Valentine’s Day is a special day celebrated annually on the 14th of February. The writings of Geoffery Chaucer first mentioned Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday sometime in 1382 (Britain Magazine). Since then people have celebrated by declaring their love and celebrating with all kinds of gifts.
Although studies show that the percentage of people who celebrate Valentine’s Day has recently declined, it is still massively honored. Valentine’s Day is a critical holiday worldwide, with some countries even declaring the day a work-free holiday.
In the United States, people send over 190 million valentine’s day cards yearly, and that does not include other gifts. According to reports, Valentine’s Day spending in 2017 in the United States exceeded $18.2 billion, making it an important economic event.
Perhaps you have received or sent Valentine’s flowers in the past. This year mix things up and think outside the vase! Check out our top 8 picks for your special someone that aren’t flowers.
8 Great Valentine’s Day Gifts That Are Not Flowers
In modern times, the most typical gift to give on Valentine’s Day has been flowers, with red roses being the most common. A Valentine’s Day gift can be tricky to pick out because not all relationships are the same. We compiled a list of eight alternative gifts. Some of these gifts are traditional, and people have exchanged them for many years, while others are more unique and non-traditional. Choose what works best for your significant other this year.
A Box Of Chocolates
Nothing says “I love you” more than a red heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates. A pack of chocolates is a traditional Valentine’s gift, and the practice dates back to the 1880’s. Many of the notable chocolate makers recognized the popularity of Valentine’s Day and started to sell packs of chocolates as gifts. The practice has become more popular, and boxes of chocolates are now somewhat of a symbol of Valentine’s Day.
There are usually sold as assorted boxes, which come in red and/or heart-shapes.
I Love You Because… Cards or Journal
This gift can really set someone’s heart on fire! We like this one because it is highly personal and gives you a chance to express yourself and it gives the recipient a chance to feel truly known and loved. You can do this with a pack of plain cards where you write down one way you love them in each. Go with as many as you need, but 14 is fun for Valentine’s Day. Grab this 100 Things I Love About You: A Love Journal for an easy to use, all in one place to express your love. What a wonderful keepsake to read again and again!
A Recipe Book or Box
Do you and your partner enjoy cooking together? Does your partner enjoy cooking? Either way a fun recipe book or box is a great way to organize all of their favorite recipes in one place. You can add little notes to recipe cards or pages telling your significant other how much you love each recipe. You can add a thoughtful inscription to the book or an extra note in the box expressing your gratitude for the relationship, for them, for their delicious cooking etc. Silly or sappy…go with a message that works for your relationship and your partner will be thrilled. Hopefully, so much so that they whip up your favorite dessert!
A Day At The Spa
A day at their favorite spa can be a fantastic gift for your lover on Valentine’s Day. Many spas offer Valentine’s Day specials for couples or a singles, offering chocolates, wine, and discounts. They may also include gift cards, special music, and other things to make the experience more memorable. A spa treatment can also be practical, especially for people under stress from work or who have stressful daily lives. A day at the spa gift can be a great option for Valentine’s Day, instead of flowers.
A Candy Bouquet
What makes a candy bouquet unique is that it resembles a flower bouquet, except it is full of sweets. Unlike flowers, they will not wilt in days, and your lover can enjoy the treats for a long time. There are several excellent options for candy bouquets, and you can either buy customized packages or make them yourself.
You can make a bouquet out of colorful gummy bears or create one with tasty candy bars. Conversation hearts are also a great option, and you can get creative with these delicious treats. Add a cute stuffed animal or card as a fun bonus.
Unique Jewelry
We’ve all seen the countless ads and billboards with heart shaped jewelry for Valentine’s Day. However, you don’t want the special person in your life to have the same piece of jewelry as everyone else. Consider a piece of unique jewelry or personalized jewelry this year. Look for a ring that can be engraved with your names, initials, or a special message. Personalized necklaces or bracelets are fun too. If you know their birthstone there are fun customizable pieces at major retailers or local vendors.
A Home-Cooked Meal
A home-cooked meal can be a lovely Valentine’s Day gift showing how much you care by spending time together. You can try unique recipes that your lover would enjoy and have them delivered with little love notes attached. You can surprise them or even prepare the meal together to create a more memorable experience. This is a great option if you opted to do a no-gift Valentine’s Day or an activity only gift. It’s also an affordable option for every budget.
An Activity
An often overlooked option for Valentine’s Day is a gift activity instead of a physical object. The goal of the activity is to choose something fun, relaxing, or creative where you and your partner can create lasting memories. It’s the thought and the time spent together on this one that really count. Some suggestions include painting pottery, a picnic (indoors or out), rock climbing, visiting a local attraction, mini golf, a day that’s phone free (except for emergencies), dance lessons, or a cooking class. There are lots of options here, so look around your area and choose something that works best for your relationship.
In Popular Culture
Many movies and songs have been made for and about Valentine’s Day, either passively or directly. Some have even become the normal thing to watch or listen to on Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, lovers have chosen that day to propose, reiterate love for their partners, or profess feelings to new lovers.
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day is among the most widely celebrated events in the world. If you are looking for the perfect gift to send instead of flowers for Valentine’s Day this year, you cannot go wrong with the list we put together for you. Happy heart day!
