Unlike my husband & I – we only think & plan for future events, but usually get to actually working on it just a week before the D-day! How many of us Google up for gift & celebration ideas for Valentine's, Anniversary, Birthdays, and other such significant events?
So, considering how couples have to plan for special occasions, whether the husband or wife, either together or as a surprise – I thought of posting the ideas I e-mailed that brother-in-law, some collected over the time after some Google searches, some from a gift-giving ideas book I have, along with the kind of celebrations either my husband & I have arranged, or those that I’ve heard from friends, or some from family. These gift ideas and celebration ideas can be used by couples for planning Valentine’s, Anniversaries, Birthdays, or even as a special weekend hangout.
In fact, some of the celebration and gift ideas below – as deemed appropriate – can also be used by friends, colleagues, parents, their children, siblings, or even as wedding/honeymoon gifts or celebrations.
1. Love Coupons
Love coupon booklet can be personalized & customized online, such as on this site selecting your choice of activities and events. Gift this kind of coupon book to your sweetheart, and give him/her the freedom to redeem any of those coupons anytime! You can check out their library for the interesting love coupons they have available! They had a Groupon for this last month (Jan 2012)! :)
2. Treasure Hunt
Write clues connected from one to another on pieces of paper & hide it at different locations, so that the person has to solve one clue to get to the next clue. You can also have small gifts at each location or a big gift at the destination when all clues are solved. You can even make it romantic by writing naughty clues. I once organized a friend’s birthday party with this treasure hunt game in our university, rhyming the clues & sticking the pieces of paper all over the university (all over, YES, trust me) for the 2 groups to go hunt. Click Here to Check Out the Treasure Hunt for my Husband's Birthday!
3. Flower Petal Path
Deck the floor with rose or other flower petals and make a path for your spouse to walk on until a certain place – may be till the bedroom at home or even from the entrance until the table at the restaurant, if you can arrange that.
4. Shower Love
Not the one with water. What does your partner, family member, or friend like? Soft toys? – Gift a LOT of those. Balloons? – Fill the whole room with them. Shells? – Bring in all shapes & sizes. Flowers? – Place bouquets all over or have a flower petals shower as soon as door opens (some physics required to arrange that!).
5. Dance Away
If you & your love interest haven’t gone dancing before, you can go for some ballroom dancing or may be salsa together. Or if your partner dances well but you’re born with two left feet, you can take some secret dancing lessons, then surprise him/her with some moves.
6. Simple Time Together
Lying down on the grass, under a blanket, star-gazing at night is romantic, as is having a candlelight dinner at home or restaurant. Going on a long drive to spend the private time together or a picnic at an arboretum (botanical gardens) are simple yet special.
7. Cook Together
As best friends, family members, or couple (whether married or not) – cooking or baking together, a special meal or sweet treats, could be so much fun. My hubby & I baked a cake on a Sunday together; watching him innocently measure the ingredients as per my instructions was adorable!
8. Massage & Spa
This is a winner and my all-time favorite. A romantic spa package for two is the route to my heart – whether for birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s or any regular weekends! Swedish massage at a spa in a resort was my hubby’s surprise for our anniversary last month. Hey, if you think it’s expensive, you can always buy aromatherapy massage oils, learn massage techniques from YouTube, and give your spouse a relaxing oil massage at home (you’re sure to earn some brownie points, if you know what I mean)! *wink*
Matter of fact, anyone would love and appreciate this gift. Lookout for spa packages, promotions, online deals, or Groupon (if applicable in your country) for spa & massage, preferably at decent places that have good reviews.
Matter of fact, anyone would love and appreciate this gift. Lookout for spa packages, promotions, online deals, or Groupon (if applicable in your country) for spa & massage, preferably at decent places that have good reviews.
9. Dine Sky-High
Go to the highest building or tower in your city. I’ve taken my husband to Baiyoke Tower (tallest building in Bangkok), watching the sunset together from the 86th floor of the building, and seeing the city light up at night. He took me to Five-Sixty, the revolving restaurant on some 60th floor of Reunion Tower, seeing a 360 degree view of Dallas for my birthday last week. Even open restaurants or bars on topmost floors of a hotel/tower are amazing experiences.
10. Beach or Resort
Getaway to a beach or beach resort for a 2-nights stay. Adventurous daytime beach vacation, bonfire & tent on the beach at night, or a relaxed resort vacation – however you like your celebration.
11. Outdoor Adventure
Are you the kind of friends, family, or couple that loves to celebrate with outdoor activities instead of indoor parties? The kind who’d rather go kayaking, paragliding, or skydiving instead of cooking-cleaning-hosting party at home? Or pop a champagne bottle in a hot air balloon during sunrise or sunset to propose your love? Look out for deals, perhaps Groupons or call in, for these could get pricey.
12. Limo Ride
Book a 3-4-hour limousine ride (may be with the gas & a bottle of champagne included) and tour around the city with your visits planned. My friend fortunately found a 50% off Groupon just in time and surprised her parents-in-law with this on her mother-in-law’s birthday.
13. Fly or Float
Have a no-phone, no-work, private & relaxed getaway. Take a few days off and fly to one of your dream destinations, have your itinerary planned out beforehand of things to do and places to visit. Or take a week-long cruise vacation, where you hop on & off to different locations as per the itinerary. What a great way to surprise your other half on his/her birthday, or your parents on their 25th anniversary, or to a newlywed couple for their honeymoon with this kind of gift! Groupon may come to your rescue if you’re lucky, but make sure you check about the visa status & stamping from port of departure until port of arrival with the cruise helpline – a tip my friend gave me! To surprise the receiver of the gift even more – tell the person you’re going somewhere else, and then disclose by telling them later exactly where! A drawback – don’t let the woman pack beach clothes for a cold place, or your surprise will turn into a shock!
14. Gift Pillow/Cushion
A heart-shaped cushion, even the bean bag kind with soft-velvety feel, or a pillow/cushion with some message embroidered/printed on them are some usual simple gifts. Some are even available in miniature forms, the kind you hang on the mirror inside your car. My brother got me the smaller one with I Love You embroidered on it.
15. Gift Soft Stuffed Toys
The good ol’ teddy bear, or million other options of stuffed toys in all sizes. Either you can gift several small ones, or some huge ones. My hubby gave me a small squirrel stuffed toy. My group of friends together once gifted me a gigantic teddy bear for my birthday.
16. Gift Greeting Card
Sounds humdrum? How about giving a greeting card, with lovely messages written on them, each day from a particular date till the occasion? Or probably hide them at different places & surprise your significant other each day.
17. Gift Gadgets
Phone, mp4 player, tablet, digital cameras, DSLRs, or even laptop. Or may be something bigger. Anything that you, as the giver of gift, think the receiver needs. GPS for one of our monthly celebrations of our wedding. It could have been bought together, but when you receive a gift package with your name at your door, it just makes the purchase more special, doesn’t it!?
18. Gift Chocolates
They’ll never go out of fashion. It’s easiest to gift chocolate boxes or chocolate bouquet to a girl. And if you want to impress your girl or show some extra love, unwrap the Hershey’s kisses gently, remove the Hershey’s tag, instead put a thin slip of paper with a reason why you love her, and carefully wrap it back. Yes, a friend of mine was bowled over by her guy when he gifted her 101 Hershey’s kisses with 101 reasons why he loved her.
19. Jewelry Assets
Jewelry in silver, gold, diamond, etc are assets as you already know – whether you get a small ring, anklet or a pair of earrings, a pendant with the initial or the name, or a whole set: it’s sure to win heart.
20. Gift Clothes & Accessories
If you don’t know the preference in color, dressing style & the size of person, then giving clothes & accessories as a gift is a gamble. But the options are so many, that this also feels like the best bet. Think about it – from fancy earrings, neckpieces, bracelets, or fashion jewelry to footwear, bags, wallet, watch, hair dryer, scarf, belt, cosmetics kit … I can go on & on. A t-shirt, jacket & cologne or formal wear & tie for your guy? How about Victoria’s Secret for your girl?
21. Pamper Hamper
Gift hampers including bath items, lotions, creams, sprays and loofah or a manicure-pedicure kit in a nice packaging to pamper your darling is a great idea. So is gifting a spa hamper that includes some massage oils, aromatic candles, and incense sticks. Add in some flowers & a soothing music CD. A basket with food items and other goodies also works, especially during festive occasions when visiting people, and also when you’re in a hurry & can’t think of any other gift.
22. Give Cash
When I can’t think of what a person might like or need, or if I don’t know someone well enough, I prefer giving gift cards, gift certificates, gift vouchers, or seldom cash – it’s the easy way out. Although the amount is known, you at least end up letting them buy what they like instead of trashing or recycling your unwanted gift.
23. Small Common Gifts
Perfume, photo album, photo frame, leather stationery accessories (desktop organizer), magazine subscription, clock (desk or wall), book, items needed for travel, stuff for office, etc.
I'm the kind who prefers small gifts, in big numbers :D So for my brother's 20th birthday, I gave him 20 common gifts starting from 2 months before his birthday, writing some messages on them along with the countdown, giving him at any random time. What were the 20 items you ask? Some t-shirts in different colors styles & prints, napkin to use after soccer, body spray, pack of briefs, key chain, etc.
I'm the kind who prefers small gifts, in big numbers :D So for my brother's 20th birthday, I gave him 20 common gifts starting from 2 months before his birthday, writing some messages on them along with the countdown, giving him at any random time. What were the 20 items you ask? Some t-shirts in different colors styles & prints, napkin to use after soccer, body spray, pack of briefs, key chain, etc.
24. Gift Food Items
Food hamper, or easily prepared gourmet dishes, a pack of variety of cheeses, baked goods, fruits, exotic or regional foods, candies, jams, jellies, pack of nuts or candied fruits, set of sauces or condiments, box of premium teas, ice creams & toppings, coffee beans or coffee, or alcohol bottles are some of the options. For a special treat, you may want to bake a special cake or any other dessert.
25. Gifts for Home/Kitchen
Unlimited showpiece or wall hanging décor options available for the home, kitchen, bathroom, or office. Various kitchen accessories, cooking equipments, cookbooks, dinner/glass/dessert/serving set, or kitchen gadgets & appliances, such as toaster, coffeemaker, blender or the KitchenAid mixer (hint, hint, hubby darlin’!) will be perfect for someone who loves cooking & entertaining. One of my sisters-in-law gifted me food processor on Christmas, and a friend gave me a large serving platter set for anniversary.
26. Lake Outing
Boating & feeding the ducks, on a beautiful day with the perfect weather. Go fishing, or just sit on the bench beside the lake. Or take a hamper, spread out the mat, and have a picnic at the lakeside. Watch the sunset together.
If you check out any store website under certain categories, you get a good idea of the enormous variety of gift ideas, no matter how small some items seem to be, as long as they’re important to the receiver – even if it has to be a gardening tool.
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Love all the ideas :) Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know, thanks!
DeleteGreat ideas and congrats on your 1st anniversary!
ReplyDeleteI really wish to thank you for the kind and heartwarming comment you left on my blog!
Cheers,
Rosa
You're welcome about that Rosa, you're a great person!
DeleteAnd thanks for the wishes :)
great ideas.....i think so no one will think of such an infoermative post.....thanks.......belated wishes on ur anniverary and B'Day...
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the wishes, Faseela! :)
Deletebelated anniversary wishes on completing a year! the 1st anniv is always special :) loved each n every idea, such a nice effort on ur part
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Deepthi! :) And yes, special it is ;) :)
DeleteGreat ideas dear. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas.
ReplyDeleteReally great ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely ideas, makes Special occasions easier to manage..! A very unique post I must say..! Loved it..!
ReplyDeleteMy event- Valentines Day Special
Many thanks, Ancy! :)
Deletecongrats on your anniversary. love your blog and those gorgeous clicks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sayantani!! :) :)
Deletebelated anniversary wishes.. and those are some great ideas.. now if only i can steal some time off hubby's schedule:)
ReplyDeleteHehe! Thanks so much Richa! :) :)
Delete