Hearts and Haunts: Spooky Valentine's Gifts

     Beyond these cheerful and pastel celebrations, there are more remote regions of Neopia you can visit to witness a very different sort of gathering. In the Haunted Woods, a resident Halloween-painted Neopet may spend the day leaving heartfelt ink-stained notes to the deceased in the local graveyard. Ghost Neopets may prefer the company of wilted black roses to the beautiful blooming bouquets found in Faerieland. In other regions, a Darigan Neopet perched at the Capital overlooking Meridell may celebrate by gifting a grim-looking Lord Darigan Plushie to a dear friend. A Mutant Pet at the Virtupets Space Station may express their feelings by gifting a new Meowclops petpet, complete with a shiny purple bow. After all, not all Neopets view love in the same way.

     Here we review alternatives for some of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts. A beautiful bouquet of flowers may be appropriate for some, but consider a snapping, living plant monstrosity instead. A box of chocolate truffles may woo the sweet-toothed Neopet, but others would prefer a poisonous Jhudora-themed sweet instead. Instead of a heart-shaped gold locket, some Neopets may appreciate a glowing, cursed artefact. If you have a unique Neopian friend who isn't into the pastel lovey-dovey of the holiday, consider these spooky alternatives instead.

     A fresh bouquet of flowers is a classic Valentine's gift that many Neopians love, but there are many alternatives to your classic dozen of roses. For a moodier Neopet, a set of Black Roses may match their personality a bit more, especially for those painted Grey. The Dragonbud is a unique plant from the Gardening Center with more bite to it – literally. This carnivorous species is equipped with sharp teeth and requires regular feeding! You may need to make a few trips to Tyrannian Foods to supply this flower with meat.

     For a potted plant, try the Geraptiku Fly Trap. Unlike roses which will wilt after a few days, your Valentine can enjoy this plant year-round, as long as they're willing to feed it. Be careful, you may need to handle this one with gloves! Feel your love grow alongside the ravenous appetite of this toothy plant.

     If your Valentine has a green thumb, they may enjoy a few additions to the garden of their NeoHome. Ghost or Zombie pets may especially enjoy the Broken Heart Tombstone, a testament to those who may not enjoy the love-filled day. Despite the split heart motif, this tombstone is a fine work of stone carving that any Haunted Woods resident would enjoy mourning by. Spring is right around the corner for those with gardens, and the Bat Thing Gnome may be just the cutesy object to herald the changing of the seasons. Any spooky Neopian would love to see this décor peeking around the edges of their Black Rose flowerbed.

     The box of chocolate truffles is another Valentine's Day classic, but many Neopians get a sick stomach just looking at these overly decadent treats! If you need something a little edgier, try gifting the Poison Heart Candy Apple. The glowing purple and green remind one of Jhudora, the perfect role model for anti-Valentine's Neopians. The arrow through the heart is the perfect statement for those not into pink and pastels.

     Also for Jhudora fans are some of the candies themed directly after the Dark Faerie herself. The Poisonous Lollypop would be an excellent gift for a Darigan friend, who is likely to match the purple hues. No pink hearts here, only maliciously grinning lollies. Just make sure you don't eat too much to get sick.

     For those spending Valentine's in the shadow of the Brain Tree, you may be able to pick up a Box of Skull Truffles from Spooky Foods. Playing on the chocolate truffle theme, these sweets are all skull-shaped and ooze a red gooey filling on the inside (strawberry, I hope). The best part: none of them are coconut-filled!

     Handing out Valentine's cards in NeoSchool is a nostalgic activity for many Neopians, but most of these are covered in cute characters bearing cheesy messages of love and friendship. Cards like this are too shallow for your average spooky Neopian! Here are a few alternatives to have your Valentine tickled grey.

     The Return of Dr. Sloth Valentine Card Set is a great alternative for those handing out cards to their NeoSchool friends. Instead of Faeries and pink hearts, each card features the iconic villain himself, dressed in black of course. They even come with tiny spaceship stickers to seal them with!

     Instead of a lovey-dovey card proclaiming your feelings (yuck!), why not try a different type of paper invitation? Inviting your loved one to an activity is a great way to bond with them without all the hearts and fluff. Getting them a Twisted Roses Ticket to see the band live at the Tyrannian Concert Hall would be an excellent alternative for your alternative Neopet. The twisted screams of this band will surely encapsulate your true feelings. Remember to bring your black tank tops and eyeliner when you go!

     For those more sensitive Neopians, a pre-bought card at the Gift Shop is a shallow excuse for sharing your true feelings. If you really want to share your thoughts with someone, writing it out is the only true way to do it. Gather your parchment and Black Pteri Quill, light a candle, and pour out all your deepest feelings for a Valentine with jet-black ink. Your Valentine will surely appreciate a handwritten letter, and the impact will be so much deeper than those generic cards!

     If you want to go the extra mile, consider composing a poem to your beloved. For those that are especially creative, this literary exercise will make even more of an impact. If you need inspiration, we highly recommend the books Emo Poetry or Advanced Poetry for composing all your deepest feelings into writing. If you don't mind sharing all your deep inner thoughts, you may even consider submitting your poem to the Poetry Competition.

     Jewelry is a classic, if expensive, mainstay of Valentine's Day and is considered an important way of showing someone you love them. However, it doesn't have to consist of boring gold chains and heart lockets. Why not gift jewellery that shows your Valentine's personality a bit more – perhaps something Spyder-shaped? Surely a cursed amulet is a one-of-a-kind gift!

     The Golden Spyder Necklace fulfils the requirements of shiny, expensive-looking jewellery, but with a twist – the central pendant is shaped like a spooky Spyder Petpet! Residents of the Haunted Woods will surely love this gift representing one of their native Petpets. The design is edgy enough without being over the top.

     For Darigan pets, consider gifting a Fake Kass Charm, modelled after the real thing owned by the notorious General Kass himself. It features a spooky skull charm and a glowing green crystal. It would look fantastic on a chain as an amulet, and you can show everyone your loyalty to the Darigan Citadel. With its spooky motifs, it wouldn't look out of place at a Twisted Roses concert, either.

     Looking for something a bit more extravagant? The Werelupe Claw Necklace should meet your needs, as long as you can locate the Hidden Tower. This necklace bears several sharp weapons of the notorious Werelupes, marking the wearer as extra-tough and Battledome-experienced. Your Valentine will look divine wearing this chain of edgy claws – no one will mess with them now! You can even suggest that you collected the claws yourself, if you want to come across as extra-devoted.

     Those loyal to more evil forces may instead wish to own the Amulet of the Dark Faerie, a gently glowing piece that pulses with energy. Obtainable from the Battledome Equipment shop, this dangerous amulet is marked by Dark Faeries and features a purple crystal containing their power. It may look beautiful, but be aware of the power this necklace can bring to the average Neopet, and proceed with caution. Darigan pets may be especially attracted to the leathery wings motif and purple colours.

     Nothing will make your Valentine smile like handing them a cute, cuddly plushie. But not everyone enjoys fashion Usukis and Pink Faellie Plushies! Make sure you pick something out that they would especially appreciate. With so many plushie options in Neopia, you are sure to find something that represents your Valentine perfectly.

     For those that don't enjoy Valentine's Day, the Un-valentines Skeith Plushie is a classic option, featuring a Grey Skeith pouring tears over a broken heart! This sad Skeith will surely represent your frustrations with the commercialization of the holiday. Who needs love anyway? The Un-valentines line of plushies has several options, too, so you can choose your favourite.

     Looking for love in the shadow of the floating Darigan Citadel? Consider gifting this grumpy Lord Darigan Plushie to your favourite Darigan Pet, who will surely appreciate his cuddly wings and black robe. Now they will always think of you as they consider the villain's frown in plush form. This grumpy plushie may benefit from some sparkly purple ribbon tied around it in a bow, perfect for Valentine's Day.

     Mutant pets don't get enough love, so consider recognizing their rare colour with a Mutant Cybunny Plushie, whose frown even rivals that of Lord Darigan's. The Mutant Cybunny's ruff features cute little skull motifs, perfect for the spooky Neopet in your life. It's weighted with beans in the feet, making it especially floppy and perfect for cuddling. Placing this cute Mutant in the middle of a bouquet of Black Roses would make a perfect gift.

     Imagine gifting your Valentine a large purple box wrapped up in glittery, black ribbons. Interestingly, there are large holes poked around the outside, and they seem to hear a scrabbling coming from inside the box. They gently unwrap the ribbon to hear a "MEOW" before the huge, yellow single eyeball of a Meowclops greets them as they remove the lid. A Spooky Petpet would be the perfect gift that they will never forget, as they gain a lifelong companion.

     While other Neopets may be receiving a cute pink Floud or Miamouse all dressed up with pink ribbons for the holiday, consider that your special Grey, Halloween, or Darigan Valentine may require something a bit different. A silky-furred black Meowclops may be the perfect companion to accompany them on trips to the Deserted Fairgrounds. A chattering Gremble may suit your Valentine as they are running Brain Tree quests at the Haunted Woods. What about a Zomutt carrying a single black rose to introduce to your special Neopet? The gift of companionship would be a Valentine's Day they would never forget.

     Did you find a suitable gift for the special Neopet in your life? Neopia is a world of many different colours, interests, and hobbies, so make sure to appreciate that special Neopet in your life in its own special way. Recognizing your Valentine is one in a million will make them feel extra special on this special day. Happy Valentine's Day, Neopia!