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Valentine’s Day is on Thursday and, to be honest, I haven’t gotten Jake a gift yet. Ever since getting married where it’s “our” money, it is harder for us to justify surprising each other with material gifts. For years, Jake and I have opted to give each other inexpensive/sentimental gifts for Valentine’s Day. We are continuing that this year as well. I thought I would share some of the gifts I have gotten him over the years and some that I have thought about for the future.
Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
- Homemade Gifts: It seems like most of the Valentine’s Day gifts I’ve given Jake over the years are homemade. He is hard to buy for and appreciates the sentimental gifts more. Although it sounds cheesy, it is very meaningful. Jake has also made me some homemade gifts over the years and I still cherish them. Some homemade gift ideas are:
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- A scrapbook with your favorite memories. These can be photos or ticket stubs from events, etc.
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- A book with reasons why you love your Valentine. Jake and I have both done this before and we still have them.
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- Coupons: Sometimes the littlest things mean the most to me. Jake and I have both made “coupons” for each other for various gifts. They can be as simple as coupon for your Valentine to do this dishes for your Valentine, a date night out, etc. I do most of the dishes, since Jake is so busy, so any little gesture like this means a lot.
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- Make Treats or Your Valentine’s Favorite Meal
- A Handwritten Letter: Meaningful handwritten letters are so special to me and something I cherish. A heartfelt letter is one of the sweetest gifts you can give and it doesn’t cost hardly anything. A lot of times Jake will just write mine on printer paper.
- Cell phone free night: If you look around, chances are you will see someone staring at their cellphone screen. This is something that is ingrained in our society, and a night where you put your phones in the other room is the perfect way to connect.
- Map: Traveling is one of Jake and my favorite things to do, so how perfect would a map be as a gift? It would be fun use to plan future adventures.
- An Experience: The older Jake and I get, the more we appreciate experiences instead of material items. Tickets to a concert, a show, a cooking class, or a wine tasting make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
- Something Personalized: “My sheets are monogrammed, so is my silverware and pretty much everything else I own. My rule is, if it’s not moving — monogram it!” – Reese Witherspoon. I am a huge lover of anything monogramed. Some great ideas are wine glasses, a wine decanter, a wine chiller, a monogrammed necklace, or a monogrammed bag.
- Something For The Home: On Valentine’s Day 5 years ago, I gifted Jake our bar cart. We were engaged at the time and I knew it was something that we would both love and use for years. We still have the same bar cart 5 years later. Any home item that you know you’ll enjoy with your significant other is the perfect gift. I recommend thinking of your hobbies you share or things you both enjoy when coming up with a gift.
What are you getting your Valentine? Make sure to check last week’s post here if you need date ideas.
Adorable outfit and great ideas! We always keep Valentine’s Day pretty minimal and would rather save up for something. I’ll probably just do a letter this year too!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
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Thank you so much, Katherine. It was so funny when I was taking these photos I got lots of compliments on it. I think it’s one of those dresses that looks better in person. We try to do the same thing too. I think the most elaborate gift i’ve gotten Jake for V-Day is our bar cart. I am planning on doing a letter as well. It’s so much sweeter than anything you could buy.
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Thank you so much! We do the same thing too. We like to do a dinner or something and then not really do gifts.
These photos are incredible! I also really love your outfit. And your ideas are all fantastic. I think I’m going to combine your cell phone free idea with your game night idea from the last post, and make some treats for the night. Thank you for the ideas!
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Aw Thanks,Lindsey! That is so sweet of you. I have been taking my own photos on a tripod, so that means a lot. I hope y’all had a nice Valentine’s Day.
What a pretty outfit! Love these creative ideas- I’m single this year but want to save some of these for the future!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Author
Thank you so much, sweet Annaliese! I hope you had a great Gal-entine’s Day!! It’s always my fav way to celebrate.
These are all such great ideas!! And I love your dress!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
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Aw thank you, Jennifer.
Great ideas anď I love that floral print dress on you gorgeous .
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Aw thank you so much <3
I really like personalized gifts too! They say so much more than just something bought at the store.
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I 100% agree with you.
I agree that as you get older (not that you are old!!!) it is more about spending time with each other than the material gifts Courtney. Aww I love these ideas! Something personal , handmade is a gift from the heart. A scrapbook is really nice with photos and the ticket stubs are a great reminder of an event. I love getting handwritten letters, it is so loving. Cell phones can get in the way a lot. I would love to go back to the 50s for a week and experience life without out devices, also for the cute 50s fashion of course!! A map is great, do you want to buy some darts to go with it, you know what I am suggesting right? I like that you have monogrammed items, I never thought of that! A gift for the home is a great gift and the bar cart I am sure is used a lot. I hope you had a nice day yesterday even though Jake worked, take care Dear, Terri xo.
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Hi Terri! This is so true, with age you realize the important of spending time with each other v.s. “things.” That really would be fun to step back into the 50s. They really did have cute fashion and no cellphones, which is a good thing/but cellphones are good for emergencies. I would love to buy a map and put darts on places we want to go or have been. That’s a great suggestion. Thanks, Terri. It was a bit crazy haha. We had our neighbors tree fall on our house on V-Day. We’re okay! It did cause major damage though. I hope your day was lovely.
Yes the 50s were great times Courtney but also a struggle for Women too. I was thinking put the map on a piece of wood and throw a dart at it and then visit that place! Oh that is too bad your neighbors tree fell on your house. Did it do internal damage? I know how pretty you have the house looking. Take care, Terri xo.
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Very true! Yes it caused major damage to the structural support and we have to completely replace the ceilings. It’s a bummer since we JUST finished decorating. Oh well we’re safe at least. It somehow didn’t break our new chandelier either.
Oh no , and you had the place looking so nice!! But at least no one was hurt Thank God! Have a good Monday, Terri xo.
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Thanks, Terri. It’s a huge blessing we’re safe.