Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
If you’re like a lot of people, you might think Valentine’s Day is just another ploy from Hallmark to make a buck. And sure, February 14 is over-commercialized, with red, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and giant teddy bears in every store. And the internet is cluttered with all sorts of Valentine’s Day gift ideas.
But Valentine’s Day can also be a great excuse to shower your spouse with things that make him or her feel loved. It’s OK to jump in and be a little cheesy.
4 Things You Need to Know Before Looking for Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Valentine’s Day can be intimidating. Trying to find the right gift for your spouse isn’t easy. And online searches for Valentine’s Day gifts can make things even tougher. It’s not because we’re clueless, but because there’s just no way to outdo the people on YouTube who make videos about the exquisite Valentine’s Day gifts they’ve created and then find extreme ways to present them.
While we want to lavish that kind of love on our spouses, it’s discouraging to feel like we’ll never measure up to those people. The good news is we don’t have to. If you’re looking to pick the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your spouse, start with these four ideas.
1. Learn your spouse’s love language
Dr. Gary Chapman is a marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages. He’s come up with a way that helps you understand how your spouse “hears” love. The five languages include words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Learn more about understanding the five love languages here. Which category best fits your spouse? If you don’t know, ask. And then think about a Valentine’s gift that says “I love you” in his or her love language.
2. Simple is good
Your Valentine’s Day gift can be something simple but a step up from the everyday gift. For example, if your husband or wife likes chocolates, go one step up and get the fine Valentine’s Day chocolates.
3. Don’t try to outdo the people on YouTube
While your spouse wouldn’t mind a special Valentine’s Day gift, what he or she really wants is to be treated as someone who is loved and valued. They want to know that she’s special. That’s something only you can do. And it doesn’t require any cameras.
4. Listen
Give your spouse your undivided attention and really listen to what he or she is saying. Your spouse wants to know that you find him or her worth your time and attention. That he or she is a valuable part of your life. You show them how much they mean to you when you take the time to listen. Who knows, they might just be telling you what kind of Valentine’s Day gift they’d like.
There’s no magic formula to help you find the right Valentine’s Day gift. Your spouse may like flowers and candy … or they may want to take a walk in the park. Don’t stress about the size of the gift or the cost. That’s not what matters. Before you shop for a Valentine’s Day gift, take time to review the four things you need to know, and then take time to do something a little extra to listen and remind your spouse that they are loved and valued.
25 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
If you’re looking for some Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him or for her — practical things you can do for your spouse — here are 25 ideas:
- Start a tradition. Decorate a giant heart-shaped cookie, wear matching pajamas, or go out for lunch instead of dinner.
- Create a date coupon book for your sweetheart to use throughout the year.
- Give a subscription to a date box service. These companies usually send a box each month with the things you’ll need for a date with your spouse.
- Share a bag of your spouse’s favorite coffee beans with a mug and a cute card that says, “I love you a latte.”
- Do an item on their “honey-do list.”
- Write a detailed love letter sharing all the reasons you love him or her.
- Surprise your spouse with a piece of art from their favorite artist.
- Stay up late the night before and make their favorite baked good as a surprise.
- Get something for their collection, whether it’s old books, baseball cards, or funny socks.
- Get a Groupon to do something touristy in your town.
- String lights, play romantic music, light some candles, and get intimate.
- Make a photo album of favorite memories together and give it to your spouse on Valentine’s Day.
- Pay for dance lessons and learn to waltz, tango, or swing together.
- If you’re not usually the one to cook a meal, go out and buy all the ingredients and cook something magical (or at least your best effort) to give your spouse the night off.
- Go on an overnight trip away from the kids.
- Have an arctic picnic in the snow with hot chocolate, cookies, and lots of blankets.
- Take him or her to a comedy show.
- Write a poem for your spouse
- Create a scavenger hunt with clues that take your spouse back to all your favorite places from when you were just dating.
- Celebrate with a meal with each course at a different restaurant. Go to one place for appetizers, another for salads, another for the main entree, and a final destination for dessert.
- Give a box full of their favorite things. This could include their favorite candy, flowers, movie, snacks, scented lotion, music, or things in their favorite color.
- Surprise them with a fancy new outfit and tell them to get dressed up because you’re taking them out for a five-star meal.
- Do their favorite hobby with them, even if it’s not your thing.
- Take your spouse to the movie theater to see the film they want to see.
- Go to a pottery painting studio and work together on painting something for your home.
Use one – or more – of these 25 Valentine’s Day gift ideas, and then get your cheesy on and remind your spouse how much they mean to you! What other Valentine’s Day gift ideas can you come up with?
More Valentine’s Day Resources
- True Romance on Valentine’s Day — thoughts from Dr. Greg Smalley
- 6 Ways to Celebrate Your Spouse This Valentine’s Day — creative ideas for Valentine’s Day
- Keep the Spark Alive — Revitalize your sexual relationship with your spouse.
- How to Write a Love Letter — Go old-school and deepen your connection.
