Let’s be real – ladies LOVE getting spoiled with thoughtful little gifts. That’s just a universal truth, right up there with “the sun rises in the east” and “Ryan Gosling is dreamy.” But it can be tough to come up with fresh, romantic ideas that don’t feel cheesy or cliché.
Trust me, I’ve been there. I once gifted an ex a novelty singing bass for our anniversary. I mean, what says “I love you” more than an animatronic fish warbling off-key?? Safe to say she wasn’t impressed… (it’s ok, we can laugh about it now).
So to save you from future gift-giving blunders, I’ve put together a list of 8 surprisingly romantic gestures that are guaranteed to make your partner feel cherished. Let’s get into it!
1. Write Her a Romantic Story or Poem
I know, I know – writing is hard, and you’re no Shakespeare. But hear me out! You DON’T have to be a literary genius to wow your girl with a few heartfelt paragraphs about your love for her.
Think about all the little things you adore – the way her nose crinkles when she laughs, how she always saves the red gummy bears for you, that time she nursed you through a nasty bout of food poisoning. Pour those memories onto the page in your own words, and she’ll melt into a puddle of mush.
If poetry is more your vibe, keep it simple with a rhyming couplet like:
“Roses are red,
Your eyes are like crystals,
I love your big…brain.
(What were YOU thinking? Perv.)”
See, you’ve got this!
2. Make Her a Romantic Playlist
In this high-tech world of ours, sometimes the old-school stuff hits different. While you could just share a Spotify playlist link, putting together an ACTUAL mix CD or thumb drive takes the gesture up a notch.
Look through old photos of you two and jot down songs that remind you of certain memories or inside jokes. Include a few classics by her favorite artists too. Maybe even record a silly intro at the start, rewinding the tape while you beatbox into a hairbrush mic. Swoon city, my friends.
3. Plan a Romantic Surprise
Who doesn’t love a good surprise? I’m not talking anything too over-the-top – no choreographed flash mobs or skydiving proposals (unless that’s her thing… you do you!)
I’m talking sweet, intimate surprises like:
- Filling her car with fresh flowers and handwritten notes one morning
- Setting up a cozy indoor picnic with all her favorite snacks
- Turning your living room into an outdoor movie theater under the stars
The key is showing you took time and effort to arrange a special experience just for her. Cheesy? Maybe a little. But sometimes a gal wants to feel like the main character in a rom-com! No judgments here.
4. Give her a Sentimental Keepsake
In a world overrun with meaningless junk, a gift that holds emotional significance can be so touching. This could be something small like:
- A book of poetry inscribed with an inside joke
- A delicate necklace with both your birthstones
- Tickets to the concert of a band you both love (mixed tape required!)
Or really go for impact points with something crafty yet sentimental, like a photo book chronicling your relationship or a DIY shadow box filled with trinkets from all your adventures. One-of-a-kind gifts like these are treasures forever.
5. Whisk Her Away on a Surprise Getaway
I feel you – planning a weekend trip isn’t always easy with our crazy schedules. But the payoff can be SO worth it! Even a quick road trip to a nearby town could feel wonderfully adventurous.
Look for an Airbnb with quirky charm, pack a picnic basket of her favorite treats, and hit the road! You can spend quality time together exploring new sights and making new memories. That trumps any tchotchke from the mall, amirite?
If you’re able to get away for longer, spring for a dreamy couple’s spa retreat or beach rental where you can TRULY decompress together. (Bonus points if you volunteer to give her a massage – just keep it PG in the public areas!)
6. Plan a Fun Recreation of Your First Date
Nostalgic throwbacks tend to give the warm and fuzzies like nothing else. Why not recreate that special first date in all its awkward, heart-fluttering glory?
If it was dinner and a movie, make reservations at the same restaurant and screening. If it was bowling (classy!), slip on your finest rental shoes and hit the lanes. You could even look up a photo of what you wore that night and try to match it.
Turn it into dinner and a show by pretending to be each other and reenacting your initial “get to know you” banter. My money’s on her embarrassing impersonation being WAY better!
7. Give Her the Gift of an Experience
They always say experiences matter more than material things, and that ol’ cliché rings extra true for romantic gestures. Instead of buying stuff that’ll probably end up forgotten in a drawer, give her the gift of an unforgettable activity you can enjoy together.
Some ideas:
- Cooking lessons to strengthen your culinary cred
- A wine & painting class to unleash your artistic sides
- Skydiving or ziplining for the adventurous daredevils
- A staycation in your city with cheesy tourist pit stops
Experience gifts double as quality time, which is probably what she craves most!
8. Tap Into Her Love Language
My last bit of advice? Get to know your girl’s “love language.” We all have different ways of feeling most loved, like:
- Words of affirmation (compliments, love notes)
- Quality time (undivided attention)
- Receiving gifts (see this blog post!)
- Acts of service (doing chores or errands for her)
- Physical touch (cuddles, hand-holding, etc)
Figure out which one speaks loudest to your partner, and lean into that love language hard. For example, if she craves quality time above all else, turn off those phones/devices and give her your full presence for an evening. Relish each other’s company, and her heart will be overflowing.
No matter what, the grand gesture is really just the icing on the cake. The inexpressibly meaningful gift is YOU – your undying love, loyalty, and commitment to making her feel like the luckiest girl in the world.
Or hey, just default to chocolates and flowers again. Romancing ain’t easy!
