Patron saint of affianced couples (naturally), happy marriages (yay!), bee keepers (wait, wha..?), against fainting (isn’t everyone?), epileptics (that’s nice, I guess), the plague (the plague has a patron saint? It’s THE PLAGUE.) and l-o-v-e (awww!), Saint Valentine, “whose name is revered among men but his acts known only to God”, is one interesting guy. I’m not Catholic but I do love mysterious men! Especially ones who are celebrated with gift-giving occasions. As Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, skip the predictable massage, flowers or chocolates and try these gift ideas for the fitness freak in your life.
Charlotte’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide* (listed in order of how much you love them):
1. Trail mix! $10. After putting in some serious gym time and watching what you ate all January, it can feel a little undermining if your loved one shows up with the Godiva giant box of truffles. I’m not saying chocolate is a bad gift – hey, I love truffles – but instead of giving your loved one something they may hate to love, what about a gift card to NutsOnline.com? That way sugarbuns can pick out a pound of magical goji berries or heart-healthy toasted walnuts. (Just don’t get pine nuts!) Best part: they will refund your money, no questions asked if you don’t like it once you try it.
What it says: “I love you enough to care that you get your daily quotient of omega-3s and antioxidants.”
Who should buy this: For couples who do not yet have “a song.”
2. Health/Fitness Magazine Subscription! $12 It’s the gift that keeps on giving – 12 months of your beloved’s favorite tips, tricks and tear-out exercise cards. My fave is Experience Life magazine but there are lots to choose from.
What it says: “I plan on being in your life for at least the next year. Plus I like looking at all the chicks in bikinis.”
Who should buy this: Couples who know each other well enough to know how ‘roided out their fluffernutter likes his/her cover models.
3. Road ID! $19.99 All of honeybunch’s vital information – name, address, emergency contact, medical alerts – stamped and ready to wear on their arm, ankle, shoe or neck. It even doubles as reflective gear.
What it says: “Please don’t die. My life would be sad without you in it.”
Who should buy this: For the very practical and very paranoid.
4. An Adventure Class! $30 (ish) Healthy types are usually adventurous types, in my experience. So treat your picklepie to a rock-climbing session, circus class, upside down yoga, trampolining, hula hooping or roller derby. The sky’s the limit!
What it says: “I will always be here to catch you when you fall. Literally.”
Who should buy this: Couples who are comfortable with each other’s bodily fluids. (You know, sweat, blood, tears… what were you thinking??)
5. Vitamix!
$400-$600. The king of all blenders, this thing does everything from crushing ice to making nut butters to grinding grains. It will even cook the food for you. In the blender. And it cleans itself. I’m not kidding. This blender is so awesome that it is the exception to the “never give a woman appliances for Valentine’s Day” rule. I’ve never met a health nut who didn’t lose their nut over this thing. (Disclosure: Vitamix gave me a blender several years ago. It’s still kickin’ and I love it more every day.)
$400-$600. The king of all blenders, this thing does everything from crushing ice to making nut butters to grinding grains. It will even cook the food for you. In the blender. And it cleans itself. I’m not kidding. This blender is so awesome that it is the exception to the “never give a woman appliances for Valentine’s Day” rule. I’ve never met a health nut who didn’t lose their nut over this thing. (Disclosure: Vitamix gave me a blender several years ago. It’s still kickin’ and I love it more every day.)What it says: “Our love is eternal and the lifetime warranty on this baby proves it.”
Who should buy this: Couples who have already made a serious commitment to each other. If you can’t amicably share a house and a dog then this appliance will outlast your relationship.
Bonus gift: Since so many gifts focus on the girl, here is a perfect gift for the man in your life. A**holeology The Cheat Sheet: Put the science into practice in everyday situations
by Chris Illuminati. It’s the man’s guide to how to get out of all their manly duties. My husband test-drove this one and couldn’t stop laughing. (disclosure: Chris is a blog friend and one of the most hilarious people I feel like I’ve met but never actually have. He sent me this book for free. But I would have bought it if he hadn’t, it’s that funny.)
by Chris Illuminati. It’s the man’s guide to how to get out of all their manly duties. My husband test-drove this one and couldn’t stop laughing. (disclosure: Chris is a blog friend and one of the most hilarious people I feel like I’ve met but never actually have. He sent me this book for free. But I would have bought it if he hadn’t, it’s that funny.) What are you getting your fit sweetie this year or what gift did you ask for? What do you usually get for Valentine’s Day? Can anyone tell me why the plague needs a patron saint??
*I was not paid by, given free stuff from, or otherwise remunerated in any way by the aforementioned companies unless otherwise noted. I just really really love these things!
Written with love by Charlotte Hilton Andersen for The Great Fitness Experiment (c) 2011. If you enjoyed this, please check out my new book The Great Fitness Experiment: One Year of Trying Everything
for more of my crazy antics and uncomfortable over-shares!
for more of my crazy antics and uncomfortable over-shares!