With Valentine’s Day just days away it’s easy to resort to the typical flowers, chocolate or sexy lingerie when it comes to gift giving. There’s nothing wrong with these traditional gestures, but face it — they’re clichés. Why not think outside the heart-shaped box of sweets and try to find the romance in something unexpected? Here are nine Valentine’s Day gift ideas that you and your sweetheart can enjoy together.
Mush
Embrace winter as you barrel through the snow and into Algonquin Park on a sled pulled by an Alaskan dog sled team. Enjoy a daylong (or more) trip through remote wilderness trails and lakes, including lunch on the trail. What’s more romantic than snow-covered winter forests? Round trip transportation from Toronto is available at an extra cost as well as overnight accommodations.
Algonquin Dog Sled Adventures, Wilderness Adventures, $249; per person and up.
Hurl some axes
Forget heels and cuff links — get out your comfy clothes for this night out. Go chuck some axes as a couple, gather your friends or throw a singles night. Because what’s more romantic than throwing sharp objects at a target?
Bad Axe Throwing starting at $20/hour for walk-ins to $44.25 per person for groups of 8 to 34
Netflix and …
If your idea of a romantic night is more along the lines of Netflix and … some takeout, then perhaps a warm and fuzzy blanket will warm your heart. MacAusland’s woollen blanket are made from 100 per cent virgin wool at a century old mill in Prince Edward Island by a family owned business.
Pick up a blanket at Easy Tiger Goods or order from MacAusland’s Woolen Mills
MacAusland’s Woolen Mills Woolen Blanket, Easy Tiger; $110.
Crank the tunes
Make a digital mixed tape (using a USB) that your amour can load onto iTunes and stream to this vintage-style Bluetooth speaker and radio. Bonus — it’s available in a variety of colours.
USB Cassette Mixtape, Milktape, $14.99 (U.S.)
Flame them
What’s more romantic than a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night? Chill the wine and spend the evening cosying up to the warm winter glow of a “tabletop fireplace.” Since it’s seasonal you can use it indoors or out.
Gusto Tabletop Fireplace, EQ3, $79.99
A rainbow connection
A rainbow maker is a fun way to add a little happy to your loved ones day. Made from Swarovski crystals that rotate to create a rainbow effect via a solar panel.
Kikkerland Rainbow Maker, Indigo, $44 l
But first coffee
What’s more romantic than breakfast in bed made by someone special? Add a French press filled with steaming hot coffee to the tray plus a few croissants and you will win their heart.
Le Creuset French Press in Licorice, Indigo, $80
Send a message
Tell your Valentine how you really feel with a retro-inspired cinema lightbox. Leave romantic messages for your sweetheart long after the chocolates are eaten and the roses have wilted. The marquee-style lightbox includes 85 letters, numbers and symbols so you can change messages according to your mood.
Cinema Mini, VdeV, $30
Put your love on the map
What’s more romantic than a pillow with the spot where you first kissed or the location of your forever home mapped and hand-embroidered in the shape of a heart?
City of Toronto Map Pillow by Vintage Map Co., $79 plus $10 for hand-embroidered heart, OneofaKindOnlineShop.com
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