If you’re currently in a relationship, you’re probably feeling the pressure to prove your love with a present – any present - right now. But don’t be tempted to panic-buy this Valentine’s: there are plenty of thoughtful and sustainable gifts out there, and we’ve picked out a few romantic ideas for the slow-living man in your life.
1. A floatation experience.
Men often miss out on the joy of spas and pampering as so many are marketed at, or solely available to women. But if your partner is working too hard, stressed our or under the weather he may be delighted and surprised at receiving a spa voucher, and if calming down is what he needs, many people find that floatation therapy is a great way to slow down racing thoughts.
Floatworks in London Bridge is the world’s largest floatation centre and is offering gift vouchers for Valentine’s Day. Here, your loved one can climb into a tank of warm, salty water and drift into carefree oblivion, free from work deadlines and other stresses.
2. Wind-up MP3 player
Just like an ordinary music player but powered by a small dynamo, the Baylis Eco Media Player (£99.95) makes a great gift for the self-sufficient man. Crank the handle to get started, and it plays MP3 tracks and even video, without the need for batteries or power cables.
If all that sounds a bit ‘primitive’ consider the advantages: carrying a hand-powered gadget like the Baylis means your loved one will never suffer the abject disappointment of his music player running out of power in the middle of a favourite tune on a long train journey. Avoiding that miserable experience is a gift in itself!
3. Tree of Love
A love that grows and endures is what we’re all after, so a ‘living’ gift will always have a particular appeal. Great for those looking for a low-cost gesture, the ‘Grow Me’ gift set (£5.99) is a tree sapling that can be kept on the windowsill until it’s big enough to be planted outside.
4. Romantic slow food dinner
If a candlelit dinner is what gets you in the mood, make this a time to discover the joys of Slow Food as a couple. You could book into a restaurant specialising in locally sourced produce, such as Acorn House or Waterhouse, or order in your own supplies to create a meal you can linger over for hours. For an authentic Slow Food experience, make sure you source your ingredients as locally as possible: y0u can find your nearest farmers’ market here.
5. Garden tools
Serious gardening season is just around the corner, so why not give him a nudge in the direction of the garden or allotment by buying him some high quality, solidly-made tools? Labour and Wait’s garden tool set (£24) combines traditional design with modern materials for a product that’s strong, tactile and great to use. Maybe by this time next year, he’ll be bringing in the dinner ingredients!
