Valentines Day Gift Guide 2020

​Greetings everyone. Each year I do a Valentine's Day gift guide for yourself, ideas for your significant other, or a galentine's gift for your friends. This year is going to be no different. I'm going to try and broaden the scope some and not talk about skincare and makeup only though. None of this is sponsored.

​Let's discuss the holiday. I LOVE this holiday and I always have. I loved giving valentines day cards in school, I loved giving gift to my friends as I got older and I still do that even though I'm married (I actually have a Galentine's Day celebration this weekend where my best friend and I hang out, watch movies, eat chocolate covered strawberries, etc). It never mattered to me if I was single of not because it is literally the day of love and therefore I celebrated it all my life as such. I love this holiday so much that I used to take my grandparents the little 4 piece boxes of chocolate when I was a kid and then bigger boxes when I started working up until the day they passed. I always take my mom and dad valentines day gifts as well. I have never forgotten and I think that's the key. I feel like a lot of people in general feel forgotten. What's worse than being forgotten on the day that we celebrate love. I feel very passionate about this as you can see lol. I'm also going to add that when anyone (a kid especially) remembers you on any holiday and does something kind, make sure they know how sweet that is and how much you appreciate it. That is the reason that I probably still keep up my traditions because it made my grandparents so happy, especially my Papaw, to see me come bouncing in as just a little girl with chocolate for them even though it was very small boxes (and likely wasn't the best lol) and hand made cards. I was so excited to take it to them every year, right up until they passed away. They made such a big deal about it that it kept the tradition alive and it's one of the things I love more than anything. 

I also think it's especially helpful to take extra time and consideration to even just hang out, if you can't do anything else, with someone who is having their first Valentine's Day alone. Whether it's a friend going through a break up or divorce, someone who's loved one has passed away, etc. For a lot of people this is a very saddening day and for sure it can be but especially with friends it can be so much fun. I had a friend once who was dreading Valentine's Day so much and do to where we lived I couldn't just go and hang out with her, however I made sure that she got a delivery on Valentine's Day. It's very hard to watch everyone around you get flowers, candy, etc. from their significant others and be reminded all day long that you may not have one, if that is something you're looking for in life. It can be a lonely day. So when I think of those around me who are affected most on this day, I like to take a little extra time and at the very least check on them but if possible make sure they feel special too.

​Now that that whole ramble is over, let's get into the recommendations for good gifts.

I'm going to start with flowers because I love flowers. I realize some people truly hate all flowers and think they're useless so if that's you then go to the next recommendation. Some people don't like flowers because "they just die" which is why I recommend the roses that last for a year or more. I've always put this in gift guides and when I started there wasn't very many companies that done then and shipped them everywhere. Now there is a bunch. I know everyone uses Venus Fleur on Instagram, but I've personally been looking at RoseBox NYC because they have installment payments, they have up to 30% off right now, and they have tons of color options and design options. You can also save 10% when you sign up for email. They last for a year, but likely over a year if kept away from extreme heat and direct sunlight. The roses come from Equador. I haven't tried this brand specifically but I'm going to. There's a lot of other brands as well. I just absolutely love long lasting flowers.

Next up is bath/shower products. I love bubble baths. They're an easy way to practice some self love. I  do the whole nine yards, I light candles, make a drink, turn down the lights, set up my laptop up on the sink to something I want to watch or bring a book to read. Therefore, I love products like bubble bars, bath oils, bath salts, etc. I make #bathcocktails like you see on Instagram. Sometimes I'll use a bath bomb but often times I don't because you can't really see it with all the bubbles. However, it's great if you don't like bubbles. You can buy bath tables now that sit across the top of your tub and you can keep your drink on there along with a book or whatever else you want. Some people put their tablets on it but I'm not taking that risk. For showers though there's a lot of options as well. Whipped soaps are some of my favorite products to use because unlike shower gel or creams they aren't runny everywhere and all the product is going on your skin and unlike bar soap you can get your perfect amount right off the bat. LUSH is great if you're unsure what to get someone because they have gifts that have different products and also more bath based gift sets or shower, hair, etc themed gift sets. If you're treating yourself I'm in love with Country Market Crafts and Confectionary Soaps Co. ​

​Of course it's always a great time for self love and skincare is always a great form of self love. I still love the Herbivore Self Love set I picked up in the sale section of Sephora. It's still available I think. I really love Vintners Daughter Botanical Facial Oil and while I know it's very expensive Beautylish offers it and there are installment payment offers. I think there might be 2 sizes available now. I seen that Sunday Riley put out a killer 4 pc. set that has some of their big hits as far as treatments go. They also have a fantastic facial oil that's packed full of superfoods and that's JUNO there are two sizes. In the spirit of Valentines Day why not try the Algenist Genius Liquid Lip Collagen. They released a duo of it and a small size of the Liquid Collagen for the face which you know is my favorite. 

​For makeup I don't think you really need me to tell you what to get but I will recommend one product that I've not spoken about and that is Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol. 1 palette. It's a permanent product. I absolutely love it. I'm going to do an entire review so I'm going to move along but it's really good.

I always love giving friends or whomever cute mugs (TJ Maxx has the best) or making them some chocolate covered strawberries. As far as a date night for Valentine's Day, I love doing a special dinner at home. I like it being more low key. I love either making dinner, or picking up dinner and renting a movie and having our favorite desserts. I love everything from dressed up and candle light cooked dinners at our dinning room table, or being relaxed eating take out while watching a movie on the couch.

For my husband, I usually either make him a candy bouquet or buy him one with his favorite stuff, and I pick up his favorite drinks. Unless there's something in particular he wants we don't really do big gifts. For me the whole holiday revolves around little things people love and combined together that hopefully make people feel special, appreciated, and loved. I can tell you now that from a kid till now at 32 years old, every time I've gotten a little valentines card or  some flowers it has always made me so happy and feel special. 

I think I'm going to leave it here. Pay attention to what people like, at the very least make sure you show others you appreciate and love them. Make sure you check in with your friends. Schedule a day with your friends, go for massages or do something fun. Or make yourself an appointment and treat yourself to a day of relaxation or doing something you love. Make sure you are putting out love and also participating in things you love. 

Have a safe and blessed Valentines Day.