Creative Valentine’s Day Gifts

Valentine's Day comes every year, and when it does, ideas of flowers, chocolates, and finding the perfect gift probably come to mind.

Women start stressing that their man isn't going to buy them a nice enough gift or that they might forget about it altogether.

Men start stressing about buying their women a nice enough gift and being "romantic" enough to not just remember Valentine's Day, but to meet her expectations for the big day.

Where and at what point did this one day out of the year become another commercialized holiday for spending money?

Does anyone really consider what this day is really about, or where its roots even came from?

History of Valentine's Day

Legend states that Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry.

During his imprisonment, he supposedly healed the daughter of his jailer. And before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell. (Wikipedia)

This holiday has been used to honor this saint and many others named Valentine and the good works they did through the years and in many countries.

Valentine’s Day was first associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). (Wikipedia)

When we think of gifts to express our love for another, many think of these traditional gifts come to mind like flowers, chocolates, jewelry, a nice dinner out and the like, because that's what we've been trained to think about.

But guess what, that's what EVERYONE will be giving.

Why not consider "gifts" for eachother that will mean more? And I put gifts in quotes because for some of the best ones, you don't actually have to go out and spend any money.

The purpose of this article is not only to remind you of what this upcoming holiday should really be about, but also to give you some creative gift ideas besides the traditional Valentine's Day gifts. Let’s look at some gifts that might mean more than something from the store.

Take Her for a Walk

I know this sounds kind of cheesy, but what woman doesn’t love spending quality time with her man and vice versa?

The two of you could go down to the lake, or go on a hike. You could walk around the shops in your favorite small town or even take a trip down memory lane.

What could be sweeter than going to the park and pushing each other on the swings, and going down the slide together? How long has it really been since you’ve ridden on a swing or gone down a slide?

Check out my article on The Importance of Quality Time to see just how important just spending time together and giving each other your undivided attention really is for your relationship.

You may discover things about each other that you’ve never known before, and something as simple as this could bring the two of you much closer together.

Make Him Dinner at Home

So it doesn’t have to be a five course gourmet meal to impress him or her.

One Valentine’s Day, our first together actually, my husband made me his famous Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Homemade Mashed Potatoes.

Not only was it delicious, but I loved that he cooked for me, and even better, it was amazing!! Make macaroni and cheese if that’s what you’re good at. It’s definitely the thought that counts with this one.

Then curl up on the couch together and watch a movie. Once again, it’s that closeness, the thoughtfulness, and the quality time together that really matter here.

Maybe you can make a fun meal together, try a new recipe, or just make one of your favorites. But go over the top, serve your honey bunny something to drink while he or she sits on the couch and relaxes.

Bring the plate to the table for him, and serve her something yummy for dessert.

After dinner, clean up for him or her without asking for help, and then pull up a blanket and pop in a movie (or watch one you’ve recorded), and voila!

Romantic evening in a box!

Take Her to Do Something She Never Gets to Do

I know there are things that you ask from each other that never happen. Well, this is a good time to do it!

For past Valentine’s Days, my husband would take me to the bookstore. We could go to Barnes and Noble or even to the local thrift stores to check out all of their books.

We always set a price limit though. I could either buy one brand-new book at a fancy bookstore, or possibly 5-6 at thrift stores, depending on the prices.

The trip wasn’t to spend money, but simply to do something I enjoyed but never got to do.

Maybe she has a restaurant she has been begging to go to for months, or there’s a store she wants to see, or she just wants to wander through Hobby Lobby or the local Gardening Center.

Only you will know what she truly wants to do. My husband has been begging to go to the Ping factory, just to see it, for months now.

Wouldn’t that just make his day if I drove him down there for Valentine’s Day to see it?

Valentine’s Day is about showing your loved one how much you care, not how much money you can spend.

Do Something For Him That He’s Been Asking For

This is kind of like the previous one, except just a tad bit different, because this may take some effort and forethought on your part.

My husband has been begging me to go play golf with him, and I really don’t have any desire to go, but that would be a huge treat for him to not only be able to go play golf on Valentine’s Day, but for me to join him.

He also wants help with his car (his work in progress in the garage). I could very easily take some time away to spend some quality time with him in the garage letting him tell me all about what he was doing, hand him tools when he asked for them, and hold wires and parts out of the way for him while he worked.

But this goes both ways.

I would absolutely LOVE some help around the house! If I woke up on Valentine’s Day to the laundry done, the house cleaned and the dishes finished, I would jump for joy!

I get so tired of doing the same thing day in and day out all by myself. I would be delighted if he pitched in and helped, even for a day.

What does your special someone really want from you?

Do they just want you to listen as they talk to you? Do they want to read a book with you in bed? Do they need help working on a paper or their car? Or do they really need help with the housework?

Only you will know what will truly mean the most to your special someone.

Pamper Her

This is like the oldest trick in the book, but boy will it work.

When my husband comes home from work tomorrow, I’ll probably be showered and dressed waiting for him at the door with a cold drink.

I’ll have his favorite dinner made, along with his favorite dessert (Easy Peasy Chocolate Pudding Pie), and we’ll watch golf through dinner. Lol

I’ll then have a hot bath drawn for him with some candles lit and music playing so he can relax and let the day’s troubles fall away.

I’ll probably then give him a nice foot rub and massage and see where things go from there. Lol

Imagine doing this for your wife (or your girlfriend). She would be putty in your hands for at least a week afterward.

To know what to do, just imagine what you would like and simply return the favor.

Giving the perfect Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t have to include extravagant plans, tons of money, or even tons of creativity.

You already know what would mean the most to your loved one. It should be easy enough to just do it.

Consider a simple walk to spend some time together holding hands, making a special dinner at home followed by cuddling on the couch watching a movie, going somewhere or doing something that neither or you get to do, or just pampering your sweetie at home.

Valentine’s Day is about giving, it’s about caring for others, and it’s about love.

Show your love for the other person on this big day! Maybe this includes a big bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates, but maybe it doesn’t.

Have fun with it and be sincere and you will be a hero!