10 interesting gift ideas to make Valentine’s Day special

10 interesting gift ideas to make Valentine’s Day special

There are several ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But one of the most popular ways to show your loved one how much they are appreciated is by surprising them with gifts. You may opt for personalized presents or choose from classic, conventional ones. The multitude of options can make it challenging to pick a perfect gift. So, here are ten tried-and-tested gifting ideas that can instantly brighten their mood and make the day memorable.

Takeout dice
Takeout dice makes choosing the dinner place easier and adds an element of fun. You can also give the ask-and-answer card game filled with couple-relevant questions. The game can prompt light-hearted, intimate, or even deep conversations.

Coordinated outfit for dinner
Nothing spells out a thoughtful gift like planning an entire outfit for your significant other. Setting up a simple dinner for two? Make it extra special by gifting a coordinated outfit along with suitable accessories and shoes to wear to the dinner.

Sneakers
Available in a multitude of designs, a cool pair of sneakers is not only stylish but also a useful gifting option. Couples can also get matching pairs or buy customized sneakers for their significant other.

Concrete tabletop indoor fireplace
A minimalist and modern tabletop fireplace can be an esthetic addition to a romantic, at-home date night on Valentine’s Day.

Sparkling water maker
This carbonated soda machine can be a fun and money-saving option for someone who frequently buys cans or bottles of sparkling water.

Portable espresso machine
A mini espresso machine or portable cold brew coffee maker can be the best morning buddy for coffee lovers. These easy-to-carry machines can give an instant caffeine boost. Alternatively, an assorted set of green tea flavors is one of the best Valentine’s gifts for those wanting to cut down on caffeine.

Weekend getaway
Planning a weekend getaway can be a thoughtful gift, especially for busy couples. To go on a vacation to a relaxing destination, booking flight tickets and making hotel reservations in advance is crucial.

Couple’s spa and massage
Making time to relax with a loved one can often be challenging. Booking a luxurious spa retreat is one of the best Valentine’s gifts as it can help couples unwind together.

Box of sweets and flowers
The conventional combination of sweets and flowers has stood the test of time. Those with a sweet tooth will surely be delighted with a box of cookies, assorted pastries and donuts, or premium chocolates. Adding a classic bouquet of flowers can create a dash of romance.

Perfume or fragrance set
Cologne or fragrance set is a common yet classic gifting item available in different price ranges. Find out and get any particular scent that is on your partner’s mind to make them feel more special and loved.

Bonus gift ideas for her
Some of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her include jewelry sets, make-up or skin-care kits, co-ord sets or dresses, handbags, personalized mugs, candles, or cashmere travel wraps.

Bonus gift ideas for him
Men can be gifted a premium beard grooming and trimming kit with organic oils, hoodies, neck pieces, joggers, or wallets.

Finally, a perfect last-minute gifting option for a loved one can be gift cards to their favorite store.

Previous Read

A handy guide to buying the right laptop

Laptops are powerful portable tech that is versatile, compact, and fast, making them the preferred choice. However, the best laptop for you is the one that complies with your needs. Now, there is a plethora of laptops in the market. This makes choosing the right device a daunting task. To help you, here is a guide to help you buy a laptop as per your needs and the best ones available in the market. Plan your budget Thanks to tough competition between laptop brands, you can buy a laptop for as low as $200. But if you can increase your budget, you can buy a quality laptop with better performance and features. Laptops like HP Stream and Dell Inspiron 11 3000 are the least expensive, costing about $150-$200. Laptops costing $900 and above have faster processors, cutting-edge graphics, and powerful resolutions. Moreover, they are lighter, making them efficiently portable. Pick your operating system Do you want a Windows or a macOS? There is no wrong answer, as the choice of the operating system solely depends on your preference. If you are confused, here’s a brief summary of each. Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest operating system, is the most flexible. Moreover, laptops with Windows OS are generally inexpensive and offer features like touch screens and dual graphic chips. On the other hand, macOS Big Sur is Apple’s latest desktop operating system and is expensive. If you are a tech wizard and know your way around an OS, you can also choose operating systems like Chrome OS and Linux. Specifications As per your needs and budget, opt for the most powerful processor, as processors influence the performance and speed of the laptop. Most laptops have an Intel® processor, although some laptops even come with an AMD processor. Inexpensive laptops offer Intel® Atom®, Intel® Celeron®, and Intel® Pentium® CPUs that are good for light document editing and browsing. However, if multitasking and speed are important to you, then opt for an Intel® Core™ i3, or better yet, an i5 or i7. Next, you should check the RAM size. Most offer only 4GB RAM space. However, experts recommend that you opt for a minimum of 8GB RAM. Furthermore, get a laptop with a solid-state drive (SSD) since these are three times faster than a hard drive. Consider buying a laptop with a minimum of 9-plus hours battery life with a 12.5- to 14-inch screen size. Top 5 laptops of 2021 To further help you, here are the five best laptops of 2021: Equipped with an 8th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and 16 GB RAM, the Google Pixelbook Go is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a fast and efficient laptop. Along with a great processor and impeccable response rate, this laptop boasts of a touchscreen display that can play 4K videos. If you’re looking to upgrade your laptop, checkout Google’s laptops on sale and save big this shopping season. The Dell XPS 13 offers excellent performance, 3.5K OLED touchscreen, i3-i7 processor, option to choose an 8GB or 16GB RAM, SSD storage, powerful display, and a sleek design. The Apple MacBook Air with the latest M1 chip provides an outstanding 14-plus hours of battery life and lightning-fast processing speed. Next is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 that is powered by the Intel® Core™ i5/i7. It comes with features like touchscreen, top-notch graphics, and up to 1TB SSD storage. Finally, don’t forget to check out the latest IdeaPad Slim 7 by electronic giant Lenovo. The recently-released laptop comes with a 15.6” display, 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, 512 GB SSD storage, Dolby Atmos® Speaker System, and a whole lot more. If you find this laptop a bit pricey, don’t worry. There are several fantastic deals on Lenovo laptops right now, and you can grab this one at a lower price from the company’s website.

Next Read

5 Early-Bird Black Friday 2023 Deals to Not Miss

As the calendar inches closer to the year's most anticipated shopping extravaganza, Black Friday, eager shoppers are already being treated for what's to come. While Black Friday may commence towards the end of the year, retailers are getting a head start on the deals frenzy by offering early-bird discounts. This trend, which gained momentum in recent years, allows savvy consumers to snag incredible bargains ahead of the shopping rush. Here’s everything to know. When will Early Bird 2023 Black Friday Start? Black Friday 2023 falls on November 24th, but it's worth noting that many retailers and online platforms kick off their sales well before the official shopping day, starting a few days earlier or earlier in the month. One might start seeing early bird discounts and promotions from various retailers starting November 2023 or as early as October 2023. Early Bird 2023 Black Friday deals to expect 1. Clothing and accessories Macy's has announced its Black Friday event with early access from 11th November 2023, followed by Black Friday Specials from 19th to 25th November. The discounts will be seen on women's fashion, designer handbags, jewelry, beauty brands, dinnerware, bedding, furniture, and mattresses. The event also provides an opportunity to plan for gifts, catering to various preferences such as men's clothing and kids' toys. 2. Electronics Most major electronics retailers roll out discounts on various gadgets, including smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. Renowned brands like Samsung and Microsoft will likely offer exciting deals through their website and retail giants like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Apple is not known to discount its products directly but provides service bundles and trade-in programs through retailers, which can help one save significantly. 3. Home goods Early bird discounts almost always extend to home goods and furniture stores. One can expect household names like IKEA, Target, and Walmart to roll out enticing discounts on everything from cozy bedding sets to elegant furniture pieces. Whether looking to revamp one’s living space or enhance one’s home comforts, these deals can help one get the best prices. 4. Travel Many airlines, hotel chains, and online booking platforms will likely tempt travelers with early bird offers on flights, accommodations, and vacation packages for the upcoming year. Here are current early bird black friday deals one can get right now: Hopper's Travel Deal Tuesday: Hopper is set to offer discounted airfare in collaboration with participating airlines and decreased rates for resort accommodations, rental houses, and rental cars on Tuesday that follows Thanksgiving. This will enable app users to save significantly. Following last year’s trends, one can save $300 on domestic flights and over $1,000 on international flights. One can also win travel credits up to $2,000 for referring friends. Booking.com's Black Friday deals: Under its Black Friday promotion, Booking.com has unveiled attractive discounts, reaching up to 30%, for approximately 900 hotels and resorts. Commencing on Thanksgiving Day, Booking.com also extends its discounts to rental cars, with up to 25% savings. 5. Beauty and skincare One can look for early bird discounts on beauty and skincare products from popular brands like Sephora and Ulta Beauty. One can score deals on makeup sets, grooming essentials, and skincare bundles that can also make perfect gifting items for the upcoming festive season. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart offer steep discounts on various products and brands during this time. Best ways to navigate early-bird sales Consumers must have a game plan as the early-bird Black Friday landscape evolves. Here's how to make the most of this trend: Stay informed: Email subscribers are usually the first line of customers who get the latest updates on early bird discounts from any brand or retailer. They may also be subject to additional perks and offers as a reward. So, one is advised to subscribe to newsletters, follow one’s favorite retailers on social media, and set up deal alerts to stay updated on the latest Black Friday offers. Compare and contrast: With multiple retailers offering early deals, one is advised to take the time to compare prices and offerings before making a purchase. One can utilize online price comparison tools and apps like BuyVia, Flipp, Mycartsavings, ShopSavvy, and others to compare prices across different retailers. Some tools even provide historical price data, helping one ascertain whether a deal is a bargain. Additionally, remember to factor in shipping costs, return policies, and any additional benefits a retailer might offer. Plan: To make wise purchases, creating a list of desired items and establishing a budget is essential. Having a plan can prevent impulsive buying and ensure that one gets the most value for their money. It is recommended to prioritize the most important items and research their regular prices to identify authentic discounts. Act swiftly: Early-bird deals tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best not to hesitate when one finds a deal that aligns with one’s shopping goals.

Our Blogs

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

4 tips that can help you pick the right investment advisor

An investment advisor can be a game-changer. A capable advisor can help solve most of your financial issues and give you the best investment advice so that you can turn market situations to your favor. But, finding the right investment advisor is not easy. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for the best investment advisor. Know what type of service you need First, you need to decide what kind of financial assistance you need. Do you need help picking investments? Or are you seeking advice on real estate, retirement, or insurance needs? Asking yourself these questions will help determine the type of investment advisor you are looking for. Nowadays, many people use a robo-advisor, which is as competent as a human investment advisor. A robo-advisor is great for investment management and other basic investments. But if you want substantial transformation in your money-situation, a human advisor is the viable option. Choose a fee-only advisor If you’ve decided to pick a human advisor, the next step is to choose the type of advisor: commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. If you’re planning something big financially, you must pick a fee-only advisor. Such advisors work for and get paid by other clients like you, so they always act in their clients’ best interest.
Read More
Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

Handy tips for retirement-focused investments

With pension plans becoming more and more obsolete, retirement-focused investments have come to the fore in the past few years. Besides helping you fund your future, these valuable assets also provide incredible gains, and in some cases, constant income till the end of life. Since investing for retirement—and planning it—can prove to be challenging, we have put together a list of tips that may be helpful in the process. Assess your options Multiple investment vehicles are ideal for long-term gains and can return a sizable amount by the time you retire. Mutual funds, stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, cash investments, annuities, and dividend reinvestment plans (DRIPs) are also good sources of high returns, although they depend on investor characteristics and risk aptitude. Saving money in certain tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRA), and brokerage accounts is also an option. Start early and young No one is ever too young to invest. It’s a healthy habit that can earn serious money in the long term, with even the smallest of investments capable of making a difference a few years down the line. Starting early gives your money time to grow and lets you accumulate more compound interest over a period of time.
Read More
4 popular credit cards for college students

4 popular credit cards for college students

A good credit score is essential as it can be a criterion for lucrative job prospects or renting an apartment. Moreover, a good credit score is an uncompromisable necessity while applying for a loan that has terms and conditions that favor you. To ensure that you have a good credit score, it is better to start building it young and early. One of the easiest ways to do so is by applying for a student credit card from prominent credit cards companies. Now, there are several credit cards companies that offer lucrative credit cards, making choosing the right one confusing. To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best credit cards companies that offer student credit cards. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: One of the biggest credit card companies in the country Bank of America offers a slew of benefits with its student credit card. With each dollar spent using this card, students can earn 1.5 points. This applies to purchases without any caps. The points can be redeemed as discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation packages. There are no restrictions or blackout dates applicable for availing these discounts. With no foreign transaction fee or annual fee, the card allows one to earn nearly 25,000 points on spending about $1000 in the first 90 days.
Read More
What you must know about guaranteed business loans

What you must know about guaranteed business loans

If you’re looking for funding your small business with a loan, you’ll most likely come across the term “guaranteed business loans.” People often misunderstand this term as business loans that are guaranteed to be approved. But, this is not what guaranteed business loans means. To clarify the confusion, let’s understand what the term actually means, and discuss the most popular types of guaranteed business loans. What are guaranteed business loans? In simple terms, guaranteed business loans in the world of small business loans refer to loans that are secured or backed by a guarantee. The guarantee can be in the form of collateral, deposit, or an agreement. This essentially means that the lender is guaranteed to receive their money back even if the borrower fails to pay. When we talk about guaranteed business loans, we refer to loans with a personal guarantee or, more commonly, loans guaranteed by the small business administration (SBA). Let’s take a look at both these types. Personally guaranteed business loans As you understand from the term “personal,” when you make a personal guarantee on a business loan, you essentially agree to sell your assets to pay off the loan, if your business is unable to do so.
Read More
5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

5 mistakes to avoid when investing in a high dividend ETF

Exchange-traded funds (ETF) have been gaining popularity in the investment sector for some time now. Along with mutual funds, they have been one of the most preferred investment options among investors. With investors having pumped in billions of dollars in ETFs by now, these funds sure seem like a lucrative investment avenue. However, financial experts suggest treading this path carefully so as to avoid unforeseeable losses. Here are a few mistakes that you can avoid while investing in high dividend ETFs: Overlooking long-term investment Looking at long-term goals is the golden rule when it comes to any type of investment. However, seasoned investors invest in ETFs on a short-term basis through a type of trading called intraday trade. This type of trading allows the investors to buy and sell stocks and other investments on the same day. However, if not thought out carefully, investing in high dividend ETFs through intraday trading can result in lower returns and higher trading costs. Buying an ETF simply based on its name This is one of the most common mistakes people make when investing in high dividend ETFs. Investors may think that an ETF’s name provides an insight into its investment reach, i.e., whether the ETF has local or/and global investors.
Read More
How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

How to qualify for a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.
Read More