Valentine Shopping: here to stay or passe'?

by Kimberley Thompson, Tastemaker in Residence

Several of my clients, both those in long term relationships and those in the first days of a relationship, have beefed about the dire LACK of gifts for Valentine's Day lately. 

The general gist is that February 14th has become an "experience" celebration; something to be Instagrammed, "Pinned" or Tweeted about. (Don't get me wrong, all of those media outlets have their place in our society. But maybe we have lost the purpose behind many special days due to the planning of an "experience" instead of keeping some moments private.)

A Valentine's day gift is a tangible; something that can be enjoyed again and again over the days, weeks and years of a relationship. A memento of a time shared , and now preserved. A gift that you can admire and appreciate each and every time you wear it. 

"Experiences" are okay to savor as you scroll past pictures in your Cloud; maybe you can even share their "specialness" with a child or grandchild a few years down the road. But good luck in trying to resurrect those feelings of the moment. Then hold your jewelry in your palm and recall how you first clasped your necklace, saw the gold shining richly on your ears or slid the cufflinks into your shirt sleeves. How you looked at the giver and saw how much it meant to them to give you a gift.

The fact remains the same. You experience the joy/moment over and over again when you either wear or see your jewelry. Try that with a picture or video over the years.

This year, make 2020 the year of the gift. A present that marks Valentine's Day once again as a special moment that truly deserves a gift wrapped in a little box.