If you ask me how my Monday is going, I’ll tell you I’m still smiling over a random stranger on the internet who got the cutest birthday gift from her partner—a curated photobook spanning four years, complete with QR codes to her favourite songs. The real “God, when?” right?
Naturally, I wanted to find out what other viral-worthy gifts people have received from their loved ones. Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed.
Seun*
Cooking is my love language. If I care about you, you’ll taste my food at least once a month. But when I lost my mum in 2019, something changed. I enjoyed cooking with her, and the kitchen was our bonding spot. After she died, I stopped cooking as much, and that’s when my friends stepped in. I never imagined they knew how to cook, but for six months, they showed up with a week’s worth of home-cooked meals. They even volunteered to cook in my house on several occasions. It was the best gift I could’ve received during that period. Though I lowkey blame them for the extra weight I gained while grieving.
Ibukun*
On my 30th birthday, my husband went all out. He hired a chef to do “breakfast in bed” for me. I woke up to the sound of a trumpet and rose petals led me to the dining room, where an IG-worthy breakfast spread awaited—eggs, pancakes, strawberries, chocolates, and toast. When I thought my husband had worked himself off all morning for my sake, a chef stepped out of the kitchen with a cute birthday cake. We ate together while a paranra guy played soft music in the background, and the best part? My husband kept our phones locked away, saying we’d describe the moment to our loved ones with words. It’s been two years, and while I’ve pulled my surprises for him, nothing has topped that day.
Josephine*
I once dated a guy who sold perfumes, so I was always spoiled with nice scents. But the most thoughtful gift was when he tried to recreate my mum’s scent after she passed away. I’d often break down when I caught a whiff of her scent in public, saying, “That person smells like my mum,” but never asked what they were wearing. He asked if I had anything of hers with her scent still on it. I gave him a scarf and one of her clothes, and three weeks later, he gave me a bottle of perfume named after her. It wasn’t an exact match, but the effort and intention melted my heart.
Dewunmi*
People don’t understand that there’s an art to giving gifts. Before I met my partner, I was terrible at it—expensive gadgets, fashion accessories, and money were my go-to. Everything changed after we got together. She curates experiences and gives gifts that leave lasting impressions. I’m learning from her. My favourite gift is a personalised diary she gave me some years back. Each page had handwritten notes—things we’d said to each other, quotes from our favourite movies and songs. The last page also featured a collage of our most intimate photos. No matter what kind of day I’m having, I always leave that diary with a smile.
Busola*
I had a favourite coffee mug that my husband gave me when “glow in the dark” was trending. Everyone had them on shirts, key holders, and accessories. But instead of writing “I love you” or my name, he wrote a sweet note on the mug. I kept it on my reading table because I loved how it lit up in the dark. One day, it slipped and broke while I was cleaning the house. I was in a foul mood for the rest of that week.
Kenny*
In uni, I dated a wannabe singer, and the most romantic gift I’ve ever gotten came from him. While other girls got flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears for Valentine’s Day, he gave me an MP3 player with six R&B song covers, including my name in his version of the songs. He also recorded a poem with my name in it. It was so sweet, and I always took the device everywhere. Although, I never allowed anyone else to listen to it. Even after the MP3 player stopped working, I kept it for years.
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