Valentine’s Day is steeped in so many sickly-sweet archaic traditions, it’s enough to make you want to Kool-Aid man headfirst into your local Hallmark store, your landing cushioned by overstuffed teddy-bears and fluffy red hearts. When it comes to Gifts for women on Valentine’s Day, greetings card companies would like you to believe that your wife, fiancé or girlfriend is completely enamoured by roses and pink glitter, the latter of which possesses the magic ability to burrow into every crevice of your couch and remain there until the following Valentine’s Day. But what if you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day without the cheesy, cliché gift giving traditions? After all, it’s just a fun opportunity to appreciate your partner and their individual uniqueness. So treat her to a meaningful experience as unique as she is, rather than a material object which will eventually die (flowers), be eaten (chocolates), or be stuffed into the forgotten land at the back of the underwear drawer next to her Santa socks from Christmas 2013 (lingerie.)

Fear not, gift-givers. Think of Xperience Days as your Valentine’s Day cupid, and hold our chubby hand as we guide you through the most exciting, romantic and unique Valentine’s Day gifts for women. Step away from the lingerie…

1. Oregon Chocolate Tour, Great For Valentine’s Day, $25.00 per person

Alright, we know we just kind of dissed chocolate – but this is different! If you are struggling to mentally separate chocolate from its best pal, Valentine’s Day, this unique tour is a great way to stay on theme without bombarding your girlfriend with a thousand Hershey’s kisses (again…)

Indulge his or her sweet tooth with this Portland Chocolate Making and Factory Tour. During this delicious 1.5 hours, you’ll learn all about the chocolate making process by a tour from an expert guide, as well as be able to create your very own chocolate treat to take home!

2. A Funny St Croix River Comedy Dinner Cruise, $164.00 for 2 people

If your wife, girlfriend or fiancé has funny bones, she’ll love this comedy dinner cruise along the St. Croix river. Departing from the shores of Hudson, Wisconsin, this cruise will have the two of you in stitches, with stand-up sets from the best comedic talent on offer. Not to mention the food, which is a generous buffet dinner featuring seasonal ingredients. What better way to spend date night than laughing and eating?

3. An Unusual Couples Body Painting Class in Brooklyn, $225.00 for two

If your wife loves quirky experience gifts, she’s sure to this couples body painting class in Brooklyn! She’ll be given the creative freedom to paint whatever she likes under UV lights with glowing paint, as will you.  Not only is this an intimate 2 hour-long class, but it will also be a silly experience you'll both be looking back and laughing about for years. For the green-fingered wife, this Terrarium Workshop in Brooklyn could officially win Valentine’s Day.

4. A Romantic Dance Lesson in Seattle, $89.00 for 2 participants

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a romantic dance together. And if you and your fiancé can only muster four left feet between the two of you, this dance lesson in Seattle could be the answer. Your professional instructor will work to your individual skill level, giving you everything you and your dance partner need to look like complete pros on the dance floor. Who’d have thought you had it in you?!

5. A Unique Hilton Head Dolphin Watching Cruise, $42.00 per person

For girlfriends who love nature, this dolphin watching cruise on Hilton Head Island ticks all the boxes. Imagine cruising through the Calibogue Sound with your girlfriend by your side, watching out for the tell-tale silver nose of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin to emerge from underneath the cool blue water. During this unforgettable experience, you will receive educational commentary from your captain, a marine naturalist who knows their stuff about these majestic creatures. Besides these amazing dolphins, there are plenty of other sites to spot on the cruise, including Harbour Town, South Beach, Daufuskie Island, Grendier Shoals, Tybee Lighthouse, Haig Point Lighthouse, the intracostal waterway, and more – so make sure she brings her camera!

6. A Creative Pottery Class in Albuquerque, $40.00 per person

If your fiancé is the creative type, treat her to a meditative 2½ hours spent moulding her own pottery.

During this pottery class in Albuquerque, she’ll learn how to properly use the pottery wheel – or just her own hands – to create her personal hand-made work of art. The class is led by an experienced art teacher, who will be on-hand to offer advice and guidance. The focus of the class will be the therapeutic benefits gained from making art, but let’s not forget the end result – her own creation to display at home!

7. A romantic San Diego Gondola Murano Cruise, $165.00 for 2 participants

For the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, look no further than this Gondola ride along the Coronado Cays. Your Gondolier will meet you at the Grand Caribe Shoreline Park, and show you aboard your ride for the fifty-minute trip: a traditional wooden Gondola! Relax and enjoy the ride as you cruise through the river, soaking up the scenery and each other’s company. To elevate your experience even further, a blanket, an ice bucket and wine glasses are all provided! You can bring along your own finger foods and a bottle of wine if you would like. 

8. A Special Hot Air Balloon Flight over Temecula, $200.00 for 1 Participant

This hot air balloon flight over Temecula screams ‘special’, and is a great way to surprise your wife on Valentine’s Day. You’ll start by meeting your experienced and friendly pilot in Temecula Valley Wine Country, and will have the opportunity to assist them in unpacking and inflating the balloon’s envelope. Then it’s time to climb into the basket for take-off! You and your wife can share the experience of looking out over the edge of the basket and watching as California shrinks below you. As you leave the balloon exhilarated from the ride, enjoy a complimentary champagne toast. This is an airborne adventure you won’t forget in a hurry.

9. A Thoughtful Couples’ Cooking Class, $199.00 for 2 participants

For some special quality time with your fiancé, this couples’ cooking class is hard to beat. Share in the ritual of creating a meal together, and expand your culinary horizons. The class is led by either a professional Culinary Educator, or a local Restaurant Chef, who will show you everything you need to know to whip up some fantastic dishes in no time. You will learn how to prepare a full meal (there is a large selection of cuisines you can choose from) and spend some time together whilst being able to make new friends! This unique experience is a perfect bonding experience for Valentine’s Day, and a sure-fire ticket to win all future dinner parties.

10. An Awesome Brooklyn Graffiti Art Tour, $32.00 per person

For arty girlfriends, this Brooklyn Graffiti Art Tour is an awesome option on Valentine’s Day. Brooklyn has an artistic and storied history, written in spray paint on the side of its buildings by established and up-and-coming street artists who use the city as their canvas. During this 2-hour tour, your guide will lead you through Bushwick, a melting pot for graffiti artists to come together and express themselves. You’ll witness some of the city’s most incredible murals, including an exhibition from The Bushwick Collective. As well as learning about the history behind the art, you’ll also hear about the techniques used by today’s artists.

11. A Microbrew Tour of Denver, Good For Your First Valentine’s Day Together, $60.00 per person

Bottoms up! If this is your first Valentine’s Day together, a Microbrew tour is the perfect informal gift for beer-loving girlfriends, and an excuse to spend some quality time together over drinks. During this 2-hour tour, the two of you will learn all about the history of Microbreweries in Denver, and the unique process behind the beers that make them famous. You’ll enjoy the finest beers Denver has to offer, and receive a souvenir glass to remember your day.

12. A Wine Tasting in Pittsburgh, For Your New Girlfriend / Just Started Dating, $55.00 per person

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the woman you’ve just started dating, try taking this wine tasting experience in Pittsburgh together. For those with a passion for great wine, nothing is more fascinating than learning about how their favourite drink is made. Join industry professionals from Dreadnought Wines – one of the area’s best importers – as they show you everything you ever wanted to know about wine, from how it is produced to how to pair it with food. This class is suitable for all levels, so even if you don’t know your Malbec from Merlot, you’ll soon be tasting like a pro.

14. Open Gift Certificate, For Long Distance Relationships

It’s no secret that long distance relationships are difficult. If your girlfriend lives far away or has to travel for work, trying to organise being in the same place at the same time is no mean feat. That’s why an open certificate is perfect! She can choose from hundreds of experiences across the U.S., from airborne adventures, to brunch cruises, to ghost tours. The next time you’re both in the same place at the same time, whenever and wherever that may be, you can enjoy it together. Take that, long distance!

…And that concludes our list of 16 Valentine’s Day gifts for women! We hope you’ve found something for your significant other on this list, whether you’re trying to impress your wife after 10 years of marriage, ease into your first Valentine’s Day with your new girlfriend, or surprise your fiancé. Maybe you’ve been prepared for months, or maybe you’re reading this in a rushed panic on February 13^th – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our gift certificates are delivered instantly by email, perfect for last minute presents. Even if the gift ends up not being to her taste (shocking, we know!) she can exchange it for anything else on the site.

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for or want to keep browsing, head over to our Gifts for Women category to browse the range of experiences for wives, girlfriends and fiancés.

Thanks for reading, and happy Valentine’s Day. If you have any questions or thoughts about any of these experiences, don’t forget to comment down below!