It’s Valentine’s Day, and if you’re here without a plan, you’re not alone. Don’t worry, though, because you don’t have to do the played out chocolate and overpriced roses thing.
Sometimes a present makes all the difference, especially if you’re reminding someone how much you love them.
Valentine’s Day is kind of that “nudge” of a day we all have in the year where the world says “hey you, tell ‘em you love ‘em”, and while you can do it anytime, it’s quite accepted to do it then.
The common items are expected on Valentine’s Day, with chocolates and flowers and candlelit dinners fairly obvious, but what if you want someting more? What if you’re after a bit of a present to make it seem like you had it all planned?
Fortunately we’re ready with a few ideas, and provided you’re happy to buy a gadget that can be used for more than the one purpose, you can make Valentine’s Day a little more special.
A wireless speaker, and a massage
Price: from $99
How’s that special someone going? If you want something relatively inexpensive and easy, consider surprising them with a wireless speaker playing some relaxing tunes, and then make the surprise even better by giving them a massage to complete their day.
If you’re not quite sure how to do that massage, watch a few YouTube videos ahead of time, and go slow, responding to what your partner tells you.
Where can you get it: A wireless speaker can be bought pretty much anywhere, with electronics retailers and department stores the most likely places, though if you’re planning on using oils in your massage, do yourself a favour and put a towel down.
Kindle Oasis, a bath, and a glass of bubbly
Price: from $400
Reading is one of the nicest things you can do for the soul, and a nice thing to do while you’re alone, potentially sitting in the bath or by a beach.
We don’t have a beach in our homes, but if you happen to have a bathtub, you can spoil that special someone by running that bath, pouring a glass of champagne, and letting them have a nice lovely bubble bath with a Kindle that’s waterproof.
Amazon’s latest Kindle is not only thinner and lighter than previous models, but also offers water resistance, a first for the brand, meaning it won’t break if they accidentally drop it in.
Where can you get it: Electronics retailers like Officeworks will sell the Kindle Oasis, while the eBook for the Kindle you’ll find on the store on the Kindle, so set it up ahead of gifting it. You know where you can find a bottle of bubbly, though being Valentine’s Day, expect to pay just a little more.
Record player, favourite vinyl and delivery
Price: from $500
There’s nothing like a warm music recording and a dance with someone you’re fond of. That’s certainly reminiscent of quite a few love stories, and it’s something you can recreate with the right equipment.
One of the best ways to recreate the warmth of music is through vinyl, and so if you grab a record player, a favourite record, and maybe order some delivery, you can have a nice night in with a bit of a slow dance whenever the evening calls for it.
Where can you get it: Electronics retailers will sell the record players (JB HiFi, Myer) as well as specialists, while the records will be sold at music stores (JB HiFi and specialists). And food you can order from, well, anywhere.
A projector, a dark room, a favourite flick and popcorn
Price: from $750
Need a date night but can’t get away from the homestead? Maybe you’ve got too much on or the kids won’t let you escape.
No worries, just grab a projector, a favourite movie, turn off the lights, and create your own movie cinema experience. Make sure you have a bare wall or a screen handy, and surprise that someone by creating your own drive in without having to drive anywhere.
Where can you get it: You’ll find a projector from electronics retailers (Harvey Norman, JB HiFi, Officeworks), and then something to plug into it. That might be your phone, an Apple TV, or a Blu-ray player, which you should already have, and then you just need a movie and a bag of popcorn. Oh, and that dark room, too.
The obligatory pink gadget: Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Price: $1099
Every year we hear about at least one gadget marketed for Valentine’s Day, and it’s usually pink. This year, it’s a pink Huawei Mate 10 Pro.
The phone isn’t distinctly different from the regular Huawei Mate 10 Pro, either, it’s just in pink, replacing the glossy blue slick look the regular Mate 10 Pro sports for something lighter and more limited edition.
We don’t have a special plan for this one, but if you’re spending a good thousand on a phone for someone, we’re not sure you’d need one. For bonus points, maybe throw in a wearable.
Where can you get it: You won’t be finding this one in many stores, and with only a handful arriving in the country through online store Mobileciti, you’ll need to give an “IOU” on Valentine’s Day.
