If you’re looking to give the perfect valentine’s day gift this Monday, February 14th, 2022, avoiding classic valentine’s gift clichés and choosing experiences over stuff is a great framework when hunting for the perfect valentine’s day gift.
Knowing what Valentine’s Day gifts to avoid is important. While most recipients will smile and say thanks to every gift, some gifts are well thought out and others are just based on remnants of old customs that no longer apply. Chocolates and jewelry aren’t entirely contraindicated, but if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, taking the time to give a truly thoughtful gift can pay dividends.
Top Valentine’s Day Gifts to Avoid
1. Flowers
We do get it, flowers are pretty and smell nice, but most come with a hefty carbon footprint and ESG concerns. They’re also a gift you get to watch slowly die before throwing them out.
If you really have your heart set on flowers, consider a trendy house plant or something that will stick around and give lasting pleasure.
2. Jewelry
If you’re on the way to your local jewelry store because an ad on your phone just told you your loved one would adore a valentine’s day themed piece of jewelry, you may want to pause and reconsider.
If you’re bent on buying jewelry, at least get them something that can be worn all year, and unless you’re going to propose right then and there, avoid rings entirely, it might set expectations you’re not ready for.
3. Chocolates
Nothing says “I put very little effort into this” than a box of chocolates from the local grocery store. Many people like eating chocolate, but some don’t like sweets at all, and even if they do love the box of chocolates, it’s soon eaten and forgotten.
If your sweet is a fan of chocolates and you want to indulge them, go for the local high-quality stuff.
4. Picture Frame
There are a lot of reasons why giving an empty picture frame is a poor choice. If you can’t think of something meaningful to put inside the picture frame, you might want to skip this valentine’s day gift altogether.
5. Sexy Undergarments
Unless you’re buying for a long-time partner and have experience in their size and taste, this may be a tricky subject. Getting something that’s the wrong size or style can have unintended consequences.
If your goal is to give a great valentine’s day gift, instead of giving stuff, consider giving the gift of an experience instead. A couples getaway in a next-generation boutique hotel or guesthouse, outdoor adventures, and romantic retreats top the charts for the most popular 2022 valentine’s day gifts. This Monday, February 14th, 2022, you could give them a gift from the list above, or you could give them what they really want.
Whale House Guest House offers luxury boutique private suites with outdoor hot tubs overlooking humpback whale feeding grounds. Located next to the east coast trail in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, just 30 min from downtown St. John’s.
