Special Note: This article is intended to give the gentlemen readers of this site some creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Ladies, just in case your special man doesn’t get a chance to read this, you may want to pass it along.
There are only a couple of days left to think about ordering a dozen red roses or picking up a box of candy for your wife or girlfriend. These gifts are always OK to give, but what if you decided to do something totally out-of-the-box this year? I think the reaction would be even more incredible!
Mary Beth and I have a pact. I don’t give her roses or candy for Valentine’s Day and she doesn’t give me a tie or aftershave for Father’s Day. Instead, I try to think of a gift that really expresses how much I care about her.
Often the times the gifts we give from the heart are the ones cherished the most.
Here are one dozen out-of-the-box gift ideas to help you think differently about what to give for Valentine’s Day this year:
1. Take her car for the day. Have it washed and vacuumed. Get the oil changed and take care of any other needed repairs or maintenance. Deliver it back both cleaner and safer – this will remind her that you do value her safety, security and comfort.
2. Use your design skills to create a “Take a Day for You” certificate on the computer. Print this and give it to your wife or girlfriend. Explain to her the certificate can be redeemed on any day that is most convenient for her to do whatever she chooses.
3. Ask her out for a date. Really ask her just like you did in the beginning. Call her and say the words. Let her know you don’t take her, or the time you share together for granted.
4. Get tickets to an upcoming concert of show. Take a look at who is coming to your area and surprise her with tickets. For even more fun, invite a few other couples to go, too, and rent a limo to keep the partying safe.
5. Coordinate a girl’s night out. Call some of her best friends and arrange for them to pick her up and take her out.
6. Arrange a movie night. Grab a couple of classics or current releases she may have missed, but would like to watch. Pick up a bottle of wine, some of her favorite hors d’oeuvres and get the fireplace going.
7. Surprise her by bringing lunch to her work. Show-up, unannounced, with lunch for two. This is the time to bring a bouquet of flowers. The flowers will remind her of your visit, and to be honest, she will enjoy showing them to her co-workers as testament to having such a thoughtful man in her life.
8. If she lives away from her parents or relatives, buy her an airline ticket (round-trip, of course). She will appreciate your recognition of the importance for her to continue developing and enjoying these relationships, too.
9. Make her something with your hands. It can be a Valentine’s Day card, a piece of pottery, or something from your workbench in the garage. The point is to put yourself into the gift – something unique from your heart to hers.
10. Plan a weekend get-a-way. It doesn’t have to be far away, only far enough to provide for some new scenery and a change-of-pace.
11. Take her back to the place of your first date. Let her know if you had to do it all over again, you would.
12. Put her needs before your needs. Tell her how much you love her and then live it by giving her the space to grow. Keep your jealously in-check, and let her live a life that is uniquely her own. Live the spirit of Valentine’s Day on the other days too. When you hold onto something too tightly it doesn’t have the room to grow. Find the courage to release it. When it comes back, you will know it is yours to keep, forever.
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February 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
A very good list of suggestions, Alex.
Many blessings to you and Mary Beth….
CG
February 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
These are great ideas. You are now the new “Hitch” character in the blogosphere
February 11th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for the list Alex. Also, thanks Al for reminding me about Hitch… I think i’ll do that this weekend!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Hi Alex,
I really enjoyed your tips. They are not your usual “wine, dine or buy her flowers” ideas. The ones I like best come from asking what the recipient would like to receive, rather than what the sender would like to give.
I’m definitely going to forward my husband this page. Also, I will be SU this page, so that more people can benefit from these ideas on expressing their love on Valentine’s Day.
Love and light,
Evelyn
February 11th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Alex - great idea for a post. I am sure it will be appreciated by both men and women.
You have the key here, as Evelyn said - the key is to tune into what the reciever wants. When we feel our mate “get us” that is when we really feel cherished and loved.
With gratitude…
February 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Al, not sure about being the “Hitch” of the blogosphere (but I appreciate the compliment), I’m just a guy who has celebrated many Valentine’s Days and these suggestions were some Mary Beth enjoyed the most!
Evelyn & Louise - I agree with you both. When we stop and listen to what our partners want, we seldom disappoint.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Excellent tips, Alex. I like #2. Because it can really stretches the experience, in my opinion. But that being said, I’m sure these ideas can be used whenever the couple feels the need to, not just the special day itself!
Cheers,
Ellesse
February 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Great point Ellesse - these tips can be used on any day we want to express our love and support to those we care about the most.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Alex, I think that I will invite my husband out on a date. We haven’t done that in awhile. We are into our 35th year of marriage. Not getting bored with each other through the years has been something that we have both worked at. Going on the occasional date together has been one of our ways to do that. Finding a special way to say I love you means so much to a lady. I can’t speak for the guys but I suspect that it is the same for them. These are great ideas. Thanks.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:26 am
As someone who is married to a romance Author (Http://PaigeDooly.com) I can say that these are some great ideas.
I would also add a couple of others:
1. If she has kids, help the kids create her something by hand.
2. Give her a day of pampering at a day spa
3. Run her a bath and give her a massage.
4. Rent or buy her favorite Chic Flick and watch it with her (without making her watch your favorite Action movie.
Again, great post.
Never Give Up,
Troy
February 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Great ideas,
Ive bought the standard Red Roses as well as a balloon. But a great idea is Origami Flowers,
http://www.thepeaceofpaper.robogumby.com/2007/07/16/kusadama-flowers/
This link shows how to make really simple and fantastic looking paper flowers and all you need are some coloured post-it notes and a glue stick! Im no origami expert and mine are looking great, spend an hour or two making a load of these to cover your bed/table/sofa et voila.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Great ideas, Alex. I’m writing a post every day this week on Love and I think I’ll link your post to one of them.
I’ll give a review too on StumbleUpon. Gives me ideas for my husband and I on how to express our love.
Thanks
February 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Troy and Daniel - thank you for your ideas!
Pat - good luck with your post. Let me know if I can help in any way.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
These are very original and well thought out. Lucky wife!
April 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Great list for the men to do for their love one. Now how about one for the ladies for their love one?
Valentine day is about LOVE between two, not just for the ladies. Let’s get it right!
“Much Love”