How to Pick the Perfect V-Day Gift, No Matter How Long You’ve Been Together
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As February 14 swiftly approaches, you’ve got one job, gents: Convince her that you basically invented romance.
But there is a catch: expectations tend to change depending on how long you and your partner have been dating. To give an extreme example, your wife of 20 years probably expects a bit more for Valentine’s Day than just a generic Hallmark card, while your girlfriend of 20 days probably shouldn’t get an expensive gold necklace.
You want your Valentine to know how much you value and appreciate her, but you also don’t want to scare her away with a gift that’s too over-the-top, especially if you’ve only been together a few months.
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Yes, you could always just pick up a bouquet of roses or a box of chocolates and call it a day, but that’s awfully basic and predictable, and could even come off as uncaring or offensive if you’ve been with your girlfriend for quite a while.
Fortunately for you, we’ve rounded up a slew of gifts for Valentine’s Day that are anything but ordinary. Better yet, the guide is organized by ideas that are tailored to the length of your relationship, whether you’ve been together for a few months or a few years. With our guidance, you can properly aim your Cupid’s arrow and really hit the mark with this year’s Valentine’s Day gift for your girlfriend.
Less Than 3 Months
If you happen to be in the awkwardly unfortunate circumstance of dating your partner for less than, say, three months by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, just try to keep it chill. You don’t want anything that screams too “lovey dovey” or is covered in too many hearts if you haven’t dropped the ‘L’ bomb on each other yet. Instead, take this as a good opportunity to show her that you’ve been paying attention to her interests. (You have been paying attention, right?).
Moon Phase Charm Bangle
If she’s already asked your birthdate and the exact time that you were born, you can be sure she’ll be more than pleased with this celestially inspired gift. It showcases the phases of the lunar cycle around a luminous crystal that will catch the light perfectly as it dangles delicately from her wrist. Just watch out for Mercury retrograde!
Coffee + Chocolate Tasting Box
If she’s always reaching for a fresh brew as an afternoon pick-me-up, give her this caffeinated twist on the standard box of chocolates. It includes four small bags of artisan coffees (whole bean or freshly ground) and four culinary-inspired chocolate bars to pair with them for a sweet treat that’s sure to brighten up her day. Don’t be surprised if it inspires her to send you a midday “thinking of you” text, too.
Pudus Faux Fur Pearl Slide Slippers
For the gal who can’t seem to choose between cozy and stylish, these cute slippers make it so that she’ll never have to compromise. Made with plush faux fur and cloud-like memory foam, and dotted with elegant pearl accents, they’re perfect for relaxing at home after (or, you know, during) work.
3 to 6 Months
If you’ve been dating for about three months or so, then it’s likely that you’ve already successfully navigated gifting around the end-of-year holidays. Congrats! However, now is the time to step things up a notch and get a little more sentimental and thoughtful with your gifts for Valentine’s Day. Now is the perfect time in your relationship to ease out of the “honeymoon phase” and get to know each other on a deeper level. So let your Valentine’s gift shine a light on quality time and fostering connection, and let it show that you intend to stick around a while longer.
Do One Thing Every Day Together: A Journal for Two
If your partner is the sentimental type, this journal is sure to be a hit. It’s chock full of questions that prompt both of you to answer about your relationship. Beyond the fun you’ll both have filling it out, you’re also bound to learn more about each other in the process. Plus, as you add more and more to the journal, it gradually becomes a time capsule for you to revisit whenever you’re feeling nostalgic (like, say, on your anniversary).
Betsey Johnson “Confetti” Heart Pendant Necklace
It’s no secret that jewelry is one of the most popular gift categories on Valentine’s Day. Luckily, adorning your partner with something sparkly doesn’t have to mean draining your checking account. This charming heart-shaped necklace, decorated in playful multi-colored stones, is not only budget-friendly, but perfectly fitting for the theme of Valentine’s Day.
The Date Night Cookbook – Rebecca Warbis
Get ready to upgrade your date night meals with this handy book, which contains a ton of delicious recipes meant for two that can be prepared in less than an hour. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because there’s hardly a better bonding experience than cooking together. Armed with recipes like Couple’s Kebabs, Under-the-Covers Pancakes, and Sweethearts’ Caramel Pears, you’ll be a #powercouple in the kitchen in no time.
6 Months to a Year
After the six-month mark, things are surely getting pretty serious, so feel free to boost the sweetness (or sexiness!) factor of your Valentine’s Day gift without worrying that you’ll come on too strong. This is a great opportunity to gift a modest piece of jewelry — if she’s into that — or give her something equally significant that she can either show off or cherish for (hopefully) years to come.
Flickering Touch Massage Candle
Going the sensual route this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than this best-selling massage candle, which is available in three different scents. It’s made from all-natural soy wax, shea butter, and apricot kernel oil, which melts into an oil that you can use to give your lady a sensual rub-down — a gift you can both enjoy.
Foil-Pressed Love Note
Who needs a drugstore card when you can turn a handwritten love note into a memorable piece of art? Send in your words and Minted will transform them into a foil-pressed and framed masterpiece that your partner can hang up to enjoy for years to come.
Victoria’s Secret Gift Card
Who said you shouldn’t benefit from your own generosity? Buying lingerie is always tricky, even if you think you know her measurements, so let her do the difficult part so that you can appreciate her choices down the line. Victoria’s Secret gift cards are an easy and appreciated option for couples looking to add some glamour to their love lives.
Custom Coordinates Bracelet
Simply enter the coordinates where you met (or any other meaningful location), and they’ll be engraved onto this trendy bangle in your choice of silver, gold, or rose gold. The bracelet is versatile enough for her to wear with any of her other jewelry, but more importantly, every time she glances down at it, she’ll think of you.
Longer Than a Year
If you’ve been together a year or longer, you’ve already hit at least one huge relationship milestone, so a Valentine’s Day gift that commemorates that is a great idea. Consider personalized gifts that highlight your relationship and your love for each other, as well as sexier gift choices now that you have some confidence when it comes to knowing what she likes.
Washable Silk Robe
Nothing says luxury quite like a silk robe, but this one stands out among the rest because it’s machine washable, has pockets, and is made with naturally thermoregulating material to ensure she always stays comfy. All of those factors make it an ideal pick for the laid-back lady who also appreciates the lavish things in life. Regardless of which color you choose (there are seven stunning options), you can bet it’ll become her go-to item to lounge around in.
Handwriting Bracelet
You know how people sometimes get a loved one’s handwritten message tattooed on their body? Well, that level of dedication may be a little extreme, but the next best thing is to gift your Valentine a gorgeous bracelet with a custom message in your handwriting. Whether it’s a simple “I love you” or “Yours Always,” or a pet name or some other word or phrase that has meaning for the two of you, she’s sure to find this a truly unique and sentimental gesture. Hey, it may even bring a tear to her eye.
Burgundy Fox Lingerie Gift Box
Picking out a sultry set sounds like a great idea, but let’s be honest — finding lingerie that you feel confident will fit her figure (and her tastes) flawlessly isn’t exactly easy. That’s where this subscription box comes in. After she fills out the style profile, she’ll receive a box of lingerie or loungewear in about a week that’s curated to match her personal style. Consider this one a gift to both of you … for obvious reasons.
Diamond Heart Necklace
If you’ve got the budget to go big, this gorgeous heart-shaped pendant necklace is studded with 51 light-catching diamonds that are sure to sparkle almost as bright as her smile when she unwraps it. Choose from a rose gold, white gold, or yellow gold chain to suit her style.
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