Valentine’s Day gift guide
The level of the relationship is of the utmost importance in selecting the right gift for your love. Here’s a guide to either (1) inspire you, (2) make a no-effort decision for you, or (3) remind you that Valentine’s Day actually does exist and is, in fact, coming up soon.
If chosen carefully and appropriately, a gift can declare your feelings without requiring a grand speech. The level of the relationship is of the utmost importance in selecting the right gift for your love. Here’s a guide to either (1) inspire you, (2) make a no-effort decision for you, or (3) remind you that Valentine’s Day actually does exist and is, in fact, coming up soon.
Crush
For her
Museum tickets. Whether she’s into modern art or local history, a couples’ day at a museum is definitely a DATE.
Cost: Anywhere from free to around $18, depending on where you go.
What it says: “I’m cultured, and I like you enough to want to spend time doing things that you’re interested in.”
For him
Card. Thanks to places like Mongrel, Quirk, and the ever-popular internet, card shopping has become painless. Enjoyable, even.
Cost: $5 from Pug and Pony Press.
What it says: “I picked this fancy letterpress card especially for you, which means I like you, but I didn’t want to send you into a commitment-phobic hyperventilation attack by spending more than $5 on someone I’m not technically ‘in a relationship’ with.”
New Relationship
For her
Greetings rubber stamp kit. Infinitely more useful than flowers or chocolates, but even better when accompanied by those items.
Cost: $24.95 from Joggles.com.
What it says: “Yes, I do pay attention to you and know all about your quirky hobbies and affinity for anything sold in kit form.”
For him
Italian Air Force messenger bag. Stylish and simple, this printed satchel is perfect for filling with other things dudes need but don’t think to buy for themselves (Moleskine notebooks, plain Chapstik, etc.).
Cost: $40 from Meatbagz.
What it says: “Yes, I am listening when you randomly mention things you need, and if we’re going to keep hanging out all the time, I also want you to carry a bag that I don’t mind looking at.”
Long-Term Love
For her
Photo book. Fill a book with pictures from your fondest (G-rated) memories as a couple. Romantic and fun.
Cost: $19.95 from Blurb.com.
What it says: “Yes, I remember all those amazing times we’ve had. I love you so much that it wouldn’t be embarrassing to me if people came over to our place, picked this book up off the coffee table, and sighed over our favorite moments.”
For him
T-shirt quilt. Get rid of those 97 confounded t-shirts he doesn’t wear without really making him throw them away.
Cost: Free if you do it yourself, $120 for a 12-t-shirt quilt on Tshirtquilt.com.
What it says: “Yes, that black metal festival / renaissance faire / technology conference was a blast! I love you so much that I want to honor your favorite memories, but I don’t think those memories should continue taking up an entire dresser in our house.”
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Tess Shebaylo
Tess Shebaylo is a freelance writer, crafter, history geek, and compulsive organizer. She works at Tumblr and lives in Church Hill with her daughter, Morella.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
Ooh ooh, I love gift guides. Do you have more? Please?
It seems that Valentine’s Gifts are always geared towards women. This year I am getting the Playstation Move for my husband, can’t leave the guys hanging ;-)
@Holly — Thanks, I like them too! Probably if I could, I would just sit and make gift guides all day. Let’s be honest.
@Cindy — I kept it simple and only chose one gift per sex, per relationship type…but that’s an awesome idea as well! As long as your guy is into video games.
@Tess He is, even though he pretends to not be a nerd ;-)
Tess, this is great. If it weren’t for you I would have forgotten it was coming up (until the day before). Well, except for my son’s 19 valentines due next week at school. Anyway, don’t forget Soak. It sucks that they aren’t in Carytown anymore. But I think there is a store in the far far West End. And one more thing, a gift certificate for a massage. My wife will never do that for herself, but if I buy it she will go. Who doesn’t like a good massage?
@RDay — Yes, I think lots of people would be excited to get gifts from Soak. I remember the bubbles floating out of that place on many Saturdays when I was a teenager.