Valentines gift or ideas for 50 year old woman in new relationship? Please help a useless bloke!

[locrog]

I don't like Valentine's as it is priced up hyped up and contrived. I prefer to be spontaneous and give when I am confident my partner would like the gift and it is unexpected ideally.

I have known my 50 year old date, for a year socially and we got on very well on the few dates we have had. She has a reasonable job and is financially secure in a nice neighbourhood. I know she likes flowers and is probably a bit of a romantic.

Red roses seem to denote love and that is a tadge too soon? Or would that be just seen as a fun thing to send on Valentine's? Or flowers that are not roses that are quality but small? And or small box of expensive chocs, and/or box or say prosseco. My aim is to get it right with not OTT but a nice gift/gesture she would like. No budget as such just appropriate for the early stage in our dating/relationship.

Any ideas please would be welcomed? Bonus but not necessary you send a weblink if you see something appropriate online and I'll check it out.

Many thanks
Loc

I'm around the same age, I would love a book, or someone to cook a meal. I've been married to so long though it's hard to think about being in a new relationship.

You could take her out for the day, a nice walk in the Cumbrian fells then call in to the South Lakes Safari Park. She likes Shih Tzus and that's a shit zoo.

I'm still reading so many can't answer all but thank you so much. I will get inspiration from you all and noted the NO NO's! Thanks for the warning but if Io doc chocs would be from a proper pet shop type one i.e. groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Good-Boy-Choc-Drops/290772011 thanks for the warning though.

Oh part of the reason I consider the dog joke is that I believe her last fella used the dog as some sort of silly excuse to end things So the aim was to flip things.

Not sure if perfume has been mentioned. If you know her favourite one/s.

Pre stat or hoteel choc and maybe small flower arrangement not roses. No valentines day card for the dog! ... buy may pull out some doggy chocs once she has had hers!

The dog idea is very sweet! I'd love that humorous and personal, spot on. Perhaps a nice gin or something if she likes alcohol? Or a virgin experience voucher relevant to one of her interests, that you could do together.

I'm in my 50s & I would appreciate tasteful flowers, not red roses. Look at Bloom and Wild. A book, a velvet scarf, a good nail varnish - maybe Chanel or a good lipstick - something small & tasteful.

In my 50s. Saw fab very bright pink tulips coming in to Aldi this week. Would love a very big bunch of those..lots as they are so bright and cheerful.

Or a small gift from Molton Brown

I would just like someone to cook me good steak and frites, and open a bottle of barolo...

I'd hate chocolates or Prosecco

Lovely bath bombs from Lush. ... good idea too if there is time.

Pre stat or hoteel choc and maybe small flower arrangement not roses. No valentines day card for the dog! ... buy may pull out some doggy chocs once she has had hers!

Erm no roses on Valentine's Day ? Oh well, it's your gift to give.

Don't try to be to clever i.e. I'm to clever and alternative to get you proper/traditional Valentines gifts. (For me, that would go down like a lead balloon.)

The non-valentines gifts for incidental occasions/birthday etc can be given when it's not Valentines Day.

The canine appropriate chocolates sound like a good idea.

(Hope you get something from her. No not that Well, none of my business really.)

However, like mother's Day it's an excuse to ramp up the prices.

Prosecco is fucking shit. If you're gonna get ANYthing, get chardonnay.

Some flowers. (Roses...)

Not milk tray as they taste like lard now. (Get Dairy Box.)

hand tied tasteful seasonal flowers with foliage seems a strong theme

thank you sooo much - and some really thoughtful answers too!

Re. 'I do have to say though that it does not impress me that you do not know her hobbies. You say you have known her a year socially? Time to start asking about her, I think.'

Ha ha, I used the word 'socially' and that was correct but incorrect at the same time too. I usually see her at a noisy music venue where our paths cross, not the sort of place where there is much opportunity to talk other than a little bit of flirting.

www.realflowers.co.uk

I think roses are lovely. As are other flowers. Plants I'm more fussy about because I choose them for specific location/light

The above has beautiful flowers. Roses but not kitsch. Don't send a huge bouquet but don't go for small either! A handwritten tasteful, non-schmalzy and definitely not sexy card.
I love my dog and would think a valentines for my dog was funny.

If you show thought and consideration and effort, you can't go wrong.
I enjoyed it when I got flowers sent to work but I was young and a lot of my colleagues were not very nice to younger females and got very jealous. I liked the teeth knashing I could hear. If it is appropriate send to her work unless you are keeping the relationship under wraps or she is very private. In which case send them to her house or deliver them personally. And don't send sexy message in the flower card!

Other flower retailers worth looking at are
Bloom and Wild (lovely - very good blooms in good condition)
Freddie's flowers (wanky but flowers look great. Haven't used them)
Bloomon.co.uk. These look fab. Different but beautiful and refreshingly cool. Again haven't used them.

DO NOT USE APPLEYARD FLOWERS I have had two bouquets sent to me. Flowers were wilted and damaged. Died quickly and disappointing in quantity. I tried to complain but there was no customer service available and they have managed to hide their contact t details. Their Facebook page didn't provide feedback or replies. Also there were lots of people online complaining about the same issues.

A three month flower subscription would be lovely. Ongoing reminder of affection. Six months would be lovelier but more extravagant.

Well done for making the effort. I hope you both enjoy the day.

Oh, and don't do a "I hate valentines rant but I got something for you because I care although it is all consumer farce.... " It sucks all the joy out of it.

Gnashing. Sorry for spelling.

I'm the same age and would be pleased with a non valentinesy, non tacky bouquet of flowers and a non humorous or overly sloppy card (pref not home made as that could be straying into cringey territory unless you're v artistic!). Bonus points for making a simple but lovely dinner.

Personally I think you can't go wrong with:

Red roses (don't avoid this - it's V day and you're her Valentine)
A bottle of nice PERFUME (I know expensive but it will go down well) (Try Chanel - they have good bags too)
And yes the chocolates and Prosecco

And a thoughtful card

I think you need to go mainstream and safe here, and the above is what any reasonable and ordinarily romantic woman would be happy to have, I think.

Jellyheadbang ... you are hilarious!

And if she likes you, she won't need to be 'impressed' - she'll just be delighted with anything you give her. I think.

Flowers from a good place like those mentioned above are lovely. I use Real Flowers.
I would personally hate naff prosecco - much over rated - or perfume, unless you knew it was the one I use. Tastes in perfume are very personal and variable!
For chocolates, recommend sticking with Hotel du Chocolat and you can’t go far wrong!

I would not be impressed with Lush either!