Thoughtful Gems and Pearls of Wisdom

 

 

A romantic gift is everything that you make it, and while a box of chocolates can be a very special gesture, there are a host of other innovative treats you can bestow on your loved one. Here are three romantic gifts that you could think about when showing someone you care.

Paris

Paris makes a reliable romantic setting, with loved-up couples flocking there for dreamy romantic weekends. Its vintage-feel is well-suited to couples, with old fashioned streets full of cafes and bars that stay open well into the night. The river Seine has moonlit cruises where you can dine, dance and spend quality time with each other. Why not climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower and look out to the whole of Paris, or wander around the flower beds in the Luxembourg Gardens. There are loads of cheap flights with Fly Monarch to whisk you and your partner off to a Parisian sunset. Slightly less romantic is the travel insurance side of things, but nonetheless a must-do. Try Go Travel for some quick and easy insurance packages that will fit the weekend break bill.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Sweep your partner off your feet, literally, and treat them to an extravagant getaway with a hot air balloon ride. You can hop on a ride with a few others, or if you really want to spoil your beloved, then you might want to invest in the exclusive package for two, which sets you both sailing above the clouds in across your chosen part of English countryside. Destinations include Essex, Hertfordshire and Shropshire as well as a long list of others. You’ll need to dress down in trainers and comfortable clothes as you take off and land in fields, round it with a little champagne breakfast at a country hotel. Look as Asda’s online gift service for different types of hot air balloon rides for a truly one-off experience that you’ll remember for years to come.

Tea at The Ritz

Go back in time and treat your partner to afternoon tea at the glamorous Ritz Hotel in the heart of London. You have to book up way in advance for this one, but it’ll be fun to dress up– men note that you’re not allowed to wear jeans and trainers- it’s all about the formal attire. You’ll be treated to a classic English tea with scones, jam and all the trimmings. Afternoon tea takes place in the luxury of the hotel’s Palm Court, a decadent dining room complete with chandeliers. It’s a special gift that will make you both feel swanky and will fill an afternoon with old-fashioned romance. This treat has a long waiting list, so to avoid disappointment you’re recommended to book at least 4 weeks in advance.

 

Browsing online can actually gift you a huge amount of choice and variety on classic and more unorthodox gifts. As they are just click away, you don’t have to –thankfully – join the herd of shoppers on the high street. If you’re going for innovation then, online shopping can help you think outside the box.

Don’t be afraid to try something new and take a gamble. The most adventurous presents can be the ones that are the most memorable – for the right reasons. Consider buying something that will get the recipient doing something a little left-field perhaps. Asda have just included hot air balloon rides to its array of gifts. It’s a wild choice, it'll certainly add a little punch to a present. They’ll ascend over the part of the English countryside they choose, and land just in time for you to take them off for a lavish breakfast.

For something on a smaller scale, check out Asda’s gift department for a range of slightly less extravagant gifts, but with just as much sentiment. Buying books for a recipient is a great idea and Asda has a list of top best sellers. There’s the windswept romance of Mills and Boon for fans of embellished romance as well as celebrity autobiographies and some classic poets like Ted Hughes and Philip Larkin.

You may be surprised by the luxurious-style of presents you can find online and it’s all nicely mixed up so you can look around clothes, jewellery, flowers and even home decor all on one site. A website like Not on the High Street has lots of ideas for wedding or birthday gifts. They do extravagant jewellery by independent boutique-style designers, cashmere jumpers, pashminas, evening bags, and even garden furniture.

The beauty of browsing online is that you’ll find what you were looking for and then more. Many designers offer their boutique designs to websites, so the variety is rich. It’s a stress-free way of shopping, with the magic appeal of being able to shop until you drop from the comfort of your own home.