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Romance 101: Ditch the cliche gifts!
With Valentine’s day fast approaching I can’t help but think about all of the couples that will be squashed into busy restaurants receiving the oh so classic gifts that recur year after year. You know the ones…
As lovely as they are, they scream CLICHE. These items can be romantic when they’re spontaneous and ‘just because’, but with Valentines Day, we could do so much better! Seriously, what’s romantic about walking into Tesco the day before and picking up the first bunch of flowers you see? Anyone could do that.
I hate to say it people but…
Real romance isn’t manufactured. It’s individual and thoughtful.
Take greeting cards for example, me and my beau have an unwritten rule of never buying a standard card and simply writing to and from in it! To me, those cards rarely mean anything. Buy a blank card! Write what you feel in it and mean it.
Right! When you speak your mind in a card it means SO much more and will be kept and cherished instead of thrown out with the hundreds of other plain and boring cards.
Ok, so now I’ve had my little moan about gifts that I deem to ‘lack thought’ and ‘are easy’. I’m here to open your eyes to some pretty awesome acts of romance! I’ve quizzed friends, family, people on the street and readers for their most memorable romantic moments…
“My boyfriend made me a CD of all of the songs that reminded him of me, it was so lovely to sit and listen to it together” – Sarah, Birmingham
“I came home from a really stressful day at work one day to find that my husband had ran me a bath and filled the room with candles, that meant so much to me” – Courtney, Florida
“Love is much deeper than bouquets of flowers and simple words of constant praises. To me, gestures aren’t shown through gifts and words, but it’s shown through his heart… To pick one favourite moment would be unfair because our memories are filled with too many beautiful moments.. However I can tell you this, moments that remained in my heart are those that consisted of unexpectedness, those beautiful unexpected moments when you’re floored by how much a man can love you.”– Mariel, Mariel Hannah Photography
“For My Birthday, my boyfriend bought me my favourite ever book and got all of my friends to sign it”– Madison, Madizine.net
“Steven gave me a cheque for all the love he can give and I’ve carried it around with me for 30 years”– Tracey, Gloucestershire
“Matt knows how much I love animals so I thought it was very thoughtful of him to take me to the zoo for a date”-Emily, Bespoke Bride
“The most romantic and intimate times for me are when we just talk for hours. It’s super bonding for us. He always listens when I need to vent or when I just feel like talking to him about important things and even not so important things. The fact that he tries so hard to understand me is the most romantic thing a guy can do for a girl in my opinion. It takes studying that person, observing them and he’s great at that. It’s completely selfless” – Toni, California
“I came home one day to find my entire garden decorated with fairy lights & photos of us, in the middle of the garden was a table with champagne and an engagement ring” – Joanne, Cornwall
“Luke and I always say (cheesy I know) but everyday should be Valentines Day, so pretty much most of the year we will surprise each other with little things like trips away and meals out. Once he blindfolded me and drove me all the way to Edinburgh which is one of my favourite cities for a romantic weekend away and one Valentines he took me out for a lovely meal and then got his friend to fill his whole apartment with hundreds of candles for when we got home, that was a really magical moment! We have been together for nearly 7 years but always keep it fresh by glamming up and going on dates together!” – Kirsty, Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company
“I love it when my boyfriend leaves me little notes, I sometimes find them stuck on my car or tucked away in my purse! He also plans these spontaneous trips and all I know is the time that we’re leaving! They’ve led to picnics & sunsets and I just love how much thought has gone into planning them”– Jess, Bespoke Bride
Who decided that romance was buying flowers and chocolate? Let’s ditch that idea this valentines day and think of something far more personal. Romance is an act of affection. It can be small and meaningful or completely extravagant and breathtaking. It’s about doing something that says “I really thought this through and I know you are going to love it because I love you.”
Much Bespoke Love
Jessica ♥
Thank You ladies for taking time to ask me such a simple but meaningful question. It was my absolute pleasure to give my little insight.
Thanks. Xoxo