Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Your Collecting Gal

Gift giving can be stressful for those who love collectors. As I’ve said before, “Along with all the usual gift selection issues, it’s hard to know what they already have and/or if an item’s conditions will meet the collector’s standards.” But the romantic holiday brings additional stressors too because the gift has to say, “I love you!” in that romantic, panting sort of a way. Especially if the love of your life is a woman. We chicks insist on romance, you know.

Antique Valentine Postcard

For starters, send a vintage valentine to her via email. You can send them anytime between now and the holiday itself. It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s free — and most importantly, it lets her know that you didn’t forget and she won’t have to drop those hints you hate (or elbow you in the ribs).

Now you have to follow this up with a plan of action. Yes, make plans & keep them. It doesn’t have to be that traditional expensive dinner — those restaurants are probably all booked by now anyway.

A really easy — and appreciated — thing to do is to plan a romantic evening at home. Cook her dinner (it doesn’t have to be fancy; just edible and something she doesn’t have to clean up after, especially if you live together) and watch a movie. But not just any movie. A movie she loves.

It may not be your typical “chick flick,” but a flick your chick will love. If her collection is focused on a specific time period, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood or Victorian times, there are lots of period films to choose from. Most of us love the classic films. They are full of romance plus they have the vintage vibe we dig. Good romantic film choices are:

Casablanca
Doctor Zhivago
Gone With The Wind
Ladyhawke
Moulin Rouge
Sense and Sensibility
Titanic

If you don’t think you can make your way through too much sappy romance, try a romantic comedy. These are some of my favorites:

The Apartment
The Thin Man
When Harry Met Sally
The Princess Bride
The Philadelphia Story
Roman Holiday

Actually, anything with Audrey Hepburn is probably a good bet.

And here’s a tip: even if she already owns one of these films, check to see if there is a newer DVD release because they often have extras older versions do not. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated!

OK, so you’ve got plans; now the gift. Even if you purchased the DVD you’ll be watching, it’s still customary (read: expected) that there will be a pretty gift to open. And if she’s a collector, something she can keep, put on display, and point out to others as a gift from you.

If she loves vintage glamour — and cats — you could start her on a new collection of Alley Cats. Retro and vintage jewelry is pretty, and often far more affordable than you think — so head on over to your local antique mall on your lunch break. If she loves Breakfast At Tiffany’s, how about a Holly Golightly sleep mask?

Holly Golightly Sleep Mask

It’s right out of the movie, for heaven’s sake!

Audrey Hepburn Wearing Sleep Mask In Breakfast At Tiffanys

If she really, really loves that film and you’ve got deeper pockets, get Max McMurdo’s version of the sofa seen in Breakfast At Tiffany’s:

Designer Version Of Breakfast At Tiffanys Sofa

It may arrive late, but just show her what you ordered. She’ll see the lengths you went to and be thrilled!

Audrey Hepburn On Sofa In Film

Oh, and don’t forget the card — the new one you ran out and bought (or made, maybe?) just for her and signed yourself. We women are sticklers for that sort of thing.

Faux Suede Heirloom Book

If you’re married or otherwise sure she’s The One, a really nice romantic touch is to also give her a (archival quality) scrapbook to store this card and all future cards in. Do this right, and you probably won’t need to have another gift. Write a little note inside, telling her that this is a scrapbook of your love… From now on, all your cards to one another shall be properly placed inside it; ephemeral proof of your lasting love that shall live on as proof for future generations. *dreamy sigh*

Yes, we love cheesy stuff like this; and no, you don’t need to tell all your macho pals. She’ll probably do that part for you anyway. *wink*