Dear husband sublime-seekers,
Valentine’s day is barely a love-struck glance away! Can’t think of the perfect gift for me the apple of your eye? Don’t despair! I’ve got you covered with 10 and a half money-can’t-buy fabulous presents. Because you we all know it’s the thought that counts, right? These gifts have thoughtful in bucketloads (not to mention feels) and if you ignore that a few are a little corny, you might find you have a wonderful time creating them!
(Single-ites, I haven’t forgotten you – I highly recommended doing no’s 3, 5, 6, 9 & 10 for yourself!)
Here we go:
1. A surprise appearance
You know what women want? To feel special. (So simple!) And you know what makes us feel special? A SURPRISE. And what better surprise than showing up unexpectedly?* Perhaps you can take your loved one to lunch (or take them lunch if they can’t get away), perhaps you can set up a ruse (like, they think they’re going out with a friend!) and then you show up!** Surprise! And better yet! ROMANCE.
*this does not apply if you’re stalking your Valentine.
**this relies on your loved one liking you more than the friend, or it’s really just disappointing.
Perfect gift for: the lover who likes to be left guessing! And doesn’t have a heart condition.
2. A scavenger hunt
Does your lover love games? (No, not those games! Too much 50 shades of grey for you!) How about a scavenger hunt around places you’ve been together? SO thoughtful! Great if you know you’ve got the whole day together! (Note, the prize at the end should most definitely be you!)
Perfect gift for: the lover who enjoys trivia night! Or orienteering! Or both!
3. Something creative
Aren’t these alllll creative ideas? Yes. But what about something really creative, like a painting, or a song, or a poem? I told JS I was going to write him a song and serenade him for Valentines Day. He replied “please don’t” (JS continues to try to convince me that I cannot hold a tune, but we both secretly know that I’m an excellent singer).
Perfect gift for: artistic types.
4. Reenact your first date
Whether it was the best date everrrrr or a total disaster, reenacting your first date is sure to bring a smile to both your faces!
Perfect gift for: couples who were sober enough to remember their first date.
5. A home-cooked treat
As someone with exceptionally poor cooking skills, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate delicious home-cooked food with love.
Perfect gift for: the lover with terrible cooking skills!
6. A collection of your favourite memories
In the first couple of years JS and I were seeing each other, he had to travel a lot for work. I used to send him care packages from home with treats and little presents. One time, I wrote down all of my favourite memories of things we’d done together, funny stuff that had happened, things that made us laugh – packaged them up in a little box (I think a jar would be good for this too, with a cute ribbon!) and sent it to him! A couple of weeks later JS got back from his trip he was unpacking his bag… the box was nowhere to be seen! It transpired that he’d thrown it out when he packed up! I couldn’t believe it! I STILL can’t. This is what I get for falling in love with a practical man rather than a sentimental romantic one. *Sigh.* (I would NEVER have thrown it out! EVERRR.)
Perfect gift for: the (very) sentimental type.
7. A chore
Okay – the above pic was not what I originally had in mind… but I was looking for picture inspiration and I googled chores and I didn’t have my safe search on and one thing led to another. Lets call this idea 7a (or the extra ‘half’ that got added to what was meant to be ten v-day gifts you can’t buy!).
Now back to the original plan… you know that feeling when you’ve been dreading doing something then all of a sudden you discover it’s done!? Give your Valentine that feeling this Saturday by ticking something off their to-do list!
Perfect gift for: the time-poor lover.
8. A house full of ‘I love you because’ notes
One Valentines Day years ago I put heart-shaped post it notes all over our house, each with a different reason I loved JS on them! (Sidebar: OMG I am so romantic! I can’t believe I didn’t realise before!) I think it was actually a little overwhelming for my practical-man-friend.
Perfect gift for: the lover who redefines ‘too much’ (with the little twinkle of crazy in their eyes).
9. A mixtape
What form does a mixtape even come in these days? A spotify list? You may need to break into the iTunes account of your significant other to execute this one but if you pull it off, there’s nothing like a few of *your* songs strung together to make your lover smile. I love that this is a gift that you can keep going back to as well!
Perfect gift for: the lover who votes in the hottest 100 every year.
10. A Love Letter
Now just when I’ve made JS sound like a bit of an a-hole (he’s definitely not, remember this?) it’s time I confess that the love letter is the money-can’t-buy pressie that JS has nailed. I always want to start at the beginning again as soon as I’m finished (and nearly-always do). Top tips include keep it simple, from the heart, and don’t be afraid to throw in a little humour.
Perfect for: the person who thinks the card is the best bit of the present.
That’s the ten (and a half, you cheeky devils)! Be sure to tell the one you love this Saturday. Life is too short to not! Happy Valentine’s sublime-seekers, I love you all the most! x
12 Comments
Funniest post yet, AS! I love this!
Thanks PC! Means a lot from you! x
Hahaha! I love all of these and apparently I’m the non-romantic in my relationship! (I don’t believe this for a second – I put notes in his lunch ALL the time and do plenty of romantic stuff. I just can’t think of anymore examples right now!) I love the idea of the scavenger hunt or reenacting our first date. We had nachos – yum! Lily x
Lovely to come across a fellow romantic!! Nacho first date? Recipe for forever-love! x
Love this! #4 is such a great idea I am going to use this one tomorrow!
Hope it was a raging success! x
Lovely ideas Andrea – and my weren’t you in a fun filled mood when you wrote it! Gave me a few chuckles – thanks!
I am so pleased to have given you a giggle! I gave myself a couple too! 😉 x
I LOVE the idea of reenacting the first date, it’d be hilarious x
Totally! I want to do it properly too. Complete with the diabolical outfit I wore! x
Great list! I asked for a scavenger hunt last year so I definitely agree that’s a great one 🙂
I bet it was so fun! x