In elementary school, we glued pink construction paper hearts to the middle of red glitter-coated white doilies and passed them out dutifully to parents, teachers and friends. Then we'd stuff ourselves on the foiled red box of Esther Price chocolates from grandma, who sent it in the mail along with a heart-smothered Hallmark card.

By high school, we'd discovered "real" romance (or at least our homone-fueled version of it)
and hoped our brief dalliances would make it to Valentine's Day and the chance for a "grown-up" gift. Oh, how we adored that crystal-encrusted heart locked. All $9.99 of it. Even if his sister picked it out.

These days, we're hard pressed to fall for anything so obvious. Valentine icons like hearts and flowers can be so cloying. For likeminded skeptics who crave a little edginess without venturing into the realm of bad tattoo art territory, here are some objects that will help you think outside the traditional heart-shaped box.

From left to right: Rhinestone, Skull and Knife Necklace (buy it now price, $13.99) The unexpected mix of the primitive wood charm, muted sword and blinged out skull is surprisingly appealing. Antique Lenox Aorta Vase (buy it now price, $39.99) This four tube vase is an elegant interpretation of the blood-pumping muscle. Heart & Dagger Silver Cufflinks (buy it
now price, $149.95) Let him wear his heart on his sleeve, all macho-ed up for good measure.

From left to right: Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring (buy it now price, $799) If you can get past the stunning diamond and red ruby combination, you will notice two snakes slyly wrapped around your finger. Jim Dine Exhibition 1982 Catalogue (buy it now price, $18.00) Images of hearts from the man who spent a career painting them with raw emotion and expressive graffiti strokes. Viper Snake Heart Pendant (buy it now price, $54.95) Twisted snakes intertwined into a dangerously cool heart shaped pendant.

From left to right: True Blood Season One DVD (buy it now price, $20.99) Millions have caught on to the guilty pleasure of True Blood.  Join in the campy fun or revisit for a second time around. Carnelian Heart (buy it now price, $56) Flush with natural, marble-like veins, this oversize carnelian stone is a beautiful (and sentimental) object for an office or nightstand. "Heartaches" by Patsy Cline CD (buy it now price, $6) With the perfect anti-Valentine title Patsy Cline's "Heartaches" could melt anyone’s heart. 

A freelance editor based in New York, Chris Frey previously served as the Fashion Market Director at Cookie and the Accessories Director at Lucky.