Fellas, whether you’re trying to court a special lady in your life or stressing over the perfect Valentine’s gift for your girlfriend, here is a quick and simple guide on the top 5 Do’s and Don’ts of gift giving for this year’s Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome.
DO’S:
1. A Table for Two, Please.
Let’s be real, taking a girl out on an elegant dinner for Valentine’s Day is so overrated! Instead, trying cooking for her and set up a nice table in a kitchen, backyard, beach, or rooftop. It’s not going to matter how delicious or gross your cooking is, she’ll appreciate the effort, trust me! Plus, having that privacy and intimacy during dinner is something you can never go wrong with.
2. A Valentine’s Day Goodie Basket
Not sure exactly what to get her? I have you covered! Get a basket of things you know she’ll enjoy. Some of her favorite snacks, dessert treats, DVDs, Valentine’s chocolates, her favorite drink (whether it be an energy drink, some cocoa mix, or her favorite bottle of wine), an adorable stuffed animal, and a heartfelt Valentine’s Day card expressing how you feel about her.
3. Fourteen Envelopes with “Date Night” Ideas
Want to tell her you want to keep seeing her, but don’t know how? Want to let her know you appreciate spending time with her? Get 14 envelopes (either white envelopes or some pink/red envelopes to go with the holiday theme will work) and in each envelope write a date you would like to go on with her. Not only is it thoughtful, but it shows that you are equally willing to put in the effort and time to make sure things work out between the both of you.
4. Take Charge!
Fellas, we know you all (generally) don’t have the best reputation for planning dates. Your “we’ll do whatever you want” phrase gets old real quick! If you’re one of those guys, then take advantage of this love-filled holiday to take charge and plan a date with that special lady in your life. Whether it’s going on a hike, a picnic in the park, or staying in and binge watching your favorite show on Netflix while eating some take-out. Your effort to take the initiative and plan a special date will not go unnoticed!
5. Love Songs are Cheesy, but Sometimes Cheesy is Good.
Burn her a CD with songs that remind you of your relationship. Have a song you both claim is “your” song? Burn those on the CD, too! Whether she’s playing the songs from the CD or hearing them on the radio, her heart will melt every time she listens to the songs and the infatuation will on keep growing!
DON’TS:
1. “50 Shades of Grey” Toy Collection
We know there is a HUGE hype over “50 Shades of Grey” this Valentine’s Day weekend. However, shopping for her in the “50 Shades of Grey” online store will get you nowhere. Not only are these gift unflattering, nothing says “I need you to step your sex game up” or “I’m not happy with our sex life” than giving her sex toys and accessories.
2. Gift Cards
Gift cards are not only the most impersonal gifts to give, but there is absolutely no thought required on your part when handing her a plastic $50 card to her favorite store. Gift cards scream “I don’t know you well enough to know what you want, so here, just take this!”
3. Beer (or Any Alcohol)
Regardless of the fact that you might have met her in I.V. or that she is your go-to beer pong partner, giving her a six-pack of beer will get you friend-zoned (if you’re not in that zone already). Unless you are pairing a bottle of her favorite alcohol with a V-Day Goodie Basket, don’t hand her this as a gift. You want her to know you see her as more than just your drinking buddy; you see her as a significant person in your life.
4. Clothing
What girl wouldn’t want to come home with a nice outfit laid out on her bed with a cute note from you saying “Put this on tonight, we’re going on a date,” right? Of course that’s a fantasy most girls dream about, but that idea can go from a fantasy to a nightmare in a heartbeat! Getting her a dress too small says “I thought you were this skinny” and getting her a dress too big says “You look bigger than you actually are.” Unless you know her exact size for all of her clothing, abort the mission and stay away from buying her any clothing. I repeat, ABORT MISSION!
5. Nothing
That’s right; the worst gift of them all is not giving a gift at all! Unless you know for a fact that she absolutely does not want a gift for Valentine’s Day, ignore her “I don’t want anything for Valentine’s Day” statement because you and I both know that isn’t true. Even if you still don’t know what to get herm you can always resort to making her a Valentine’s card that looks like a 5 years old did it during arts & craft time in school, after all, it’s the thought that counts…right?
Good luck to all of my fellow Gauchos that are stressed out about finding the perfect gift for that special lady in your life!