If you are lucky enough to have a special someone to spend Valentine’s Day with this year, you may find yourself wracking your brain for ideas on what to gift them.
If you’re also the sentimental type, you might want to take your gift ideas a step further by adding a gift experience to make Valentine’s Day 2023 a day to remember.
We have put together this gift guide with gift ideas for every sense for partners of both sexes to make gifting a little easier this year.
Feel free to change the items in each category for something more personal when gifting that special someone.
Valentine gift ideas for him
Taste: A steak. Everyone loves food, so when gifting your partner or marking a special occasion, food is always a winner.
If you have a little money set aside for a Valentine’s Day meal, why not book dinner at your favorite restaurant ahead of the V-Day rush?
If money is a little tight this year, you can look for a simple recipe that you have never tried and prepare it for dinner at home on a special day.
Also read: Five special Valentine’s Day restaurants near you
Touch: PlayStation controller. Unless you have a partner who can work with your hands, there are few tactile things like games and other technological devices for people. If you can save enough for a Valentine’s Day gift this year, consider picking up a PlayStation controller or two for the gamer in your life.
If your partner is more artistic and appreciates an extraordinary experience, you can also book some pottery classes.
We can’t promise that you’ll have the chance to channel your inner Patrick Swazey and Demi Moore ghostbut this will definitely give you a chance to do something new and creative together.
smell: Cologne. A good smell is what most people like, so scented gifts are often a winner. The best thing about fragrances is that there are a variety of budget-friendly options as well as options for those who want to spend more.
At the budget-friendly end of the spectrum, we have options like Playboy VIP New York EDT available in stores like Clicks or the Avon Justine Black Suede Touch set of fragrance products.
For big spenders, stores like Skins Cosmetics and Galeries De Parfums have some three- to four-figure options when it comes to luxury fragrances.
Read: IMAX movie tickets or tickets to a live sporting event
Whether you are dealing with a film connoisseur or someone who just likes some good views or live sports, you are in luck when it comes to options for sight-related gifts.
Consider gifting boo an IMAX ticket (or IOU) to a major blockbuster movie or a ticket to an epic sporting event taking place in and around South Africa.
If you’re having a really good financial year, you might be able to book tickets to international sporting events complete with airfare and accommodation.
Hear: Audiophiles are among some of the hardest people to buy for. Not only because you don’t know what to buy, but also because you won’t be able to give a gift that will be appreciated.
For a four-figure option, consider picking up the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones or the Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Headphones.
Alternatively, you can look at wireless earbuds, a sound bar or a full sound system according to your budget.
Valentine gift ideas for him
Taste: Like steak, seafood is often thought of as the kind of food you eat on special occasions, so why not treat your sweetheart to a seafood dinner? There is also a wide selection of recipes to choose from if you find yourself having to cook dinner this year due to budget constraints.
Spread the dinner by decorating the table and preparing the plates and cutlery properly in addition to setting the mood with dim lighting and colored pillar candles.
Touch: A new handbag or shoes. If you can’t give your partner a voucher to go shopping alone, maybe pop into Diamond Walk or stores like Foschini, Edgars or Woolies to pick out the perfect handbag and shoe combination for your next night out or big family. event. Choose beautiful and solid materials to make the gift’s tactile experience more special.
smell: A woman cannot have too many perfumes, so add something new to her selection. This season we love Lancome La Vie Est Belle Eau De Parfum, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, Versace Dylan Blue Pour Femme Eau De Parfum.
For more budget-conscious shoppers, we recommend Avon Justine Little Black Dress Lace or Playgirl VIP Paris EDT.
You might also like: How romantic comedies of the 2000s influenced fashion
Read: external and independent cinemas. Treat cinephiles to a night under the stars watching their favorite classics with The Galileo Open Air Cinema operating in the Western Cape.
If you’re based in Joburg, check out the on-demand cinemas like The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Maboneng or Egrek Cinema in Parkhurst. Even if you don’t get the outdoor experience of these theaters, you will get the chance to watch a movie in a more intimate setting.
Hear: The Soirée by Stella Artois: Lovers’ Edition. Treat the music lover in your life to a Valentine’s Day live music experience like the third installment of the popular lifestyle music and food event The Soirée by Stella Artois.
This February’s event is called Lovers’ Edition and will take place on Saturday, February 18 at the Toadbury Hall Hotel.
You can expect an eclectic, all-star music line-up with BET-nominated sensational RnB singer Elaine, Sama-winning singer Amanda Black, Hip-Hop Super Mega AKA and dynamic superstar Lloyiso.
In addition to an all-star music line-up, the popular lifestyle event features picnic-style seating and an artisanal food experience. To buy tickets, go to Howler.