Yes, fellas, it’s February already, time to shop for Valentine’s Day. Here to help you is my list of ideas for all that her heart might desire. V-Day is a strange holiday in that some people treat it in a traditionally romantic manner (chocolates, flowers, wine, negligee), while others treat it as just another opportunity for gift-giving, and thus any token is fair game. Below is a selection of the romantic, the fun, and the useful, to help you find the perfect gift for your other half. Happy shopping!
Never underestimate the value of a great card. Whenever my husband is stressed out about what to get me for an occasion, I always say, don’t worry about the gift, just get me a good card, i.e., something that will make me laugh out loud, or something sappy and heartfelt (the card above from TheFarmhouseCharm fits the bill on both counts). You can find either at any drugstore, but Etsy especially is a goldmine of fun cards. This Ewok pun would be great for the Star Wars fan, while this “bike” themed one is naughtier.
Lush Cosmetics is a great brand for bath and beauty supplies. Besides having lots of deliciously smelly and decadent products, their packaging is really modern and attractive, so you just feel great giving (and receiving) a gift from Lush. The two bath bombs pictured above are perfect for V-Day. Put a few in a small gift basket, plus a lip scrub or a shower gel, and you have an affordable gift.
Does your sweetheart love working up a sweat in Bikram yoga? These thin, super absorbent towels are placed over one’s yoga mat to help yoga practitioners maintain a grip even while getting sweaty. I also love this ombre colored towel (very Valentine’s appropriate) if you have a few more bucks to spare.
Layered jewelry has been a trend for some time. One of the annoying things for women about layering separate necklaces is that they become hopelessly entangled. I love the jewelry at Etsy shop LayeredandLong because they sell delicate necklaces that are already attached so it’s easy to just clasp them on, and they don’t get tied in knots. Most sets in the shop can be personalized so you can add initials or dates to make the gift special.
Shameless plug for something on my own wish list–a pasta machine. If you’re a foodie, you know that dried pasta in a box is nothing like the fresh pasta top-notch Italian restaurants make on site. A great gift for the food-lover in your life.
French macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) have become a trendy dessert, much like the cupcake rage from a few years ago. They’re basically sandwich cookies–two thin meringues with some kind of soft filling in the middle. They’re beautiful, delicate, and come in an endless variety of flavors. I love this sampler from Dana’s Bakery in NYC but you can also likely find fresh macarons at a bakery near you. What a fantastic alternative to the traditional box of truffles.
Of course, the old standby of sassy underthings is always popular and welcome as a Valentine’s gift. We’re keeping it fairly chaste here by sticking with nightgowns, from left: Oscar de la Renta Lace & Satin Chemise ($74), Hanky Panky Mesh Babydoll Chemise ($89), Underella by Ella Moss Lace Trim Chemise ($58.96), but obviously you can find a wide range of frilly lingerie to suit your and your partner’s tastes. Sneak into her underwear drawer and write down her panty and bra size, then bring these numbers to the store with you and ask for help (I know, so embarrassing, but better to ask than get the size wrong).
If your sweetheart is a tea lover, a great gift is this affordable monthly subscription that delivers a variety of tea to her door. You can buy for any number of months so it’s super easy to tailor to your budget.
This sweater is perfect for the dog lover with a sense of humor. Kitschy and over the top, it’s really fun and will be guaranteed to garner her compliments. For love-themed apparel that’s a little more subtle, I love these heart and lipstick print socks.
For a lot of women, scents are a really effective way to boost mood. If I’m feeling particularly blah, I often spritz on some perfume, and it always works. I just feel prettier, fresher, more put together. This sampler from Sephora is a great value–it includes 15 spray samples, each is likely good for a few separate wearings. The box also comes with a gift certificate so that your other half can pick up a full size perfume of her favorite from the bunch. Great idea, right?
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