All wrapped up...Valentine's Day gift ideas for the love of your life

However, love is in the air and St Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and the high street is awash with red decorations, shaming us into spoiling our other halves. The shops are packed to the rafters with Valentine’s stuff that will no doubt be snapped up in a last-minute panic to avoid any domestic upsets. I’m sure many a bunch of petrol station flowers have saved the day and averted any potential huffs. I’m not suggesting there’s anything wrong with this gift choice – it’s the thought that counts, right?

However, if you are thinking of giving something a bit special this year, there are some lovely gifts you could surprise your partner with to show them romance isn’t dead after all.

Flowers are a beautiful gift to receive at any time but the sight of a delivery person coming down the path with a big bunch of red roses might do the trick on this occasion. Make sure you give your local florist plenty notice – they will be busy.

Scented candles are another romantic staple that can set the scene for the night ahead. If you’re pushing the boat out I’d go for a luxury brand such as Jo Malone or Diptyque but if you’re looking for something less expensive, there’s a rather nice selection in Next at the moment.

They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach so maybe just play safe and go for their favourite treats. A pretty box of chocolates or cupcakes is sure to put a smile on their face. They might even share them with you so its win win.

If you really want to get in their good books, how about a couples spa day? It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it really is rather dreamy way to spend quality time together. Both of you can relax and unwind with a massage or a skin treatment. You’ll both be feeling tip-top afterwards and a bit of pampering will do you both the world of good. For inspiration have a look on www.purespauk.com for details on couples therapy packages. They also have a ‘Pure Time Out for Men Experience’ available. For hotel spa days and overnight deals try www.spabreaks.com

If you are looking for a unique or quirky Valentine present, check out one of my favourite online retailers – www.notonthehighstreet.com This site has some lovely gift ideas all year round but for Valentine’s Day they have a few bits and bobs that caught my eye such as personalised couples’ luggage tags. Or, if you and your other half have a favourite song that you like to smooch to – maybe it was your first dance at your wedding - you can also create a personalised ‘Our Song’ keyring which I thought was quite cute.

Or, if you’d rather have a night out then theatre or concert tickets might be a cool surprise. Now that Covid restrictions have been relaxed, there’s a cracking line up of shows you could go and see together. Locally, there is some good stuff on at Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath, Dundee’s Caird Hall and Whitehall Theatre, but if you fancy going further afield you’ll find some top shows playing at The Kings’ Glasgow and The Edinburgh Playhouse. Take a look at https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow/ or https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/ for what’s on over the next few months. You’re bound to find something you’ll both enjoy and you could always top this up with a romantic overnight while you’re there.

I know it’s not long since we splashed out on Christmas but it’s also a long way off until the summer holidays and a cheeky overnight might be just the ticket. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a nice candlelit dinner, a bigger and better bed to sleep in and someone else making breakfast the next morning.

Alternatively, if your post-Christmas finances won’t stretch to splashing out on lavish presents, you could always give them a romantic IOU. Offer to make dinner every night for a week? Do their share of the housework? Or even just surprise them with a candlelit bath run for when they get in from work.

As a busy woman with hardly any time to call my own, these are simple things that would make my heart skip a beat. More to the point, they won’t cost a penny.

These are just some ideas of what you could do to surprise your other half this Valentines. They probably won’t be expecting anything so why not do something out of the ordinary this year and put a little sparkle back in your life. It will go a long way and even if it’s just a couple of hours, or one night, the memories will last a lifetime and the brownie points all add up. And what do points make…?