Love is in the air. Or maybe that’s just the too much perfume. Either way, they’re both signifiers of the same thing – Valentine’s Day is here! The day of love, celebrated on the 14th of February every day, was originally a celebration to honour one or more of the saints named Valentinus. Currently, especially in Western culture but also in other places around the world, the day is less about the saints and more about spoiling your loved one.
This guide is for all the men out there who may be struggling with planning for the special day. For a lot of people this can be a stressful time – planning dinners, writing cards, wracking your brains for the perfect gift that will convey just how much your significant other means to you. It’s a lot of things to consider! Which is why we’re prepared this gift guide to help you remain in the good books this Valentine’s Day.
A pair of shoes
Gentleman, in almost all cases, this well never not be a hit. Stereotypes and generalisations aside, everyone – men and women – will always need a new pair of shoes. And in most cases your girlfriend will have an ideal pair in mind. Be attentive, put some feelers out and try to find out if she’s a sneakers or heels type of girl. After that, it’s simply a case of going to one of the many online retailers such as Peter Hahn and finding the right pair for her.
Lingerie
This might not be to every girl’s taste, but if your girlfriend is the type of girl who wears and loves lingerie, then this is the perfect time to spoil her with some! The budget for this can be tricky, however, as the price of lingerie varies wildly – as a rule of thumb, it’s advisable to not go for anything that feels too cheap. If you have the skills and time, you might even opt for sewing her some lingerie yourself!
A dozen roses
The ultimate symbol of love, these shouldn’t be the only gift that you give to your significant other. But if you can think of nothing else do go with it, a dozen roses on their own definitely won’t go amiss. Their inherent symbolism of a rose – joy, happiness and love – is well-known, and likely to delight anyone who receives them.
A concert ticket
Gifts don’t always to be physical. Instead of a material gift, another great option to get your partner an experience. Everyone loves music so a live concert to a cherished band is a good place to start. However, the experiences don’t have to be limited to music. Ballet, opera, the cinema, or even a museum – tickets to an experience that she will love are sometimes why more valuable, not to mention thoughtful, than physical objects.
The old standby – chocolates
If you’re absolutely strapped for time, or just plain out of inspiration, then chocolates are a worthwhile failsafe. They’re a tried and test lover’s gift that, unless your significant other is lactose intolerant or just not a fan of chocolate in general, never fails. If you do opt to go down this route, however, ensure that you include a handwritten card to go with it for at least a small level of personalisation.
