Valentine's Day Guide to Gift Giving

By Eliza Ball

For a holiday that is meant to be heartfelt and sweet, Valentine’s Day also brings worry or stress about finding the perfect gifts to loved ones. It can follow intense pressures for grand gestures to plan the perfect dates, as well as financial strain. Despite this, gift giving is a perfect way to show appreciation to the people you love.

Finding gifts for the men in your life can be tough, but there are a few things you could never go wrong with. Gifts related to their hobbies or interests are key to making the gift more personal. A basket filled with their favorite snacks, candy, or drink is a cheap and easy gift idea that is sure to be a way to their heart. For a pricier option, an experience such as concert or sports tickets feels very personalized and you could even attend the event together, creating life-long memories in the process. Things in his style, like a nice hoodie or cologne, YSL Myself for example, would be practical and stylish. 

For girls, a few gift ideas often stand out, both classic and more unique. The classic Valentine's Day gifts are staples for a reason, like their favorite flowers or chocolate. A more expensive idea is jewelry, which you could add a personalized touch to as well. Some popular pieces include necklaces with her initial or birthstone such as the engraved necklace from Pandora. If she loves more heartfelt and thought-out gifts, you could even write her a handwritten letter or make a photo album. This is not only thoughtful, but it is a great idea if you are on a budget as well. 

Even if you don't have a special someone for this holiday, Valentine's Day is also about showing love and affection to family and friends. For parents, gifts allowing them to spend quality time with their children would not only be exciting, but the gift would keep on giving. Experiences, like cooking or workout classes, or even games for the whole family are great options. You could make the women in your life feel special by dropping off flowers or her favorite treat.

Best friends deserve just as much love, so even a fun and simple gift goes a long way. Many popular items include stuffed animals like Jellycats or Squishmallows. You could even give your friend a spa basket, including sugar scrubs, lotion and facemasks. For a religious option, you could give things aiding in their spiritual life including religious books, devotions or rosaries. Gift cards to their favorite places are good for any friend and are also practical. “Galentines” parties have also been very popular because friend groups like to celebrate the holiday together as well.

Whether you were planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, at the end of the day, this holiday is another reminder of how important it is to show your love and affection to people you care about. While gifts are one way to do this, some of the greatest things we can give are simple gestures and acts of love.