Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
By: Chelsea Lubbe
Valentine's Day is a special holiday; it's about spending time with that special someone and celebrating the love that comes with the holiday. Valentine's Day doesn’t have to be the most extravagant date of the year, but it is the opportunity to indulge in the feeling of love between you and your partner. It's a holiday where being thoughtful and considerate of your partner's wants can mean the most. Here are some fun activities and cutie gift ideas.
flowers
Let’s begin with the household classic: flowers, sweets, and cards. You can easily elevate these gifts into something more unique.
When picking out flowers, instead of leaving them in the regular plastic wrap that they come in, wrap them up with brown paper or a piece of newspaper.
Photo from Pinterest
Sweets & A Card
Sweets? Try baking them yourself! Baking can be therapeutic and can give you space to put intention into your actions. Take time to think about that special someone while you bake.
A card is something that has a lot of diversity to begin with. They can be funny, cute, or emotional. It’s a small but sweet gesture, but if you make it yourself, it can mean a lot more.
Pictures & A Playlist
A more personalized gift is a framed picture. It could be a photo of you and your partner, or a photo of something that reminds you of them, like an art piece or a landscape. If you’re artistic, try drawing your partner and adding a love note on the back.
If writing isn’t your thing, another sweet gesture is to put together a playlist; add you and your partner's favorite songs that you can listen to and enjoy together.
Necessity basket
You know your partner best, but everyone needs self care. It can look different for everyone, but gifting basic tools that someone might not buy for themselves is a generous act!
You can create a necessity basket. It can include nail polish, cologne or perfume, lotions, body wash, hair and face masks. If there’s an interest, you can also include intimacy items. There’s a lot of range with this kind of gift, you can add accessories too like jewelry, key chains, stockings or socks, a new phone case, or even a reusable water bottle.
Photo from Pinterest
Ice SKATING
If you have an opportunity to go out together on Valentine’s Day, consider ice skating! Dilworth Park in Center City or Independence Blue Cross RiverRink (IBC) at Penn’s Landing will be open on Feb. 14 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Dilworth Park offers a discount for students when showing a student ID. IBC RiverRink is hosting a special Sweetheart Skate where you can enjoy a live DJ, a keepsake photo, and a rose for each couple. After you skate, explore the city for something warm and sweet to finish off the night.
Photo from CCD Parks
Night In
Looking for a night in? Cooking a simple meal together can be the way to go. You and your partner can pick your favorite foods, you both can eat your staple comfort meal, or try something new. Doing this together can be a loving activity that ends with a sense of accomplishment. Afterwards, to keep the good vibes going, have a game night! Try the video game, “Overcooked,” where you work together to quickly create meals and work with obstacles. If video games aren’t your style, try a puzzle and a movie.
The most important thing about Valentine’s Day is spending time with your loved one and putting in your best efforts to make this day more distinguished from other days. Try talking to your partner about their expectations and ask if there is anything they want to be gifted, or if there is something they want to experience with you on this day.