Non-Material Valentine’s Gift Ideas

 

Photo by Nikkels Photography

 

Valentine’s gift giving is something I find to be very difficult. To make matters worse, my fiance Joe never knows what he wants and isn’t really into material possessions. I’ve learned over the years how to find experiences to give him as a gift. These are all gifts I’ve given in the past and they have all been greatly appreciated! Hopefully this will help you if you can’t decide what to get that special someone for Valentine’s Day next week!

Whether it be a comedy show or a Broadway show, tickets to a show are always a great gift idea or date night plan. In New York City, there are a number of places that offer discounted Broadway tickets. I’ve used TKTS–they have discount ticket booths in Time Square and South Seaport [much less crowded!] as well as TodayTix which sells tickets up to a week in advance! I actually just purchased tickets to Waitress for Joe and I on Valentine’s Day. 

 

If this is in your budget, a weekend getaway can be really fun and romantic. Two years ago, I surprised Joe will a weekend trip to Seattle. I told him how to pack but didn’t share where we were going until we got to the airport. Valentine’s Day fell on a Saturday of a holiday weekend, which made things even more perfect. It was one of our most memorable vacations. 

 

One year Joe and I went to a sushi class. We learned how to make miso soup, seaweed salad, and a number of different rolls. We learned, participated, and ate a ton of great food! This class was part of an adult education program through a community center. Try looking up community centers in your area for affordable classes!

 

If a weekend away isn’t an option, try planning a day trip. Venture to somewhere a hour or two away. Search on Yelp to find the best spots to eat within your budget. Pick one or two activities to do that day. One of my favorite day trips was the first of Joe’s birthdays we spent together. I planned a surprise day trip and took him kayaking. We saw sea otters! Afterwards, we had a picnic on the beach with amazing sandwiches from a local shop we’d never tried. This was only a 30 minute drive for us but was a day full of brand new activities. However, this was at the end of summer so this exact day might not be an option for you!