I love Valentine’s Day. And that has noting to do with love or relationships, I just really like hearts and sweets and positivity. One of my fondest childhood memories is of Valentine’s Day at elementary school when we would all give each other paper cards we made and eat candy hearts. The great thing about being an adult is you get to give and receive actual meaningful gifts. Yay!

If you’re struggling to find a gift for your significant other of the female gender or perhaps looking for a gift for yourself or a friend, Valentine’s day can be a bit tricky. What’s the perfect gift? For starters I’ll tell you what isn’t the perfect gift! Lingerie. For me, lingerie is a definite no-no. There are many reasons why it’s the worst gift and one of them is I think underwear is really something I need to try on, well, not the panties but bras for sure. A bra can be my size but it still won’t sit right so I would really dislike getting a bra as a gift. Secondly, lingerie is sort of more a gift for the giver than for the receiver. That said, lingerie can be a nice gift, it really depends on the person.

So if lingerie is out, what’s left you say? Shoes. Although shoes can also be something you feel you need to try on, but if you know a brand then you usually know what size you are with that brand. I’m usually a UK size 6 with Asos shoes, especially if they’re open toe heels (but if they have a pointed closed toe, then I need to size up to a 7). I adore the shoes pictured above, the Asos Harmony heeled sandals. The oversized bow is just adorable and I love the print of the shoes.

However, shoes can be a difficult gift, depending on how well you know the person, whom the gift is intended for. Funnily enough, one of the first gifts M ever got me was a pair of shoes. It was at the beginning of our relationship and he went on a week trip with his dad to Paris and before he left he asked me what he should get me and jokingly I, being me, said a pair of shoes. I really meant it as a joke and definitely hadn’t expected him to  get me a pair of shoes, but that’s what he did and when we saw each other right after he returned from his trip, he surprised me with a lovely pair of black studded ballerina flats from Geox. It was at that moment that I knew he was the one for me. It also didn’t hurt that the shoes were in tune with my style and to this day are one of the comfiest flats I own. Shoes are the way to this girls heart. Oh and he had sent me 6 postcards, including one featuring a pig and addressed to Dracul. LOVE.

If shoes aren’t your thing, how about an accessory? Much easier to pick out and you usually don’t have to worry about sizing. Jewelry is always a nice gift, especially for something like Valentine’s day or an anniversary. I love the idea of something fun like the necklace and earrings set from Disney Couture pictured below. I would have bought it myself but sadly it’s already sold out.

Another really fun gift could be a phone case. I love changing around my phone case! My latest phone case (which probably will last me a while as I don’t think it’s likely another one will beat it in cuteness) is this rabbit jelly case from Moschino that I convinced M to get me from Asos.

Isn’t it so cute? And it’s equally adorable from the front too.

If not a phone case, how about a cute clutch bag? I got myself this quirky bag from Skinnnydip a while ago after stalking the hell out of it. Can’t wait to wear it for my next cinema outing.

Clothes could be a good idea, I wouldn’t mind getting a dress but I also love the two Asos shirts pictured below. The first is a lovely black printed tee with the slogan “I love you a latte” and the second is from Asos curve and says “You’re the milk to my cookies”.

Another great gift idea is make-up! There are so many options! My favorite is this lovely powder from Too Faced. Oh come on, it’s shaped like tiny hearts, of course I’m going to love it. I also like the idea of a cheek and lip tint (the one pictured below is from Cheeky).

Along those lines, a gift from Lush would be pretty great. Truth be told, that’s what I’m hoping for the most. I have probably written it one too many times, but I’ll write it again, I am ADDICTED to Lush. I love their bath bombs (the most), and bubble baths and creams and whatnot. I’m dying to try their big salt shampoo and maybe a hair conditioner but really anything from them would be a great gift.

Last but not least, one of my favorite things to receive, is a book! (I mentioned that shoes were one of the first gifts M ever got me, well, the very first gift was a book. It was Marisha Pessl’s “Special Topics in Calamity Physics”. I absolutely loved reading this book and M definitely made an impression on me by giving it to me. It also started our tradition of having an every-month-anniversary.)

It doesn’t have to be a novel, it could even be a book of photography or art or like the one pictured below, a book of date ideas. “London for Lovers” by Sam Hodges and Sophie Vickers would be a great gift for M but sadly it wouldn’t be delivered in time for Valentine’s, however, I am thinking of getting it in the future. Both M and I love London and we usually visit once a year, it’s become one of our favorite vacation destinations. Plenty of shopping but also beautiful parks and some of the best museums, London always has something to give. Additionally, London will forever be special because it’s where we got engaged last year. I would never think we could run out of things to do in London but I still think that this book could be a nice gift and maybe provided an interesting date or two.

If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, I hope you have a lovely time, and if you’re not well it’s a day like any other. And think of the perks, like chocolate will be on sale the next day! And it’s on a weekend this year so I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!