The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: What Do Women Actually Want?

The gifting industry for lovebirds’ day is proliferated. In 2022, the retail spending on gifts for Valentine’s Day reached £990 million, marking a 44% increase since 2017.

Finding the perfect gift can put a lot of pressure on us, especially men. But luckily, we know just what women want to receive for V-Day, and we’ve rounded up this guide to help you pick a gift your special lady will love.

A romantic dinner at a restaurant:

Marking the celebration at a restaurant is a great way to make your love public while enjoying a flavoursome meal.

Make the moment special by taking her to the restaurant where you had your first date or where you proposed.

Going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day is a reason to dress up and put effort into looking your best, thus celebrating your love. You lady will most likely put on a nice dress and heels, so make sure you look on-point too by wearing a smart but styling shirt and men’s smart shoes.

A handbag – a woman’s best friend:

A handbag is a woman’s best friend. It accompanies her at her best and worst times, and even if she’s feeling down, a handbag can immediately uplift her mood.

That’s why you can never go wrong with gifting your significant other a handbag. But what type would you choose?

According to Elle Magazine, some of the top SS23 handbag trends include large bags, wristlets, baguettes, sequence, and metallics. A large bag is perfect for your workaholic lady who often commutes or always needs to carry an extra pair of shoes and clothes. If your other half likes the nightlife or often attends cocktail parties, a wristlet or an iconic baguette clutch bag is a must – think Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City style. And for those with a louder fashion style, a sequence or metallic handbag is a 2023 essential.

The language of flowers:

In 2021, flowers were the most anticipated Valentine’s Day gift, with 41% of the ladies awaiting to receive their colourful bouquet. Flowers can speak louder than words, and the type of flowers you choose can convey a special meaning.

According to Ranker, the best flowers to gift a woman are lilies. They represent beauty and purity of the heart, meaning you are stating your true intentions to your lady. Next up are tulips, which represent a declaration of love and protection. Third on the list are roses – an epitome of love and desire and a classic flower choice.

Whether you go for 101 red roses as a loud gesture of love or a dainty, colourful bouquet of lilies, flowers are a must for Valentine’s Day and can work both as a stand-alone gift and a complementary gesture to your main surprise.

For long-distance partners unable to spend the day together, sending a bouquet can be incredibly romantic and brighten your loved one’s day.

Get personal with jewellery:

Jewellery was the second most anticipated V-Day gift in 2021 by 38% of women in the UK. Gifting elegance and opulence never goes out of fashion, and a fine piece of jewellery can serve as a high-end token of love.

Jewellery with a personal touch is much appreciated. An engraved necklace or a bracelet with a special message can earn you extra points, while a Pandora charm with a unique meaning will be a nice addition to a bracelet.

Gifting birthstone jewellery is also quite popular right now, as women are discovering the mystical world of astrology and spirituality. Find out when her birthday is and what birthstone relates to that, and gift her a luscious piece of jewellery featuring that gem. She will appreciate the personal touch and the fact that you’ve cared to remember her birthday and do your research.

If you’re not sure what her birthstone is, you can never go wrong with gifting a rose quarts jewellery. This gem is associated with attracting and boosting love, and she will immediately know your pure-hearted intention behind that gesture.

Chocolates – the ultimate aphrodisiac:

It’s no secret that the love of a woman comes with the chocolates she eats. Sweets are a gateway to a lady’s heart, and the more premium they are, the better.

In the movie Chocolat with Juliette Binoche, a strong emphasis is put on the chocolates we chose and how they convey our personality. They can even save marriages, reigniting the passion for love.

The ultimate aphrodisiac chocolate for women is dark chocolate, studies show. It’s packed full of antioxidants which boost one’s health, and its positive effect on the amygdala improves sexual desire. Moreover, dark chocolate releases happiness hormones that boost the mood, reduce stress and increase blood circulation in the heart, resulting in a happy and content lady.

A romantic getaway:

A romantic getaway is also a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day and surprise your significant other. From a staycation among UK’s picturesque landscapes to a city break abroad to a long-haul vacation at the beach, the options are endless.

According to heymondo, the top five most romantic destinations in the world are Santorini in Greece, The Florida Keys in Florida, Paris in France, Bruges in Belgium, and the Maldives.

As you can see, these feature a mixture of shorter and longer breaks to suit your budget and lifestyle. You can stay at a rustic bed and breakfast or splurge in a luxurious hotel with wellness facilities.

TripAdvisor has ranked the most romantic hotels in the world for 2022 based on travellers’ choice, and you can have a dreamy stay at Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce in Bruges, Club Med Finolhu Villas in the Maldives, or Maison Souquet in Paris.

So which one is it going to be?

A sincere gift is one of the best ways to show your significant other just how much you love and appreciate them. Make sure that the gift you pick has a special meaning for them, and they will be pleased.

Sources:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/510981/valentines-day-total-spending-great-britain/

https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/serena-williams-daughter-2/

https://www.ranker.com/list/best-flowers-to-give-a-girl/pocketful-of-sunshine

https://nunuchocolates.com/why-more-women-than-men-prefer-dark-chocolate/

https://www.elle.com/fashion/trend-reports/a41231173/spring-2023-bag-trends/

https://heymondo.com/blog/the-10-most-romantic-valentines-day-destinations/#:~:text=The%2010%20Romantic%20Valentine%E2%80%99s%20Day%20Destinations%201%20Santorini%2C,Chile%20...%208%20South%20Africa%20...%20More%20items

https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cRomance-g1