Move over bouquets, chocolates and red wine, for the new age lovers have moved on to greener or should we say, adventurous pastures? If the current trend is anything to go by, new and exciting ways of demonstrating your love is the way to do it, while tried and tested formulas take a back seat, with gifts ranging from exquisite bespoke cheese platters to balloon rides across the Bengaluru skies.
Does your lady love have a nose for the finest of things? Then why not look up Ahalya Mathan for your better half’s very own signature perfume? Mathan, a perfumer, will be happy to create a bespoke perfume for your wife or girlfriend depending on your description of her likes and dislikes.
“It’s wonderful to take someone’s thoughts and turn it into a tangible product. People are bored of the more conventional gifts and are putting a lot of thought into what they’re gifting,” points out Mathan.
Continuing on the theme of gifts that are made to order, Rupish Karun plans to surprise his wife with a cheese hamper. “My wife is a huge cheese addict and Foodhall is offering customised cheese baskets for the season. So I’ll be packing the basket with exotic artisanal cheeses which I know she’ll love,” he says.
For newly married couple Pooja S and Vijaykumar Kannan, it’s some adrenaline rush they’re after. “I want to surprise my husband with a romantic balloon ride. I’m sure it will be lovely to get a bird’s eye view of the city,” shares Pooja. Sheetal Devatraj of Aero Adventures, who organises balloon rides, reveals that they have been getting a lot of inquiries for Valentine’s Day. “Many people have inquired about booking rides for Valentine’s Day. But, we’ll be participating at a balloon fest outside the city and won’t be able to offer the experience,” she explains.
While some opt for natural essences and essential oils, others prefer the source. “As cheesy as it sounds, there’s nothing quite like watching a plant grow along with your love for each other, so we’ll be creating really quirky romance-theme potters and potted plants. They are quite a hit despite being a bit on the mushy side and I think it’s a great idea for a gift, instead of something meaningless,” shares Sriram Aravumudan of My Sunny Balcony. Confirming the popularity of potted plants, Shane Lobo, an entrepreneur, reveals he’s going to be switching roses for the real deal this year. “My wife has always wanted a small but cute garden in our balcony, so I have decided to create a green space with a few flowering plants. With summer creeping in, our balcony is going to be in full bloom,” he says.
