Valentine’s Day gets a bad wrap. There are many people who are dead set against the made-up holiday and feel it’s nothing more than a ploy to sell stuff. But, your special companions do enjoy getting flowers (or other attention) at the office if for no other reason than showing their co-workers that they are loved and not forgotten. No one likes to feel left out. And besides, it’s nice to have fresh flowers in your office for a few days. However, if you’re still not willing to give in to the social pressure to buy the traditional chocolates and flowers, here are 50 other ways you can let her know they are special on this day and every day. And the best part is, some of them won’t cost you a dime AND you don’t just have to pick one! Indulge!! Here is a list of FIFTY nontraditional valentine’s day presents you can buy (or do) for your Valentine on Valentine’s Day (or any day of the year).

(Just in case you’re also looking to propose on Valentine’s Day, I also have these tips for you.)

nontraditional valentine's day presents for your lover, macro shot of wedding band and engagement band by San Antonio TX Wedding Photographer Tammy Blalock, Ata-Girl Photography Co.

Nontraditional Valentine’s Day Gifts

  1. Write a heartfelt letter describing when you fell in love.
  2. Make a list of everything you love about her.
  3. Take her on a hike that includes a picnic.
  4. Buy her a puppy or a kitten.
  5. Make a silly video.
  6. BONUS if you post it on social media!
  7. Cook a homemade meal.
  8. BONUS if you light the dining room with candles!
  9. Schedule a couple’s massage.
  10. Lay a blanket in the grass and look at the stars.
  11. Bake a batch of cookies.
  12. Treat her to ice cream during a bike ride.
  13. Dinner and a movie.
  14. Run her a bath; include oils and lotion.
  15. Tell her a childhood story you haven’t already shared.
  16. Plan a late night with board games and snacks.
  17. Drive somewhere and sit on the hood of the car.
  18. Print some of her favorite pictures off of her phone and make a small scrapbook.
  19. Plant a tree in her name.
  20. Buy a star and name it after her.
  21. Let her pick a charity for you to donate to.
  22. Turn the TV off. Ask her to tell you a story about her childhood.
  23. Detail her car.
  24. Take her to a steak dinner.
  25. Get her a gift card to her favorite book store.
  26. Buy her donuts!
  27. BONUS if you also get the holes!
  28. Learn something new together.
  29. Plan an entire weekend trip.
  30. Make a handmade card.
  31. Create a personalized playlist for her.
  32. BONUS if you create a Spotify or Pandora station just for her!
  33. Make a coupon book, but for sexy time.
  34. Buy a teddy bear.
  35. Give her a foot rub.
  36. Run your fingers through her hair and caress her face.
  37. Let her sleep in late while you make breakfast.
  38. Sleep in late with her and order room service.
  39. Jewelry is always nice!
  40. Take her to the beach.
  41. Write her a poem.
  42. Surprise her by coming home early.
  43. Plan a trip to the zoo.
  44. Ride a carousel.
  45. Go out of your comfort zone and try something together totally foreign.
  46. Send her a text every hour describing your love for her. (Android Users: Use the schedule feature to make things easier.)
  47. Do a chore that she normally does.
  48. Leave her a love note where she will be surprised to find it.
  49. Send the kids away for the weekend.
  50. Take her to a drive-in movie.

I bet you’re elated you stumbled across these nontraditional valentine’s day gifts. Now. Go do something about it. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Let’s “hangout!” I wanna hear about your love story!

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About Ata-Girl

I am a San Antonio-based wedding photographer and I cater to outdoor-loving couples who prefer to have all the realness captured on their wedding days. I am the wedding photographer for the outdoor adventurers, the romantics, the laid back, the snugglers, and those who wish to capture all their realness.

I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

You can always call or text, but if you really want to get to know me, schedule a meetup!

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. I enjoy documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I love being a part of people’s journeys and consider myself privileged to document their legacies.

If you enjoyed this blog post and would like to get your hands on 20 FREE interactive wedding planning tools that every couple needs, please take a moment to access them here.

I am a published author (purchase my book here), a podcast host (listen here) (watch here) and a WPPI-C certified professional, full-time wedding photographer. I specialize in a 10-day image delivery, same-day prints, same-day slideshows, Italian handcrafted wedding albums and I have a mobile meeting space.

When I’m not behind my camera, you can find me hiking, cycling, backpacking, camping, enjoying water sports, listening to music (Elvis and Prince), hunting for arrowheads, reading audiobooks, occasionally eating a few glazed donuts (my only weakness to sweets) and then re-starting my keto diet about every 10 days. The most important things in life are for me to see my two daughters happy and to create a family history my grandparents and grandson would be proud of.