Roses and a box of chocolates are certainly classics for a reason, but at times, they can feel impersonal and redundant. Try giving one of these creative, thoughtful gifts to your sweetheart this year instead!
1. Silk sheets
There’s something magical about slipping into crisp, clean sheets—but it’s an even better experience when they’re made of silk. From Amazon to Bed Bath & Beyond to Luxome, there are all kinds of soft and silky sheets you can order for your special one. (Plus, that’s a gift that benefits you too!)
2. Concert
If you don’t know your partner’s favorite music artists, you need to learn quick! Do a little research to discover when and where they are performing this year, then book tickets for the two of you for a fun outing! There are always artists coming to concert venues around town. If they aren’t big concert fans, consider a trip to a record store for some cool vinyls and spend the evening listening together.
3. Night Away
You love the kids… we know you do. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need a break every now and then. Whisk your partner off for a romantic weekend or night getaway trip, whether it’s to a charming bed and breakfast, a boutique hotel in downtown Denver, or a cabin up in the mountains. You’ll be surprised by how much you both needed a chance to be alone together and have fun.
4. Spa Day
Man or woman, everyone loves a good spa day. Whether it’s time sitting in the sauna, receiving a facial, or enjoying a hand and foot treatment, it’s relaxing, peaceful, and rejuvenating—plus, no kids hollering for you the second you step into the bathroom for a moment of privacy. Find a spa near you and either buy a certificate or go ahead and book an appointment for your valentine and make sure to mark it in your calendar so you’re free that day to watch the kids.
5. Couples Massage
Reconnect with your body and one another as you spend time together unwinding in a couples massage. Massages are known for reducing stress and anxiety, so you will both walk out refreshed after receiving a massage simultaneously in the same room. Some couples even joke that couples massages are their version of therapy. Regardless, gifting this experience will be an indulgence you won’t regret.
6. Jar of Sweet Notes
If you’re looking for an inexpensive but thoughtful gift, try creating a custom jar of sweet notes for your loved one. Cut up several strips of copy paper and write 1–2 sentences about why you love them on each piece, then fold them individually and stick them into a mason jar until it’s stuffed full. Then, tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar. Each time they’re feeling down, your sweetheart can be encouraged by opening the jar and reading one of your notes.
7. Photo Album
One of the best ways to reflect on special memories is by flipping through pictures of you and your sweetheart throughout the years. Go through your phone (and maybe old Facebook posts) and scrounge up pictures of your favorite moments: first picture together, a fun road trip, a fancy date, your wedding, your honeymoon, in the hospital with your first baby, a graduation… Then print them off and put them into a photo album—or buy a digital photo frame like a Skylight that sits on the counter and rotates through the pictures. (If you have to take a picture of a picture, we won’t judge. Facebook hasn’t been around that long.)
8. The Gift of Learning
There are a ton of options when it comes to hands-on experiences around Denver! There are classes for every hobby: Cooking, baking, exercise, art, etc. Decide what kind of class would be best for you and your partner, and have a blast learning and experiencing together.
9. An Evening of Jazz
Dinner and a show? Yes please! Nocturne in Denver serves an elevated, classy dinner while live jazz music fills the room. For Valentine’s Day, Nocturne is offering a three-course meal starting at 6:30 p.m., and will feature the Gabriel Mervine Quintet. Find all the details at nocturnejazz.com
10. A Box of Favorites
If you’re looking for creativity points, try compiling a box of your loved one’s favorite things: candies, gum, sodas, snacks, and even gift cards to stores they love. Remember, the point of this box is for them to feel celebrated, loved, and known—take some time to consider what items would bring them the most joy. You can also order a gift box filled with cookies or other fun goodies from local stores or online retailers.
11. Everything Heart-Shaped
From heart-shaped cooking pans to heart-shaped throw pillows to heart-shaped mugs, if your valentine likes to decorate or bake, there’s a good chance they’d appreciate a heart-shaped gift. These are pretty easy to find in stores like TJMaxx, Walmart, or Amazon, and they can “show your heart” in trying to find a fun but useful gift. (Consider giving this gift a few days early so they can use it this Valentine’s season.)
12. A Rose By Any Other Name
Red roses are often considered unoriginal on Valentine’s Day—after all, it is estimated that 70% of the 250 million roses sold on the holiday are red. But if your special someone likes flowers, it doesn’t mean gifting flowers needs to get thrown out the window altogether. The best strategy? Be thoughtful in your floral selection!
13. Cake… or a Smoothie?
Everyone has at least one candy-hater in their life. If your sweetheart doesn’t have a sweet tooth, Valentine’s Day can be really tricky! Of course, for those that prefer a good dessert over candy, consider ordering a cake or picking up a sweet treat at a local bakery. For those more health-conscious, try ordering their favorite smoothie or buying their favorite healthy dessert. If all sweets fail, don’t hesitate to whip out their go-to salty item! (If you’re feeling really ambitious, try baking their favorite dessert!)
14. Luxury Item
We all have those special things we love that we rarely treat ourselves to, whether it’s a fancy shampoo, perfume/cologne, an expensive snack or drink, or nicer accessories like jewelry or watches, etc. If you’re feeling lavish this year, keep an eye (and an ear) out for a luxury item your loved one is wanting but isn’t planning to get themselves. You can pair intentionality with luxury—for instance, if your sweetheart needs a new Apple Watch, maybe that would be a really good gift. The value of the gift isn’t just the price tag; it’s how much thought you put into their enjoyment of the gadget, accessory, or item.
Bonus: Listen to Your Loved One & Gift Accordingly
You may not believe us, but the best gifts are rarely the most expensive—in fact, many of the best gifts are free. Why? Because your partner feels that you truly care enough to know what they love and listen to what they say, and you act accordingly. For example, create a Spotify playlist of songs that remind you of them. (You could also couple this with a custom Spotify song plaque.) Plan your next date and fill it with activities that align with his or her hobbies. Come up with a scavenger hunt around the house with notes in each spot telling them something you appreciate about them. Make a handmade card, write a song about them, craft an acronymic poem, and read it aloud to them.
If you’re struggling, ask their closest friends or family members for advice or recommendations. But don’t doubt yourself: You’ve got this! There is no such thing as the “perfect” Valentine’s Day gift, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
