If you thought buying a new phone or a new tablet was hard, wait until you have to buy your spouse–or at least, a significant other–a gift for Valentine’s Day. Yes, it’s old and tired and mostly a cliché, but we’d be lying if we said most girls (and guys) didn’t expect to receive anything from their partners on this once-a-year occasion. So what should you do?
We asked around, and one of the answers we got came from Microsoft. Surprisingly, the company came up with some sound and rather convincing relationship advice. According to the software giant, the key to giving the perfect Valentine’s gift lies in planning — and actually executing — a surprise for your partner. What kind of surprise? The kind that ends up in the two of you going someplace where you can leave the troubles of home and work behind.
Microsoft apparently conducted a survey in which 200 respondents participated. And based on the survey results, a romantic getaway is the best gift that you can give to your significant other for Valentine’s this year. A romantic dinner for you came in close for second, and the third best thing is a surprise gift given for no real reason.
If you’re now thinking of following the above advice, but you have no idea where to start. Don’t worry. Microsoft has also got you covered on that front. In a press release, the company detailed how exactly you can carry out planning and executing the perfect Valentine’s Day surprise for your loved ones. They even suggested a few pieces of hardware and software to help make things easier. Read the press release posted below for all of the details.
What Makes a Perfect Valentine’s Gift?
Out of ideas on how you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved ones this year? We have a few suggestions.
Planning the perfect surprise for that special someone on Valentine’s Day is never easy. A bouquet of red roses, a box of gourmet chocolates and perhaps a romantic candlelight dinner may delight, but what if you want to do something special that will truly surprise?
In a Microsoft survey “A Perfect 2015” conducted with 200 respondents in the Philippines in November 2014, 30% of respondents said that a getaway from home would be considered the most romantic of gesture from their significant other.
Here’s where we come in to help you do some smart planning for that perfect Valentine’s Day – with a few smart apps and devices:
1. Track the best deals for your getaway with Windows app
You don’t need to travel far for a romantic getaway – a staycation at a hip, boutique hotel might just do the trick as well. Track the best hotel deals with meta-search apps such as tripadvisor, KAYAK.com and Hotels.com which also provides guests’ reviews for your consideration. You can even get lucky as well with last-minute deals!
2. Plan a romantic dinner for two…with Windows apps
With 29% of respondents highlighting that a surprise dinner is the most romantic of gesture, why not turn to Windows and Windows Phone apps for suggestions?
Surprise your loved ones with a heartwarming home-cooked meal, turn to the MSN Food and Drink app for recipe suggestions to whip up a storm.
3. Surprise your loved ones with a gift that keeps on giving…
According to the Microsoft survey 18% said that they are most likely to consider buying a technology gift on Valentine’s Day; and 28% said that they consider a surprise gift for no reason the most romantic of gestures. With an array of Windows devices with many different form factors to choose from, there’s bound to be something that will be perfect as a Valentine’s Day surprise. Here are three of our top picks this season:
The Lenovo Miix 3 10” is a 10.1″ Windows 8 tablet with an Intel® Atom™ Processor, the Lenovo Miix can be attached to a “quick flip” keyboard case that instantly converts it to a full-function laptop PC, perfect for on-the-go entertainment or productivity.
The HP Stream 11 is a Windows device that will put a smile on your Valentine’s face with its cheery colors. Under the hood, the notebook comes with Office 365 Personal, and users are now able to get unlimited OneDrive storage to store their precious photos and videos. And all this for only P13,995.
The Phoenix WinTab puts everything you need within reach, lets you thrive in the social network and live an exciting digital life. Work on the go with the latest version of Office 365. Play games, connect with social media, watch videos and more. Win with the one and only Windows tablet that you’ll need. Available for only P5,999.
Lumia 630 Dual SIM is a powerful smartphone that comes with Windows Phone 8.1 Operating System. Its Quad core processor lets you browse efficiently. Word Flow lets you type fast with just one finger. You can customize your home screen with your favorite photos against your Live Tiles. It’s built In with Microsoft Office, Here services and OneDrive. From February 13 to 28, the Lumia 630 is available for only P6,999 and comes free with a Nokia 105.
Have a Perfect Valentine’s Day…even when you’re apart.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to make a long distance relationship work – but it’s easy to use communication apps such as Skype or Skype Qik to keep the spark alive.
77% of respondents we polled said that they use technology such as Skype to connect with their loved ones at least once a week (in fact, 34% of respondents said that they do so every day!). Apps have also become the de facto way to connect with friends and family, with 76% of respondents saying that they rely on apps to connect with people who live far away.
Have a virtual Valentine’s Day meal on Skype: Technology has made it easier to stay close to your loved ones even if you are physically miles apart. Close the distance by having a romantic dinner, enabled by Skype video calls. Remember to set the scene with some mood lighting, candles and flowers!
