10 Romantic Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Valentine ’s Day is the one day of the year where every man is expected to surprise his loved one with a romantic Valentine’s day gift. You may think it is clichéd or even tacky but if you truly love your partner you will provide her with at least one or more of the following gifts. Remember, it is not possible to overdo the Valentine ’s Day gifts but how you do it is just as important. And while these ideas may seem clichéd, they are clichés for a reason – they work. Every woman wants to be made to feel special and loved on Valentine ’s Day and a romantic gift is the way to her heart.

Start simply - nothing beats an old-fashioned Valentine’s Day card. Whatever else you get her, it should be accompanied by a card. And not just any card. A cheap little love heart card bought at the last minute won’t do it. Ideally, you will create the card yourself by hand using a mixture of quality materials that reek of romance – pink card, red silk, white lace – and write a personalised message in it. More than one card is acceptable – one to her home, one to her place of work, one accompanying a gift, and so on.

Try and write one yourself if you can.  It doesn’t have to be a great work of art if it is heartfelt and sincerely from you to her.  If you feel you cannot do your love justice in a poem of your own then use one of the great classic love poems.  The poem should be inside one of the Valentine’s Day Cards although if you want the grand gesture you could try reciting it by heart and from the heart over a romantic dinner.

You can’t go wrong with a dozen red roses but you will pay through the nose for them.  A single rose on her pillow can be quite effective but if you’re going for a single flower then something rare and unusual is called for, perhaps a single orchid.  Talk to your florist well in advance of Valentine ’s Day as they may have to order especially for you for her.  If your partner has a favourite flower than a bunch of them shows you know her and lover her enough to go and get them.  Finally, and depending on where you live this may not be possible, a handpicked bunch of wild flowers shows real thoughtfulness and effort.   Remember too that the crocus is the flower associated with St. Valentine.

But not just any chocolates.  They will have to be handmade chocolates of the highest quality.  There are plenty of websites dedicated to fine chocolate.  With chocolates, less is more.  A small box of really high quality chocolates show not just that you appreciate her but that you know she appreciates the finer things in life.

Where would romance be without a bottle of chilled bubbly for two resting in a bucket of ice?  It has to be real Champagne from France.  Any serious wine buff will tell you that there are plenty of fine bubbly wines from other regions and countries that are just as good as champagne but nothing is quite as romantic as the real thing.  Of course, if your partner is a wine buff then a bottle of her favourite non-sparkling wine might be acceptable.  For example a quality sweet wine such as Sauternes would match a dark bitter chocolate very well, much better than the champagne. 

This is a potential minefield and if you get it wrong you may ruin the day.  The important thing to remember is that the lingerie is for her, not for you.  You are looking for something soft, sensual and romantic.  You want your girl to know that you see her as a princess, a princess in bed perhaps but a princess.  Whatever else you do, get her size right.  Check the labels of the underwear she wears regularly.  Look for what she likes.  Try and find colours and materials that complement her (red and fishnet are unlikely to be on the list) and always remember that in lingerie more is usually more.  The aim is to tantalise and tease with possibilities.

It was Marilyn Monroe who said that all she ever wore in bed was Chanel No. 5.  All women love perfume but, again, it is critical to get the right one.  She won’t wear it; she won’t even thank you, if it is a scent that she does not like.  In the worst case scenario she may even be allergic to it.  So find out what scents she likes – look on her dressing table, ask her friends – and play it safe.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend but any jewellery is an acceptable present.  For Valentine ’s Day look for something appropriate – a heart shaped pendant or a bracelet with a romantic inscription.  For the perfect Valentine’s present think pink pearls, romantic, feminine and pink!

It wouldn’t be Valentine ’s Day without a romantic dinner for two.  If you are taking her out, then book well in advance.  Either your favourite restaurant or somewhere very special.  However, if you really want to impress on Valentine ’s Day, prepare dinner for her yourself.  Take some time to work out a romantic menu, feature her favourite dishes, light some candles and the world is your oyster.  Think of serving oysters too.  Over ice, like the champagne.

If you live in Dublin, Ireland, this is a must do on Valentine’s Day. The saint’s remains are at rest in Whitefriar Street Church and on Valentine’s Day I like to take my wife there to light a candle. The church holds a special service on the day for young, and not so young, lovers and a blessing of the rings. Of course, if you live elsewhere, a romantic weekend in Dublin to visit the shrine of St. Valentine will be one very impressive present. 

For more on St. Valentine's last resting place see my hub here.

And finally,

Yours.  Give her your time.  Give her time to do what she really wants to do.  Give her time to not do what she doesn’t want to do (housework springs to mind), give her time with you, give her time to talk to you, give her time for a romantic walk with you, but most of all, give her time to feel special.

Remember, romance isn’t just for Valentine’s Day.  If you want a long and happy relationship you need to make her feel like a princess every day and in every way.