There will be gifts: The romantic type
What's a 'romantic' gift? Though any gift given from the heart can be romantic, the fact is that women think of some gifts as more infused with romance with others.Sheila received a license plate bearing the name of her business from her boyfriend. For her, this was romantic.
But then again, most women would sympathize with my friend Diane, whose husband gave her a Swiss Army knife for their 25th wedding anniversary. She burst into tears. He said, "But I had it engraved with your initials."
Some women enjoy receiving practical gifts as a token of affection. Even I appreciate a good book from Le Duc. But sometimes, a gift needs to say more than "best wishes", to whisper of desire, deep admiration, celebration of a woman's essence.
The classics, lingerie, perfume and flowers, are time-honoured ways to trump the Swiss Army knife. Gifts that adorn beloved's person are most romantic, though art or decorative objects (such as an antique crystal perfume bottle or an etching) are also intensely romantic if well-chosen.
The basic guideline is, "Don't be practical" though many women will add "but don't give me something I'll never use, either". New fencing for the yard is not romantic even though "she really wanted it".
Here are a few ideas, should your sweetie ask for hints. Or don't wait for someone else to provide; celebrate a milestone or just celebrate the moment with a sensuous, memorable gift to yourself!
One approach that works well: pick a favourite feature and celebrate it.
That hair...
Vi
ntage marcasite and tortoise (celluloid) hair comb in excellent condition, $100 from Susannah's Combs.
Those lips...
Yves St. Laurent Roughe Voluptué Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick, $34 from Sephora.
Tho
se eyes...
Chloe Heloise sunglasses, $329 from Eyegoodies.
Those legs...
Depend
ing on her taste,
La Canadienne Gavin boot,
or
Opening Ceremony shearling ankle boot, $430 from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Loved for her mind, as well?
A pair of tickets to the theatre, opera, or lecture series can charm a beloved who delights in these experiences. A bound set of her favourite author can thrill- but be careful, as a cookbook is not usually read as romantic.
Romantic jewels
Jewelry given by a lover is by definition romantic, but some pieces are more so than others.
Love and Pro
tection Bracelet by Macolm Appleby
This eloque
nt piece combines the image of the thistle, the ancient Scottish symbol of protection, and the classic Luckenbooth brooch motif of intertwined hearts, exchanged by lovers on betrothal or pinned to a baby's blanket for luck.
In lavish, romantic expression, the exterior of the bracelet features cast thistles and stems with two interlocking hearts, the interior is decorated with engraved ancient spirals, cups and rings, capturing the unknown meaning of the rock carvings at Baluachraig. £340 from Thistle and Broom.
If I were looking
for a special piece of jewelry for a romantic occasion, vintage would be my first choice. So much of today's design, though functional, misses the mark.
A romantic piece has history, mystery, and an emotional tone that speaks of your love. This Victorian 14k rose gold bracelet, with 24k rose gold overlay is a magnificent example. $1,350 from Carol Lane Antiques.
Nothing like a Dane
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen sterling modernist heart-design pin, $525 from Carol Lane Antiques.
Perfect choice for a woman who would not wear the typical 'heart' jewelry, but who has a place in yours.
A locket is an especially romantic piece of jewelry, worn near the heart. This exquisite Victorian black enamel locket has a hand-etched design enhanced by tiny seed pearls, and comes on a 20-inch gold chain, $895 from BeladoraII. There's some minor wear to the enamel which to me just makes it a more elegant witness to a past century.
In the language of gems, each stone is associated with an emotion, and motifs carry messages. (See the International Colored Gemstone Association article, "The Language of Love in Gems and Jewels".)
Someone with a
modest budget and big heart could give a knot, symbol of strength in a relationship. Etsy seller thebeside, based in London, England, makes a striking knot ring in silver or gold plate, $240, perfect for the woman who likes bold pieces.
Isn't it romantic...
When someone who loves you gives you someone to love?
Or makes y
ou something delicious with his or her own hands?
Or surprises you with an unforgettable experience? On her birthday
, Sandra's husband gave her a parade!
What about spa visits? Pleasant and restorative they may be– but not romantic.
Getaway weekend for two, kids in the kennel? Now you're talking.
ntage marcasite and tortoise (celluloid) hair comb in excellent condition, $100 from Susannah's Combs. Those lips...
Yves St. Laurent Roughe Voluptué Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick, $34 from Sephora.
Tho
se eyes...Chloe Heloise sunglasses, $329 from Eyegoodies.
Those legs...
Depend
ing on her taste,La Canadienne Gavin boot,
or
Opening Ceremony shearling ankle boot, $430 from Saks Fifth Avenue.Loved for her mind, as well?
A pair of tickets to the theatre, opera, or lecture series can charm a beloved who delights in these experiences. A bound set of her favourite author can thrill- but be careful, as a cookbook is not usually read as romantic.
Romantic jewels
Jewelry given by a lover is by definition romantic, but some pieces are more so than others.
Love and Pro
tection Bracelet by Macolm Appleby This eloque
nt piece combines the image of the thistle, the ancient Scottish symbol of protection, and the classic Luckenbooth brooch motif of intertwined hearts, exchanged by lovers on betrothal or pinned to a baby's blanket for luck.In lavish, romantic expression, the exterior of the bracelet features cast thistles and stems with two interlocking hearts, the interior is decorated with engraved ancient spirals, cups and rings, capturing the unknown meaning of the rock carvings at Baluachraig. £340 from Thistle and Broom.
If I were looking
for a special piece of jewelry for a romantic occasion, vintage would be my first choice. So much of today's design, though functional, misses the mark. A romantic piece has history, mystery, and an emotional tone that speaks of your love. This Victorian 14k rose gold bracelet, with 24k rose gold overlay is a magnificent example. $1,350 from Carol Lane Antiques.
Nothing like a Dane
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen sterling modernist heart-design pin, $525 from Carol Lane Antiques.Perfect choice for a woman who would not wear the typical 'heart' jewelry, but who has a place in yours.
A locket is an especially romantic piece of jewelry, worn near the heart. This exquisite Victorian black enamel locket has a hand-etched design enhanced by tiny seed pearls, and comes on a 20-inch gold chain, $895 from BeladoraII. There's some minor wear to the enamel which to me just makes it a more elegant witness to a past century. In the language of gems, each stone is associated with an emotion, and motifs carry messages. (See the International Colored Gemstone Association article, "The Language of Love in Gems and Jewels".)
Someone with a
modest budget and big heart could give a knot, symbol of strength in a relationship. Etsy seller thebeside, based in London, England, makes a striking knot ring in silver or gold plate, $240, perfect for the woman who likes bold pieces. Isn't it romantic...
When someone who loves you gives you someone to love?
Or makes y
ou something delicious with his or her own hands? Or surprises you with an unforgettable experience? On her birthday
, Sandra's husband gave her a parade!
What about spa visits? Pleasant and restorative they may be– but not romantic.
Getaway weekend for two, kids in the kennel? Now you're talking.
Comments
My ex-husband gave me a few pieces of jewellery that were really beautiful and appropriate to my style, through our marriage. But apart from that, every single time I've been given a "romantic" gift, it's been a romantic gift for someone else -- something that I would never wear or enjoy in this lifetime (dainty gold jewellery, lacy negligees, girly frilly clothing items) -- and instead of pleasing me, they gave me a sad feeling that the giving partner would in fact prefer me to be a different kind of person.
Duchesse, I'm glad you don't think a spa day or weekend is a romantic gift. Sure I like having my hair done or a deep cleaning of my face etc, but I get antsy in an "institute" for a long time. And it does somehow sound as if the partner is attempting to produce a new improved companion.
I have a friend who was THRILLED when her husband gave her an expensive knife, but one really has to know the person for that choice.
Neither of those boots would suit me (I like the black La Canadienne ones, but they are for someone taller, such as Duchesse) but I'd certainly like another model of boots by that brand - about the only somewhat attractive boots that resist our climate - I've had Pajar, but they are a bit clunky, and too heavy.
That being said, a nice piece of real gold or silver jewelry would also be appreciated!
I ask, "If the gift could talk on your behalf, would would you want it to say?" So yes, a sawzall says you are strong and capable.
I also say that if a woman is crazy in love she will see romance in a gift of office supplies.
A GF of mine received an MP3 player from a man with whom she was madly in love. She asked me what I thought; I said, "He is in like." I was not commenting on the value of the gift but the subtext. And he was.
Well Done: I have a whole series for them, click on There Will Be Gifts in the menu bar at bottom of blog.
I love buying my own jewelry, my own favourite perfume (of which I have several fav's), lingerie and spa visits are part of my regular routine.
However, when my husband tracks down some obscure vintage book that I have coveted for years and spoke of only briefly and presents that to me on Christmas morning (which he has done more than once over the last 30+ years), I find that incredibly romantic!
Although I will say his gift of my precious little Coco Chanel (Chocolate Miniature Poodle)2 years ago does override even that!
Fugal: A sweet, loving gift! Romantic gifts speak to the appreciation of the recipient as a romantic partner. As I said in the first para, romance is in the eye of the beholder.
I assert that if your admirer would give the item to a client, service provider or mother in law, it is not romantic. Some women will read romance into a set of potholders, while others would toss them.
DF did well this year. Ever practical, he bought me a set of luggage that I can pack for our travels. The inaugural trip is Christmas eve!