10 Valentine’s Day Gifts for My Wife

For a man, February 14th seems to be one of the toughest holidays to handle.  On the one hand, he feels like he has to pick out ten Valentine’s Day gifts for his wife that are ultra-romantic without breaking the bank and, on the other, he has to make sure he doesn’t go insane in the process.  The good news, though, is a wise choice from the following list will go a long way to making the woman you love happy well into the hot summer months.  By taking a little bit of care to add a unique touch to your purchase – showing her you really listen to what she says – you will have shown the kind of love every woman wants and, if you play your cards right, reignited the passion you had as newlyweds, too.

Personalized Jewelry
Yes, every guy knows that women like things that are sparkly.  What would happen, though, if you were able to give her something only she will have?  This is where finding a design you know she will like and engraving it with a few personal words is a great idea.  If you have the artistic streak, then you can even design it yourself and take it to a local craftsman for some help.

Custom Photo Album
The rise of camera phones and online sharing through social media has left many of us relying upon a digital source to store our memories.  Buck the trend by using an online picture sharing service to create a professional-quality book of your photos for less than $20 – it will make the perfect coffee table book to spur conversation about how thoughtful you are next time her girlfriends come over.

A Night in the Kitchen
Chances are, after working a long day, your wife is the one who turns the stove on and puts together the meal you enjoy when you arrive home from the office.  What you can do, assuming you have some skill with pots and pans, is give her the evening off and treat her to a quiet dinner at home.  It’s a win-win: you’ll avoid the overcrowded and overpriced restaurants while she feels pampered by your culinary skills.

Loads of Affection
More often than not, the pace of modern life leaves us wondering how we can make time for each other.  The simplest thing you can do (after making her dinner, of course) is to sit on the couch with her and shower her with attention.  Massage her feet.  Run your fingers through her hair.  Listen intently to everything she says.  It’s so straightforward, it seems like no gift at all, but it will mean a lot to her and that’s what counts.

A Garden Instead of a Bouquet
Regardless of how hard you work to keep them watered, that dozen roses you picked up at the flower shop will last a week – if that.  Assuming you have the space and a favorable climate, why not grab her some bulbs or a couple bushes to plant herself?  Yes, you’re giving her some time alone (or with you) in the backyard, but the memory of your long-lasting purchase will be a pleasant reminder of your timeless love for her.

Music and/or Movies
Romance is built upon special moments, which is why women love Shakespeare and sappy romantic comedies so much – the drama of “will they or won’t they” or the sweetness of a soft kiss makes her swoon.  You can play into this by creating some heart-focused events on Valentine’s Day – a slow dance to a classic love song or a night snuggled up on the couch with a black-and-white movie.

Heart-Shaped Balloons
You might think it’s corny, but there are plenty of women who would love to have a bunch of helium-filled, heart-shaped balloons show up at their office to commemorate love’s own holiday.  When most guys are going for the easy choice (flowers), you will have touched on the whimsical nature of true love by providing something that hearkens to childhood instead.

“_____ of the Month” Membership
What does your woman love?  (Besides you, obviously.)  The growth of the worldwide web means you could get her a gift that lasts well past Valentine’s Day by picking up a subscription service that delivers her favorite sweets or beverages to your door.  There are, for example, brownie memberships for those who have a chocolate addiction and vineyard services that deliver a fresh bottle of a certain vintage to women who like a nice merlot with dinner.  Whatever she enjoys, you can find it with a little bit of searching.

Write Her Something Romantic
Want to really set her heart all aflutter?  Take a pen and scribble down a letter or poem to describe your feelings for her.  Whether you think you have any talent or not, she will love it if you tap into your inner Lord Byron by coming up with a handful of lines about her beauty or the depths of your devotion to her.

14 Days of St. Valentine
Having trouble deciding on just one gift?  Steal some hints from the Christmas carol and create a two-week celebration of your love.  Blend in some small presents with one or two big ones – say, several small cards with romantic sayings leading up to dinner at a fancy restaurant – and keep her wondering what the next surprise will be.