Let the live bands, teddy bears, money bouquets and chocolate boxes rest, please!
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. For those who celebrate, the search has already begun for what to get partners before the big day arrives. From afar, we can almost predict what’s coming: endless photos of chocolate boxes, teddy bears, money bouquets, and live bands filling our timelines. Don’t get it wrong — none of these gestures are bad. No gift is unintentional; at the end of the day, someone thought of you, made the effort to show it, and that always counts.
However, if you’re looking to take things a step further and do something a little less expected this year, then this is for you. In this piece, we are sharing thoughtful, unconventional ways to transform your Valentine’s Day celebration into something truly memorable.
Read more: Here’s how to celebrate Valentine’s Day based on your love language
Love, press play — A modern mixtape
As a hopeless romantic who reads too many books and watches far too many movies, I’ve always loved the idea of creating mixtapes for someone you care about. You see it often in older stories — burning favourite couple songs onto CDs or carefully curating tracks for a crush. I genuinely think it’s one of the sweetest, most intentional gestures there is.
So why not bring that energy into your own Valentine’s? Since we’re in the digital era, create a Spotify or Apple Music playlist filled with songs that make you think of your partner. Songs tied to memories, feelings, and moments only the two of you share. To take it a step further, write a short note for each song, explaining why you chose it and the specific memory it brings back. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and extremely meaningful.
A scent that smells like you
Nowadays, many perfumeries offer perfume-making and scent-mixing workshops, where you’re guided through creating a fragrance from scratch. They help you craft a fully customised scent tailored to your preferences. Instead of gifting a generic perfume, you can take a more intentional route by creating a one-of-a-kind fragrance just for them.
Choose notes that remind you of your partner — or moments you’ve shared— and give the scent a name that holds meaning for both of you. You could also engrave a heartfelt message onto the bottle. How meaningful to know that you have a scent made for you, unforgettable.
Revisiting the first page of your love story
For a nostalgic date idea, plan an outing to the place where you first met your partner. That first meeting likely holds different meanings for each of you, which makes revisiting it even more special. Take the time to talk about your first impressions, laugh about what you got right — or wrong — and reminisce on how far you’ve both come since then.
It’s simple, sentimental, and surprisingly a fun, romantic way to honour your journey together while creating a new memory on top of an old one.
Love letters over text messages
Some people say chivalry is dead. I don’t want to believe that — and honestly, I don’t think it is. But to truly reignite the flame, we may need to return to the roots of romance: how people confessed their feelings before the digital age, when love was expressed through effort and vulnerability.
Today, it’s easy to rely on AI, online templates, and perfectly curated messages. But romance has always lived in sincerity. So this is your reminder to pause, think, and write from your heart. Let your words be imperfect, personal, and real. That’s where the magic has always been.
Read also: Elevate & Illuminate: In February, let love begin with you, before it becomes anything else
A day in your world
This is another thoughtful date idea. Step into each other’s worlds by experiencing your partner’s hobbies. Interests often differ in relationships, and that’s exactly what makes this so fun.
Imagine going with him to play football with his friends and actually joining in, not just watching from the sidelines. Or tagging along to her yoga or Pilates class and giving it a real try. Go wine tasting, spend the day doing her favourite kind of shopping, or swap books and read each other’s favourites.
Use the day to fully immerse yourselves in the things the other person loves. You’ll discover new sides of each other, grow closer, and maybe even pick up a new shared interest along the way.
Not just roses
For a girl or even a guy who loves flowers, because why not? Get them flowers. Roses may be the textbook choice, but are they really their favourite? While they are considered the classic option, stepping away from them can actually make your gift feel far more thoughtful.
Ask what their favourite flowers are, visit the flower shop yourself, and create a custom bouquet based on their preferences. Even if you don’t know their favourites, flowers carry meanings of their own. Use that as your guide. Select blooms that represent how you feel and have them arranged intentionally. Then take a moment to explain why you chose each one. It’s a small detail, but it turns a simple bouquet into a heartfelt story.
Read also: 10 romance film tropes that always hit during love season
Our love in pictures
Looking back on all the memories you have created together thus far, create a photo album that timelines your relationship. It’s a beautiful way to take a trip down memory lane and preserve moments you’ll cherish for years to come.
During a date or one of your more intimate moments, sit down together and flip through the pages. Laugh at old photos, retell stories, and reminisce. It’s intimate and the kind of keepsake that only grows more meaningful with time.
The art of thoughtful love
To love is to be deliberate; to go out of your way to do meaningful things that leave a mark. That’s why I think it’s beautiful that there’s a day dedicated to celebrating not just love, but the joy of giving to one another. Of course, love is felt, shared, and expressed all year round, but Valentine’s Day offers a chance to pause and make it extra special.
Think outside the box. Plan with intention — whether that means curating a playlist, creating a custom scent, revisiting the place you first met, or spending the day immersed in each other’s hobbies. The gifts you choose, the gestures you make, and the experiences you create don’t have to be grand. Often, it’s the little things, done with the other person in mind, that carry the most weight. When your actions come from the heart, that true feeling shines through, no matter what.
Read more: Irresistible colours to wear when you’re ready to move beyond red
