Valentine's Gift Guide

By Cathriona Muprhy

Love is in the air this month with Valentines Day, hearts and flowers in abundance, February is officially the month of Love! What better way to say I love you than with a thoughtful gift! I have put a few of my favourites together to help you choose the perfect gift this Valentines Day! Whatever you buy this Valentines Day, Think Romance, Think Love and Think Passion! Men, the hoover or iron might be broken, the frying pan might have seen better days but trust me, these are not items to be gifted on Valentine’s Day! Rule of thumb, if it’s household then that’s a hard No from us ladies!

Yves Saint Laurent ‘Libre Intense’

Choosing a perfume for the woman in your life can be daunting, what if I pick the wrong one? Well, you cannot go far wrong with Libre Intense from Yves Saint Laurent. The packaging itself is stunning, simple yet elegant with promise of something special inside. The bottle is a classic clear glass cut shape with the instantly recognisable YSL wrapped around it in a bold gold design against the amber coloured fragrance inside. Removing the top you are instantly treated to top notes of tangerine, bergamot, lavender. Heart notes of jasmine sambac, orange blossom, orchid accord complimented by base notes of tonka bean, vanilla, amber gris and vetiver. Priced at €132.00 for a 90ml bottle, memories of this fragrance will last a lifetime.

Paco Rabanne ‘1 Million’

When choosing a fragrance for the man in your life, my rule of thumb is, ladies, purchase a fragrance that makes you stop in your tracks and look back. Have you ever walked down the street and caught a scent that was just heavenly? Paco Rabanne 1 Million is guaranteed to do just that. It has a beautifully sensual woody scent and contains notes of rose, musk, peppermint and leather. A fragrance that will linger on his hoodies and t-shirts so that next time you “borrow” his favourite jumper, you will be reminded of him all day. Priced at €63.50 for a 100ml bottle.

Name Plate Necklace

With love Island amassing a cult-like following, it has popularised products like never before. One such item is personalised name necklaces stating either the person’s name or star sign. I sourced a beautiful one in John Ross Jewellers here in Tralee. 9ct Gold nameplate necklace at just €229.00 it is a Valentine gift that will last a lifetime.

Spa Vouchers

One way of spoiling your loved one this Valentine’s Day is with a Spa Voucher. Treat them to a day of pure indulgent pampering. Or why not switch off from the world together and book a couples Spa break? Unwind with a deep tissue massage, spoil your senses to a decadent body scrub and relax afterwards in your fluffy bathrobe, some sparkling champagne in a most romantic setting! Here in Kerry we are spoiled for choice when it comes to Spa breaks. My top recommendations are; The Spa at The Killarney Park, Angsana Spa in The Brehon, The Spa at Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Nadur Spa at Ballygarry Hotel and Peninsula Spa at Dingle Skellig hotel.

Hampers

Nothing speaks love more than thoughtfulness. To go to the effort of handpicking some of your loved ones favourite things shows time and effort, sincerity and sentimentality. That’s exactly where a hamper comes into play! You can purchase beautiful wicker baskets from Mr Price and for the woman in your life, fill it with her favourite lipstick, fluffy PJ’S and slippers, bath soaks, indulgent moisturizer, a gift voucher for her hair salon, luxury items that maybe she doesn’t buy that often because of the price? Simply put, fill it with love, care and comfort.

Similarly ladies, this can be done for the man in your life. Pay attention to what he likes, pop into it the good kind of razors he wouldn’t buy for himself (just don’t end up borrowing them yourself!) a voucher for his local barber, some comfy loungewear, a bottle of his favourite drink and some tasty treats!