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There are few things as thrilling as the early days of a relationship. The butterflies, the small gestures – they’re all you can think about! But, if you’re still in this honeymoon stage when the holidays roll around, you’re left with a lot to consider. How much should you be spending? Are you going overboard?
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’ve been celebrating with your special someone for years, you’ve likely run out of the classic for-your-significant-other gifts. You’re ready to freshen things up and surprise them with something totally unexpected.
Well, my friends, you’ve come to the right place. For the record, gifting at any stage of a relationship is tricky. But, as we’ve mentioned at least a dozen times this holiday season, it’s kind of our specialty. I’ve scoured the web for recommendations at each and every stage of the relationship journey. Whether you’re celebrating your first holiday season together or looking at double digits, I’m confident you’ll find the perfect gift for your significant other below.
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The First Few Months
When you’re first getting to know someone, you don’t want to scare them away with over the top gifts or something extremely personal (even something like clothing can be touch-y – you don’t want to guess their size quite yet…). These gifts will do the trick instead.
Candles offer a touch of personalization but still feel perfectly early-days-of-dating. Otherland currently offers a set of minis, so if you aren’t sure you’ve nailed down your partner's favorite scents, you can give them a little variety! Plus, figuring out a favorite is an activity you can do together – light a new candle each time you’re watching your shows or cooking dinner.
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Gifts at their core are all about listening to the recipient. So if you have an occasionally forgetful S.O. or have heard about their really curious furry friend at home, this candle jar timer from Free People offers a safe solution for them to revel in the candles you give them. The candle holder is designed to give you “peace of mind” and once the timer hits zero, the lid will gently close and extinguish the flame. Therefore, the candle will not be left on for hours or be in danger of burning your S.O’s playful cat or adventurous pup. Take it from someone who accidentally set their velvet bed frame on fire whilst quickly showering before bed — this is a lifesaver!
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The gift of plants is unparalleled. Plants make a great gift for a multitude of reasons – they boost productivity, naturally purify the air, and liven up any space. To keep it low effort on the receipt, you can opt for a plant like a cacti or this succulent from The Sill — plus it’s heart shaped to really spread the love!
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If your partner is attempting to reduce their screen time, but still loves capturing fun times together, give disposable cameras a go. We recommend the analog camera with development! Photos will be sent straight to your phone from their lab!
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The First Few Years
If you’re a little bit deeper into your relationship, you’ve had the opportunity to really get to know your partner – what makes them tick, what they love, and what they’re curious to learn more about.
A more thoughtful and intimate gift is the gift of scent. Your partner will have a sweet reminder of you every morning when they’re getting ready for the day. “Bergamote 22” from Le Labo was initially dubbed “Fire Cologne” and is a sweet mix of amber, grapefruit and musk. Le Labo also allows you to personalize the bottle so you can leave a short love note in plain sight.
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I’m guilty of loving a sweat set, and there’s nothing better than a matching one with your SO! Especially in this wave of working from home, the matching sweat set has not faltered. Whether getting a matching one with your SO or not, Daily Drills offers some unisex crewnecks & sweat shorts in an array in vibrant colors. My boyfriend and I love Surf!
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A Decade (Or Two, Or Three)
I’ve yet to hit this milestone, so I can only imagine how a decade of gift giving feels. My mom doesn’t stray from her cycle of gifts for my Dad — it’s either something golf or ice cream related every time. There’s something to be said about knowing how much someone will revel in a gift (even if you’ve given it to them for the fifth time in a year), but there’s also something thrilling in the opportunity to surprise them.
A decade into love, let’s face it – the gifting stakes get even higher to make your partner feel special and taken care of. That’s why we added the gift of memory-making and adventure – all wrapped into one with this stunning e-bike from BlueJay.
BlueJay Bikes are helping reimagine the journey: classic aesthetics with modern pedal-assist tech to get where you need to go effortlessly. The bike is kitted out with a 350-watt mid-drive motor that provides over 75 miles of ride time between charges. Vintage touches like a rear rack support 55 lbs of cargo (more than enough to get your farmers market haul home safely). Yes, it's certainly a splurge, but who else deserves it more than your favorite person as a thank you for their dedication by your side over the years?
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My two best friends have recently fallen in love with the game of backgammon. It’s a way to spend quality time together while also putting your brain to work with a bit of strategy. Backgammon is something new you can learn together, pick up again or continue to enjoy. The piece from Smythson is something that can be beautifully displayed in your home or taken on the go.
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For the significant other that has recently weaned off coffee and potentially broken up with their espresso maker (even though that’s a wonderful gift too!), a matcha maker is a fun alternative. You are still able to enjoy a lighter caffeine boost at any point of the day, enjoy making a drink and bring it on long walks together. This Cuzen Matcha Maker means making matcha at home together is now a seamless experience.
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If you’re looking to shower your S.O. with a bit of love in the form of gift giving, these are the perfect ways to build intimacy or drive reconnection. Your new crush will be reminded of you throughout the day when they glance over at their lovely succulent or spend hours day dreaming of you while they enjoy the aroma wafting from their new candle.
If you’re entering into the first few years or first few decades of your romantic connection, the gifts above offer opportunities to learn about one another and explore new things together. Whether it’s clocking hours on the beach watching the sunset in your new matching chairs or clocking your fifth hour spent playing backgammon while discussing what the future holds, these are sure ways to continue to spark the love and excitement in your life.
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