Funny Gift Ideas for Military Roommate

20 Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Roommates

• Nearly half of adults don't plan to celebrate Valentine's Day
• Whether it's a family member, friend or roommate, it's possible to show some platonic love on this cupid-driven holiday
• From cleaning to baking to planning a special friend-date, there are a ton of good gifts for roommates

Valentine's Day isn't just for people in love. It's also a great excuse to give your roommate a gift.

According to WalletHub, 45 percent of adults didn't celebrate Valentine's Day in 2020 — which could be due to the fact that many people found themselves without a romantic partner.

But Valentine's Day isn't just about buying gifts for your significant other. There are plenty of other people who wouldn't mind knowing they're loved, including your roommate.

Here are 20 ways you can show your roommate some platonic love this Valentine's Day.

1. Clean up the place

Imagine the smile on your roommate's face as they walk into a freshly cleaned apartment, and they didn't have to lift a finger. Nothing shows you care more than doing the chores everybody hates.

Surprising your roommate by handling all the cleaning in the communal spaces of your apartment is a great gift. You can even hire a cleaning service to come in for a one-time deep clean if you want to treat yourself, as well.

Since this is a surprise, it's best to stay out of your roommate's room. They may feel like you're invading their privacy if you go in without checking with them first.

2. Make dinner

Whether tackling the cooking or footing the bill for ordering in, whipping up your roommate's favorite dinner is a great way to surprise them and show some love. If they already have Valentine's Day plans, pick a day right before or after the holiday to have your own roommate celebration. Light a few candles, set the table nicely and you've got a special evening together to show your appreciation.

Feeling less formal? Serve up dinner in front of the TV to watch a favorite movie together. There's nothing like a good buddy flick to go with your roommate's Valentine's gift.

According to Flickchart, some of the best out there include "The Big Lebowski," "Trainspotting," "Mallrats," "Superbad," "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "Thelma & Louise." But any favorite movie will do, whether you want to laugh together or have a good cry — just don't forget the popcorn.

3. Send them to work with lunch or a special snack

Remember what it was like when you were a kid and someone else prepared all your food? Whether you went off to school with a sack lunch or money to buy, it was such a relief to have someone else thinking about this important part of your day.

You can do this for your roommate with a packed lunch or snack on Valentine's Day. They'll appreciate you taking the time to pull something together for them so they don't have to worry about hunger pains during the day.

Sienna Livermore from delish offers up a long list of work lunch recipes that are, "crazy quick to make, and taste so much better than that wimpy PB&J." If you're in need of inspiration, consider upgrading a sandwich or tossing together a fancy salad. You can find ideas that suit any taste and dietary restrictions, giving your roommate something refreshing and healthy to eat while they're at their desk on Valentine's Day. Don't forget to write a little note on the napkin.

4. Tackle a bill all by yourself

Even with a roommate to split things with, money can often be tight. Especially right after the holiday season, your roommate will probably appreciate a little financial break as their Valentine's gift. Paying a full month's rent is most likely out of your budget, so pick a smaller bill to cover. One of the utility bills — water, cable or electricity — is usually a good place to start. Your roommate will definitely get excited about a gift like this.

To show what you've done, print out the paid bill, and put it into a card for your roommate. They still get to open a gift, and it will be a big surprise when they see what's inside the card.

5. Upgrade something

Are any of the common items in your apartment starting to run down? Is there a broken toaster that's been sitting in your kitchen for the last month? When something you share with your roommate gets old or starts not working right, it's a challenge to figure out who should replace it.

Remove the problem, and gift your roommate the use of a new toaster, blender or Bluetooth speaker. Even if it's an expensive item you'll take with you when you move out, replacing it without the conversation of who's turn it is to make the purchase gives your roommate the gift of less stress. You'll also both get to enjoy using the new whatever it is.

6. Plan a roommate date

Dates definitely aren't always of the romantic kind, and a platonic Valentine's Day date night is a great gift. Pick your roomie's favorite restaurant for dinner, then head to a local hangout for drinks. Turn your date into an active night out by playing pool or going bowling. Pick up the check as best you can, but don't feel like you have to pay for the whole night.

It might be tempting to invite more friends along but keep this night out for you and your roommate. It's a great way to bond and strengthen your relationship.

7. Keep it sweet

When in doubt of how to show you care on Valentine's Day, go sweet. It's a candy-laden holiday after all. Cater to your roommate's sweet tooth if they have one with some homemade cookies or chocolates.

Bake a batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies and decorate them with pink and red icing. Incorporate a V-Day trademark item, conversation hearts, into some candy bark. Whether you're a novice in the kitchen or a culinary expert, there's a recipe out there for you to say, "I platonically love you," on Valentine's to your roommate.

8. Leave for the weekend

Privacy is a coveted thing when you have a roommate, so maybe the best gift you can give is to leave for a few days. Go visit your folks, or treat yourself to a little weekend away.

Offering them the apartment for an entire weekend not only shows you realize the best relationships require some space, but it gives you both a little more room to relax.

9. Have a Pal-entine's celebration

You can throw together a little "Pal-entine's" party to celebrate your best pals that you get to live with. This is especially fun if you've got more than one roommate, but even if it is just you and one other person, it can still be a blast.

Grab a few of your roommates' favorite drinks and snacks, and come up with some games or conversation starters. You can try online games, like Jackbox Games (or something similar) or you can prompt a chat about the highlights and lowlights of your time living together — like the funniest time you remember having together or the worst dates you've been on.

10. Write them a nice letter

It may seem corny, but writing a letter to your roommate is one of the kindest, most thoughtful gestures. Even if you don't know them very well, you can tell them the things you appreciate about them, and give them a few compliments.

Try combining the letter with their favorite treat — it may not seem like something big to you, but a few nice words and you knowing what they enjoy can really send the message that you appreciate them.

11. Spruce things up with new décor

Especially if you've been living in the same place for a while, it's easy for your décor to get neglected — before you know it, you feel like you're living in a college dorm. After all, décor can get expensive, and other things, like bills and food, can take priority.

So, take a look at where you live and find a few things you can replace to give your home a new feel. Get new throw pillows for the couch or a new rug for the living room. Or, if you know your roommate is needing or wanting something for their own room, get it for them — whether it's new curtains or a lamp for their nightstand, even a small piece of décor is exciting for them.

12. Let them pick what you watch on TV

The ongoing battle of finding something you both like to watch on TV is exhausting. There's always something they love to watch that you can't stand. But sucking it up and telling them you'll watch whatever they want to is an exciting moment for them.

It might be something you've seen before but think is annoying or it might be a show you've never watched and have been avoiding for whatever reason. Either way, letting them share something they love (without hearing your complaints) can give them more joy than buying them something expensive.

If you do end up watching something you absolutely hate, you can at least make it more bearable with popcorn and treats.

13. Find out their love language

You and your roommate might enjoy different things and expressions of love. Find out what their love language is and think of ways you can cater to it.

For example, if their top love language is words of affirmation, you can express to them how much you appreciate them through verbal communication or notes. Or if acts of service are important to them, try serving them through washing their dishes or cleaning the bathroom when it's their turn to do it. Indulging their specific love language will have a greater effect that they'll appreciate more.

14. Do a photoshoot together

While this may seem like a typical girl thing to do, it's really for anyone that wants to have fun together. A roommate photoshoot is fun and it's something fairly unique.

Figure out a theme and either get someone to take pictures for you or just use the timer setting on your phone or camera to snap a few shots. If you can't think of any ideas, try copying old family photos or doing a funny, modern take on a well-known painting.

Once you've taken the pictures, you can even print them out, frame them and hang them in your apartment to enjoy every day.

15. Ask for advice

We all like to feel wanted and needed, which is why some people love to give advice. It makes them feel needed and they like it when others want to know their opinion or expertise. Ask your roommate for a piece of advice or for their opinion on something, even if it's for the seemingly mundane, like what color of shirt you should wear or what you should make for breakfast.

Just make sure that when you ask them for advice, you heed it — or else it could have the opposite effect. You want them to feel that their opinion matters to you, so if you ask them and then completely ignore what they say, it could make them feel worse than if you hadn't asked them at all.

16. Wash and clean out their car

One of the simplest chores, yet somehow most annoying, is washing the car. Like making the bed, it's easy to say, "There's no point in doing this because it'll just get dirty right away."

But we all know the joy of having a sparkly-clean vehicle that doesn't look like we've just gone off-roading. So, give your roommate's car a wash! If they'll let you drive it, you can just take it to a car wash and use the vacuums provided there. Or, you can wash it by hand yourself. Either way, a nice, clean car can up the feel of luxury in your roommate's life.

17. Notice their needs

Most of us have something that constantly bothers us, but we don't do anything about it. And your roommate likely isn't the exception. Do they have a broken laundry basket that they haven't gotten around to replacing? Or, are they sick of having only one coffee thermos that they need to wash every single day for their work commute?

Take note of the things that might annoy them or that they don't have and find a solution for them. Buy them that new laundry basket. Get them a set of coffee thermoses so they don't need to wash theirs every day. It's little things like this that can tell your roommate you notice them and what they need.

18. Post on social media

Everyone loves recognition. Post about your roommate on social media to show everyone how wonderful they are!

Show the world why your roommate is awesome and post everything from funny videos to career highlights (this also gives you a place to post your roommate photoshoot pics). And who knows — maybe they'll become the next social media star!

19. Give them a spa day

Whether you actually send them to a spa or create one at home, give your roommate some much-needed rest and relaxation.

If doing a spa at home, grab some face masks and give them a pedicure, complete with a foot scrub and moisturizer, while they watch their favorite show on TV. You can also give them some bath salts or a bath bomb and leave them to soak in the tub without being bothered. There are plenty of other ways to turn your home into a spa for your roommate depending on what they like.

20. Do something they enjoy

Is there something your roommate always wants to do with you, but you aren't keen on doing? Maybe they like playing Dungeons and Dragons, and you just don't understand the obsession. Or, they might like having a shopping buddy when you detest walking into a mall.

Instead of turning them down, ask them to do what they love with you. Say that you want them to teach you to play Dungeons and Dragons. Or, ask them if they're up for a day of shopping. It's normal for us to want to share our favorite things with others, so when you actively express that you want to do it with them, it's all the more meaningful and exciting.

Maintaining a successful roommate relationship

It's important to remember that, "your relationship with your roommate will quickly become one of the most important connections of your day-to-day," since they're someone you see all the time, according to Lemonade.

Nurturing and strengthening that relationship takes work, and gifts for roommates can help. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to put a little bit extra into showing how important your roommate is to you, so get with the gifting.

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Source: https://www.apartmentguide.com/blog/valentines-day-gifts-for-roommates/

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