This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CWU chapter.
We’re getting to that time of year where stores line their aisles with pink and red ribbons. Chocolates in various shapes and flavors go on sale, and definitely don’t forget the hearts that hang from the ceiling. That’s right, I’m talking Valentine’s Day. Oddly enough, there is a lot of stress and pressure to have the perfect gift or the perfect date planned. Don’t worry, I have the best gift and date ideas for Valentine’s Day at all different price ranges. The gift ideas support small business owners and artists, that way you can feel better about where your money is going. The gift’s price range is $1 to $30. One symbol ($) marks items less than $10. Two symbols ($$) marks the $11-$20 price range. Three symbols ($$$) marks items between $21-$30. These price estimates do not include shipping or tax.
For the Music Lover in Your Life: Customizable Acrylic/Glass Album Covers ($$)
Photo by Kelly Sikkema from Unsplash
These gifts are absolutely adorable and pretty affordable too. Think about when you’re listening to music on Spotify. The title and artist are listed, the screen with the album cover and the music controls are included. It’s pretty much a replica of that screen except for the album cover. You get to choose it. Just pick any original picture of you and your partner and the song of your choice and in a couple of days, there is an adorable album cover of you and your loved one commemorating your favorite song. There are hundreds of different versions of these products all over Etsy and they come in many different shapes and sizes. There is also a keychain version for a cheaper price too!
For the Person Who Is Sad That The Office Is No Longer on Netflix: Funny Office Cards ($)
Who doesn’t love Michael, Dwight, and the whole Office crew? Lucky for you, this artist has created the perfect Valentine’s Day cards with direct quotes from the show. The outside is designed with a character from the show on the outside surrounded by their quote. The inside has space for you to write how much you love your partner and the Office. Not only is this a great gift idea for Valentine’s day, but this artist also had cards for different occasions. They also have many more shows that are represented on the cards. After scrolling through some of their inventory, I saw cards from Stepbrothers, Schitt’s Creek, Star Wars, and much more. So no matter what fandom your partner is in, there is still a card for you.
For the Person Who Needs a Little Love Reminder: Customizable Wallet Card ($$)
AllGo - An App For Plus Size People / Unsplash
This is perfect for someone who is far away or someone that just needs that little reminder. These are customizable wallet cards. They’re made out of aluminum and almost completely customizable. Think about what you want to say. Pick the perfect love reminder. After that pick the color of the card and then decide if you want it single or double-sided (the double-sided engraving costs extra). Once you’ve ironed out all the details, you’ve done it! You have created the perfect little reminder for your significant other that fits conveniently in their wallet. They can take your love wherever they go! It’s almost like you’re with them all the time!
For the Astrology Lover: Zodiac Constellation Poster ($$$)
While this is the most expensive gift of the bunch, it is absolutely gorgeous. The poster looks like the night sky with small foil stars and a small foil out like their constellation. The poster comes in about fifty different colors so the background of the poster can fit any room’s aesthetic. The foil is customizable too! It comes in gold, silver, and pink. Not only that, but it also has a cute little saying that is relevant to the sign’s traits. This link takes you to the Taurus poster, but there are different listings for the other zodiac signs. There is even the option to add a frame, again under a different listing, but the option is still there.
Maybe you’re not the gift-giving type and want to actually do something instead. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and the restrictions it has caused, a lot of date ideas aren’t doable. In some places, restaurants, theaters, and other date night spots aren’t open. Even though this sucks, it gives you the opportunity to do something that you might not have done in the past year, while also staying in the safety and privacy of your own home. Here are my date ideas to spice up your Valentine’s Day!
Movie Night at Home
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
While this is something you’ve probably done over quarantine at least a dozen times when it is planned it could make a world of a difference. Think about some classic movies that you and your partner love. My partner and I both grew up watching the Princess Bride, so this was an obvious choice. Your local grocery store, or even better the Dollar Store, will have all of those “concessions” we used to enjoy. Make sure you grab plenty of popcorn candies and soda because unlike the movie theater, you don’t have to leave when the movie is over. Just hit play on the next one and enjoy your relaxing theater night with your loved one.
The winter brings cold weather, snow, and often times more stress. Why not treat your partner to a homemade spa night? I’m talking face masks, massages, great smells, and the stress just melting away like the snow around you. Another benefit is that this could be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. There are hundreds of thousands of recipes on Pinterest for face masks, body scrubs, moisturizers, etc. that use products that most people would probably have in their home already. If making your skincare products at home isn’t something that suits your tastes, there’s probably a store around that sells these self-care products. Face masks, body scrubs, and other beauty products can be pricey, but there are a lot of options that don’t have to be.
Bob Ross Night
Photo by Sarah Brown from Unsplash
Bob Ross and his squirrels have become quite the national treasure over the last couple of years. His videos can be found all over the internet and stream on Netflix for all of the happy little tree lovers out there. A wonderful home date night idea would be to have a Bob Ross night. Don’t worry, you don’t need the fancy isle, paint thinner, or any expertise in the area to do this. Start by protecting the ground in your art space. Broken down cardboard boxes, newspapers, and even a sheet (that you don’t care about) work great! At your local art store or even Fred Meyers, there’ll be a starter pack with an assortment of paint. Hopefully, they’ll have a bundle including the canvases, but if not there should be some canvases nearby. There might even be a pack of brushes that are different shapes and sizes that you could grab. Whatever you do end up getting, a Bob Ross night will be fun for both people. Plus, afterward, you’ll have a really cool piece of art you can hang up that reminds you of a wonderful time with your partner.
