Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you have a significant other you are faced with two options. You could take the path of the traditional route- flowers, chocolates, and a fancy dinner out in a restaurant (all of which are grossly overpriced and not really that original or personal). Granted some ladies (and maybe guys) really do enjoy getting flowers delivered to work, along with chocolates, and if this is what they really like then go for it.
Myself I prefer to be a bit more unique, and I am a big fan of orchestrating surprises. I have a new take for you on Valentine’s Day that avoids the high cost/short-lived traditional route for something much more fun.
Get A Meaningful Gift
Flowers and chocolates are often tried and true, but within a week they are gone and useless. I prefer to think about the person and get something meaningful. Something that will be used again and again, so that each time the person uses the item it brings back the memories and makes a really good impression. I personally am a fan of a nice watch, for a couple reasons- they are very useful, they can be worn every day, and they are great compliment-generators. It is always great when someone compliments your significant other, and they can proudly say it was a gift. Not only does that make them feel good, but also puts you back in the spotlight as a great gift-giver. My girlfriend has a traditional taste, so I choose something like this classic two-tone Bulova. It dresses up really nicely and will stay in style for years. If your significant other prefers a more sporty style, the Casio Baby-G is a great multi-purpose watch.
The same thing goes with jewelry- a nice well-chosen piece of jewelry can easily become a woman’s new favorite, and help make her feel appreciated. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive piece, and more often than not the thought that you put into the gift makes the biggest difference. If you can get a great deal on something that looks classy and is good quality, go for it! Mabella necklaces like this one are elegant and stylish, with a very reasonable price tag.
Have Some Fun!
Often the best gifts are not necessarily the most practical, but the most fun to play with. Getting a chance to mess around with some cool tech toys is definitely something I would want as a gift on Valentine’s Day. BB-8 is an awesome gift for any Star Wars fan, lifelong or newly initiated. You can remotely control him, create and play your own holographic recordings, and set him to autopilot to roam around on his own. You are never too old to have some fun with the little joys in life, and putting a smile on someone’s face is a great way to show that you care.
Share Your Interests
A really great way to express your love for someone else is to go out of your way for them, and participate in something they like but you don’t care for. If your significant other is a big gaming fan, pull up a chair and share the experience with them. Or inversely, if the one you care about isn’t a gaming fan themselves but you are, maybe sharing the experience will open them up to what you love about video games.
Cook Your Own Fancy Dinner
Now this might sound lame, considering the quality of food you get at a restaurant will be much higher, but it will be worth it. Spend a few minutes researching a couple dishes online, and actually try to cook the romantic dinner yourself. Not only is it much more rewarding once the food comes out (sometimes better than expected), but your loved one will surely appreciate all the time and effort it took to make a special dinner.
If you are less culinary-adept, do a few trial runs under the radar. That way when the day rolls around you will impress your loved one with an unexpected romantic meal. Trust me, I have spent many Valentine’s out at fancy restaurants paying for overpriced steaks, and I have spent some cooking a special meal at home. The latter is much more memorable, and the time and effort you spend will make all the difference.
What it really comes down to is knowing the person you are getting a gift for. If you know their style and can find something that fits, big or small it will be appreciated. The old saying “it’s the thought that counts” really is true.
What have been some of your best Valentine’s Day gifts?
