Valentine’s Day is about reminding people we love them and that doesn’t have to cost anything, here are 10 Outside the box Valentine’s Day gifts for your loved ones.
Saturday Meanderings
Good morning friends, today I am joining two friends, Kim from Northern California Style and Juliet of Make Mine a Spritzer for the first post in our new series, Saturday Meanderings. Both Kim and Juliet live in California and share their adventures, homes, style and more on their blogs. If you are not already familiar with them make sure to check out their “Saturday Meanderings” I promise that you will come to enjoy their blogs as much as I do.
Kim at Northern California Style
Juliet at Make Mine a Spritzer
It’s Saturday, you have the whole day ahead, what are your plans? Will you take time this weekend to rest and recuperate from a long week? Or tackling a list of chores to do? Maybe you will be out in the snow building a snowman with the kids or in the kitchen making a pot of hearty chili and planning a baking session for Valentine’s Day? Perhaps you will be glued to the Olympics or your new favorite show?
Saturday comfort food
I don’t have any plans on my schedule, as I type this post I am sitting in bed with a cup of hot chocolate on the bedside table and three pups keeping me company. This is where you will find me most Saturday mornings, it is my time to relax, and rejuvenate. I read a few chapters of my book on my Kindle, catch up with my favorite blogs and then I am ready to start the day.
I am currently researching deer resistant plants, I know that deer will try anything but my hope is that the things I plant are their least favorite. We received approval for Phase 1 of our landscaping project and the front beds are up first. Jennifer our designer has the plants picked out but I wanted to add some plants in my post to compliment her design, the only problem is the deer. In the front beds I asked for a cottage garden but I live surrounded by pine trees and the soil is very sandy so I will not get exactly that but I will have hints of my dream with peonies and catnip. Speaking of peonies, have you read this book? I ordered it based upon its reviews, it looks beautiful.
Saturday Meanderings
What are you plans for Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is 9 days away, so if you are planning a Valentines party or a nice dinner at home there is still time to plan your get together. My suggestion is to make it easy on yourself and make a few of the things you are serving and buy the rest from your favorite store, then you will have time to enjoy the celebration instead of worrying about all of the preparations. 11 Magnolia Lane has some great ideas for celebrating with the girls as does Juliet.
Quote Saturday Meanderings
We are staying in for Valentine’s Day and I will be making dinner and dessert, I am not sure about the savory part of dinner yet because I am all about the dessert which will be German Chocolate cake. I have not made one in years so if you have a recipes that you love please leave a link in the comments.
I shared a few traditional Valentine’s Day ideas this week, just in case you missed it, and today I am going to share 10 outside the box Valentine’s Day ideas with you.
Swedish Cream Pudding
10 Outside the Box Valentines Day Gifts
1.Homemade treats for your Valentines Day
A heart shaped box of candy is always nice but something homemade is so much better because it has a very special ingredient, it is made with love. If you don’t like to bake or don’t know how why not try a no-bake treat instead? Here are a few recipes that are easy and delicious.
Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries for Two
Swedish Cream with Raspberry Sauce
Dark Chocolate Caramelized Almond Bark
Last but not least, a Valentine’s Day Cookie and Candy Board.
2. Become a “Local Tourist”
Spend the day exploring museums, local landmarks and parks.
3. No Phone or Social Media for 24 Hours
In this day and age it is hard to detach ourselves from our phones and other devices, this year why not give your Valentine 24 hours of your undivided attention.
4. Write a Love Letter
A card is nice but a hand written love letter is so much more romantic and touching. Did you know that you could have one hand Calligraphed, that would be a beautiful and treasured gift.
5. Go on a Picnic
If the weather is nice and this option is feasible pack your favorite fixings and head out to a nearby park or beach. If you live in the “frozen tundra” have a picnic inside in front of the fire.
out of the box Valentines Day gifts
6. Flowering Plant or Bulbs
A bouquet of flowers is nice but a plant, tree or bulbs is even better. Head over to the nearest home store with the kids, pick up some bulbs and make a spring flower arrangement to make it even more special plant the bulbs in vintage tea cups! A small fruit tree, azalea or ivy topiary is a great idea too.
7. An Entire Day to His/Herself
This is the perfect gift especially after the last 2 years of on and off home schooling and working from home. Let’s face it, even though we love togetherness a little time alone is nice too.
8. Custom Painting of Something Special
A painting of a special pet, kids, a place you love, the two of you. My friend Patricia of PVE Designs may be able to create exactly what you are looking for.
9. A Night By the Fire pit
There is nothing cozier than a cold night around a fire pit. Grab some blankets, a thermos or two a hot chocolate, add a touch of Bailey’s for the adults, get some marshmallows and enjoy snuggling with your significant other or entire family out under the stars. If you live where it is warm at this time of the year you could have movies under the stars.
10. Post it Note Love Notes
Get yourself a pack of notes and a pen and start writing, let your partner and family know all of the things that you love about them, then stick them in all of the places they will go in the house, ex. on the coffee machine, mirror, on the back of the door, in the closet, by their car keys, purse, backpack, etc. I love the idea of “lunch box love notes.”
Remember, Valentine’s Day is about reminding people we love them and what could be better than a gift from the heart and the gift of your time.
Don’t forget to visit Kim at Northern California Style and Juliet at Make Mine a Spritzer and see what they are up to today.
If you want to give a more traditional gift as well, you can find all sorts of suggestions below.
Have a great weekend, thank you for stopping by and spending part of your day with me.
Don’t forget you can also find Pinecones and Acorns on most social media sites, Facebook Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Or you can subscribe to the blog and get the posts in your mailbox.
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Great post. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Rebecca. Have a great weekend.
Good morning, Elizabeth! What fun to join you and Kim on Saturday mornings. My favorite morning of the week. I’m so excited for your garden planning progress. Yay. Peonies are high on my list of favorites. I didn’t know about the deer resistance … we need to replace a few plants this year and peonies might be the solution. I hoped for a cottage garden too … we did the best we could with the climate (and four legged friends) we have. So excited to see yours come together. Love all your ideas for Valentine’s … but what really catches my eye is a day alone. Sounds like heaven. As does your German Chocolate cake. Wishing you a lovely weekend! xo
Juliet, there is something to be said for “alone time.” I love, love, love peonies and have never had any, my neighbor had a plant that she let me cut the flowers off and I miss it now that I have moved. Soon, I will have my own…maybe next year as I am not sure how soon the flowers come. Thank you so much for doing Kim and I, it is always fun to see what the two of you are up too on the West Coast. I hope that you had a wonderful time together this week. Have a great weekend.
Great ideas for Valentine’s Day Elizabeth! We’ll be around a fire to celebrate but it’s inside at our fireplace. Delaware is having very cold temps lately!
Cindy, that sounds like the perfect Valentine’s Day! I am sure that sitting in your living room with your freshly painted kitchen cabinets, and new frame for your TV make sitting there now seem like a whole new place! Stay warm!
JULIET IT IS HARD FOR US TO GROW PEONIES HERE!BUT IF ANYONE CAN DO IT ITS RICHARD!!!!!!
NOT COLD ENOUGH I HAVE BEEN TOLD……..
ELIZABETH NO SHE DIDNOT BUY THE OTTOMANS…….NO ROOM BUT She DID LIKE THEM!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANOTHER WAY TO SNEAK INTO OUR EMAILS!
LOVE THE NAME………SATURDAY MEANDERINGS!
XXX
Elizabeth, there is just too much to share and too many wonderful bloggers not to pop into someones in box daily. I would love you to pop in mine every day! You are the best personal shopper! Its too bad that you do not live near me, I would love too add some of your finds to my house.
Great ideas for Valentine’s Day.
Thank you Paula, have a wonderful day!
Well, look at you! I love the title!! And all that you shared!
Leslie, you always make my day! Thank you.
Your morning start sounds lovely! All the desserts and dishes look wonderful! Cute series! Thanks for the share!
Mary Ann, thank you! I hope that you have a lovely weekend.
Lovely post
I had no Valentine plans until I saw the photo of Swedish Cream Pudding. Thank you!
May, the Swedish cream is so good and it is so easy to make.
Such beautiful photos! I already knew about Make Mine A Spritzer. Going to visit the other one. It’s been a bit since I’ve commented because after moving, there is just so much to do! As you well know yourself. The chili sounds SO good and the other goodies do as well.
Brenda
Brenda thank you for taking time out of all that you have going on to comment!I hope that you are settling in and enjoying your fabulous new place.
Picked up the new Stanley Tucci food book and plan on reading rest of the weekend. Probably some eating along the way. Nice way to shop for Vday..thanks!
Laurel how do you like the Stanley Tucci book? He is such an amazing and talented man. It sounds like you have the perfect weekend plans.
Hi Elizabeth,
I enjoyed your post, the Peonies are just gorgeous. That is something my hubby can’t grow for us in Arizona.
We have “Katherine’s Victory Garden,” yes Roses can grow in AZ. They need lots of TLC, a large sail shade and protection on all sides. Being a Master Gardener certainly helps. Do you grow roses?
I just finished all of my Galentine”s Day cards, what a great feeling. All ready for USPS on Monday.
Thank you for such a nice post.
Elizabeth I can’t wait to see what you do with your garden. I hear you about poor soil and pine trees. I had the same before and it’s a struggle to get anything to grow well. It was a lot of trial and error. Thanks for all these fun ideas for making Valentines more meaningful. I agree it’s most of all about letting those special people know they are loved.
I just have to also say, I am so inspired away by the beautiful vignettes you do with food, these Valentines ones are especially pretty. Doing this with you and Juliet is wonderful. Thank you again for putting us all together. Happy weekend!
Kim, I am so excited to be a part of Saturday Meanderings with you and Juliet. California style and vibes are a lot different than down here in the South.Both of you are amazing stylists and Gardners and my project is just starting so I am taking a lot of inspiration from you. You cabin is a wonderful place to spend time and commune with nature, I hope that everyone enjoyed the Valentines day the and that you had a wonderful time skiing. Have a great day!
I so enjoyed reading this blog. I don’t have a Valentine, but I love it all.
Debbie, you have lots of Valentines, your family, fiends and all of your fabulous followers. I know that you will be surrounded by so much love on Valentine’s Day!
Your hot chocolate just looks so cosy, ready for that with my slippers and log fire.
Great post – full of LOVE!
Nothing special going on here for Valentine’s Day, however did just buy tickets to go see Kenneth Branagh’s new version of Agatha Christie’s “Death On The Nile” on Friday. Great cast, apparently some new twists – which were completely agreed to by the remaining Christie family – and sounds like a rollicking 2+ hours of intrigue and murder!!!! Perhaps a glass of champagne at the nearby French bistro will be a fun ending before heading home to continue our hibernation!!
Hugs, Mary
P.S. Love the idea of the post-it notes – I may just work on that one!
Mary, that sounds like a wonderful adventure. I love Kenneth Branagh, he is an amazing actor and director. I can remember when he was married to Emma Thompson…that makes me old.
Add a glass of champagne and maybe an eclair from the bistro and you have a perfect evening.
Take care, hugs to you, Elizabeth
I have always loved your recommendations, Elizabeth. In fact, when I wonder what to read next, I always come here…but now
Saturday Meanderings!! With some of my favorite people…YAY!
Some people are cynical about Valentine’s Day….but you are so right that it’s just about showing people you care. And what is not to like about that. You have so many good ideas.
Thanks for sharing all of these Valentine ideas and treats!
What lovely ideas. My SO and I have been together for 15 years and I have gotten him a Marine hoodie sweatshirt (which he wanted). Not romantic at all–but it will be warm–which we need in Maine. And he is on bloodthinners so he is always cold! I am making him some gluten free chocolate covered pretzels, too as he is gluten intolerant! I treated myself to a pot of paperwhites and an amaryllis on sale after Christmas and just picked off the last A. blossom! I love the Breck’s catalog for daydreaming about plants; they mark the deeresistable species! I have black thumbs and their bulbs bloom just like the pictures. God has a sense of humor; he gives me daffodils with short stems so I have to get down on my knees to smell them! I plant mothballs with my small bulbs as squirrels/moles don’t like the smell. And daffodils are poisonous and aliums are the onion family so no one bothers them! Hope your garden comes out well!
Kathy, Maine is one of my all time favorite places to visit, it is so beautiful. And cold. I love your hoodie idea, now each time your SO wears it and is warm he will think of it as a hug from you! I am going to have to take a look at the Brecks catalog because I need all the help I can get with my hungry deer family, they have even been eating things they supposedly do not like. God does indeed have a sense of humor, how wonderful that you can see it for all of its beauty. Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for visiting and sharing your lovely gifts and garden recommendations.