The pressure of Valentine’s Day gifting is real! Finding the perfect present to express your love and appreciation can be challenging, especially since the variety of options makes the process more confusing. While your intentions might be pure, some gift ideas often miss the mark, ending up gathering dust or worse, returned with a disappointed sigh. So, this Valentine’s Day, ditch the boring gifts and embrace thoughtful gestures that truly spell love.

Appliances
The person you’re looking for a gift for might have some appliances added to their wishlist, but is it a Valentine’s Day-appropriate gift? If anything, getting household appliances is a sure-shot way of making one feel unappreciated. For this one day, think about romantic expectations instead of practical aspirations. And if the appliance still feels like the right choice, pair it up with a romantic gift or gesture to make sure the gift isn’t wholly utilitarian.

Heart-shaped accessories
Irrespective of what popular media may have been depicting for decades, Valentine’s is not all about the cliches. Especially not the one where people gift each other heart-shaped necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Instead of choosing a gift that’s been chosen by thousands of others year after year, opt for something understated and personal. A romantic gesture does not need to be what others are rushing towards. Find some dainty pieces that the receiver is more likely to use than return.

Stuffed toys
While there is nothing wrong with a cute stuffed toy, it may not be the best gift to give your Valentine, especially if it is the only fit you intend on giving. Gifting a generic stuffed toy may show a lack of thought and attention to personalization, which is likely to not be appreciated. Instead, you can opt for stuffed toys that come with recorded messages that you can customize or if the idea is to get something that helps with a good night’s sleep, a weighted blanket can be the way to go.

Gift cards
Possibly one of the most boring things to gift someone, anytime, are generic gift cards. Old Valentine’s Day cards often turn up in thrift stores or immediately get sent for recycling unless they are truly meaningful. If you are doubtful of your ability to pen a thoughtful message or go a step further and craft a poem, avoid gifting generic cards, unless it is an inside joke or a story that your partner would enjoy. If you do want to gift a card, you can add it to a gift that you know will be appreciated.

Gift baskets
Two things that come to mind when you think of a Valentine’s Day gift basket are chocolates and flowers. It would be safe to say that these gift baskets are very common, and the receiver may find the gifts to be boring and not well-planned. The flowers will wilt in a few days, while there is a low possibility that the receiver will enjoy all the chocolate. When bringing along a Valentine’s Day gift, think about what the receiver would enjoy the most.