Five Last Minute Valentine Gift Suggestions
It's not too late to procure an amazingly romantic, personal (and affordable!) gift. But, if your gift strategy is to delay your gift planning until the stores are stripped of heart shaped chocolates and romantic greeting cards, so all that is left are some weird alien plush toys holding signs that says, “You are out of this world!”, we have a couple of suggestions for you.
Don’t panic and don’t go home with a gift that says, “I care, but only a little.” Below are 5 creative ways you can show that special someone how much they mean to you. And maybe even get a few extra points for originality!
The way to the heart is through the stomach
Your grandpa said it, and it’s still true, but don’t chance the crowded restaurants on Valentine's night unless you already have a reservation. Take the time to pick up the ingredients for your sweetheart’s favorite dinner, and prepare it with your own two hands. Make it even more special by leaving a handwritten “invitation” some place it’s sure to be found.
Time saver tip: Can’t make it to the store? Find a recipe for a loved one’s favorite dish online, then order the ingredients from a grocery store that delivers (many national chains do still deliver!).
Young love.
If you have a family with young kids, why not include them in making your loved one feel special? If dinner is in your plans, give each child a special role, such as creating “custom” Valentine’s Day placemats for each family member, or a special centerpiece that celebrates the love of your family.
Or, how about an evening of pampering for your loved ones? A foot or back rub is a simple pleasure; and don’t underestimate the joy of having someone offer to brush your hair or rub your temples! Put a favorite tune or soothing song on in the background, and even the most amateur massage begins to feel like a spa treatment. This even helps show your kids that giving of yourself can mean more than any store bought gift.
Art from the heart
Ask your children to each draw a picture of your family, and then arrange the drawings together in a large frame to create a one of a kind gift. You can choose from a variety of frames at your local craft store – and if you need help most employees will be delighted to assist when you explain the project. Add a note in the corner with the date, occasion, and a message of love to the recipient and you will be the bearer of a gift any parent will treasure.
 Think outside the heart shaped box
Yes, it’s a holiday of love and hearts, but that doesn’t mean every gift has to look the same. Choosing a gift specific to your sweetheart’s taste or hobby will make your love shine through. Does your sweetie garden? A pair of lovely gardening gloves (in pink or her favorite color) held together with a ribbon shows you know her interests. Include some forget-me-not or bleeding-heart seeds and a hand written note about how your love for her grows to create a memory that shines through the years. Trust me fellas – girls like this stuff.
If he fancies a specific coffee or likes a certain brand of golf balls, then bring that home with a – yes, handwritten – note. It doesn't even have to be perfect prose. Just maake it specific to the occasion and your partner’s tastes, and you can’t go wrong. A gift isn't great just because it comes with a large price tag, it's great because of the thought you put behind it.
Certified
Not all gifts have to be tangible. Some of the best things in life really are free, and cost only your time. So, if you partner never finds enough time to relax for even an hour, try giving a home made certificate for an hour (or two) of down time. This means that you take the kids, you do the crucial chores, you don’t ask questions during this period, and let them know that the real gift is a chance to unwind. Your loved one can read, scrapbook, woodwork, nap, or just sit. As long as it’s an activity they truly enjoy, and you consciously make the space and time for it to successfully happen, it’s a gift that shows you care and respect how hard they work.
Candy, cards, and flowers are great, but what really stands out is the care that you put into making your loved one feel special. So, if you are one of the many who put off your shopping until too late, take this as an opportunity to focus on what would be really meaningful to your partner. Not only will you rescue yourself from the “obviously this is a last minute no-thought gift purchased 10 minutes ago” doghouse, you can actually end up creating a memory that the two of you can look back on fondly. We’ll never tell where the idea came from, and you don’t have to either!
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