I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day. On one hand I have always enjoyed using this day as a way to show the people in my life how much they mean to me and as an excuse to eat all of the candy hearts. On the other hand, I do not enjoy that strawberries cost $25 just because they have their stems on. Nor do I love sitting in a crowded restaurant when I could be wearing a sweatshirt and leggings at home (though if you are not a Hobbit and like to leave the house, might I suggest Alyssa’s list here and here).
And of course I will inevitably forget the 3,000 valentines I have to send to school with my kids. So every year, without fail, at 10 p.m. I will be frantically putting tiny valentines together and writing names on them with my left hand so it looks like my kids did it, only for them to come home with more valentines and candy for me to clean up later. Having school-aged kids is a lot of fun, yes?
What I was trying to say is, if you are a person who wants to make another person feel a little special and you need some last minute ideas, here are a few special gifts to buy the people in your life (or to buy for yourself if you too stayed up too late putting classroom valentines together). These thoughtful gifts are sure to spark some joy and some will even last well beyond Valentine’s Day. How sweet is that?
Give them an hour of relaxation
If you have a busy person in your life there is literally nothing better to gift them than a facial experience. Laying in a bright and cozy space and listening to calming music while someone moisturizes your face is honestly what I hope heaven is like. LUXZURI Esthetics Spa offers customized facials, chemical peels, waxing, brow styling, and more. Buy a gift card, block off time on their calendar, and thank me later.
LUXZURI Esthetics Spa
1701 S Prospect Ave #306
Champaign
Tu-F 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sa 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pick up this gift that’s like candy, but lasts longer
As I mentioned above I’m a big fan of conversation heart candies. So I’m kind of obsessed with these Firedoll Candy Heart Candles. I love that they come in five different colors and look like giant conversation hearts. They also have an Anatomical Heart Globe candle that smells like red ginger and saffron. Firedoll candles are all made from soy right in the store and they smell amazing. These candy heart candles would be sweet in a valentines basket or on a table for a special breakfast.
Firedoll Studio
29 E Main St
Champaign
Tu-Su 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Buy a live plant instead of flowers
If you have a plant lover in your life there is definitely no better gift than more plants. I like to purchase plants from Plant Mode for a number of reasons. Matthis Helmick, the owner, has a great selection of plants, he is super helpful if you don’t know anything about them, and he will even repot the plant you buy into another vessel. So, you will look like a super thoughtful gift giver and you don’t even have to get your hands dirty. The philodendron brandtianum (above) has cute heart shaped leaves if you really want to lean into the theme, but there are a ton of other options to choose from.
Plant Mode
113 N Walnut Street
Champaign
Tu Noon to 4 p.m.
W-Sa noon to 5 p.m.
Su noon to 4 p.m.
Give a bouquet that’s already dead
I feel like this might be polarizing, but in my opinion, there is nothing worse than getting red roses. We can do better, okay? (I should probably just call this article unsolicited Valentine’s Day advice). Delight Flower Farm is known for their beautiful flowers that you can get all spring and summer long. Unfortunately, February in Central Illinois doesn’t offer much in terms of blooms, but Delight has found a new way to celebrate the holiday by selling bouquets of dried flowers. The bouquets are handmade from flowers grown on the farm, and each one is unique. There are three sizes to choose from and these are guaranteed to last way longer and make you seem more thoughtful than if you got those grocery store flowers you were going to pick up on your way home. Order them online right here.
Decorate with a colorful balloon garland
Luxe Balloons and Backdrops sells grab and go garlands for $100. I love the idea of decorating the house as a surprise, either for after school or work for the special people in your life. The garlands are six feet long and fully designed and built by Luxe. You get to pick two to three colors and they will design your garland for you. Then you can pick it up at their storefront inside CU Flowerhouse, or have it delivered to you. There’s even a full installation tutorial on their website.
Luxe Balloons and Backdrops
CU Flower House
2006 S Neil St
Champaign
M 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
T-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
