To be honest, I have never really been your typical gushy Valentine’s Day girl. Maybe it doesn’t help that my birthday is a couple of days after the famous February 14th holiday, but I would skip this holiday every year if I could. Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice dinner and flowers from my man but count me out when it comes to the heart-shaped boxes of cheap chocolates and gushy stuffed animals. Whether you are shopping for that “someone special,” a gal pal, or your furry friends, let’s get real about what your valentine will want this year and don’t end up spending money on something that will end up in the trash by March.
Cooking Together
This has truly been one of my favorite things to do with my guy in 2020 and beyond. Finishing work, asking Alexa to “Play Luke Combs” and cooking a meal together in the kitchen is fun, kinda sexy and simply a great time to work together and bond. I have a huge fan of Garnish and Gather meals. Garnish and Gather is a local organic meal kit delivery service that also offers online organic groceries (use my code: “AREBELINPRADA” for $10 off your first order). If meal kits are not for you, cook up some recipes of your own together. I love Asian food, so my guy bought me a wok earlier this year. Best. Gift. Ever.
Luggage + Trip Plans
I have said this over and over, the gift of an experience is the gift that gives forever. Whether you travel down the road to a boutique hotel or book something abroad, this is something you can experience together and the memories will last a lifetime. I have loved traveling the Southeastern United States the past couple of months, as other travel remains restricted. Charleston is so romantic with all the great food venues and being able to walk together through its small historical streets or along the Battery (see my blog for my “tops” in Charleston). Book a fun hotel for a long weekend, print your email confirmation and insert it in a card or wrap it in a box. Or if you are hesitant to travel at all right now, just give your honey the same thing, but make it in the form of an “IOU”. Travel in style with some of the adorable suitcases if you want to give something wrapped up on the special day. 
Bonus: if you haven’t heard of Luggage Forward…I love it so much. Luggage Forward is a doorstep to destination luggage delivery that makes traveling a breeze. Now more than ever, it’s critical to minimize the amount of time you spend and the number of contact points you have at the airport. Shipping luggage ahead instead of checking bags allows you to streamline your airport process for a faster, safer trip. Here are some great suitcases to give as a gift!
Skincare
As we get older, our skin is one of the first places where the effects of aging begin to show. And if you were a child of the 70s, like me, you probably spent a lot of time worshiping the sun to get that perfect tan. Skincare can always be a great gift. Whether it is a gift card for a facial or a basket full of creams and masks, this is always a great gift in my book. Some of my favorite brands right now include La Mer and Sapelo. For gift cards for facial treatments, I recommend AYA Medical Spa and the St Regis Spa. This is the perfect gift for a friend!
Workout Gear
Joggers are a trend now and they are here to stay. I live in my Vuori joggers and a long sleeve Joah Brown tee. But, the cool trend now is to “dress up” your joggers. Add a sweater (or hoodie), blazer and stilettos and “Voila!”, you are on-trend, chic and still wearing joggers!
Also, whether she likes to go for a run every morning or is just working from home regularly, leggings are not going anywhere. I prefer yoga pants with multiple pockets for keys, my phone and at times, pup bags for long walks with the dogs.
Gifts for your furry friend
United States residents spent $1.7 billion on their dogs for Valentine’s Day gifts in 2020. Now with the cold weather among us (and not going away anytime soon), it is a good idea to cover up the pup so they can enjoy walks with you on a sunny day.
