Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Hello! Valentine's Day is literally right around the corner, and I have some ideas for gift giving that might help you out.

Shopping for gifts is already hard enough and with any food allergies, diets, or picking up the wrong candy it gets a smidge more complicated... but don't worry I have a basketful of ideas that works for all ages and your special person or family member will no doubt be surprised and happy.

No matter what the age is, we tend to stick to a certain theme for ours. Every year we try to get a new coffee mug or teacup, with its matching plate. Some years we can only find a teacup and we sometimes will get the plate in the following year. We like to keep the gifts small and be able to fit them in a coffee mug or teacup, yet there are gifts that just don't fit in a mug or cup, so the mug or cup goes on the gift.

First things first are the children. They are one of the easiest age groups to please because almost all kids love gifts and shiny/sparkly things. When my kids were this young, I could walk into any store, and they would like almost everything. Depending on the age I might stay more towards the inexpensive when they are super young their toys would break or get lost. When they are older, I pick up some more spendy toys and gifts that last longer and would like long than a couple months or a year. Here is a list that work across the span of ages for children.

• Legos/Building Blocks - These are a great gift because almost every store sells them. They come in sets, tubs, Lego even sells mystery packets of Lego people, and it is a great way to be surprised at who they get. Also, as children go, they will lose pieces, but it doesn't matter because buying a tub of random pieces will fix that. This will also keep them entertained for hours as they build to their hearts content.

• Art supplies- Every child is artistic and enjoys finger painting or the paint buy number. Crayons, markers, and oil pastels are easier to clean up and are enjoyed just as much. Michaels has a very nice selection of art supplies from finger paint to watercolor and oil paint and the brands go all the way up to the experienced and high-quality level. They also have a nice selection of pencils and pads of paper to choose from as well.

• Journaling and Scrapbooking - Michaels, Hobby Lobby, local crafts store, and the local scrapbooking store are great places to shop for materials like paper, pens, stickers, and stamps.

• Jewelry - Every young girl loves receiving jewelry, and accessories like the giant hats and scarves. It gives them that sense of elegance and grown-up feeling. A couple pairs of cute earrings and some rings or necklaces will make their Valentine's Day extra special. Claire's is a store that I have noticed that sells some more childish jewelry, along with Justice.

• Yo-yos, small games, etc. - Simply wandering the toy aisle gives a plethora of ideas as to what they might like. Dolls, action figures, some Etch a Sketches or a Rubick's cube are some things they might like. I know that puzzles were always a great hit at my house. Barnes and Noble gives me a wider variety of the pictures and 3D puzzles than the other stores.

• Cards- A Valentine's Day card is always a hit, and it gives them something to hold onto as they grown up. Whether is it super cartoonish or simple it lets them know that they are appreciated. Making the cards or picking them up from any store that sells Valentine's anything will make their day, whether they show it or not.

For the pre-teens to adults, it is harder to give them something that they would enjoy. I tend to stick to a couple of items that have more value. Quality over quantity at this age and older.

• Hobby Items - I might grab an item that encourages their hobby. Whether it is journaling, drawing, or reading, I know that they will appreciate the gift and use it.

• Accessories - Jewelry, make-up, shoes, wallets, or watches. Everyone tends to need some accessories I know that most girls appreciate receiving jewelry and like adding to their collection. I do know that guys/men will occasionally need a new watch or wallet.

• Perfume/Cologne - This is a tricky category to shop in, and I warn everyone to not surprise someone with a new scent especially if they have never smelled it before. This also tends to be very expensive, and the return policy might change for every store.

• Sentimental Items - Restoring an old sentimental item might be the way to go. Fixing the old music box to play the same song. A snow globe of the childhood home. Making a scrapbook of all of the trips and journeys you've been on.

• Other - This category is going to be different for everyone. A music box, leather bound journal, record player, scrapbook. Getting them the thing that they have had their eye on but simply haven't bought for themselves. Like that new Kitchen Aid mixer, lol

• Cards- A Valentine's Day card is always a hit, and it gives them something to hold onto. Corny, simply, romantic, or friendship. You can almost never go wrong with a card.

I hope that this has helped you and that you know exactly what to give to your special person or family member on Valentine's Day.