It’s all too easy to get stuck in a rut. The nine-to-five, the commute there and back… you just can’t wait until Friday yet somehow it’s already Monday again before you know it. You look forward to holidays and often find that once you’re there you’re battling crowds of equally stressed out souls to find the merest scrap of relaxation and space… and worst of all, once the break is over; you’ve got a lovely backlog of work to catch up on. And it’s the longest possible amount of time until the next escape. All these vicious cycles can seriously take a toll on your health and your relationships. This is why we’ve come up with ten ways you can help him shake things up, without necessarily waiting for the holidays. Often the best gift you can give someone you love is a cure for their tedious timetable – a retreat from routine when they’re least expecting it!
1. The Naughty Night In… A naughty night in? Now that’s a no brainer! What man could resist? Especially if you add a few imaginative touches to really spice things up… scented silk rose petals in the boudoir or bathtub… delicious honey dust to smooth over the skin and tantalise the tastebuds… risky games where everyone’s a winner… sultry promises to be cashed in at a later date… you may find that one night of intrigue takes you places you’ve never been before!
2. The Romantic Escape Often the most romantic moments in life are the unplanned ones that can’t be replicated. Like the first time you saw him throw some shapes on the dance floor and realised that you loved him anyway. However, when you’re both busy, a thoughtfully organised surprise for him is bound to set the stage for new memories that you’ll cherish. Get a new perspective from a great height, share an elegant meal on a timeless train journey, take in English heritage and culture, picnic in the park with the finest bubbly or go all out and have a deluxe short break or jet set day!
3. The Friends and Family Fun Night Gathering family and friends shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions and needn’t be a huge hullabaloo. A dinner party murder mystery or a crazy game of bingo accompanied by favourite finger foods… who knew his Dad was capable of such subterfuge or that your best friend was so ruthlessly competitive? Playing new games is a brilliant way to bring everyone closer together and see different sides to old friends. Group activity nights are also a great way to see several people at the same time… and leave more opportunities for other breaks from routine!
4. The Voyage of Self-Discovery Recent reports have surfaced claiming that Hilary Clinton is related to Angelina Jolie and Barack Obama is related to Brad Pitt. Who knows what gems might turn up if you delved into his past and personality? Perhaps you’ll find that Henry VIII is a distant relative making him 1,453,765th in line to the throne. Or maybe he’s been concealing an IQ that would be the envy of Stephen Hawking. Uncovering personal mysteries is a sure-fire way to make the ordinary and everyday instantly exciting!
5. The Thrill Ride for Two Nothing revives the senses better than a shot of adrenaline. And few things bring a couple closer together than sharing a thrilling and novel experience. It also makes certain adventures a whole lot less intimidating if you have someone to hold onto…
6. The Solo Adventure Perhaps you know he’d love the chance to do something totally crazy, but you’d prefer to give him a solo treat. Not because you’re nervous or anything. Oh no, you’ve just got… something else to do… He’ll enjoy the chance to tell you all about it afterwards!
7. The Wildest Dreams When he was younger he probably aspired to be a top gun like Maverick or Iceman, fantasised about racing the hottest cars in the Grand Prix or spying for the MI6… everyone has wild dreams that they think will always be out of reach… so imagine his surprise when you make his wishes come true, even if just for the day!
8. The Leisure Lessons No doubt there are things he’s just great at, usually related to what he does at work or his after-hours obsessions. However, the lifelong practice of learning is what makes us humans and our lives worthwhile. Constantly trying and learning new things has numerous benefits, including widening your mind; helping you adapt to new situations more easily; increasing your confidence and generally making you appreciate life more. Treat him to all these benefits with a gift that allows him to try something new and fun!
9. The Gift of Him-Time Whether his toiletry collection surpasses yours or he barely makes do with soap and water, any man would benefit from some quality pampering time. Book him a massage session in his lunch hour or surprise him with an irresistibly bubbly bath after work, along with some aroma-therapeutic candles. Socrates always got his best ideas in the bath, after all…
10. The Global Getaway So maybe the opportunity to truly get away from it all is approaching. If you plan wisely, a trip overseas can refresh you like nothing else. The planning itself extends the excitement and anticipation, so present him with a few mementos of what he has to look forward to, as well as practical accessories that will ensure a smooth voyage.
