Your Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentine’s Day is sneaking up on us. Some people love this holiday. Others aren’t so into it.

And I get it – the whole commercialized aspect of it kind of turns me off too…how the stores start plugging all the candy and balloons and other knick knacks as soon as Christmas wraps up. Meh.

At the same time, I’m the world’s biggest romantic and I love any excuse to celebrate – especially when it’s celebrating love. So I try to find a happy medium.

One of my favorite things to do for my partner is gift experiences. Taking a class, going to a concert, or planning a weekend trip are just a few examples of things I love giving.

For me, experiences and time spent together will always be more valuable than a material gift.

That being said, a thoughtful gift is always wonderful as well. If I’m giving a material item I do try to put a lot of thought into it. I find it’s a good exercise in knowing people.

How well do I know my partner, my parents, my siblings, my friends? Do I know them well enough to make them feel seen and understood by the gift that I choose for them?

If I’m stuck, I make a mental note to get to know them better. It’s a fun little challenge for me 🙂

If you’re in that in-between of knowing what to get your loved one, I’m going to throw out some ideas for you. If they resonate with you, great! If they aren’t your cup of tea, that’s ok too. I hope they at least get you thinking about how you can gift thoughtful and meaningful gifts to those people in your life that you love.

Without further ado, here’s our 2019 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide!

A cooking class

What could be better than learning how to cook something new with your significant other? Check Google to see if there’s a local organization that offers cooking classes. Sur La Table is a popular one, but there might be smaller schools or stores in your area that you can support. I was gifted with a cooking class last year and it was such a fun thing for us to do together. Bonus – wine was involved. It’s still one of our very favorite dates.

A spa date

Check in to your local spas and book a couple’s appointment for the both of you. Maybe it’s a massage or facial or body treatment – whatever you choose, it’s sure to bring a whole new level of relaxment to your relationship.

A yoga mat

Maybe your partner has made a resolution to exercise more in the new year. Or maybe they could just use some yoga in their life. (To be honest, we all could.) A shiny new yoga mat like this one from TOPLUS is a great choice. If you really want to take your gift over the top, add in a month’s worth of classes from a nearby yoga studio or a homemade guide to some great yoga routines on Youtube. I really like Yoga with Adriene and Samin Yoga. But do some research to see what routines might resonate best with your partner.

A Hydro Flask water bottle

Ok, I know a water bottle isn’t the sexiest gift – in the traditional sense of the word – but it’s practical. And maybe it’s just me, but doing your part to save our planet is actually pretty dang sexy to me. Reusable water bottles help cut down on how much plastic ends up in our landfills and oceans. And there are plenty of reusable water bottle brands on the market – but Hydro Flask has been the best I’ve found.

A chef’s knife

Is your boo thang a master in the kitchen? If so, investing in a really nice chef’s knife is an excellent gift. These knives can be pricey – but they are so worth it and can really change your kitchen game. We like this one from Amazon, but for more options you can check out our blog post on our favorite chef’s knives.

A “love fern”

Anyone else a total fan of the movie How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days? If you are, you already know about the love fern. I’m just loosely playing off the idea that a house plant could be an excellent gift for your loved one! (Just don’t let it die…) If your lover is into plants, help them greenify their living space with a plant baby. Your local plant shops will be an excellent resource for finding the perfect plant. Go the extra mile and throw in a plant holder as well. These are some of our favorites.

Dry Farm Wines subscription

You’ve probably heard us go on and on about our love for Dry Farm Wines. They’re a low alcohol, health-focused wine club delivering high-quality wine right to your door. This is the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life. Find out more about Dry Farm Wines by visiting their site (and you can claim your own bottle for a penny too!)

These are just a few of my favorite gifts I’m giving this year. I’m trying to keep my money as local as possible. And if I can’t support locally, I’m sticking to brands that I love and align with. And don’t forget – money doesn’t even have to be spent to make your partner feel cherished. Surprising them with a beautiful meal at home or taking them on a new or their favorite hike can be incredibly special as well.

Whatever you choose to give, as long as it’s done in love, you can’t go wrong.

Happy loving, friends.