Melissa Livingston

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA— Year after year, Valentine’s Day gifts are becoming quite predictable- a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, jewelry. To shake up 2012, Goodie Tins is offering Valentine’s Day themed tins. Melissa Livingston and Zabrina Ogunlana started Goodie Tins, the more sophisticated cousin of the gift basket, in 2009 after being invited to countless weddings and baby showers and noticing a lack of variety in the gifts. Ogunlana’s background in design combined with Livingston’s background in brand marketing to create a gift different from anything anyone has ever received. “We started seeing the same kind of gift over and over,” said Melissa Livingston, co-founder of Goodie Tins. “We wanted to bring the cool, ‘WOW’ gift, so we made it.” This alternative to Valentine’s Day gift baskets can be personalized to fit any occasion or loved one. Customers simply include which photos they want on the outside of the gallon tin, and voilà- A completely original, personalized Valentine’s gift. Special Valentine’s Day tins include the Valentine’s Day Photo Flower Tin, the Spa Indulgence Tin, and the Be My Valentine Tin. Each tin is filled with gifts to suit the tin’s theme. For example, inside the Apple Martini Tin can be found a “Queen of Everything” apron, Stirrings apple martini mix and rimmer, and 12 apple martini candy sticks. The Valentine’s Day Photo Tin has 24 pink roses tucked away inside, safe and fresh for delivery. “Anything that has a photo on it is a great gift because it’s so different,” Livingston said. “It’s definitely not your typical gift and it’s great for Valentine’s Day.” Goodie Tins also offers its Tin of the Month Club, which can be purchased for three months, up to a year. Each month, a Goodie Tin is delivered filled with treats like organic coffee and tea, clothing, and in December, a Limited Edition Holiday Tin. Flowers are shipped with each stem individually wrapped in water and food items are shipped over ice, all to ensure their freshness upon arrival. “Not only do they get 24 roses, but also a personalized keepsake tin,” Livingston said. “The tin definitely takes it up a notch and makes the roses more special.” Goodie Tins can be shipped throughout the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska. Place orders online: www.goodietins.com/love; or by phone: 1-888-470-3110.