2025 is off to a running start with Valentine's Day already rearing its pink, fluffy, candy-coated head! If you're sitting here scratching your head on how to be unique and original this year, we're here to help!
Here at La La Land, we spoke with our team members and asked them to share their most memorable Valentine's Day experiences and gift ideas to inspire you to think outside the box this year.
Each of these ideas is affordable, relatively easy and require minimum effort.
A Love Letter Written in With Keepsakes
When they were teenagers, Lilly's husband collected train tickets from all their first dates, stitched them together into a book, and added a heartfelt sentence printed on each ticket to create a unique love letter.
"The fact that I still have this little memento 15 years later proves how much this homemade gift means to me."
Cost: Free
Effort Required: MID-LEVEL - you'll need to get a bit crafty.
Overall Impact: Life-long, could very well lead to making them your partner for life!
A Handmade Booklet of Memories
During an "off-again" phase, Ahmad's ex surprised them with a handmade book filled with pictures, jokes, and memories. Now married, the book remains a cherished reminder that love always finds its way back.
"The fact that she wasn't an arts and craft type made this extra impressive - I still have it!"
Cost: Free - use existing keepsakes, letters, photos and drawings or print out special text messages and emails.
Effort Required: MID-LEVEL - you'll need to get a bit crafty.
Impact: Could quite literally repair a breakup and eventually lead to marriage.
Celebrating Friendship and Love
In Mexico, Valentine's Day is also a celebration of friendship. Growing up, Miguel always looked forward to exchanging small gifts with his closest friends, making everyone feel special.
Cost: $
Effort Required: MINIMAL - hand picked flowers for friends is an easy way to show your affection!
Overall Impact: Although you may not find the one, you will have a chance to make all your friends feel loved and appreciated on what can be a difficult day.
A Day of Grand Gestures
In Joyce's culture, Valentine's Day is when men express their feelings with flowers, gifts, and dinner. It's common for men to send large bouquets of flowers to their girlfriend's office, ask someone to be their girlfriend, and even propose on this day.
Cost: $$
Effort Required: MID-LEVEL - and you need to be ok with public declarations of love!
Impact: Who knows, this could be the chance to evolve your relationship from the friend zone into the next best thing!
A Romantic Picnic Under the Stars
A magical Valentine's Day memory for Laura was a nighttime picnic at Parsley Bay Beach, complete with Spanish ham sandwiches, red wine, and the company of the twilight wildlife.
Cost: $
Effort Required: MID-LEVEL - be sure to scout out your spot early to avoid any inconvenience to your picnic plans.
Overall Impact: Your partner will be woo-ed and wow-ed by this refreshing take on dinner under the stars.
A Precious Memory with You and Your Parent
Once for Valentine's, Fran and her mother decided to forget about their partners and spend the holiday together. They went to one of the best restaurants in Santiago and enjoyed a special evening celebrating with an amazing 9-course dinner and wine pairing.
"We still remember and talk about that evening together to this day!"
Cost: $-$$
Effort Required: MID-LEVEL - book ahead to get a table somewhere you've both been wanting to try!
Overall Impact: Fond memories to look back on with your parent that will stand the test of time.
Valentine's Day can be celebrated in countless ways. Whether it's a grand gesture or a simple, heartfelt expression of love, what matters most is making your loved ones feel special and appreciated.
We hope these stories inspire you to create your own unique and memorable Valentine's Day celebration this year! Clearly, it's the thought that counts.
