Love is in the air. Apparently its in our wallets, too. According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend an average of $196 on Valentines Day in 2020. We often dropthat money on fancy dinners, roses, and sweets for our significant others, but at Outside, we immediately thought of all the cool gear and experiences we could get for lessor just as much.Heres what our staffers really wish their partners would actually spend their money on.
Nutribullet Blender Combo ($140)
The only thing Im lusting over at the moment is this blender. Last month I completed theWhole30dietwith my boyfriend, during which we discovered the sheer delight of frothy, homemade Orange Juliuses and whipped paleo chocolate pudding. He scored the Nutribullet over Black Friday last year when it was on sale for a hundred bucks, and on principle, I refuse to pay full price for it! Im secretly hoping itll go on sale for the Valentines and PresidentsDay weekend, but if not, I might just have to bite the bullet. Jenny Earnest, audience development director
Thanksgiving Dinner
Ive got a tradition going on nine years now that started with a couple of my old housemates: Thanksgiving on Valentines Day. Our tagline is:Because there are too many Valentines Days and not enough Thanksgivings.Valentines Day kind of sucks for everyonea lot of single people dread it,couples have to deal with hunting down reservations at packed restaurants and trying to engineer a romantic experienceso we ditch all that and have Thanksgiving instead. Couples, single people, families, are all invited. My favorite T-Day on V-Day was in 2013, when the invite list ballooned to 35 people, who all showed up to my two-bedroom apartment in Boulder, Colorado. People were eating on the ground, but it was so much fun. Last year, our first T-Day on V-Day in a new town, I mashed together a bunch of women who Id met through different avenues. We all became close friends, and now thats our friendiversary. When my best friend moved to the East Coast, she kept holding her own T-Day on V-Day there. For the same price of a fancy restaurant date and flowers, you canget all your favorite people together for a feast instead. If that doesnt celebrate love, I dont know what does.Gloria Liu, features editor
JBL Endurance Dive Headphones ($70)
I love indoor lap swimming for strength trainingand asa way to zone out and exerciseregardless of the weather. After about 20 minutes, though, the quiet tranquility of the pool gets a little old.Listening to a favorite playlist or a familiar audiobook lets me recharge without losing count of my laps.These earbudshavesolid sound quality, are IPX8 waterproof rated, and featurefourgigs of internal MP3storage to load up with ear candy.Emily Clausen, email marketing specialist
America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80)
If I werent currently free-soloing it this ValentinesDay, I would want this pass. For less than half of what most Americans spend on the holiday, you get one whole year of wild columbines in Rocky Mountain National Parkinstead of roses,or rock climbing in Joshua Treeinstead of a rock for your finger. Plus, the pass can be signed by both you and your climbing partnerer, significant other. How romantic! Maren Larsen, Buyers Guide deputy editor
Smartwool Socks ($14 and Up)
Thesetop my Christmas wish list every year, and if I had a winter birthday, theyd be on the top of that list, too.They are just the best socks ever. Comfy, warm, attractive, and durable. Just dont put them in the dryer! Marie Meyer, editorial assistant
Unbound Merino Wool Crew Neck T-Shirt ($65)
Im all about practicality on Valentines Day. Thats why I want my wife to buy me another of these wool tees. I wear this one a few times a week as a stand-alone piece or as an undershirt, and Im quite certain my coworkers are starting to notice. Yes, you can sport it for multiple sessionswithout washing it, thanks toantimicrobial lanolin in the wool that fights stink. Its not quite as soft as your average cotton shirt, but you get the temperature-regulating benefits of the natural fiber; I can sweat in it on my bike commute to the office and not get cold and clammy sitting at my desk. Plus, I love the sturdy construction that I know will last for years. My wifejust has to put up with me asking her to sniff-test it every other week. So romantic! Will Taylor, gear director
Four Seasons Bath Robe ($199)
I dont have enough money to actually buy this robe in good conscience, but that wont stop me for much longer. I havent found another modelon the market that feels like this one. It has theperfect heft, isnt overly soft, and the hem hits aroundmidcalf, so you canlounge properly. I might just pull the trigger on this as a self-care Valentines Day gift.Emily Reed, video producer
Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer ($22)
Its bouldering season here in New Mexico, anddays at the crag can be unforgivably cold. Ive been eyeing this Zippo hand warmer to keep inside my belay parka for quick warm-ups in between climbs. Plus, it can be refilledwith lighter fluid, so I dont have to worry about charging it at night. Because when my partner cant keep me warm at the crag, this should do the trick.E.R.
Girlfriend Collective Apparel ($38 and Up)
I asked my partner for an activewear set from Girlfriend Collectivethis Valentines Day. Not only is most of my workout gear made for Minnesota winters (I only recently moved to Santa Fe), but I readawesome reviews about how inclusive thebrand is for women of all shapesand sizes, and their models definitely reflect that. Itsalso dedicated to making pieces sustainably, such as constructing itstops and bottoms out ofrecycled bottles. Mary Mathis, digital visuals editor
SeaVees Wool Slippers ($68)
My husband is pretty, um, frugalwhen it comes to gift-giving.Which is why, since retailers often havesales around Valentines Day, Im bound to get a lovely pair of wool slippers that are half off, like these from SeeVees. Im sure hell point out that I can break them in during the remaining cold days but theyll still seem new when I pull them out again in November. OK, honey. I do really hate cold feet.Tasha Zemke, copy editor