Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Significant Other

Yesterday, I put out a survey on Facebook to ask what people would want their significant other to get them for the holidays. The main consensus I got was that you should really know the person you are in a relationship with. Many of the people responded to receiving gifts that were very personal. If you're still stumped, here are some tips for getting the right gift for that special person in your life.

Gift ideas for the adventurer

Some of us have the wanderlust bug. What would mean more to a person who has a sense of adventure is to plan a getaway to have somewhere they have been hinting. I love to travel so really a trip anywhere outside of my house is ideal. For someone that is more romantic, plan a staycation in your hometown at a beautiful resort where you can lay in bed all day and get massages. For someone who is a little more adventurous, plan a small trip to the mountains to go hiking or by the ocean for a peaceful weekend away.

There is room in your budget for even the smallest trips. Seeking adventure does not have to cost an arm and a leg. It's really the thought that counts. If you need help planning a trip away from home, check out this website Great Value Vacations.

If you have young kids at home, get a babysitter and take your husband or wife for a night on the town.

Gift ideas for the tech geek

These gifts also work well for those who like to be super organized. Courtesy of the Comedian, he feels anyone involved with tech would like to get their wires in order.

The Grid-It Organizer has always been a lifesaver on trips. Usually, the Comedian organized all of our chargers for our phones, laptops, Chromecast, and other things a tech person might need to keep handy.

Along with the organizer, we usually carry an Anker 6-Port USB charger. Instead of having ten power blocks for your different phones, we only have this one charger that we plug all of our devices into. When you're traveling, you could be limited to the number of plugs in your hotel room or space in your bag. Using these two tools help.

If you have a bigger budget, then obviously you can get even more elaborate. The Comedian usually drops hints on the things he wants. Next is a 4K TV but that's not in the budget for this year. I always make sure to check out CNet before buying anything tech related. If your SO knows their stuff, they can smell an imposter from a mile away. You'll want to do your research, check reviews, and make sure you are getting the best gift for your budget.

Gift ideas for the fashionista

Many of my friends are makeup lovers. They invest hundreds of dollars in good quality eyeshadow, blush, eyebrow pencils, and more. If you're a guy and this is not your wheelhouse, it is probably best to stay away from trying to buy makeup for that special lady in your life. This goes the same for shoes and shopping. Pay attention to what your SO is saying especially around the holidays.

I like to keep a special section in my Evernote about the things I would want to buy for my significant other. If you're not sure about your girlfriend or wife's size, don't buy anything clothing related. Trust me. You'll avoid an awkward conversation. Keep it safe and buy a classic piece of jewelry like a solitaire necklace, diamond earrings, or a nice watch. In all honesty, you can never really go wrong with a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Gift ideas for the person who has everything

Sometimes I find myself at a loss. I know my husband well enough to know he needs socks, undershirts, or random stuff for his office but I feel that lacks personalization. If you're like me and you want to get your significant other something different, something special, or something out of the ordinary. Give them an experience. Once my cousin's girlfriend gifted a day in his dream car. I don't recall the car, but it was about the experience rather than a physical gift.

Another idea if someone is a sports enthusiast, get them tickets to watch their favorite team, or make a trip out of it by taking them away for a weekend to watch a game. I know I would love some tickets to a New York Giants or Florida Gators game. Shoot... I haven't been to Gainesville, Florida in years!

Etsy has tons of personalized, handmade items that make any gift extra special. Be sure to read the reviews of those who have previously bought items. I'm a review reading maniac, and I haven't been unsatisfied with anything I bought on Etsy so far.

My overall point is to pay attention. If your boyfriend or girlfriend is a sneakerhead, then they'll want sneakers. If they like comedy, get them tickets to see their favorite comedian perform. The consensus I got from they survey online is gifting an experience is much more impressive than a physical gift.

If you need direction on what to get your loved one for the holidays, feel free to reach out to me at val@valsbytes.com.

Happy shopping!!

(There are affiliate links in this blog post)

Is it Too Early to Bring My SO to Meet My Family?

It’s official—you’ve been cuffed! After dating your fair share of dreamboats and duds, you finally found someone worth keeping around. Congrats! But now that the holidays are here, you're asking yourself that age-old question:
Is it too early to introduce them to my family?

Before making any big moves, grab your favorite yellow legal pad (or Notes app) and let’s do a little soul-searching. Here’s a handy checklist of questions to help you decide if it’s time to bring your SO into the family fold—or wait it out.

👀 Know Your Audience

One of the realest fears about introducing a significant other to your family is the unpredictable dinner table conversation. Your sweet new boo could find themselves smack in the middle of a heated debate about health care policy—and there’s no escape. Your abuelita might say something wildly inappropriate two seconds into dinner. Someone will ask when you’re getting married. Someone else will ask if you're pregnant. It's chaos.

So here’s the test:
Can your SO handle your family’s brand of crazy?

Pay attention to how they respond to awkward or tense situations in day-to-day life. Give them a heads-up about your family’s quirks and political landmines. If they take it in stride and you see them unbothered by the chaos?
You’ve got a good one.

I’ve been there. I once dated a guy with cowboy boots and a gold grill. That’s not a joke—that’s real life. I hid him from my friends and family because I knew there would be backlash. And I was right.

Which brings me to the next point...

🧭 Define the Relationship

Cuffing season is cute, but it’s not always long-term. If you’re dating someone to stay warm this winter, but already planning your Valentine’s Day exit strategy, please don’t introduce them to your family. That’s just messy.

Bringing a temporary fling to a holiday party sends mixed messages—to them and to your family. It sets up false hope and unnecessary drama.

On the other hand, if this person feels like someone you want around after February... by all means, bring them into your world. Your family is probably dying to meet the person who makes you light up when you talk about them.

⏰ Is It the Right Time?

Maybe it’s been a few weeks. Maybe it’s been a few months.
Spoiler: Length doesn’t matter. (Not here, anyway.)

It’s about how you feel.

A wise friend once told me, “When you know, you know.”
It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. When it’s right, it feels different than anything before.

The holidays are one of the most social times of the year. You probably see your family more now than any other time. So if you’re itching to show off your relationship—but you’re unsure—take a step back and run through these questions:

• Are you proud to be with this person?

• Can they roll with your family dynamic?

• Are you in it for the long haul?

If you’re nodding “yes,” then prep your partner for a crash course in family traditions and awkward questions. Because ready or not... it’s time to meet the crew.

Is it Rabbit Season? No, it's Cuffing Season

For the past few weeks, I've been dropping the phrase cuffing season on social media and in conversation. Most of you gave me a puzzled look—and that’s okay! It’s a fairly new term for something that’s been happening forever. I first heard it a few years ago, right around the time I got engaged to The Comedian. I used to think it only applied to engagements, but I was wrong. It’s deeper than that.

Cuffing season is what this cozy, chilly time of year does to people emotionally. Between November and February, studies show that men are 15% more likely to get into a relationship. That’s right—the cold has a way of heating up the dating scene.

🧣 What is Cuffing Season?

I’m still not sure why the word cuff stuck—personally, I vote for Cuddling Season. But alas, here we are. According to psychologist and matchmaking CEO Sameera Sullivan:

“Cuffing season is that period of time between fall and the dead of winter when people start looking for someone they can spend those long, frigid months with.”

Sounds about right. It’s less about lifelong romance and more about someone to share hot cocoa and Netflix with. And, let’s be real—also about avoiding awkward questions from your grandmother who still wants to know when you’re getting married. (Now that I'm married, she's asking when we’re having kids. I just sip my wine and walk away.)

Let’s face it—being alone during the holidays can be tough. Everyone else seems to have a plus-one for Christmas parties and a midnight kiss on New Year’s Eve. Wanting a temporary companion? Totally understandable.

🚩 Beware of Serial Cuffers

Before you go tossing out your granny panties, let’s talk red flags. Some men (and women) are serial cuffers—they grab a cozy companion for the season, then conveniently break up just before Valentine’s Day. Why? Well, February 14 implies commitment... and Spring Break is around the corner. Do the math.

Watch out for the types who say, “You’re different,” while keeping you at arm’s length. Ask about their dating history and patterns. Don’t be afraid to clarify your intentions early on.

On the bright side, cuffing season may also signal the slow death of hookup culture. There’s something refreshing about the return of actual time spent together, beyond Tinder swipes. Hot cocoa, fireplaces, fuzzy socks? Sign me up.

💡 How Do I Get Cuffed?

If you’re tired of casual dating, cuffing season is the perfect time to shift gears.

Start with your mindset. Picture yourself in a relationship. Act like you’re already in one (yes, even when no one’s around). Set the tone—and the universe has a funny way of catching on.

Next: know what you want. What are your non-negotiables? Print out my Dating Terms worksheet and narrow down the top 5 qualities you must have in a partner.

Once you’ve got that clarity, put yourself out there—on purpose. Join a dating site with serious candidates (I may be biased, but Match.com is my favorite—it’s how I met The Comedian). Or simply get out of the house and reconnect with real people in real places. Love isn’t always digital.

💌 Need Help Navigating Cuffing Season?

If you need a little nudge—or a full-on matchmaking fairy godmother—I’m here. Drop me a line. I’ll help you get clear, get cuffed (the good kind), and get what you’re really looking for.

The Fall Air

Fall Leaves

Something about fall always brings back a flood of memories. The air smells different—yes, even in Florida. There’s something about it that signals the holidays are coming. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it stirs something in me. A shift. My emotions change with the season.

When I went away to college, I told myself I could handle the transition. I was a military brat, after all—adaptability was supposed to be in my DNA. But I didn’t realize how much I relied on the structure of my family to feel grounded. That year, everything around me was changing. My mom remarried, my sister moved away with her boyfriend, and my relationship with my father felt distant. I was navigating a new world and completely lost in it.

That was when the depression first hit. I tried to put on a strong face, but inside I was unraveling. Eventually, I reached out for help and started counseling. That’s when I was diagnosed with seasonal depression—the kind that creeps in during specific times of the year. For me, it was fall.

Year after year, the darkness would return. I’d crave a sense of family, a feeling of belonging. More than anything, I wanted to celebrate the holidays somewhere I felt truly accepted. Instead, I often found myself curled up in my room, sleeping until the afternoon because the darkness felt safer than the light.

Over time, I learned to manage the emotional spiral. There were even a few years where the heaviness skipped me entirely. But then last year, it returned. That same aching loneliness. I’d look at people and feel tears welling up for no reason. I felt invisible—until something shifted.

I watched The Secret, and for the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful. It reminded me that happiness doesn’t come from the people who surround you—it begins with you. I realized I’d been waiting to receive love, when I already had it. I was rich in friendships, in memories, in lessons. And above all, I was never truly alone.

God has always been there—quiet, steady, and faithful. In Him, I found not just peace, but family, friendship, and purpose.

There’s no point in living life under a cloud of negativity. Everyone has their own story, their own pain. But like I always say: what shapes you isn’t just what you’ve been through—it’s how you choose to grow from it.