When you want to choose the best valentine’s gift for your girlfriend, do you think of a present or an experience? I ask Pepe in all earnest.
Do you know there’s a lot of pressure for us guys to get a Valentine’s Day gift that is thoughtful, sweet, pretty, and romantic all at the same time?
I gasped when Pepe told me this.
He almost hit the panic button again.
Last year, he also almost hit the panic button. He didn’t have a girlfriend.
This year, it’s different. Pepe’s dating again but doesn’t want to “over-promise” the occasion.
What do you mean, Pepe? Overpromise???
Er… like she expects us to get engaged in September and married next June…
Yikes!!! Go easy; surely, it’s different from my time in the 90s? I tried to assure him.
Apparently, it’s like the 90s, except everything, has to happen almost LIVE. She’s an avid Instagrammer. Posting photos of herself ALL THE TIME (read pretty!)
Oh, dear… Pepe
So before you hit the panic button, consider these top gift ideas that your beloved is sure to love.
Beloved? You are so old school, Dory!
But I am OLD, Pepe!
Contents
Dating and Gifting Ideas 101 for the Best Valentine Gift for Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend
- A memorable and thrilling experience.
- Romantic dinner in a place with a nice ambiance.
- An Adventure Getaway
Your girl will appreciate that you put in a lot of thought to plan the evening.
If you top it off with wine, desserts, flowers, and a GIFT in an instagrammable setting, you will win BIG points.
For me, a man who can cook wins many points in my book. ~ Smart Dory
That doesn’t mean I’m impartial to a nice dinner date with the works.
Top Valentine Day Gift Ideas to Show Her How Much You Care
By caring, we are not all about the amount of money spent; it’s all about the experience of dating.
Some lovely ideas that will leave a lasting impression. These are the gifts I had received from some nice clueless young men when I was dating once upon a time!
Youth. Sigh…
Gifts of Flowers
Sunflower seeds in the mail with a Valentine Card.
The message, so I will always have a garden of blooms. So sweet, right? Except. He didn’t check properly and sent me seeds for Mustard Green with edible yellow blossoms. Er.. in Malay, that’s Sawi, a leafy green vegetable.
Can’t go wrong with Flowers, surely?
Another nice young man got me fresh blooms from the wet market.
He remembered a snippet of conversation when I announce to all and sundry that I like the 4 syllables cherry-san-the-mum rather than the single syllable Rose.
I still like Chrysanthemum as it’s got “Mum” in it.
Except, he bought a single yellow Chrysanthemum, the side plate’s size with a single stalk of orange-colored gladiolus blossoms.
Oh well, still flowers, I think. Except my colleagues said, “We use these when we pray to my grandmother.”
Urmph…
Who says you can’t go wrong with flowers? Just stick to roses and chocolates, Pepe. With this combination, you cannot EVER GO WRONG.
Please refer to the photo. Like this one, okay? Thank you!
Perfect Valentine Gift for Your Girlfriend, Roses, and Chocolate Truffles.
Send Gifts of Chocolates
You can’t go wrong here. You might want to give the hypermarket mega block of chocolate a miss. But that overdone “box of chocolates” is fine as long as it’s nice and pretty and not over its expiry date.
Please don’t recycle your mom’s Chinese New Year Hamper Chocolates, no matter what. Believe me; people WILL know the difference.
The true joy is in the testing and tasting. Some of the best chocolates I’ve tasted are the perfect sweet and salty balanced chocolate truffles and one who had the combination of sea salt and chili flakes!
Perfecto.
The perfect gift is a melting fondue set with the best chocolates, of course.
The most decadent way to eat chocolate!
Spa Gift Basket of Spa Vouchers
Most women love to be pampered. Gift baskets or vouchers to the salon are good logical choices.
If you’re getting the works, remember that some -hour spa session comes with a facial and a soak in the hot tub.
Better yet, get a hotel room package with access to an in house spa!
Rock Spa at Hard Rock Hotel offers a diverse selection of services such as massages, body scrubs, body wraps, facials, manicure & pedicure, and hair removal with a full host of amenities.
Guess what? I’m going there for my birthday! Yayyy!!!!
Top Jewelry Gift Ideas for Girlfriend
I will say go easy on the selection if you haven’t stepped into a jewelry store before.
You might want to go online to check first instead of walking hand in hand into the nearest shop in the mall. Things you could get for her in case you don’t know the names of stuff to Google.
- Unique Statement Necklace
- Heartbeat Necklace
- Initial Necklace
- Handmade Jewelry
- Turquoise Jewelry
- Crystal Earrings
- Stackable Rings
- Designer Watch
- Beaded Gemstone Bracelet
- *Freshwater Pearl Necklace
- *Diamond Ring
So before things get dire, Pepe. You might want to pull everything down a notch with a dinner date instead. And get a gift you will both enjoy together.
Gift Experiences
You can surprise her with an outdoor activities gift experience to somewhere she hasn’t been before. If you’re strapped for time to travel outstation, you can still bring her somewhere fun and outdoorsy.
Image credit: Jerejak Island Resort
Jerejak Island Resort.
Dinner Dates are the Best Gift Experiences
Smart Dory’s Dinner Date for love birds out to celebrate a magical moment on Valentine Day.
Going for dinner is a go-to date choice. Top tips for a successful celebration is more than just looking at the budget or the most romantic dinner venue.
I am a Piscean, and we Pisceans are easily besotted with the notion of “falling in love.”
Valentine Day is the perfect day for declaration of love.
Women and men tend to have different kinds of behavior when they like someone way too much.
How to know if someone really likes you and wants to be your Valentine?
Fact: If a woman is overwhelmingly besotted with someone, she’ll tend to get tongue-tied and shy.
Fact: If a man constantly talks about himself or make a fool out of himself. Or you notice he is trying to prove how much of a he-man he is overt; chances are he is smitten.
Valentine Day is when you pull out all the stops.
So what do you do if you want to pour out your sentiments?
You can and will do these guys.
- Buy a nice gift – but what?!!!
- Arrange a Dinner Date – but where?!!!
- Have a Fun Outing – with others?!!!
Before you break out in a cringe-fest, here are some dos to keep everything in check.
I don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day.
Suppose you are single (like me, hehe) take yourself out on that date. There’s no reason why you can’t have dinner in a fancy restaurant, enjoy the chill vibes and dine by yourself.
Seriously, you’ll be surprised how many men and women I’ve spoken to who have this fear of eating out alone, especially in a fancy restaurant.
The fancier the restaurant, the bigger the cringe.
Get over it. No problem, I do that all the time!
Now let’s start with the 7 Steps Valentine Dinner Date Guide.
Why 7, you ask? You get a whole 7 days to pick and decide. <GRINS>
How to pick the perfect venue?
The perfect venue for a dinner date has to have the right ambiance to put your date at ease.
It has to be quiet so that you can have a decent conversation.
Most of all, it needs to be luxurious enough, so your date will feel you have put thoughts into planning and making a date magical.
Try a restaurant that serves a western menu with a range of vegetarian options.
A special cabana with a sunset seaside view is high on the list of romantic venues.
Are you self-conscious about what to eat or how to order?
You may want to order a smoky BBQ or a tongue-numbing Sichuan Mala Hot Pot. However, you need to reconsider if your date will enjoy smelling like BBQ or be drenched over a steaming steamboat dinner.
Dating is the best time to spend getting to know each other and not criticizing each other’s culinary tastes.
So, the best bet is choosing something neutral and pleasant for both. Just as you want something more special than pizzas and burgers, you also don’t want just to have soups and a salad for dinner.
The Acid Personality Test – So Be Polite to the Service Staff
The best way to tell you a lot about someone new is how they treat the restaurant or service staff.
This goes for both men and women. I have seen women making inquiries by calling out to the ticketing staff, “Eh, eh, eh!!!”
No matter how beautiful or well-groomed, I think you would take this as a sign that your date.
- Craves power
- Lacks empathy, or
- Has a huge ego
You’ll likely find that your dinner date isn’t just rude to waiters. They may act in the same demeaning way towards their colleagues and family members too.
This is the Acid Test. He or she may not exactly have the desirable traits in a potential partner.
Please junk the Diet and Eat During Dinner.
Most men don’t eat raw green leafy things in a bowl. So if you’re a vegetarian and don’t eat meat, please tell him before he brings you to eat a bloody steak.
As it turns out, that “blood” in your steak isn’t blood at all. It’s myoglobin, the protein that delivers oxygen to an animal’s muscles.
It is good to let your date know beforehand if you have an allergy to shellfish.
Guys and girls (vice versa), remember to ask if your Valentine date has any food preferences.
I personally know of vegetarians who simply detest greens. This is not abnormal; it is just a personal choice.
Some restaurants require eating with chopsticks or using a knife and fork for dishes that you’d usually eat using your hands, such as pizza and burgers.
If it makes you more comfortable eating with your hands, then go for it and choose a casual restaurant.
It may be awkward to have dinner in a high-end venue when everyone is dressed up, and you’re too casual (in shorts) and get turned away at the door.
Take Time to Enjoy Your Dinner without Racing Out the Restaurant!
Guys, this is not having a quick bite at a fast-food outlet.
For speedy eaters, going for a leisurely drawn-out meal will be a challenge.
When you keep telling your date that “I get angry when I’m hungry” or rush through your meal on a date – You will always come across as rude.
Take your time and focus on keeping the conversation light and happy.
If you struggle to slow down, try taking a sip of water after every third bite. You can also make a conscious choice to put your knife and fork down at regular intervals.
Tip: Please don’t talk about subjects like work, office politics, a recent breakup, illness, and death or family problems.
No Stealing From Your Date’s Plate
Sharing plates is now a more socially acceptable way to avoid food wastages.
However, if you are on a first dinner date, please don’t be tempted to take a bite of your date’s meal.
This includes stealing a potato chip or even asking outright if you could finish her food!
So if you’re into sharing, please check the menu for a sharing board of crudities, flatbread, hummus, and olives that you can both dig in together and enjoy.
Tip: You can order from their regular menu at a local Malay cuisine café with a romantic atmosphere where you can eat with your hands and feel right at home.
Image credit: Kesum Art Gallery
Wind Down Relax With Coffee and Always Order Desserts
Women love desserts.
Unless you’re having a terrible time, always order and stay for dessert.
A dinner date is a special occasion and shows that you’re in no hurry to leave.
Treat yourself and your date to something chocolatey and decadent.
If the date is going well, this is one course that it is okay to share a luxurious chocolate mousse or a spoonful of Crème Brulee.
The Valentine Dinner Date Guide Rules
Take it from someone who started dating in the 80s. If you just met, it’s generally not that great an idea to take someone for Valentine’s Dinner Date.
You’re sending the wrong vibes, buddy.
But then again, the rules change, and with fancy restaurants, cute cafes, and that 80s midnight drives for a viewing spot outdoors, you could have the most memorable time!
So assuming you have a Date (getting one immediately on Tinder is er….)
What if I’m on a budget?
Don’t worry; I got you covered for a Valentine Dinner date that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
You need to drive your date to somewhere special.
Bright fairy lights and somewhere instagrammable is great.
Some romantic suggestions include packing your own picnic baskets.
Pulau Jerejak
List of Penang Hotel’s Promotions in no particular order.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Many know Hard Rock as a 5-star as a contemporary family-friendly beach resort at Batu Ferringhi beach with 250 music inspired theme guestrooms.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Jalan Batu Ferringhi,
11100 George Town, Penang
Telephone: +604-881 1711
Image credit: Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Mercure Penang Beach
The Mercure Penang Beach features a white sandy beach right on your doorstep, complete with stunning views of the Andaman Sea.
Mercure Penang Beach
505, Jalan Tanjung Bungah,
11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Telephone: +604-371 8888
Mercure Penang Beach.
Mercure Penang Beach.
G Hotel Gurney and G Hotel Kelawai
Ideally located between two premier shopping malls Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon, G Hotel Gurney and G Hotel Kelawai are both popular with foodies who enjoy the famous Gurney Drive promenade.
G Hotel Gurney
168A, Gurney Drive,
10250 George Town, Penang
Telephone: +604-238 0000
G Hotel Kelawai
2, Persiaran Maktab,
10250 George Town, Penang
Telephone: +604-219 0000
G Hotel Gurney
G Hotel Kelawai
Hotel Penaga
Hotel Penaga is a unique collection of pre-war terrace houses turned into a heritage boutique property with a gorgeously preserved colonial-era façade in the heart of George Town.
Hotel Penaga
Corner of Jalan Hutton & Lebuh Clarke,
10050 George Town, Penang
Reservations: +604-261 1891 / +6011-3610 3159
Image credit: Hotel Penaga
Cinnamon Restaurant at Hotel Penaga
Hotel Penaga Valentine Room Package
Jazz Hotel Penang
Ideally located in a residential suburb, Jazz Hotel Penang is a leisure stroll to Straits Quay and marina, whilst family attractions, shopping, and dining at Gurney Drive’s famous street food are just minutes away.
Jazz Hotel Penang
No. 1, Jalan Seri Tg Pinang,
Seri Tanjung Pinang,
Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang
Telephone: +604 375 3333
Jazz Hotel Penang
Jazz Hotel Penang
Lexis Suites Penang
The only 5-star luxury resort hotel in Penang with a private pool and a steam room in every suite at only 10 minutes’ drive from Penang International Airport.
Lexis Suites Penang
28, Jalan Teluk Kumbar,
11920 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Telephone: +604-628 2888
Lexis Suites Penang
The Light Hotel
The Light Hotel is a Premier Business Hotel strategically located in the prime business district of Seberang Jaya with 303 rooms and suites.
The Light Hotel
The Light Hotel
The Light Hotel
Lebuh Tenggiri 2,
13700 Seberang Jaya, Penang
Telephone: +604-382 1111
VOUK Hotel Suites
Vouk Hotel Suites has 231 guestrooms and suites (Deluxe Room, Super Deluxe Room, Executive Suite, and Family Suite) with well-equipped amenities for a memorable and delightful experience.
VOUK Hotel Suites
57-G-3, Mansion One,
Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah,
George Town, 10500 Penang
Telephone: +604 370 8333
VOUK Hotel Suites
Would I Leave You Without Some Wishes as the Best Valentine Gift for Your Girlfriend?
Hello, Romantic Messages! So, if you want to surprise and make your girl feel special.
The quotes will make your heart say, “My Heart goes, mmmmmmm.”
“Love cannot be bounded by any boundaries, then why we bound our self by fear of people and not expressing our love to each other. This Valentine’s Day, I open my heart fearlessly and let you know that you are my jug, and I am your water.”
“Love is a feeling which needs to be cherished and overwhelmed each & every day of the year. Then why limit it to a single day. But to make it more memorable and lovely, we do celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
“Your love is the best medicine for me, which can make me healthier and fresh each day. I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day, My Love.”
“My favorite place in your heart, where I want to make my home. And want to stay together with you forever and ever. Happy Valentine’s Day Dear”
“The comfort I find when you wrap me in your arms and hold me tight is just like a heavenly place for me to reside. Happy Valentine’s Day”
“The day I looked into your eyes, the very moment I felled in love with you, my lifeline. I wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day, my life.”
“My life is filled with lots and lots of happiness & joy. And this is possible because you are my life. Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.”
“You are the fortress that surrounds my heart. You’re my friend, my lover, and to me, a man among men set apart. Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.”
And Finally, Finally…
“A wink, a shy smile, and a curious look, have grown into an unfailing love that even I believe, belongs in storybooks and tall tales. Anyways Happy Valentine’s Day”
Source: Yourselfquotes
