What dads really want for Valentine's Day

Need a Valentine's gift now? Here's our list of what men want and the links to help with your cramming needs

Posted: Thursday February 14 2019 10:36AM

You've probably booked the restaurant, have the date planned, and even have the gift sorted.... but do you have his perfect gift?

So we sought out fathers to share with us their honest thoughts on what men really want when it comes to Valentine's. See if you can spot which of these answers might sound like your husband's ideal gift as well.

*Some used aliases to cover their true identity in case their wives find their way to this piece

A homemade card with a thoughtful, personal heartfelt message

I'm not so into buying gifts for the sake of it so a gift that requires some time and effort rather than money would mean the most. -Seamus

Don't have a card prepared yet? Make your way to the closest art shop near you and get your cramming powers into overdrive.

More money

Because for Valentine's, I have to spend a lot of money on 99 roses, candlelight dinner, champagne, diamonds... --Lingdao

If your spouse has been feeling pressure from all the spending your family is doing, then consider a low-key Valentine with a romantic movie at home or a short stroll while the ayi watches the kids.

A relaxing evening and a nice dinner

A private moment with my wife without our 'little monster' around. Don't get me wrong, I love our family time, it makes my day. But as a young millennial couple living abroad with full-time commitments (full-time jobs plus personal projects) our family time is already limited and our couple moments barely exist. A private dinner with my other half is all I want for Valentine's! -Andrés Rodríguez

A good break from work and to focus on the wife. But if we feel too tired to celebrate, then we can just rest at home. -Fatboy

Here are some Valentine's dinner options for those still looking for where to go, but if a break is really what you need then you could chill at home or consider trying a staycation.

A CNY diet pill

There was too much food during Chinese New Year and now it's time to go on a Valentine's date. I need to lose all the CNY fat I got! -Bibo

We don't know whether there's such a thing as a CNY diet pill (and we probably wouldn't recommend one if we did) but here are a few gyms to consider signing up for, or better yet join the Elite Squash Academy's Valentine's class today. Add EliteSquash or search 158 1055 8314 on WeChat to book a class.

A romantic dinner and a happy ending

I would like to take my wife to a romantic restaurant and then have a very good evening after. I think all husbands would like to have a very happy ending, too. -Lao Ren

Leave the kids with ayi for the night, have dinner at one of Beijing's finest hotels and stay for the night as well. Make it a night to very happily remember.

A massage

I would like a massage to relax from all the cooking I do on my shows. -安闹闹

I would like a proper, professional massage, a break from the kids while helping out a sore back. -Cory

Search for the spa nearest you with the handy Chinese app called Dianping.

Nintendo Switch

I'm a gamer and it’s nifty to carry around - perfect for long commutes. - Adrian Tan

There's no cramming this one, unfortunately. Adrian will need to wait 'til Fathers‘ Day or his birthday for his beloved Nintendo Switch. From 1,956RMB on Amazon.

Valentine's in Beijing