Original Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day can seem daunting, it’s not a birthday or Christmas and it can be difficult to know what exactly the right kind of present to get is. Things like gold watches and expensive jewellery belong to other occasions. Valentine's Day is a chance to exercise your creativity and tap into the romance of the holiday, there’s a lot of hype surrounding the day but essentially it is a time to celebrate your love. Bypass the frilly pink gifts, unless you’re into that, and think about the time you’ve spent with your partner so far, original gifts are easier to come up with than most people think.

For the Ladies

• It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man cannot go wrong by opting for a chocolate Valentine's Day gift for his lady. However, a generic box from the shelves of any store isn’t exactly an original idea. Consider going to a chocolate making course and presenting her with chocolate made by your own fair hand, romantic and delicious. Women like to know that they are appreciated so making a list of things you love about her and writing them each onto separate card hearts is another idea sure to be unique and well received, or you could make a “certificate of love” based on sport certificate templates and address it to the best girlfriend in the world. A romantic, handmade Valentine's Day gift will always go down well.

For the Guys

• Boys are notoriously difficult to get presents for, especially when it comes to Valentine's Day, so finding an original gift idea may seem daunting. It’s tempting to grab something pink and frilly from the Valentine’s shelves but if you’re looking for something your man will love follow these simple rules: something funny, something practical, and something sweet. It’s best to keep the sweet and sentimental stuff confined to the card, perhaps writing a poem or a heartfelt message inside a handmade card. Many couples have “in jokes” so buying something relating to something only the two of you understand is also a good idea. If your valentine has a specific hobby, a year's subscription to a magazine related to it is a thoughtful and practical gift to consider.