Gift Guide #14: Valentine’s Day is for Everyone
On your own terms.
When I was in my early twenties, I decided to take back Valentine’s Day. Instead of dreading the day, I decided I’d celebrate my friends with homemade cards and the most delicious dinner we could congure up. Ahem, let’s overlook the fact that I christened my efforts “Single Awareness Day.” Let’s also pledge to forget the unfortunate acronym that accompanied my newly created holiday.
It felt good to take back this day and to invite others to join me in flipping the day into whatever we wanted it to be. For so many, the 14th of February is a day fraught with tension. Was that valentine slipped into your high school locker a real admission of love or a prank? What if you started dating someone in mid-January? Does your young union qualify for a Valentine’s dinner or just something casual? What if it’s an especially hard day, and you’re just looking for a break from all the expectation? I don’t believe this day was ever intended to be so dark. Hence my effort to lighten things up a bit by celebrating people I cherish.
It is, after all, one of the oldest holidays on our calendar as it is likely based on a day to celebrate two martyrs who were executed way back in the 3rd century. (See, she’s not just a Hallmark holiday!)
Today, I still look at the holiday as a reason to celebrate all sorts of love. From friends to nieces and nephews to significant others, there are quite a few people in my life who could use celebrating. Here’s a short list of non-traditional ideas for people who deserve celebrating in your life.
With the exception of the flower delivery service, all of these gifts listed below can be ordered via Amazon and should arrive in time for the special day.
Flowers may seem obvious or basic or whatever word we’re throwing at the mundane and boring these days, but gosh it is just so thrilling to receive flowers. So if flowers are a basic gift, so be it! I especially enjoy sending flowers to my single girlfriends. Maybe there are a few of your friends who could use a bouquet this Valentine’s? Urban Stems is my go-to for flower deliveries across the country.
A cookbook from Ina. How easy is that?
One pretty safe strategy for Valentine’s Day is: ordinary objects, but make it pink or red. Even if your loved one doesn’t make coffee regularly, this pink espresso pot will still look très cute on the stove.
These beautiful glass candleholders might be a nice gift for a friend who entertains. Bonus, they are just the right shade of pink to qualify as “blush and bashful.”
If you have a friend who is faithful to write thank you notes, these note cards made in Italy are a special treat.
Can one have too many pouches? Asking for a friend, of course. But the answer has to be “never” when each pouch is colorfully labelled like this set of four pouches. They are perfect for travel. Or schlepping to and from work.
If you have kids you’d like to treat with something other than a sugar-filled surprise, maybe one of those indoor ball pits will do? According to the influencers in my Instagram feed, they are all the rage. Please don’t forget to order the balls shaded in an on-trend color palette. Pro tip: if you’re going for auntie or uncle of the year, this is the gift for you.
Looking to celebrate the guys in your life? Instead of a box of chocolates, how about a cookbook from my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles – Gjelina – and the tool my husband seems to always have nearby – the world’s greatest cooking thermometer.
Cadbury candy – as in the real stuff from the UK. This box is full of 60 bars of that blessed goodness (not pictured but amazing). Chocolate not their scene? How about this assortment of Japanese candy. Again, a giant box of 30 items delivered to you via Amazon (again, not pictured but also amazing). See also Japanese KitKats that I enjoy so much.
OK, stay with me on this one as it’s a highly practical gift idea, but I am putting it here because I think it might be something that would work for a parent, partner, or even a friend. Health gadgets seem to be all the rage, what with people raving about red-light helmets promising to grow hair and mats that literally make you sweat. This heating pad is designed for your back, but I think of it more like a warm hug. I have a feeling my mom may need this in her life!
Did you know you can order live plants from Amazon? These might be a good gift option for someone who has a green thumb. Here is a pink princess Philodendron, an Anthurium plant with red flowers, and a money tree.
Hope you feel extra loved this February 14th!
You know the drill! Amazon Affiliate links were used in this post. If you make a purchase, I may make a small commission. Or maybe not! Who knows how the machine works? But I thank you kindly, regardless!