Valentines day is right around the corner so if you haven’t made your girlfriend or boyfriend their gift, you should probably get cracking on that. You don’t know what to get them? Oh well I’ll help you! I’m a self proclaimed expert at gift-giving (mostly just because I love it) and just finished packing up my boyfriends little gift, so let me tell you what I got him, while explaining my formula for the perfect small gift.
The most important part of Valentines day is spending time with your person, not the gift giving part, so a general rule of thumb is to keep the gift small and meaningful, but plan a fun date for you guys, something you don’t necessarily do all the time, or something that is a little more special. If you do decide to do something more low-key, try to add something special to it just to make it a little more special. My boyfriend and I are going to a big antique mall about 45 minutes out from us. We both love the place, but never go, him because he just doesn’t think of it, and me because I can’t drive outside of city limits. We are both hyped for Valentines day because we’re both excited to go to the antique mall and spend the day thrifting.
On to the gift part, if you are a man who is planning on doing the classic, flowers, chocolate, stuffed animal combo, I am begging you to do anything to make it more personal. Make sure the flowers include her favourite flowers, not just the bouquet you see at the store, and if your girlfriend has never explicitly stated a love for red roses, just know that you can do better. Make sure the chocolate is an actual favourite of hers, and if you’re getting a little stuffed animal, get an animal that she actually LIKES! I cannot stress that enough! Let your girlfriend know that you actually listen to the things she says to you! Anyways, if you don’t want to be boring and want to up your gift game and do something a little more meaningful, follow this formula to make a small yet meaningful gift that fits in a small budget (I know y’all are probably broke like me): 1. something impersonal, 2. something half-personal, 3. something they will use for something specific, 4. something handmade, 5. fillers, 6. presentation. Obviously, this formula is not going to be absolutely perfect every time, but to make a small gift box it works well and balances the highly meaningful with practicality.
something impersonal
Something little that you know they will use but that isn’t exactly personal, think something that will get thrown in their purse or pocket. I picked out a hemp chapstick in a blackberry flavour I thought he might like. Boys always need chapstick but I swear they ever have any, so thought this was a good option. this item and the filler should be the least expensive.
something half-personal
As the title alludes, something small and practical but that has more personalization options than the impersonal. Something like a keychain or lanyard, sunglasses, an accessory, anything like that. I chose a pair of fun socks that have a bit of a camping theme with bears hunting fish on them that are really cool.
something they will use for something specific
This one can get a little harder. Think of something you know they are doing soon or that you are doing together in the near future, then think of something you can give them to add on to that experience in some way. Alternatively, think of something that they have and cherish that you can add on to in some way if upgrades for that item are available. If they’re going on a trip soon, you could get them a disposable camera to take with them, If they have a kitchenaid get them a cheese grater attachment or something, I don’t know, its your partner not mine. My boyfriend and I are going on a multi-day hike in the summer through Kootenay park, so I got him a waterproof dry-bag to stick in his hiking backpack for our trip. Pro-tip: if your gift for this section is not obviously connected to whatever the intended use is, make sure to tell them why you chose the item!
something handmade
I know what a lot of y’all are saying right now, oh but I’m not arts-and-craftsy clearly this does not apply to me! No. It 100% applies to you. You can always make something. Even if you’re not artsy. Bake them a little treat. Write them a little love letter. Whittle them a spoon out of wood if that’s your thing, it literally doesn’t matter. This shows your partner that you are willing to take the time and energy from your day to spend time creating something specifically for them just because you care for them and want to do something nice for them. I sewed me and my boyfriend matching keychains that look like little fish. They are ridiculous and adorable. They have little magnets in their mouths so that they can kiss. They are so unserious. And you know what? I know he’s going to love that stupid little fish. The same way he loves the patchwork dog pillow I made him for Christmas. Because it doesn’t even matter what stupid little thing I made, he just appreciates that I care enough about him to spend my time making him a fish keychain just to show my love.
fillers
Literally just some little chocolates or candies that you put in the empty spaces of the box. Hershey kisses work great for this.
presentation
Make it look pretty! I bought a little blue heart shaped box while thrifting and put a piece of tissue paper in it. If something needs to be held a certain way in the box for everything to fit, tie it up with ribbon. It’s that easy but adds so much to a gift.
This formula can be applied to any time you need a small inexpensive but meaningful and practical gift. It’s perfect for birthdays and Christmas as well! Overall, it’s a pretty foolproof gift giving method. Let me know what you guys come up with and how your valentines days are! I’d love to hear! Bye friends!