20+ Awesome Gift Ideas for the Hopeless Romantic

| July 24, 2021 | 23 Comments

Are you looking for the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, Anniversary, Christmas, or another special occasion? If you’re planning a gift for a hopeless romantic, or are one yourself, here are some awesome ideas for your special someone. There’s a wide range of gift ideas here for every budget. Some of these sweet surprises you can make yourself and are fun, creative, personal, and unique. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give the perfect gift. Sometimes it’s just a matter of knowing what the recipient loves.

Sometimes shipping times aren’t as fast as we need them. Remember, if you’re not able to finish or receive the gift by the big day, you can always make a handmade coupon that shares about the gift if it’s on the way.

Couple overlooks the city at sunset

Several of these projects are also earth-friendly. Like repurposing maps for wrapping paper or coasters, reusing scraps of fabric as luggage tags, or keeping an old globe out of the landfill and giving it new life with a painted quote.

Experiences for the Hopeless Romantic

Truly any event can become the perfect gift for your hopeless romantic. All it takes is a little thought and planning. Think about their favorite places, restaurants, parks, hotels, or specific interests. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taking some time to think about the things and places they love the most. Do they prefer art galleries or sporting events? Would they rather hear the symphony or a jazz band? Are they someone that would love a private picnic near a waterfall or maybe their favorite wine in front of a fire in the living room? Knowing the recipient gives you all sorts of clues about what they would love as a gift.

Have you heard of the book, “The 5 Love Languages”? This isn’t a gift to give to your loved one. It’s for you (but they might want to borrow it later). This #1 New York Times international bestseller will help you discover what lights the fire in your hopeless romantic. It provides insights into how the people in your life prefer to give and receive expressions of love. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn about the person that you just haven’t quite been able to figure out.

5 Love Languages

Order the 5 Love Languages from your local indie bookstore.

Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

Author, Gary Chapman outlines these 5 general ways that a person expresses and experiences love. They are through “words of affirmation”, “quality time”, “receiving gifts”, “acts of service”, or “physical touch”. We all have preferences in this area, even if we aren’t aware of them. For example, if you have expensive jewelry and flowers delivered to your hopeless romantic, but don’t take the time to stop by and see them, you might be in trouble. They aren’t being ungrateful. If their primary love language is quality time and you give them gifts, but no time, the flowers and jewelry won’t speak to their heart. But a well-planned intimate evening together could be just the ticket for the perfect gift for them.

If your gift recipient loves words of affirmation consider leaving personal love notes, poems, or quotes around the house, in the car, on the mirror or send something to their school or office. These words can be absolutely priceless beyond any amount of money spent on a gift for them.

A Day on the Town

Hopeless Romantic Couple watching ice skaters

I knew a woman that celebrated a special day with her guy by planning an all-day trip on the light rail through town. She scouted out specific places to go within walking distance of the rail stops. First, they sipped their favorite coffees and picked up a breakfast pastry at his best-loved bakery. A few stops later they leisurely browsed in the coolest bookstore in town. Another stop took them to pick up snacks for a picnic at a gorgeous park. Later she planned a dinner stop at the most romantic restaurant with a spectacular view of the city. On the way home, they walked through their neighborhood hand in hand to end a perfect day. The gift was in the thought and time spent to plan the day, as well as the fact that she set aside a full day to make him feel extra special.

Romantic Getaways

If your hopeless romantic loves quality time, then think about all the things they care about and plan a day, a weekend, or a month that focuses on them.

Treehouse bedroom and walkway
Romantic Treehouse in NC

Book a weekend getaway at a romantic spot. This list of unique Airbnb destinations will get your imagination going. How about a gorgeous romantic treehouse or luxury glamping in a geodesic dome in North Carolina? Are you J.R.R. Tolkien fans? Then check out this Hobbit Hole Home in Tennessee. What’s more romantic than gazing up at the stars together? This Desert Dome Stargazer in northern Arizona gives you a view of the heavens from the comfort of your bed.

Dome with bedroom and window to the sky
Desert Dome Stargazer in Arizona

Worldwide Adventures

Maybe this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that calls for a bit of a splurge. Perhaps an international trip is in order. What cities come to mind when your think of your hopeless romantic? Maybe strolling together down the hidden passageways in Paris, France or being serenaded in a gondola in Venice? Possibly a romantic river cruise from Paris to Zurich is more your style? Nearly anywhere you decide to go, you can find the romantic side of the destination.

If you’re still looking for more ideas for your favorite travel lover check out these 10 other ideas here for Father’s Day, birthdays, graduations, and more.

DIY Gifts for the Hopeless Romantic

Does your gift recipient prefer something homemade? Here are some sweet and easy ideas for your hopeless romantic any time of year. Some might only take a few hours, but they’ll be extra special because you took the time to make them yourself.

Heart-Shaped Map Art from “A Gier Design”

Heart-shaped Map in a Frame - Anniversary, wedding gift
Anniversary or Wedding Gift from A Gier Design

Perfect for a wedding, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, here’s a tutorial on how to make this heart art for your valentine. You can make it with maps from 2 or 3 cities. Where each of you grew up and where you live now or include all the places you’ve lived together. These instructions are for Photoshop users, but I think it can also be done by simply printing the maps that you find online and cutting out the pieces. Find out more about how to make one at Primer Magazine, here. You can even buy a heart-shaped mat and frame from Etsy here.

Map Coasters from “Martha Stewart”

DIY Map Coasters
Map Coasters from Martha Stewart

Do you or your hopeless romantic have a dream destination? Choose maps or images from their favorite travel destination. Or maybe you want to choose the cities they’ve visited or lived in. Martha Stewart brings us these DIY instructions for these spiffy DIY upcycled map beverage coasters.

I Left My Heart In… from “In Between Laundry”

DIY Pillow - I left my heart in states pillow

Check out this sweet embroidered pillow that is perfect for a friend or relative who’s across the miles and dearly missed. The lightweight makes it easy for shipping too. Of course, you could also fill the outlines with fabric to add a bit more punch of color or use fabric paint instead of embroidery.

Your Favorite Quote on a Globe from “WhipperBerry”

DIY Crafts - Travel Quote Painted World Globe
Quote on a globe from Whipperberry

Choose your favorite hopeless romantic quote and add it to a globe. You don’t need to be able to paint beautiful letters either. Vinyl letters can be ordered from Etsy in almost any style, color, and size. The one you see here is on a black globe, but the same thing can be done on any color, of course.

A few ideas for quotes:

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.” Helen Keller

“I remember the first day I ever looked into your eyes and felt my entire world flip.”

“My favorite place is next to you because you are the world to me.”

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Taylor Hanson

Luggage Tags from “Hearth and Vine”

Upcycled Luggage Tags from Patti at Hearth and Vine

At first, these may not seem like a gift for a hopeless romantic, but imagine that these are packaged with tickets for a flight or a reservation to one of those cool Airbnbs we talked about? The wonderful thing is that the luggage tags will be a memento from the trip. How awesome is that?

Patti shares how she created these fun and colorful luggage tags from leftover fabric scraps and recycled plastic. These stocking stuffers are perfect gifts for travelers and all your friends and family. They can be personalized with their favorite colors or even travel-themed or map fabric. I also like her idea of using oilcloth, like these cute vintage retro designs.

Here’s the link to Patti’s detailed instructions.

Here are ideas for some of the supplies that you can use for this project:

Waterproof Oilcloth can be found on Etsy or on Amazon – You’ll find bright colors and quirky designs that make your luggage easy to spot on the carousel.

What is Oilcloth?

Oilcloth, also known as enameled cloth or American cloth, is a close-woven cotton duck or linen cloth with a coating of boiled linseed oil to make it waterproof. Historically, oilcloth was one of very few flexible, waterproof materials that were widely available. These days you can find it by the yard or often as tablecloths, tote bags, and so much more.

Fabric Quarters – If you don’t have the fabric on hand, you can order sets of fabric fat quarters. Each design is just a quarter of a yard, which is plenty for more than one set of tags. You could even color-code a set for a family that travels, to help them keep an eye on all their luggage. How fun would that be?

Iron-on Vinyl – If you use fabric, Patti recommends this iron-on vinyl to provide a waterproof surface. What a great idea!

Options for Attaching the Tags –

Patti recommends a flexible wire bracelet – key ring like these colorful ones.

You can also use colorful fabric ribbons from your local fabric or craft store, Amazon or Etsy

Or even these vinyl coated flexible wires that can be combined to be used in other ways as well. Use them to attach 2 pieces of luggage together,

Seven Hour Photo from “I Waste So Much Time”

DIY Crafts - Make a Time-lapse photo with PhotoShop
Time-lapse Photos with PhotoShop

If you’re handy with a camera and a bit of Photoshop or similar software, you can aim the camera at your favorite view and create a photo like this one. Set up the camera on a tripod and click the shutter once every hour for 7 hours, or more to get sunrise and sunset. What a gorgeous poster or canvas this would make in a room!

Your hopeless romantic would likely love a collage of photos of your favorite places. How about where you met, where you proposed, where you spent your first date, or took your first adventure? The list is endless. You can be even more creative and make it into a scrapbook or photo book like one of these.

Personalized Gifts

What’s the favorite color or style of your special someone? Do they love mid-century design or cats or the color red? Do they love to write or journal or make lists? Society6 is the coolest website for finding unique gifts that are personal to the tastes of your hopeless romantic. There are literally thousands of different designs in clothes, art, home decor, and even office supplies. These journals are just a small sampling of a few that could be fun for a romantic gift. Write your own note inside as a reminder of your love for them.

Do you have a cat lover in your life? The possibilities are endless for so much cat fun. Check out this collection of gifts for your favorite cat lover. If the images don’t pop up right away, just scroll down a little and they’ll show up.

Cat Clock for the Hopeless romantic
Sneaky Cat Wall Clock

Is your special someone a homebody? Do they love nothing more than to snuggle in the beautiful home that you’ve created together? Then consider a gift like this custom house 3-D portrait from Etsy that they’ll cherish forever.

custom paper 3d portrait of a house by Paper Art by Chloe
Custom House Portrait from Paper Art by Chloe

Maybe your hopeless romantic’s love language is “Words of Affirmation” but you’re not the best at coming up with the right words. If so, here’s a roundup of hundreds of romantic “love quotes” in all shapes and sizes that you can find on Etsy.

Man & woman holding Personalized I'd Choose You sign - romantic gift
Personalized “I’d Choose You” sign by Shop Carolina Made

Custom Wrap Your Gifts

DIY map wrapping paper
Earth-friendly and Colorful Gift Wrap

If you haven’t considered it yet, no matter what gift you give, you can always wrap it in map paper which makes it look awesome and is happy for the recycling world as well! Choose a place that the recipient loves or maybe a destination on their bucket list. No matter what, they’ll see that you love them well.

Here are some ideas on where to find free or cheap maps

Find unique gift-wrap options for your hopeless romantic with the perfect wrapping paper from artists around the world on Society6.

Hopeless romantic wrapping paper
Romantic Wrapping Paper

I hope this list of ideas and insights for choosing the perfect gift has helped to get your creative juices flowing. The bottom line is that there’s no one-size-fits-all gift that fits everyone on your list, but with a little thought and effort, you can find the one that’s perfect for YOUR hopeless romantic. Use one of the images below to save this article to Pinterest so you can refer to it later. Or maybe you want to drop some hints for your favorite gift-giver by sharing on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

20 Gifts for the Hopeless Romantic
20 Romantic Gifts Ideas

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Photo credits:

Couple at Sunset photo by Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Ice Skating Rink Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash

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Category: Gift Ideas, Crafts and DIY, Travel Gear

Comments (23)

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  1. Diane says:

    Great ideas!

  2. Patti says:

    What a great group of ideas. I’ve been wanting to make something with maps lately and tying it to a trip is a great idea. Thanks for sharing my luggage tags too.

    • Nancy says:

      Hi Patti,

      You’re quite welcome! I love the tags and the idea of repurposed that plastic greeting card packaging saves money and the planet. Brilliant! Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Sharon L Perkins says:

    Love it!

  4. Emese says:

    These are all such great ideas! I love making home-made gifts, and since everyone in my family is a traveler, these work for me. Thanks for posting.

  5. Kristina says:

    I’ve used maps as wrapping paper before! Lots of great ideas here, thanks!

  6. Yukti says:

    I loved all gift ideas, especially the oul cloth as it is worth giving because it is waterprooof. Wrapping gifts in map paper is an awesome idea.

  7. Annalisa Fran says:

    Cool ideas for hand made gifts for travelers. The 7 hour photo would be perfect in my living room πŸ™‚

  8. Caroline says:

    WOw! I want to try about 4 of these right now…. not for anyone other than me! Surely celebrating me… that is self-care…right?

  9. Michele Ryan says:

    Nice post. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post about gifts for travelers. I have a large collection of handmade unique gifts. If anyone interested to buy handmade unique gifts online visit our website.

  10. I’m a travel lover and I always wondered how I can meet the needs of my friends without harming my wallet….Well thanks a lot to upload this.

  11. Linda Martin says:

    Amazing Gift Ideas, This Christmas I’m planning to give my sister something similar to your amazing list. She’s a traveler I love the Seven Hour Photo from β€œI Waste So Much Timeβ€œ in a wooden frame!

    Love your post πŸ™‚

  12. Sanjeev says:

    Your list of gift ideas is really very unique. I wanted to present my wife something special on our anniversary. And I really like your ideas of personalized gifts. I hope she loves it. Also, I think we can plan a short trip together. Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas.

  13. Shreya Chatterjee says:

    Personalized gifts maybe an ideal gift when you want to connect with someone. Thanks for sharing this amazing article.

  14. Lucy says:

    Hi Nancy,

    I love how charming your ideas are. I am a person who loves giving personalized creative gifts and I am surely going to try these! Thanks πŸ™‚

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