Known throughout the world as the festival of lovers, Valentine’s Day dates back to Roman times. It originated in response to pagan rituals involving matrons, who, in order to purify their spirits, subjected themselves to the whipping of young followers of Luperco, the god of fertility. The tradition derives from the wishes of Pope Gelasius I, who, to oppose the Lupercalia, inaugurated a day dedicated to morality and Christian love around 496 AD. Coming to the present day, Valentine’s Day has become another occasion to exploit commercially. An appointment not shirked by consumer technology, which always has much to offer those looking for something to surprise and please their partner.
With the countdown to dinner with the other half only a matter of hours away, all that is left to do is play smart and secure a worthy gift to avoid going empty-handed. When by now, Amazon and other e-commerce stores can only ensure timely delivery, you have to look towards subscriptions and gift cards to hit the mark. Or even better, choose a destination for a trip destined to remain in the most fervent memories of a couple. Gifts in which there is nothing to touch, of course, because they are digital gifts, so it is the idea of guaranteed service that will delight your partner.
Videogames, languages and personal training
PlayStation or Xbox, the console changes, but the concept is the same because you can draw gift cards from 10 to 120 euros/pounds to be credited to the recipient’s prepaid card, who can then choose from the respective store what to buy among games, films, apps and TV shows. Easy, quick and guaranteed success, provided the partner is a video game enthusiast and owns a model of either console. And if he or she prefers music to consoles, head to Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and other audio streaming platforms sites to satisfy the other’s pleasure.
Those with a partner willing to study to broaden their horizons can opt for a voucher for Babbel, Duolingo or Busuu by means of courses at all levels, making it possible to start learning or perfecting a language. Alternating between grammar lessons, exercises, and video lessons with native speakers is a good starting point for learning online. And the many options available make it a gift for all budgets.
Then there are courses that can open up new chapters of life, such as those for online training offered by various platforms. Coursera is perhaps the most popular in the industry, but there is also Udemy that offers gift courses with the choice of subject matter determined later by the recipient.
You haven’t found anything good, but there is always time to give and treat yourself to a trip. You can find a hotel in the city of your partner’s dreams through one of the many travel sites, or the alternative is to rely on Smartbox, which has many different formulas in their catalogue to live the experience most in line with your tastes. In big cities, a mountain retreat, a summer holiday, a wellness stop at a spa or a flight in a hot-air balloon, all you need is to know what your sweetheart prefers, with the possibility of choosing the dates on which to leave at a later date.
Another practical and popular option is an invitation for a romantic dinner, which can be booked by reserving a specific venue or relying on The Fork gift cards, which allow you to find the restaurant of your choice from a long list of proposals. Again, different amounts are available so you can be generous within your budget.
A gift for life
Some gifts go beyond appearance and go to the heart of the matter, sometimes synonymous with salvation. One example is first aid courses, which teach what one needs to know and what to do in case of need to intervene and save those in danger.
Certainly, this is an out-of-the-ordinary gift, but perhaps more precious than the others because it gives the recipient-specific valuable knowledge for life, should one be faced with cases of suffocation, haemorrhaging, head injuries and cardiopulmonary problems. This a vital step accessible to anyone, as demonstrated by the courses organised by 1st Steps First Aid that start from £20. A unique but unforgettable way to celebrate love with your partner.
