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Flowers, cards, candy… it’s all some of us can come up with for a Valentine’s Day gift. However, in most cases you’re better off saving your money. Many don’t want these things – and sadly most of us know it.

Instead, try one of these unique gift ideas that your loved may actually want to open.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bouquet

A box of chocolates? Nice. Chocolate fondue for dessert? Sure. A Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bouquet? YES, thank you this is the gift of dreams! Not sure where to purchase one of these? Type it into Google and there are so many places to purchase this bouquet, and some even feature other candy and flowers mixed throughout.

Art, Featuring Your Pet

If your significant other is obsessed with their pet—we’re talking wants to lay on a pillow with their pet’s face or wear their pet on their clothing—then boy, do we have a gift for you. The company Pop Your Pup sells apparel, accessories, home goods, and wall art—all with your beloved pets face. All you have to do is select the product you want and upload a photo!

An Experience

There’s really no gift better than one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and whether it’s sky diving or something a little less daring, Groupon is a one stop for anything your significant other could possible want to do. Turning hot glass into art? They’ve got it. Discount tickets to a Cirque du Soleil? You bet.

A Class Taught by Their Favorite Celeb

Your creative writing professor in college may have been the worst (you totally didn’t deserve that C on the final)—but what if your class was taught by 19-time New York Times best-selling author James Patterson? MasterClass is a program that offers a month-by-month or yearly subscription to hundreds of classes taught by experts in the field. You can get guitar lessons from Carlos Santana, learn the rule of thirds from Annie Leibovits, and practice your free throws with Steph Curry. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving.

Family, Holidays

Galentine’s Day

January 24, 2024January 21, 2024 Lora Knows...

Valentine’s Day is spent with my Dean. We always try to do something sweet, and just have a nice dinner together. However, last year I was introduced to an event that happens before cupid’s big day called Gallentine’s. A friend in my office invited all the office women to a Galentine’s event. It sounded like a lot of fun so I accepted the invitation.

We had so much fun wearing pink, having charceuterie, and a signature pink cocktail. We laughed endlessly while talking, playing games and just hanging out. I’m excited to say I have received an invitation to this years celebration and am looking so forward to an evening spent with girlfriends.

If you want to spend an evening celebrating with your girls, here are some ideas!

Parks and Rec-athon
If you and your friends are fans, what better way to commemorate a day founded by Leslie Knope than with a marathon of the show? Obviously, you won’t be able to binge all seven seasons in one night (sounds like a challenge!) but be sure to, at the very least, play the famous Galentine’s Day episode from season 2. Bonus points if you make a plate of waffles for every guest.

Prosecco Picnic Party
There’s hardly anything better than Prosecco —except for maybe Prosecco at a picnic. If you live somewhere that February isn’t frighteningly cold, feel free to take your picnic party outdoors. If not, there’s nothing wrong with spreading a blanket by a cozy fire inside, just don’t forget the snacks!

Song and Dance Soiree
Any excuse to belt out your favorite songs with your BFFs by your side is welcome, and that’s why a sing-off or dance contest (or both) makes for the perfect Galentine’s Day event. Don’t have a karaoke machine? No problem—just print out the lyrics to some of your favorite sing-along songs beforehand. Pro tip: wine is greatly encouraged.

PJ Potluck
Even if you and your friends aren’t the best chefs in the world, it’s always fun to prepare a special meal or baked good to bring along to the party. Encourage your guests to come in their snazziest set of pajamas and socks, too, and settle in for a cozy and low-key evening.

Epic Adventure
Is there a special trip you’ve always wanted to take with your girlfriends but never got around to? Make this special day an excuse to finally make it happen—be it a beach vacay or an adventurous hiking trip out West. There’s no better time than the present!

Watch a RomCom Go to the movies, or even watch a video on your favorite streaming app and have all the great snacks that are available at the theater.

Try out one of these Galentine’s Day party ideas— or come up with something yourself. Whatever it is, do it with love.

Cooking

Guilt-Free, Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

January 21, 2024 Lora Knows...

These soft chewy peanut butter cookies are a favorite in our home. Trust me, you will be hooked from the first bite. It’s a wholesome treat for all ages.

Makes 1 dozen

Ingredients
1¼ cups brown rice flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
½ cup organic creamy peanut butter
½ cup maple syrup
¼ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a medium-size baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium-size bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
In a separate bowl stir together the peanut butter, maple syrup, olive oil, and vanilla extract. Make sure your peanut butter is soft and almost runny to start. If it’s not, warm it up for a couple of seconds in the microwave.
Pour the flour mixture over the peanut butter mixture and stir until barely combined. It will still look a bit dusty. Let the dough sit for 5 minutes, and then give it one more quick stir.
Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Gently press down on each one gently with the back of a fork to get a crisscross effect. If your fork sticks to the dough, just run it under hot water before each crisscross.
Bake for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes before removing them from the baking sheet.