The Perfect Valentine’s Gift

With Christmas barely over it may seem a bit early to be thinking of Valentines gifts but if you want the perfect gift for the love of your life now is the time to get your ‘thinking cap’ on. If you leave it until the last minute and you are more likely to panic buy, get it wrong and disappoint the one you most want to impress on the 14th February.

Take the time now to think about your loved ones ‘likes’ (other than yourself of course!) and remember that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make their Valentines day extra special this year.  o if cash is short after the excesses of the festive season, remember, it’s the thought you put into it the gift that will most impress your partner.

Flowers of course are the most traditional gift for the woman in your life and most men seem to think only red roses will do. Try to think outside the box to impress her, especially if cash is tight. All the large supermarkets and stores will stock Valentines bouquets, plants and planted arrangements and it’s hard to beat the prices and the great value they offer, but to get the best choice you need to shop 3-4 days before Valentines day.

Don’t forget that when you get your fresh flowers home you need to keep them in water, somewhere as dark and cool (but frost free) as possible and this way they will still be in tip top condition for the 14th. Remove the supermarket stickers and buy a ‘ready made’ bow from a card shop to jazz them up.  

Red roses are the obvious choice, but also consider other red flower arrangements as they will probably cost less than a rose bouquet, often last longer and she won’t worry so much about how much you’ve spent!

You could also think about booking a romantic meal, a day trip, or a weekend break which will give your partner something to look forward to. Lots of restaurants offer special Valentine’s menus and they will often include extras such as a red rose or box of chocs. The best deals will always be snapped up first, so start looking now and book early.

Book a day coach or train trip if your loved one dislikes driving as they will appreciate the break and the chance to have a drink without worrying about the cost of a taxi home. Book in advance for the train and coach and you can save a fortune and combine it with a visit to a city you haven’t been to before with a spot of shopping and lunch and it needn’t cost a fortune.  

A ‘Day at the Races’ can be surprisingly inexpensive so whether it’s the Aintree Grand National, the Derby, or a Family Day at your local race course, general admission tickets can cost less than ten pounds. It’s the done thing to take a picnic and your own drinks, so make the most of the supermarkets and put together a luxury feast including all your loved ones favourite goodies.

If you’re really strapped for cash, offer your partner some ‘time off’. It could be as simple as washing up for a week, taking the kids out for the day, relieving them of their dog walking duties or sorting out the re-cycling without being asked!

Your Valentines card is the perfect place to show your commitment by putting your offer in writing and don’t leave card buying until the last moment. Shop early for the best choice and prices and impress your sweetheart with the effort you’ve put into this years gift. 

Simone Wright-Eddison is the content editor for www.grand-national.me.uk, the fifth most popular horse racing website in the United Kingdom according to Hitwise data. You can connect with Simone on her Grand National Facebook fan page.