure to leave them in the comments section!

It has been an exciting year for both Honora and for the Freshwater Pearls we are so passionate about and we truly appreciate all of your support and feedback.  We have lots of exciting and new pearl jewelry planned for everyone in 2010 and cannot wait to show you the latest pearl colors and designs that L’array and the team at Honora have dreamed up.

There are lots of exciting plans here on The Honora Blog for the coming year, but be sure to let us know if there are things you would like to hear more about in the comments section.  For now, thank you so much for an amazing 2009 and here is to a fantastic and colorful 2010!

Pointing out items that catch your eye is an old favorite, whether it’s while browsing on the web or showing him something pretty at a local store.  If this is not getting the point across, we suggest going beyond the subtle suggestion and send links to websites or cut out pictures in a magazine.  This may seem a little bit forward, but chances are if you ask him what he’d like for the holidays, he will ask the same question in return.

If you happen to be looking for Pearl Jewelry this year, we make it easy at Honora.  Simply select the Share button on any of our Collections or Advertisments pages and email him the link.  If you need any help this holiday season be sure to email The Honora Store in New York City at Retail57@Honora.com or visit our Where To Buy page in order to find your local Honora jeweler.  We know that you will love whatever he gets you, but it never hurts to help him get exactly what you want!

If you have any suggestions on how to let him know what you want, be sure to leave it in the comments section.  We may just use it in a future post this holiday season!