Thinking About Valentine's Day- The joy of gift-giving
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, think joy: give a gift. We have some ideas for a gift for your full-time partner, or dating partner. Or a relative. Or a child. The New York Times' series called "Wirecutter" has a great list of gifts. I am putting some of their choices below. You can easily feel joy for any gift you decide on, though. Or it's lovely to make a gift. A homemade card is warmly felt.
If you haven't taken our personality test yet, the one developed by Helen Fisher, you might try taking it now and answering as you think your partner would answer to help you choose a gift they would like.
I don't know about you, but my email box is beginning to fill up with suggestions for Valentine's Day gifts. Every vendor I have ever visited thinks that their product would make a great gift, from Bacillus Bulgaricus (yoghurt starter-- just too basic) to Spring Hill Nursery (plants-- possible) to Ten Percent Happier (meditation App-- we all need this!).
I am linking many of the gift suggestions below to Amazon where you can buy them. You will be giving a Valentine's gift to this website if you use the suggested link because we are non-profit and could use the support to keep the website going. It is a gift to Helen Fisher and Lucy Brown if you use this site to buy something in this blog. So, thanks from us. For our international readers, sorry that I can't provide a good link for most of these suggestions. You can find the equivalent somewhere else, I am sure.
Of course we have to start with chocolates: Cluizel from Paris ($35 for a first purchase) can't be bad! A Ferrero Collection (delivered in one day in the US) for just $21 is a favorite of mine. Ditto Lindt Gourmet Truffles.
An easy one is a lip balm for women OR men. We want kissable lips! Sugar Lip Treatment or another lip balm is a possibility, but there are many choices on Amazon and elsewhere.
Nightgowns are a nice choice for couples: A soft nightgown? Maybe bright red?
A birthstone bracelet is a great choice for a piece of jewelry. Wirecutter says it well:
"Some people like to tattoo the name of their loved one onto their flesh to keep that person in mind, but a lower-stakes and less painful option is a bracelet that bears your birthstone and theirs. These bracelets are gorgeous in their simplicity, and they come on a dainty silver or gold chain. You can get one with just a single gem (perfect if you decide that this year, the person you love most is yourself) or up to four (which would make a great gift for sisters or a close group of friends). I wear one with the birthstones of my parents and three siblings (doable since we’re all November babies), and it helps me feel connected to them even while they’re far."
I hope you especially notice the parentheses above, "perfect if you decide that this year, the person you love most is yourself." The person who wrote the paragraph above is wise, indeed.
Here's another possibility for a two-stone bracelet, but there are many on Amazon-- or anywhere!
Something to make and drink together:
Here is a Bubble tea kit for you to enjoy together. A novel (Explorers!) way to drink tea. There are a few different tastes, too. A small adventure.
Or cook together: In Bibi's Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories From Eight African Countries That touch the Indian Ocean. Or, Xi'an Famous Foods: The Cuisine of Western China, From New York's Favorite Noodle Shop . Cookbooks, or a dinner cooked together at home would be good for a Builder and an Explorer.
A new backpack that's light and stylish with a built-in USB charger is great for Him, for Her and for kids. Take a look at this one. There are some beautiful backpacks and computer cases out there. It's a nice surprise and something that will make them think of you all the time.
For Him-- a cashmere sweater? A red one?
Back to sweets:
Here is a place for Valentine's Linzer Hearts and many other great cookies. Order now and they will be mailed to you. (It's hard for me, Lucy Brown, not to order several boxes.) These cookies are good for all personality dimensions! Some of us are completely equal in our personality dimensions scores. Cookies will be perfect.
Flowers: Romance for the Negotiator. Roses that last a long time. Pretty Carnations (that are a little cheaper). Fresh red roses with vase.
The best thing after cookies? Lovehoney sells good adult sex toys Lovehoney's gifts might interest some of you, especially Directors.
If you have a subscription to the NYTimes.com, go here for gifts under $25, or here for gifts for Him, or here for gifts for Her.
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