the valentine's day gift list- you're welcome.

hey there fellow last minute valentine's day shoppers!

instead of trolling the aisles tomorrow for chocolate and roses like all the other last minute lovers, why not troll through this here little blog and get some different gift ideas for that special someone?

i thought it would be fun to put together a little top five list of great valentine's day gift ideas for all of you poor procrastinators out there.  (don't worry, we haven't gone shopping yet either).

and, it's your lucky day, because billy's pitching in to help out the ladies with great gift ideas for your fella! (his are way better than mine).

so without further ado, here we goes:

Meg's Valentine's Day Gift List for the Ladies:

1) a house plant.
yup.  it sounds so humble and mundane, but seriously it's not.
it beats a flower bouquet hands down because a house plant lasts longer, it's the same price (some cheaper), and it gives you the gift of clean healthy home air (thanks planty!)  you can get a plant that flowers or one that doesn't.  a big one or a small one.  home depot has a lot right now.  bonus points if you re-pot it in a pretty pot that matches her decor.

2) a magazine subscription.
every girl likes to look at magazines.  choose a subscription based on what your lady is into... but not something boring.  if she likes fashion, don't buy her a "glamour" subscription (hello predictable).  branch out a little bit and go for something more artsy like "W".  subscriptions are good too because it's like getting a new present in the mail every month for a year! 

3) a bird feeder.
what, you really thought i wasn't going to have a creepy bird lady item on my list? psshht.
seriously though, give me a second to explain myself!  birds are pretty, and they're sweet to watch.  they're romantic creatures by nature.  and they're hungry right now... it's slim pickins out there in february, folks.  a pretty bird feeder to hang outside the kitchen window is thoughtful and is something that will bring beauty into your honey's life all the year long.

4) anything homemade.
some of my all time favorite gifts from billy are the ones he made himself.  like a mix cd when we first started dating and a scrapbook for our first christmas.  making something yourself shows that you really care because you have to put time and thought into it.  it could be anything... cupcakes, a mix cd, a meal, or something crafty!  seriously, you might think you're the worst arts and crafter of all time, but the worse you are at it the cuter it is.  make a construction paper valentine.  do it.  we think it's adorable.

5) time.
life gets really busy.  and you know what means more than coming home with a bouquet of flowers or sitting across from eachother chowing down at some fancy restaurant?  spending REAL time together.  like going for a walk and holding hands or making a romantic meal together.  the trick here is to really talk to eachother while you're doing it.  compliment your valentine.  tell her how much you appreciate specific things she does every day.  how you notice that she always makes the bed, how you've always liked her smile, or how you've never told her but she can really pull off those skinny jeans.  guys always think things "go without saying", but they don't.  it means a lot when you say them.  especially on valentine's day :)

Billy's Valentine's Day Gift List for the Fellas:

1) three pairs of new boxers. (as opposed to old)
nice ones that we wouldn't think to buy for ourselves.

2) a pair of framed tickets.
have an old pair of concert tickets laying around from when you went to see pearl jam last summer?  an old set of subway passes from that romantical trip you took in new york?  airplane tickets, any ticket will do, they look cool! framing tickets is taking a special memory and turning it into lasting man-art that you can hang on the wall and recall the great time you had together for years to come!

3) survival kits.
make a survival kit for your husband/boyfriend based on his interests.  for example, if he's a musician make him a musician survival kit with all the necessities like strings, picks, chords, drum sticks, a bottle of jack (hehe) etc.  sports fan?  how about a six pack of beer and a gift certificate for pizza and wings, and maybe even a really cheesy team sweatshirt, wristband, or sweatband.  if he's really into cars, a car air freshener, armor all wipes and a gift certificate to a great local carwash.  you get the idea!

4) man pampering.
a gift certificate to get a classic shave at a cool barber shop like shaving grace, complete with cigars and aftershave, or a gift certificate for an awesome massage or man facial.  not girly facial.  you get the point. man pamper.

5) going to dinner together in character.
and not breaking it.  plan your personalities before you go, and then you have to stay in character the WHOLE time you're at dinner.  it will be hilarious, you'll have a blast together, and make sure to tip your poor waitress extra for putting up with you two loons.

there you have it folks!  genius valentine's day ideas courtesy of casa del murphy!  

you are WELCOME!

hope you have a fabulous valentine's day!