So, you think you’re romantic, huh? You’re sure you’ve got it down pat and are a real Casanova (or whatever the female version of that is) when it comes to bringing romantic gestures to the table.
But guess what? If you brought flowers or chocolates to that table, you’re slacking. Look, a bouquet of their favorite flowers or a box of Godiva truffles is a lovely gesture. It’s just boring, cliche, and totally unoriginal. Been there, done that.
And we have a bone to pick with flower-givers (chocolates get a pass here); when you bring someone a bouquet of annuals or perennials, you are bringing them work.
They have to:
- Find a vase
- Cut the stems
- Arrange the flowers
- Put in the weird packet of stuff that comes with them
- Keep them alive
- Throw them out when they die or water turns mucky/smelly
- And finally? Wash the vase
That’s not a gift; that’s a chore. It’s a hard pass for us, but we will make an exception for tulips; they are worth the effort.
Back to our original point—don’t be a flower and chocolate person. And don’t worry, we won’t insult your romantic gesture prowess and leave it at that: Here are some super creative ideas for romantic gestures beyond the same-old roses and heart-shaped chocolate box.
Leave Them Alone
We don’t mean this in a harsh way! It sounds bad, but hear us out—if you’re married with kids and every day is crazy hectic when you do have a free day, tell your significant other that the day is theirs to do whatever they please. He can go golfing. She can go out to lunch with her friends.
Sometimes, giving your significant other the freedom to have some time on their own is the most romantic gesture there is.
Make Them a Playlist
We, for one, love it when someone makes us a curated playlist of our fav songs. Remember when you made a mixtape of burned CDs for your partner? The nostalgia is strong with this gesture. Just make sure you know their taste in music before you do it!
Written Love Letters
Penning an actual love letter to your babe on fancy stationery is super swoon-worthy—hello there, Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility vibes! You are most welcome here, and if you happen to know calligraphy, you have gone above and beyond with this sentiment.
Plan an Adventure
If you’re the adventurous type, plan an adventure! Tailor-make an adventure that screams, “This is so us.’ Whether it’s hiking, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, or something that requires a little less exertion and fearlessness, you’ll be doing something fun together.
Hit the Kitchen
They say there is something incredibly romantic about cooking together; we’ll take whoever said that sentiment’s word for it because we prefer takeout. We do get the exercise, and why it’s romantic—it sounds fun to play around in the kitchen making a meal with some music on! And after the cooking is done, you get to eat what you made, and we hope it’s delicious!
Do the Dishes
This is a bonus one—if you choose the cooking together activity, clean up the mess you both made. Or at least offer.
Learning Together
Sign up for a workshop or class in something neither of you has tried before—it can be anything from learning a second language to a woodworking seminar! There are so many options to choose from. If you have differing opinions on what seems interesting, compromise—take turns. If she wants to learn how to refurbish a wardrobe and he wants to learn Finnish, support each other by tagging along.
Volunteering Together
If you are a dynamic duo who wants to make the world a better place, volunteer your time—together. Whether it’s at an animal shelter or a local soup kitchen, donating your time to helping others is a gesture that doesn’t just make you feel good; it helps others in need.
Plant a Tree Together
Memorialize your couplehood by planting a tree together. It’s a living testament to the love that is the foundation of your relationship, and you get to watch it grow big and mighty!
Personalized Maps
Make a map marking all of the significant places in your relationship: where you met, had your first date, or took an amazing trip—it’s a geographical atlas of your love story and adorably nerdy!
DIY Movie Night
Turn your living room into a movie theater! Pick a film you’ve both been itching to watch, pop some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch, and enjoy a movie night at home.
Spoil Them Rotten
Dedicate an entire day to pampering your partner. Bringing them breakfast in bed is always romantic! And if you want to go all out, book a couple’s day at a spa and indulge in massages, facials, and all of that good stuff.
Homemade Coupon Book
Draw up a coupon book filled with offers like “I’ll do the dishes,” “Laundry duty,” “Cook dinner for a week,” or “Watch the kids while you have a day to yourself.” It’s a fun yet thoughtful way to show your love and give your partner a nice break.
Jar of Love Notes
Fill a jar with cute lil’ notes that spell out the things you love about them, straight-up compliments, or get friskier (they’re your notes). It’s a gift that keeps on giving, brightening their days whenever they need a pick-me-up—it’s a cookie jar of affirmation!
Book Exchange
For bibliophiles or bookworm couples, you can gift each other one of your favorite novels or even pick one you haven’t read and read it together. Then you can have a book club for two—how romantic!
Crafting Together
Wanna get crafty? Start a crafting project together! Whether it’s painting, building furniture, or gardening, building something together is a rewarding experience and an amazing way to build and maintain your bond.
Personalized Jewelry
Gift a piece of jewelry engraved with a special date, initials, or a special phrase—It’s a precious memento of the love you share.
Takeaways
Romance is not about grand gestures, although those can be fun, but the little things that show you care, understand, and how much you love and value having your partner in your life.
It’s also about creating new memories, so break the boring old mold, think outside the chocolate box, and make your romantic gestures as unique and special as your significant other is. And don’t bring flowers unless they’re tulips!
