10 Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day

I personally, LOVE Valentine’s Day! Seriously, it’s absolutely my favorite holiday, EVER! I could go on and on about why I love this celebration of love and friendship—not to mention the chocolate! This is a day that comes around once every year where you can treat your loved ones and significant other to flowers, chocolates, kisses, maybe their favorite perfume, lipstick, or bowtie, or even by showing off a new pair of “PJs” (work it girl!). February is also a special month to me because my birthday is just two days after Valentine’s Day! That may be the actual reason why I love Valentine’s Day soo much…just maybe. 🙂

Really though, this day is important even if you may not be in a relationship with someone. I have a secret: Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be romantic! Sure, that is the focus, and we see it all over the media and even at grocery stores (more chocolate!), but this is a holiday to celebrate love, the way you want to define it. Love in general, love between family members, love between you and your children/nieces/nephews/doggy-children! Love between you and your siblings, your parent(s), celebrate that love that keeps you and your friend group going strong, and even your appreciation for your co-workers.

Here are some gift ideas and activities to do with someone you love this Valentine’s Day!

1.    Valentine’s Day Card

• A hand-written note or card (remember those Kindergarten days?)

• A selfie with encouraging words of love and affirmation

• Little, thoughtful things your partner or friends can appreciate and will make their day!

2.    Food!

• Manderfield’s Bakery! For all the sweets!

• Vande Walle’s aka lots of chocolate!

• Caramels and candy

• Any special sweet treat really

• Edible Arrangements

• Their favorite wine or drink

• Their favorite candy or salty snack

• I personally love sushi and pizza, so if a snack is pizza, count me in! The options are endless!

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• Cheesy boxers

• Favorite brand of sweatpants (let’s get comfy!)

• Pajamas from Lates by Kate

• Lingerie from Frederick’s of Hollywood or  Cosa Bella

• Workout clothing and leggings from Fabletics

4.    Accessories

• Makeup of course!

• Some bling at Kendra Scott Jewelry

• Gym bag or gym accessories

• M.A.C Cosmetics always has amazing makeup, lipstick, and more!

• Sephora makeup

• Fancy leather wallet

• A new watch

5.    A night in

• Cook a meal together

• Cozy up and watch a movie

• Look through old photo albums together

• Drink wine and chat

6.    Game Time

• Book an Escape Room in Appleton, Green Bay, or in Oshkosh

• Play a board game or card game!

• Scavenger hunt (create your own!)

• Murder Mystery Party

• Laser Tag at Badger Sports Park

7.    Your time

• Chat at a local coffee shop, such as Timeshel Cafe or Shellattés

• Call your friends up!

• Offer to help them with something

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8.    Outdoor Fun

• Snowshoeing (my personal favorite winter activity!) Rentals are available at Bubolz. You can find more places to snowshoe in Wisconsin here

• Hiking at the Heckrodt Wetlands right in Menasha or Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton

• Cross Country Skiing (You can rent these at Bubolz too!) There are amazing trails for both snowshoeing and cross country skiing at High Cliff State Park

• Go tubing at the Sunburst Ski Resort in Kewaskum

9.    Classes

• Pottery Class: Fired Earth Pottery and The Fire in Appleton

• Painting Class: Rooster Dreams Visual Arts right in downtown Neenah and Board & Brush Creative Studio in Appleton

• Cooking Class you can travel to and local cooking classes in the Fox River Mall and in Green Bay

• Spin Class: Evo Cycle in Neenah

• Aerobic Class/Workout session/Trampoline Park

• Pure Barre Class

10.  Boudoir

• This year (or next year), give your partner something even more beautiful: yourself

• Renew your self-love and confidence!

• Not sure what a boudoir session looks like? Check it out here!

• You feel sexy! Because duh—you are GORGEOUS! Check out these Sara June Boudoir babes!

• It is a luxurious experience where you feel like a queen!

• Get your hair and makeup done professionally. I love Jillian Dawson’s attention to your natural beauty and highlighting your features. I have more amazing things to say about her here. Time to pamper yourself!

• You will leave feeling empowered, sexy, stunningly beautiful, and absolutely fan-fucking-tastic

• You will feel amazing every time you look at these photos

• This is only a gift you can give. Completely YOU! Raw, beautiful, badass

• Show off your curves, your flaws, and features your partner loves most about you!

• Your photos are printed in your very own sexy, buttery-leather book

• Your partner will be able to look at these photos and immediately be reminded of what you mean to them

• Your partner will be reminded that you and your body feel like home to them. Because you make them feel safe, happy, warm, and excited!

• Your partner will be truly touched by photos meant for their eyes only

• What you’re insecure about, your partner actually loves and appreciates—because your marks and scars are your story, your struggles, your adventures, your life

• Here are even more reasons to book your boudoir session today!

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My experience:

I actually gave my husband a book full of my very own boudoir portraits on Christmas morning this past year. These are photos I am incredibly proud of: it is a moment in time—three months postpartum—that is unconditionally me. These photos are empowering portraits of a woman who not only grew two large baby boys to full term, but also endured two c-sections, breastfed two hungry babies, and a woman who loves to indulge in guacamole, ice cream, and sushi (duh!). My body is STRONG! My body may look nothing like what’s plastered on magazine covers, but it encompasses a woman who has a kind heart, a woman who is gorgeous, a woman who is genuine. 110% ME.

The fact that I was still breastfeeding my three-month-old and fifteen pounds over my goal weight didn’t stop me. I won’t photoshop you and I certainly did not photoshop myself because my husband loves my real body and these pictures amplify the true me: curves, stretch marks, tan lines, and all. I might eliminate slight blemishes or lighting discrepancies, but these photos are true to you and your body. Because you deserve to be reminded how beautiful you are!

This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself and those in your circle with chocolate and kisses. And treat your partner to your sexy portraits! If not this Valentine’s Day, the next one—come to me when you are ready to feel empowered. Contact me with any questions or to set up your session, and let me capture you in the best light and poses that will showcase what a bombshell you are.

Enjoy my favorite holiday with LOTS of love and appreciation for those you have around you! This is a time to spread love and kindness, and receive a little love in return. Give your human that adorable succulent they’ve needed for their collection lining every window in your house, and also a fantastic, covert (a secret you and your partner can smile about) book filled with YOU. Check out more about boudoir portraits here. I currently have three spots open for February and four sessions open for the month of March (Christmas gift, anniversary gift, and wedding gift time!). Time slots for Sara June Boudoir are booking fast; make sure you don’t wait too long to schedule your session!

Sending you love!