Valentine’s Day: Top Hygge Gifts for Her and Him

In the dark, cold winter when Valentine’s Day arrives, it’s the perfect time to embrace the hygge experience. What is hygge? Merriam-Webster defines hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) as a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable. I don’t think there’s a better way to describe how I want the person I love to feel on Valentine’s Day than content and comfortable.

What types of hygge gifts can I give to my Valentine to make them feel content and comfortable? I’ve rounded up a few ideas to get you started. This article contains commissionable links and ads. You can find the exact hygge gifts I recommend by clicking on the links below.

Hygge gifts for Her

Ladies, take the guess work out of what your Valentine should give you for Valentine’s Day. Here are a few ideas to keep you warm and pamper you. Send him this link to give him a direction of where to start.

Hygge gifts for Him

Finding the perfect Valentine’s gift for a man is easier said than done. The stereotypical Valentine’s gifts of flowers and chocolates aren’t what men typically want to receive on Valentine’s Day. Here are a few cozy and comfortable hygge gift ideas for your man this Valentine’s Day.

When couples focus on how they want their partner to feel on Valentine’s Day, the gifts become more sincere and appreciated. Choosing hygge-type Valentine’s gifts to make your partner feel content and comfortable, warm and relaxed, or just plain cozy will express to your partner that you truly care for and love them.

Need to save these ideas for later? You can save this post to Pinterest or bookmark this page. Be sure to follow me on Instagram or LTK for more ideas in the coming days. Do you have another hygge Valentine’s gift idea – share it in the comments below!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Valentine’s Mantel Decor

Happy Monday to you, friends!

Today I am sharing our mantel decorated for Valentine’s Day. I am super excited to point out the red berry garlands, which you may remember from my Instagram stories. I picked them up on the day after Christmas clearance for half price. I hung the one below the mantel with some Command hooks, and I am pleased with how it looks!

I have used some new things and mixed them with other ones that I already owned, as well as some vintage pieces pulled from other areas of our house.

I have linked the same berry garland (still available), Valentine’s garland, and Valentine’s wreath on my Like to Know.it. I have also linked similar lanterns and artwork. You can find all of the affiliate links for these things HERE.

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Valentine’s Outfit Ideas

Ken has made us a Valentine’s reservation at our favorite Italian restaurant, and I can’t wait! I know with restrictions and lockdowns in place, you may not have the option to have a nice dinner out for Valentine’s Day. But one of the easiest ways to make your quiet dinner in more special is to find a special outfit to wear.

I’ve come up with four different outfit options over on my LIKEtoKNOW.it page. The thing I love most about the pieces in all 4 outfits is that they are classic and versatile. They can be mixed and matched with all kinds of outfits throughout the year. Take a look HERE!

This look above is the one I’m most excited about. There are raving reviews on all of these pieces, so I know you’re going to love them.

This look will take you from work and then out to dinner. I have to say these pumps are my favorite. They are the most comfortable heels I own.

Such a sweet outfit! It’s hard to tell from this picture, but this black top has the sweetest neckline detail. Be sure to click to see more pictures.

Again, hard to tell from the picture…but this dress has a sweetheart neckline that is flattering on all body types. The reviews for it say how nice the fabric quality is.

I can’t wait to show you which look I’m going with. But I really can’t wait to enjoy a nice dinner with my sweetie on Valentine’s Day!

All outfits linked (commissionable links) on my LIKEtoKNOW.it page!

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Valentine’s Day Table Setting

Yes, I know. It’s still January. But let me explain!

Our high schooler’s school district decided to move to digital school only this week. They’ve said it’s for one week only, so we are hopeful that next week will be back to normal. Until this point she’s been going to school in-person (we had a choice at the beginning of the school year), so this is not something we were necessarily thrilled about. Digital is not the best fit for us, but I’ve decided to do some little things this week to make it more enjoyable.

Yesterday on my way home from the gym I stopped and got her Chick fil-A for lunch. We don’t eat fast food often, only a handful of times a year, so this was a big treat. And today I decided to make breakfast a little more special.

I mean, DONUTS…yum! The tablecloth I used is one that I bought when we were in Greece a few years ago. The little Pyrex dish is one that I found on a Thrifty Thursday. (Are you following my Thrifty Thursdays on Instagram yet?) The “vases” are recycled cold pressed juice bottles. I also used lots of other little Valentine’s touches to make it a special meal just for the two of us. Talk about elevating the average Wednesday breakfast!!

Most of the Valentine’s items I used are linked on my Like to Know.it page. These plates were only $2.39, and I think they were SO worth it. To find them and everything else I’ve linked for you, click HERE.

Influencers using Like to Know.it make a very tiny commission on anything you buy from their links. (Less than 19 cents from a placemat, for example.) It takes a bit of time to source, link, and photograph everything, so your support from shopping my links is GREATLY appreciated. 🙂

To follow me on Like to know.it, find me HERE.

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Valentine’s Gift Ideas

Hello, friends!

I recently took a poll on my Instagram page, and almost everyone said they give Valentine’s gifts to their family members. I’ve rounded up a few ideas over on my Like To Know It page, just in case you are struggling to think of the perfect gift. I’ve done Valentine’s gift guides for teen girls, teen guys, ladies, and men. I haven’t done a younger kids gift guide because we don’t have younger kids at the moment, and I only want to recommend things they’d actually want. (Our teens recommend these gifts, and so do we!)

To find links to all of these things, you can either click HERE to shop from my page on Like to Know It, or if you have downloaded the LTK.it app you can screenshot these pictures. LTK influencers receive a small commission if you buy through a link, but at no additional cost to you – prices stay the same.

Fun ideas for a teen girl’s Valentine’s Day – things she can use any day of the year!

Fun gift ideas for a teen boy, but if we’re being honest, lots of grown men would also like this stuff. Exploding Kittens is one of our favorite family card games. I promise no kittens are actually harmed.

Most of the items on the Valentine’s gift guide for men check off the want/need boxes. You can’t go wrong with these gifts!

Lots of things on the Valentine’s gift guide for ladies that will pamper her and make her feel special. If you haven’t slept under a weighted blanket, you don’t know the luxury you’re missing!

Links to all of these fabulous gifts can be found HERE!

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Red Transferware Valentine’s Decor

Valentine’s Day is one month from today, and I’m decorating in some really sweet ways. Today I want to show you how I made some changes to our dining room.

I temporarily relocated my vintage jadeite collection so that I could display my collection of red transferware. These were picked up at a variety of places. My favorites are the antique Old Britain Castles (Johnson Brothers) pieces and the Horse/Full Cry bowls (Homer Laughlin).

I also added a plate wall display over the china cabinet. These are from an incomplete set of old Gernman china that a family member gave me years ago. I decided to go with white dishes for the plate wall, because they will be a clean, neutral backdrop for anything else I decided to use throughout the year.

A friend asked me for tips on hanging a plate wall. Basically I hang the center plate where I want it. Then I hang the pieces above and below, followed by the 2 on either side. Finally, I hang the littlest ones.

As always, my trusty sidekicks are curious and a little bit in the way. LOL. These are fresh, red carnations that I am using in this Old Britain Castles pitcher. They only cost $4 at the grocery store. Carnations don’t get nearly enough credit – they last an incredibly long time, and their ruffles are so pretty.

Have a great day, everyone!

Abby Smolarsky1 Comment

Top Romantic Restaurants in Atlanta

If you’re planning a romantic evening for your special someone, here is a compilation of some restaurants that you may want to consider in and around the Atlanta area. Your evening will be much more memorable at one of these unique establishments than at a big-chain, outside-the-mall restaurant.

Imperial Fez

2285 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, 30309
404-351-0870

Their website details your experience as, “traditional food from North Africa in an exotic dining environment. Guests dine on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food eaten by hand. Shoes are left at the door and guests are magically transported to Morocco. It is a truly unique dining experience with nightly belly dancing performances starting at 7:30 p.m.”

Fogo de Chao

3101 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, 30305
404-266-9988
http://www.fogodechao.com/home/

Fogo de Chao invites you to, “an authentic Brazilian steakhouse. In 1979, Fogo® began sharing the gaucho way of preparing meat in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Today, [their] gaucho chefs still expertly grill each of [their] 15 cuts of meat and offer you continuous tableside service. [They] invite you to enjoy the delicious preparations of our gaucho chefs along with our gourmet salad bar, authentic Brazilian side dishes, and award-winning wine list.”

Ray’s on the River

6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30339
770-955-1187
http://www.raysrestaurants.com/raysontheriver/

“Ray’s on the River has been a beloved Atlanta fine dining tradition since 1984. Situated  along the Chattahoochee River, take in serene views and enjoy a menu filled with classic  Ray’s dishes, including fresh seafood flown in daily, prime cut steaks and regionally grown vegetables. [Their] award winning Sunday Brunch includes an array of more than 80 fresh  and seasonal items.”

Sun Dial Restaurant

210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, 30303
404-589-7506
http://sundialrestaurant.com/

“The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View is Atlanta’s only tri-level dining complex featuring a revolving upscale restaurant, a rotating cocktail lounge and an observatory View Level offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the magnificent Atlanta skyline. An Atlanta tradition, thousands of locals and tourists board the scenic glass elevators each year to climb the hotel’s 73 stories to The Sun Dial for its unbeatable views, classic cuisine, live jazz and relaxing ambiance.”

Canoe

4199 Paces Ferry Road, SE, Atlanta, 30339
770-432-2663
http://www.canoeatl.com/

“Tucked away along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River, yet conveniently located in the Atlanta community of Vinings lies one of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants. Balanced by both culinary expertise and natural aesthetics, Canoe offers a rich, flavorful experience for all your senses. One that has garnered numerous accolades, like being inducted into Nation’s Restaurant News 2005 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.”

Veni Vidi Vici

41 Fourteenth Street, Atlanta, 30309
404-875-8424
http://buckheadrestaurants.com/veni-vidi-vici/

“Hearty portions of handmade pasta, rotisserie meats and delectable desserts are signatures of this chic Italian trattoria. Located in the heart of midtown, Veni Vidi Vici is perfect for pre-theater dining or as a place to unwind and enjoy a relaxing meal. With its warm ambiance and attentive service, Veni Vidi Vici is a classic Italian experience at its best.”

Swan Coach House

3130 Slaton Drive, NW, Atlanta, 30305
404-261-0636
http://www.swancoachhouse.com/

Traditionally a destination for lunch, the Valentine dinner with Southern flair is one of the exceptions. Enjoy a romantic and decadent feast in the carriage house of the Swan House estate.

Calling ahead for reservations is recommended for all of these establishments. 

“A true man does not need to romance a different girl every night. A true man romances the same girl for the rest of his life.” ~Ana Alas

 

 

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