The Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Hey Guys & Dolls,

Welcome back to my blog. I am so excited to bring you this valentine capsule to ensure you all have an amazing valentine’s day. I know some of you do not celebrate the day but for those of you that do, I will be kicking off with my ‘Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: For Him & Her.’

All the gifts in both sets serve as a guideline and have been brought to you following a survey of my Snapchat squad (Follow Me: @BLACKMNQN).

FOR HER

1.  PERFUME

It is really a no-brainer. When it comes to any event involving women, perfume is always a great idea (unless of course, your lady of choice is allergic). Pictured above is La vie est belle by Lancôme and I especially listed this fragrance because it smells awesome on everyone.

2.  MAKE-UP

From MAC Cosmetics to Bobbi Brown to Make Up For Ever to Black Up to Charlotte Tilbury to NARS to Anastasia Beverly Hills, the list is actually endless and if you are unsure of what single brand to buy from or what to buy from each of her favourite brands, play safe and get a gift card.

3.  SHOES

This will be specific to your valentine because there are women out there who’d prefer sneakers to 5in heels. Unfortunately, I am not one of them.

However, whatever your lady prefers is what you should get, if footwear is your choice of gift.

4.  DINNER DATE

I think any activity that involves spending time together will be amazing. From go carting to romantic walks in the park to seeing a play in the theatre. You cannot go wrong with a pre-planned fun-filled activity and if you’re stuck on ideas, then dinner would suffice. I know it is a little cliché, but you can easily make dinner ‘unusual’ for the both of you by dining somewhere new (perhaps with a view- Group On & Wowcher always have amazing 4*/5* restaurant deals on). You could send her an invite advising her to dress up and that you’ll have a car waiting at a specific time. On the other hand, you could have a table set dinner, cooked by the both of you, at home.

5.  POETRY

This is a personal favourite of mine because I believe it to be more tailored to your valentine. You can always incorporate a love poem (from e.g. Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets or Love Letters of Great Men) into your valentine’s card/text message or if you’re feeling adventurous, write one up and post it to her (this should be a few days before so it is received on schedule).

6.  GETAWAY

For some reason, people think valentine getaways are synonymous with Paris, Paris and Paris. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with one of the most romantic cities in the world but it tends to be out of pocket for a lot of people. If you are set on Paris, there are a couple ways around it, book it in advance during the Christmas/boxing day sale or look it up on Group On.  There are so many amazing deals on there. Alternatively, if you’re open to ideas, you can go to the countryside and rent a cottage or you can visit other amazing cities e.g. Venice that may be better suited to your budget.

7.  CHOCOLATES, CHAMPAGNE & CARPELS

Carrie Bradshaw once said “Some love stories aren’t epic novels. Some are short stories. But that doesn’t make them any less filled with Love.”

Ergo, if your relationship/bank account is currently a fairy-tale in the making, I believe that this gift is ideal and the best part is, y’all get to eat & drink it together.

8.  JEWELLERY

Jewellery is perfect because it is a keepsake. Your valentine will forever remember how she felt in that moment every single time she looks at/wears that earring, necklace, bracelet or ring. Jewellery, in my opinion, creates a memory and the plus side to that is you will always have those!

9.  GHD

It stands for Good Hair Day and you know what that means. If she is having a good hair day everyday, she’s gonna feel real good and if she’s feeling really good, then you’re gonna feel real good. That’s a lotta good feeling, just saying!!!

10.  LINGERIE

I am Lingerie’s biggest fan. I just love it. I love it so much; I have an overflowing drawer. I genuinely feel like your outfit is incomplete without Lingerie. A little French lace here, a little silk there. You just cannot go wrong with this as your gift of choice because let’s face it; it is really a gift for y’all.

FOR HIM

1.  THE SPA

Surprising as it may be, the Gents also like to be pampered. And they're equally into making a day out of it, which brings me to my next point!

2.  A HOTEL

After the Spa, they'd like to go to a restaurant and/or a hotel. Since you already have my notes on the restaurant and the hotel seems self-explanatory, I'll just leave y'all to it.

3.  A BLAZER

As a lady, I love menswear and I particularly have a weakness for double-breasted waistcoats, jackets and coats. As this is a guide for your buying pleasure, you can purchase your significant other anything from a tie to a shirt, a sweater, a t-shirt or even a coat. The choice is yours!!!

4.  A WATCH/MAN BRACELET

As I have found, women aren’t the only one who would love to receive Jewellery. Men also like to create memories and what’s great about jewellery such as watches and bracelets (as listed above) is that you can have it inscribed with a special message.

5.  AFTERSHAVE

Again, where guys are concerned, Aftershave/Perfume is always a great idea because let’s face it, who doesn’t wanna smell good. And there are dozens of great choices out there for you to choose from. You have options from Paco Rabanne, Diesel, Chanel, YSL etc.

6.  UNDERWEAR

It is an essential and the same premise for women’s lingerie goes for men’s boxers. Your outfit is simply incomplete without it! If you're feeling uncomfortable with the simplicity of the option, you can create a hamper which include these along with a little of everything else on this list.

7.  TECHNOLOGY

This can be anything from headphones/speakers (as pictured above) to an iPad to a smartphone projector to a quadcopter camera to a drone. Simply find out what his interests are and buy accordingly.

8.  SOCKS

A guy can never have too many socks, period. This can be an add-on present to something already purchased e.g. Underwear. Alternatively, you can present him with a sock of the month subscription from companies like sockfancy.com, sockclub.com and londonsockcompany.com

9.  GETAWAY

I think guys like surprises just as much as ladies do. So if you're feeling adventurous, why don't you try booking a weekend away for the two of you!

10.            SNEAKERS

Men love their trainers the same way Women love their shoes. And as some women prefer trainers to heels, some men prefer shoes to trainers similarly. Adjust and buy accordingly. 

(ps. Don't forget to check sizes before buying all footwear)

I hope you have found my ideas helpful. I am Destini Monet and you have been reading ‘The Black Mannequin’.