When it comes to holidays I have to be the most annoying person to be married to because I love me a reason to celebrate. It doesn’t matter if it’s Halloween, Mother’s Day, or the big daddy of the year, my birthday, I expect a certain level of enthusiasm, and, heaven help my husband, engagement.
Sure, we’ve been married for years and have two kids together, but I still want a little Valentine’s Day love. And flowers and candy are fine, but I like my gifts to have a bit more thought behind them (like I said, I am such a pain around the holidays). To make it easier on my husband, and partners everywhere who happen to have married a high-maintenance Valentine lover, I’ve put together nine thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts for her that are guaranteed to make you feel loved but won’t burn through a lot of cash. Now the only question is how to subtly get it into his inbox…
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More Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas:
Easy, Thoughtful Valentine's Day Gifts for Her That Won't Break the Bank
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Polariod Camera Locket by Strangely Yours
Buy it: Polariod Camera Locket for $35 (right now with free photo customization!)
Why You'll Love It: Call me crazy, but I've always thought photo booths and Polaroid photos are totally romantic; it feels spur-of-the-moment, like you're catching a crazy glimpse of what your love looks like and then you get to carry it around, which is why this customizable, Polaroid necklace is right on the money. And, yes, I was totally brought up on romantic comedies, why do you ask?
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Gold Magnetic Polaroid Frames by Polart
Buy it: Magnetic Polaframes, $18
Why You'll Love It: I don't know about you, but my fridge door is a highly curated mess. Family photos are holding on for dear life with a variety of magnets that range from Cookie Monster to some weird chess piece I picked up along the way. How gorgeous would it look though all tidied up with these magnetic frames? I could actually enjoy seeing everyone I love rather than pondering the hot mess my life has become, and isn't that the whole point of Valentine's Day?
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HomeT T-Shirts
Buy it: HomeT T-shirts, $28 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Multiple Sclerosis research
Why You'll Love It: Everyone has a place they call home, and these T-shirts let you call out your state pride while still looking cool and breezy. My only regret is that I don't come from a state where "y'all" rolls off the tongue...
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State Letterpress Prints by Parasol Press
Buy it: Letterpress Prints of 25 different states, $26 each
Why You'll Love It: These prints are a great, low pressure gift, because who doesn't love to be reminded of the best parts of your home state? And while the obvious choice would be, of course, the state where you are from, if he's really thinking and digging deep, he might choose the state where you took your first trip, or got engaged, or fell in love, or perhaps, gift all three. But, no pressure, right?
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Customizable Chocolate Bars by Chocomize
Buy it: Customizable chocolate bars, from $5.50
Why You'll Love It: Skip the box of mystery chocolates and go for a completely custom bar. He gets to choose the shape and chocolate base and then can personalize it with up to five different toppings from a list that includes nuts, Oreos, and lavender (although aren't Graham bears and marshmallows the obvious choice?). Best part? It's chocolate so there's no way that sucker's not going to taste good.
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Always on My Mind Watch by Mr. Jones Watches
Buy it: Always on My Mind, $130
Why You'll Love It: True, you really can't go wrong with a lovely piece of jewelry. But, a piece of jewelry that reminds you all day, every day that you're always on his mind? That is so very, very right he might not be wrong for a very long time.
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Custom Illustrations by Emmie Bean
Buy it: Illustrations from your photographs, $60
Why You'll Love It: We all have stacks of photos (digital and otherwise) that we keep meaning to do something with, am I right? Sadie from Emmie Bean takes your favorite photo of your wedding or toddler or family home (you know, the one you keep meaning to get blown up) and turns it into a keepsake worthy portrait.
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DesignSix Make Your Own Necklace
Buy it: Make Your Own Necklace on asos, $22.22
Why You'll Love It: Here's the beauty of this customizable necklace by DesignSix: you get to decide what the alphabet letter pendants say on any given day. Rather than traditional pendant necklaces where you're tied to your kids' initials, this one lets you give a shout-out to whatever's on your mind; I'm thinking mine would read SLEEP.
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Handmade Tree Swing by Sky Saddle Swings
Buy it: Rope Tree Swing, $113
Why You'll Love It: Is there anything more symbolic of home and family than a tree swing in the backyard? This version by Sky Saddle Swings is custom built so your swing will fit your backyard perfectly and be a place where your family can rest and dream and connect. And, when it comes down to it, isn't that what this holiday is really all about?
