SEAS men, you’re so welcome.

So, you asked your Barnard baddie girlfriend to be your Valentine. (And no, I don’t care how long you’ve been dating; yes, you need to do that). And, of course, you’re just a man, so you have no idea what to do or get her. Don’t worry. I’m not only a Barnard baddie, but also an amazing gift-giver. I’m here to save you (and your relationship). 

Let’s start with some ground rules.

  1. Anything is better than nothing. This holiday is SIMPLE. All that matters is that you put in some effort and some thought. It’s okay if you’re not a great gift-giver or a huge romantic, but if you use that as an excuse to just back out entirely without trying, might as well be single. 
  2. Just like Jessie J said, it’s not about the money, money, money… Thoughtfulness will always win. Sure, an expensive gift can seem great, but some of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten have been very small but so thoughtful that I cried. 
  3. Don’t just pick something on this list and be done. This is your girlfriend; I hope you know her well enough to steer you towards something she’ll actually like. I will try categorizing these as much as possible, but I can’t read your girlfriend’s mind. 
  4. Please don’t go with heart jewelry unless she specifically mentions a certain item. Especially not in a metal that doesn’t match the rest of her jewelry. Seriously, is her comfort necklace gold or silver? Let’s be real here. 
  5. When all else fails, find (and stalk) her Pinterest. Every Barnard Baddie has one. She has boards filled with wedding ideas, every holiday wishlist since 2017, her fit inspo, and probably lots of edits of celebrities. You will absolutely find everything you need to know about what she really wants here. (And if that “everything” is just Jacob Elordi, I’m sorry). 

The Tried & True 

There is nothing wrong with traditional Valentine’s Day gifts! Some advice, though: if you want to make the gift good, make it unique to her. Has she EVER mentioned liking red roses, or have you just been told that’s what girls like? Know her favorite flowers and candies. It’s very simple to put something classic together without seeming ingenuine; plus, it’s foolproof. Everybody wins! 

The Trendsetter 

Does your girlfriend love Pinterest and changing her aesthetic every season? This might be a good place to start. Right now, we live in a world of digital cameras, bows (on everything), HUGE scarves, colorful Adidas, Sonny Angels, and over-the-ear headphones. Like I said, find and stalk her Pinterest; what did she save recently?  

The GRWM Addict

I understand makeup and skincare might be a little scary for men to navigate, so if you don’t trust yourself, just settle on a Sephora gift card and a bouquet (for presentation points). Or, if you really want to wow her, take her to the store and pay for what she puts in her basket (proceed with caution, though, it might get out of hand). It’s especially difficult to find products that your girlfriend might like ahead of time (unless you’re already familiar with her routine) since everybody’s skin and preferences are different. Gift cards aren’t bad if they’re thoughtful. 

The Bookworm

The same thing goes for books. Unless you have access to your girlfriend’s Goodreads TBR list (it might be worth finding), it might be hard to pick books she’ll really love. Gift cards always work! Or, you could, again, just take her to Book Culture and buy her a few. Another really cool gift I’ve seen is a custom book embosser. They’re all over Etsy, and I just know any bookworm girlie would love one. 

The Homebody

Does your girlfriend prefer to be at home and comfy in bed? Get her some little decor items, like a jellycat plush or a personalized candle. You could also get her some new comfy slippers, a cute table lamp, a new throw blanket or pillow, a subscription to a streaming service, or a silk pillowcase. 

The Music Lover

Does your girlfriend have a record player and 467 really niche Spotify playlists? Buy her an album she doesn’t have yet; so easy and always loved. You could also try concert tickets or merch from her favorite artist.

The Date

Is your girlfriend’s love language quality time or acts of service? Plan a thoughtful surprise date (all by yourself, please). Remember, reservations can be booked up very quickly, so don’t wait until the night before. Ideas: Reserve a table at her favorite restaurant, cook a fancy meal for her, organize a picnic, it can really be anything! 

I think I covered all my bases. If you’re still lost, I really don’t know what to say. You can do this, I promise. Remember, anything is better than nothing. Good luck! 

Header Image via Author