As Charles M. Schulz, most famous for his endearing comic strip Peanuts, famously said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, when we will be celebrating the love we share with the most important people in our lives, treating them with something special is a must! If you haven’t yet found the perfect gift or date idea, which let’s be honest are a lot of us (unless you’re reading this after February 14th of course), we’ve put together some great ideas to consider.
To complement the sweets, a nice meal shared with the one you love is a popular way to enjoy one another’s company on Valentine’s Day. As we all know, restaurants are a hot spot on this day of the year, so if you’re looking for a great alternative consider picking up the Sweetheart Package from Just Good Meat.
Sean Fuller – Just Good Meat
“If your goal is to prepare an impressive, delicious meal for your Valentine, we can certainly assist you when it comes to the list of high quality food items you’ll need to make it happen,” says Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat. “With our wide variety of fresh seafood, chicken, exotic meats, and of course any cut of steak you’re looking for, the sky’s the limit. Our Sweetheart Package, which is really popular every year, includes two 5 oz. filets, two twice-baked potatoes and two 7-8 oz. lobster tails for just $42.99. Stop by or call us to place an order for pick-up or delivery, we’re happy to help!”
Next up after planning the date is snagging the gift! Local boutiques are a wonderful place to find a special gift for that special someone, largely because there are so many unique items to choose from. Whether it’s a “treat yourself” gift card or you’re dedicated to finding the perfect gift, you can’t go wrong! Of course, it’s also where you can find the perfect outfit to ensure that whatever is in store for you on Valentine’s Day, you’re dressed to dazzle. If you really want to go the extra mile, consider putting together an outfit for your partner to wear out on your Valentine’s Day date. It’s hard to beat that paired with a surprise note to get dressed and be ready for an amazing evening.
Offering an ever-changing selection of items you can’t find anywhere else, boutiques are the go-to sources for that special something you can’t quite put your finger on until you see it. Also, they offer a “style sanctuary” for all shoppers, not just the savvy or adventurous ones but also the ones who need a little (or a lot!) of expert assistance. Boutiques allow you to view what’s on trend, they always carry the most fantastic seasonal staples, and boutiques are also are well known for providing a high level of personalized customer service for their patrons. The staff are always friendly, helpful and well versed in the items they carry, so if you’re curious about something or in the midst of a tough decision you are welcome to ask them plenty of questions (Think: “Will this shrink?”, “Does this run true to size?”, “Do you think he/she will like this if they also like…?”, “What have your other customers thought of this?” and so on). Many local boutiques also carry items from local vendors, which is a nice touch too—anytime you can buy gifts while maximizing your support for our local economy it’s a win-win!
You might have the initial reaction to avoid a boutique if you don’t know the exact size or style preference of the target of your affection, but here’s why you shouldn’t: Even boutiques that are popular for their stylish selection of clothing also likely carry a decent selection of accessories. It’s not uncommon to find perfume, handbags, scarves, hats, hair accessories, jewelry, candles, home décor items, and much more in addition to great clothing pieces. Furthermore, there are even flexible clothing items that aren’t size specific such as ponchos or flowy tops. If none of that hits the mark, a gift card or certificate is a wonderful excuse for the recipient to shop somewhere new. This is not only a gift of an item they are sure to love because they picked it out, but also the gift of a fun, relaxing shopping experience. Whether it is a boutique they already love or a new spot to check out, either way it will be very much appreciated!
(Side Note: Do you keep getting gifts that miss the mark? Consider keeping a “Wish List” on file at your favorite local boutique. You just pick out the items you’d love to receive and the boutique will keep the list available for future reference. It definitely makes gift shopping much easier and less intimidating when there’s a selection of items ready to choose from that are all a guaranteed hit. A polite nudge or slight hint drop and problem solved!)
For those who are looking to step up their game to the next level of gift giving this Valentine’s Day, consider hitting the local boutiques yourself to find something sassy, sexy, romantic, or whatever style suits your personality and then schedule a boudoir photography session featuring you in your brand new looks! Your significant other will certainly be in for a pleasant surprise not to mention impressed with your confidence, creativity and thoughtfulness.
If you like to think outside the box, a gift could also be a date. As far as tokens of affection go, if you choose to give the gift of creativity, the benefits will last long after Valentine’s Day has passed. For example, have you considered buying your Valentine a woodworking class?
Gerry Phelan – Midwest Woodworkers
“Our classes are fun, challenging and rewarding—in other words, great gifts!” says Gerry Phelan, owner of Midwest Woodworkers. “And it would be even better if you took a class with your Valentine. Ok, maybe it’s not as sexy as throwing a clay pot together, but it will be a fun bonding experience.
We offer ‘hands-on’ classes that even folks who’ve never tried it before can excel in. In most classes, participants complete a project like a pen, a turned bowl, a carved figurine or even a nightstand right in class. And it’s not just for guys; we are seeing more and more women getting into woodworking.
Overall, keep in mind that your time and attention is the best Valentine. If you are able to make something special with your own hands, that gift has a much stronger personal connection. If you are thinking of giving a certificate for a class, consider taking the class with them. You can both enjoy learning and doing, while sharing some real quality time together.”
He adds, “If you’re single and don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day, you don’t need to sit home and mope about it. We’ve got the perfect class, ‘Large Tool Basics,’ scheduled for the 14th. Operating big, powerful machinery will make you feel great and you’ll learn some valuable woodworking skills.”
Another example of a great gift/date combination, or for those single ladies and gentlemen out there to treat themselves, are spa and salon services. When it comes to options that are perfect for anyone and everyone, consider extending a little pampering to the ones you love. Massages in particular are of the most popular gifts for Valentine’s Day, with a variety of options from gifting a morning or afternoon massage prior to the big date in the evening, booking a couple’s massage as part of the date itself, or extending it as a gift to be scheduled whenever a pick-me-up or some much-needed relaxation is in order. Or you could just go for a gift card and the recipient can pick their favorite spa treat or create his or her own personalized spa day. Pretty much any decision here is safe because as most of us can attest, hitting the spa for that precious “me time” is always heavenly.
Valentine’s Day calls for gifts from the heart, so no matter what you pick for your sweetheart or how you celebrate together, as long as it’s thoughtful you’ve already nailed it! However, if you’re not feeling very creative this year or if life is just too crazy at the moment, put your local resources to work for you because they always have fantastic recommendations to offer. And although Valentine’s Day is one of the days of the year dedicated to shouting our love from the rooftops and making grand romantic gestures, don’t let it be the only day you shower your loved ones with affection. There’s a whole year ahead of us, and each day presents a brand new opportunity to share our love with those who we hold dear.