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Valentine’s Day is a "Hallmark Holiday" that you either love or hate, or maybe you don’t really care about it at all. I am one that is truly in between. I used to have so many expectations on the day that seemed to always leave me feeling a little heartbroken if I am being completely honest. So, this Valentine’s Day Gift Guide is for you. It’s to celebrate you, it’s to celebrate your love, your friend, your partner. I feel strongly that you should feel good about yourself and love yourself each and every day so this gift guide isn’t just directed at gifts that you can give others, but gifts you can give yourself to celebrate you, each
and every day.
Gifts for a Friend:
Send your friend a good old fashioned valentine in the mail. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE mail. For the last few years I have celebrated the friends in my life by sending them a Valentine. I feel as though sending a card in the mail is a lost art. Let’s be honest, wouldn’t you be thrilled to open your mailbox and see a pretty envelope? I know that would be the
first thing I would open as I set my mail on my counter, and it would bring a giant smile on my face. Everyone needs a reason to smile, so giving it to them, through a simple card in the mail, is one of the sweetest things you can do!
Gifts for your Partner:
Giving a gift to your partner in life can seem daunting. Just remember Valentine’s Day isn’t about giving or getting a gift, it’s about love and desire. Making an effort is the most important part, because making an effort is the thing that your partner will appreciate. Doing something a little above and beyond what you normally would; just something that will bring an extra smile on their face. Here is a list of ideas for you to try:
1. Buy flowers, not just the plastic wrapped flowers from the bin at the grocery store. Go to a florist and by something beautiful (it doesn’t have to be roses) that’s wrapped in paper and secured with a ribbon, the extra details will show the person in your life how much you thought of them, which is what matters.
2. If you are feeling something sweet (and are local to Peoria), visit Voila Macaroons located at 7316 N. University, Peoria. This lovely shop is open 11am-2pm Thursday-Saturday. They will be open on Wednesday, February 14th this year, too!
3. Scratch off Date Night Idea’s: https://amzn.to/3SCzdvf
4. The Adventure Challenge for Couples Edition https://amzn.to/49d3Pci This is a really fun book! I purchased it for my siblings and their spouses for Christmas last year!
5. Take the day and send sweet or steamy text messages to your love all day on Valentines Day. Make sure the tone of the texts flows with your relationship. Do you and your partner like to have a little steamy fun? Make those texts extra steamy. Does your partner love all of the lovey-dovey stuff? Go that route. Do you love music and feel as though you can express yourself that way? Send them songs all day. Send all the songs that make you think of them. Send the songs that will make them smile. Think of this as the mixed tape of the 90s and go!
6. Make a fun little Valentine Coupon book! Or just buy one here to make it easy:
7. Do something a little extra naughty (consensually of course) that you both would enjoy at the end of your evening.
8. A game like, “We aren’t really strangers, Couples Edition,” Get to know each other a bit more! https://amzn.to/3Oq3smG
Gifts for you:
1. Get a massage at your favorite place and when you get home, snuggle up on the couch sip some tea and relax while you enjoy some quiet time.
2. If you are local to Central Il, book a facial with Liz Ngyuen at Skin Dimensions with Core
Dermatology. Liz does my facials, she is my friend, and she is amazing at what she does. You can access the booking link to book with Liz here:
service and choose Liz as your provider. If you have questions about any of her services you can connect with her on Instagram @LizNguyenMUA.
3. Get yourself some amazing new sheets to snuggle up with (I personally love amazing sheets and cuddling in at night). These are the best! Tons of amazing reviews, inexpensive and will be shipped to you within a couple of days! https://amzn.to/3SFMzqy
4. Book a Boudoir Session. I did this in 2023 and it was empowering, incredible, amazing and I felt so good about myself. Also, I did this for myself. Yes, you can choose to do a session and gift them to the one that you love, but if you do it for yourself, that is the best feeling, at least it was for me. Heather Ball, located in Pontiac IL will make you feel like the true beautiful bad ass that you are. Use this link to go to Heather’s website and put my name (Heather Bean Oyler) in the notes or mention it when you speak with her and you will receive $100 off your session!
I hope that you enjoy this Valentines Day, whether you are partnered up or simply celebrating your amazing self. I will close this out with a fun little cheer that my sorority sisters and I did in college:
“Here’s to the ones we love, here’s to the ones who love us, here’s to the ones that don’t love us—F@$K THEM, Here’s to US!”
Happy Valentines Day,
Heather
