First Valentine’s Together? What To Gift On Valentine’s Day

Spending your first V-day together can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be a bit stressful. If you’ve recently started dating your partner, you may feel pressured to find the perfect gift for them. You may not want to overwhelm them with an extravagant present that is too much yet you don’t want to seem like you didn’t put any thought into their gift either. It’s important to remember gifts don’t need to be expensive, as this holiday is really about honoring your love and appreciation for one another. There are many ways to honor and celebrate the love you have for each other without it costing too much on your wallet either! Great gift ideas are tokens of appreciation or those that are meaningful and personal. If you’re still unsure what to get your new love, here are a few thoughtful gift ideas that your partner may appreciate to make your first romantic holiday together memorable.

Traditional Gifts: Paper

When it comes to tradition, anniversary gifts can follow certain materials depending on the year such as cotton, leather, or gold. According to this tradition, the first wedding anniversary gift is represented by paper. Although this is Valentine’s Day and not a wedding anniversary, you may still decide to go traditional and theme your gifts for the year, or just the holiday, around paper, as these types of gifts can be simple and yet very thoughtful.

If you’re considering going traditional, you may want to consider:

Gifting a love letter for the day

An illustration of a photo of you as a couple

Beautiful journal

Special memory of the two of you

Valentines Hoya Hearts Plant

Instead of gifting a bouquet of flowers which tend to not last more than a week or two, consider opting for a plant instead. The great thing about plants is they can have the longevity to last for years as they grow along with your budding relationship. A Hoya Heart (Hoya Kerrii), also known as Valentine Hoya, is a vining houseplant that is perfect for Valentine’s Day as its leaves look like hearts, and it’s very simple to care for.

Film Camera

Whether your partner is interested in photography, or they simply enjoy documenting memories, a film camera can be a very special gift for your first Valentine’s Day together. Since you’re just beginning your life together, what better way to capture all the unforgettable memories you will make together than with the gift of a camera, and film cameras are becoming increasingly popular right now and have a beautiful vintage feel, if that’s your thing. Otherwise, you can always consider going with a digital option as well.

Your Favorite Meaningful Book

It may be safe to say that we all have at least one book we’ve read that has touched our lives in some special way. For your first Valentine’s with your partner, consider giving a copy of it to give them a little insight into something meaningful in your life. You may even want to write a little note on a blank page in the book explaining why you chose it along with a sentimental message for them. 

A Class

A great way to strengthen your bond and spend quality time with your partner is by learning something new together. Research shows that trying new things together can increase intimacy by making you feel more vulnerable, while also promoting growth in your relationship. This Valentine’s Day, instead of taking your partner out for dinner, surprise them with a fun class you can take together. Depending on your interests and what’s available in your area, you could consider taking classes such as pottery, painting, cooking, or any other class you both might enjoy.

A Staycation

For your first Valentine’s Day, change things up from your everyday routine and surprise them with a romantic staycation for the two of you at a beautiful hotel or resort nearby. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation without ever leaving the city and it’s a great way to spark some major romance into the holiday of love.

Couples Massage

A day full of pampering at a spa can be an incredibly romantic experience for your first Valentine’s and a fun activity you can both do together. This Valentine’s Day, consider gifting your partner a couple’s massage at a spa for a day of relaxation. Many spas may offer free access to other amenities such as a sauna, hammam, or hot tub with the purchase of a service so you can make a whole day of it and spoil yourselves.

An Experience for Both of You

Studies show that participating in an activity together not only increases your connection, but it can also improve communication, conflict resolution, and relationship satisfaction. For a fun and exciting gift, give the gift of an experience for your first Valentine’s Day. That way, you can create beautiful new memories together. Choose something that you both would enjoy and that you can do together. For even more excitement, choose something different from your everyday routine. If you’re stumped on an experience, think about what both of your interests are. Depending on what it is that you both like, you could consider active experiences such as snorkeling, skydiving, or go cart racing. Other ideas could be a wine tasting, a trip to a botanical garden, or a live comedy show.

A Photo Album of Memories

If you’ve just recently started dating, the special memories you will make has only just begun. Gift your partner a photo album for your first Valentine’s Day together. That way they have a place to store all your memories you’ll make together. Instead of giving them a blank photo album, consider putting in a few of your favorite photos you’ve taken together so far.

IOU Coupons or Certificates

Valentine’s gifts don’t need to cost a lot, especially if it’s your first one together. Sometimes a thoughtful, handmade gift is the most meaningful. If you’re on a budget or just prefer handmade gifts, consider giving your loved one a DIY book of IOU coupons. To make IOU coupons, simply write down something that they can redeem with the coupon in the future such as a massage, breakfast in bed, quality time together, or anything else they may appreciate. This is a great time to get creative, choosing what each coupon is for and how to design them.

Travel Map

For couples who love to travel, a world map is a great gift as it allows you to mark off the places you want to travel to together and already have as you make beautiful memories. There are many travel maps that you can find online, or you may want to consider making your own by purchasing a large world map and using pins or thumbtacks to mark off the countries and/or states you travel to as you go.

A Home-Cooked Meal For Two

Whether you like being in the kitchen or it’s a bit of unfamiliar territory, cooking your loved one a beautiful meal for Valentine’s is a great way to show how much you appreciate them. For bonus points, you may want to consider preparing their favorite meal. However, you don’t need to be a master chef to pull off this gift. It may help to find a recipe online that you feel comfortable with trying. Regardless of how it comes out, they’ll likely know it was made with love. If cooking really isn’t your thing, you can always consider ordering their favorite food from a local restaurant and serving it in a nice place setting for a romantic dinner at home.

Flowers And Chocolate Gifts 

A beautiful bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates may be the quintessential Valentine’s Day gift, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be cliché. Make it personal by gifting your partner’s favorite flowers or opt for something more resilient like a low-maintenance succulent instead. You may even want to include a love letter or a handwritten card to make your gift extra special.

Gift for Valentine's Day Conclusion

New love can be very exciting, and spending your first Valentine’s Day together is a great time to celebrate your young, budding romance. However, you may begin to face challenges in your relationship as you grow together. It’s important to remember that this is completely normal, and most couples may go through growing pains.

If you’re experiencing any difficulties in your new relationship or you want to improve any aspects of it, it may be beneficial to talk to someone. Regain is an online therapy platform specializing in relationships that can match you with a licensed, experienced therapist who can help you work through any relationship issues you may have, all from the comfort of your own home. They can provide individual or couples counseling, depending on your particular needs. A professional therapist at Regain can provide tools and guidance that may be able to help improve your communication within your relationship or anything else you may be experiencing challenges with, so you can nurture a loving and healthy relationship for years to come. Reach out today to learn how to help your relationship grow in healthy ways.