Heartfelt Valentine’s Gift Ideas

It is that time of the year for commercials on bouquets of flowers, huge teddy bears and the tv to be bombarded with ads mostly directed towards men to buy expensive jewelry. These ads often come off with the attitude that if men don’t buy their wife, girlfriend or significant other the newest and most expensive piece of bling they will disappoint them.

I think sometimes we get too caught up on the commercial aspect of things and on the materialistic. Many forget about simple exchanges of kindness like sharing love and kindness with others. Going into debt to try to impress someone isn’t worth the effort and it will cost later. I want to encourage you to think of more unique and heartfelt gift ideas this Valentine’s Day.

There are many things you can gift that won’t fit in a traditional gift box or break the bank. These gifts however may mean even more though than something to be set up on a shelf. Some of these types of gifts are free or low cost, yet carry worth and value to the one you’ve gifted it to.

Ideas for Free Valentine Gifts

Doing something for someone out of kindness can be both rewarding and valuable. Making a coupon/voucher to give to someone as a gift is a great example of a free gift to give. For example, a wife might enjoy a kids free night where the giver of the voucher can watch the children while she relaxes.

Other coupon ideas could include: a massages, cooking dinner, helping them with a household task, and many other things. These coupons/vouchers can even be added into a Valentine’s card or given on their own. These ideas are simple, but can be very meaningful and greatly appreciated.

The Gift of Food

Giving the gift of food can be a relatively low cost gift. Making cookies, soup, bread or even a full meal and delivering it to a friend or family member can speak volumes of love and kindness. Some say nothing says loving like something from the oven! I know I personally appreciate when someone takes the time out to bake something for me.

Colorful packaging like Valentine’s themed food bags or ziplocks can add to this type of gift and make it festive. Mason jars make the perfect storage for soup gifting and cake/cookie mixes for example. Sharing a favorite recipe with someone in the process so they can remake the item or a story/history about the food item can add to the originality of the gift.

If you’re not someone that can cook or enjoys to cook giving a pre-made food gift can be a good choice as well. Many bakeries will be offering special Valentine’s themed treats for takeout and delivery. Duck Donuts for example has a limited-time dozen donuts themed as a Box of Chocolates topped with fan favorites like savory bacon, tart raspberry drizzle and love sprinkles and beautiful candied roses.

If you’re not into baked goods or sweets you can send something salty or savory like peanut snacks from the Virginia Diner. Food gifts are perfect for both men and women. Many people enjoy snack foods and these gifts don’t have to be a themed.

Homemade Gifts Ideas

Handmade gifts don’t have to be perfect. The uniqueness of this gift is in the imperfections. If you’re the crafty type you might already have the perfect gift ingredients on hand. From painting a picture, calligraphy on a card, writing down a poem, beading/jewelry making, needle point, crochet, quilting and crafts these types of handmade gifts are super unique and typically cost friendly.

If you’re not the crafty type with supplies already in your home there are kits to make items like these little bookmarks. This type of gift might cost you a small amount, but these kits have everything you need and you can use code KRYSTLE25 to save on the bookmarks. A dollar picture frame with a favorite photo plus a few stickers or some writing is another easy craft idea to make. Remember handmade gifts don’t have to be perfect. The uniqueness of this gift is often in the imperfections.

Give an Experience

Sometimes the most simple and quiet moments are the ones that make the best memories. One of my favorite gifts to give personally is an experience. This type of gift won’t fit into a gift box with a pretty bow, but the love and memories will wrap themselves around and last forever. Something as simple as planning a picnic for a loved one in their favorite spot could be magical and cost effective. In addition if you know a museum, sporting event or place they would like to go check online and sometimes free or low cost tickets can be found.

Depending on the choice of location or events this gift can cost as little or as much as you’re wanting to spend. Traveling to a new or exotic place can be both memorable and exciting, but sometimes the most simple and quiet moments are the ones that make for the best memories. A gift of time to a loved one can make a huge impact and be very meaningful.

Think outside of the jumbo stuffed bears and flowers this year and make whatever you plan for Valentine’s Day as unique and special as your relationship with your significant other. Don’t feel pressured to buy certain things because of what you see on tv or on social media, trust me every kiss does not begin with bling.