Friday, Sep 20, 2024

61 unique Valentine's Day gifts that go beyond the usual flowers and chocolates

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Valentine's Day typically revolves around romantic interests — spouses, new partners, and long-term girlfriends or boyfriends.

But there's no reason why the holiday has to be limited to only couples. You can celebrate everyone from your best friends, children, or newlywed family members, and there are plenty of gifts that fit every personality type and budget.

To help you find the right gift for that special someone (whoever they may be), we've collected an assortment of ideas across a variety of price points that let your Valentine's Day recipient know you care. Be it a stunning floral bouquet for your significant other, a hilarious trinket for your bestie, or a memorable activity you can experience as long-distance partners, the best Valentine's Day gift is something you've put time and thought into.

An interactive, personalized plaque of your favorite song

clear acrylic plaque personalized with a photo of a couple and the song "Monster" by Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendez, featuring a scannable Spotify code to the song.

witfox Personalized Acrylic Song with Photo Plaque

If you're always humming your favorite song together, immortalize it with this light-up plaque. All you need is a photo together, the song name, artist, and any other message you want to add. Whenever you want to listen to the song, you can scan the unique code on the plaque and it'll show up on your Spotify.

A nontraditional flower bouquet

Hand reaching towards a colorful bouquet of dried flowers set on top of a stack of books in front of framed artwork.

East Olivia Samantha Medium Dried Bouquet

After years of sending regular flowers, maybe it's time you tried something different. This romantic dried floral arrangement lasts for months and comes ready to gift in a ceramic vase.

A Lovebox perfect for the far-away loved one

a Lovebox with a red pixelated heart that spins when a long-distance partner sends a message set on a wooden table.

Lovebox Color & Photo Love Note Messenger

If you're in a long-distance relationship or just live far from your family, this cute little box is a nice, texting-free way to stay in touch. Using an app on your phone, you can send photos, drawings, animations, and messages, which your loved ones know to open when the Lovebox's heart starts to turn.

An affordable luxury watch

Person holding their hand against their chin while wearing the Esther Square Metal Watch in gold.

Breda Esther Square Metal Watch

Breda makes beautiful and unique luxury watches — most of which cost under $200. We loved the variety of options and how they felt more expensive than they looked.

Mimosa cubes for a Galentine's celebration

Two glasses of champagne with Mimosa Sugar Cubes floating in them.

Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio

Perfect for a Galentine's Day gathering, these cubes turn any glass of bubbly into a fun, fizzy cocktail. You can choose from a Citrus Trio (orange, grapefruit, and lemon) or Peaches & Berries Trio (strawberry, raspberry, and peach).

A heart-shaped Le Creuset

A few heart-shaped Le Creuset cast iron pans in pink, red, and black set out on a marble countertop. The red skillet holds a brownie with ice cream scooped on top, the pink Dutch oven has the lid removed to show a fruit cobbler inside.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Shallow Heart

Le Creuset pans are already fantastic pieces of cookware to invest in, but the brand's heart-shaped offerings make the gift even more special. You can get a bigger cast iron pot or skillet, but all will be equally great for serving that Valentine's Day dinner.

A customized wellness journal

Joy Wellness Journal open to a page that says "feel-good goals" on it set on a counter next to a bowl of pears and a bowl of yogurt and granola.

Papier Joy Wellness Journal

If they're fans of physical planners or keeping daily diaries, this hardcover journal is about to become their new favorite. You can pick from a range of vibrant bindings and customize the cover with a title, their name, and anything else you want.

An off-center heart necklace

Baublebar 18K Gold Asymmetrical Heart Necklace

Baublebar 18K Gold Asymmetrical Heart Necklace

Heart necklaces are pretty classic V-Day gifts, but this dainty, asymmetrical version offers a stylish, minimalist twist (while still offering a lot of oomph with the Cubic Zirconia stones embedded in the pendant).

A gift set of quality olive oil and vinegar

Bottles of oil and vinegar from Brightland essential capsule set in awake, alive, rapture and parasol

Brightland The Essential Capsule

We love Brightland's high quality olive oil and vinegar — they're perfect gifts for any chef. Plus, beyond looking beautiful on a kitchen counter, Brightland's opaque bottles help protect the product from sun damage.

Flattering, super-soft leggings

Model wearing black Aerie OFFLINE Real Me High Waisted Crossover Leggings

OFFLINE By Aerie Real Me High Waisted Crossover Legging

This TikTok-famous leggings are buttery soft, super flattering, and offer a unique criss-cross design at the waistline. Whoever receives them will thank you (and probably buy four more pairs).

A DIY plaster kit for a custom sculpture

A couple standing close to each other, each with a hand inside the same bucket of plaster as part of the the Luna Bean Hand Casting Kit.

Luna Bean Keepsake Hands Casting Kit

Put your hands together for this one-of-a-kind sculpture. This kit comes with everything you need to immortalize your hand-holding (and have fun doing it!)

A sleek tote they can customize

Person holding the Cuyana Italian leather System Tote in the crook of their elbow.

Cuyana System Tote

Beyond its sleek, work-appropriate look, Cuyana's Italian leather System Tote comes with optional accessories like a crossbody strap or matching laptop sleeve.

A birth chart book

open book, left side page says "LEO" in black text on white background and black page has Leo constellation in white on black background — best sentimental gifts

Birthdate Co. The Birthdate Book

Whether the recipient is hardcore into astrology or has a passing interest in knowing their moon sign, this beautiful book is bound to be a hit. All you have to do is know their time and location of birth to get a 70-page guide to their chart and what it says about their personality and future. As a bonus, you can add a special message to the front page.

A high-quality, sustainable flannel shirt

model wears Outerknown blanket shirt on the coast with the ocean and foliage in the background

Outerknown Blanket Shirt

Outerknown's famed Blanket Shirt is made from 100% organic cotton, making it incredibly soft (and sustainable — even its buttons are made from eco-friendly palm nuts). You can pick from pretty much every plaid pattern imaginable or opt for a neutral solid color.

A gorgeous puzzle to do together

Pink box containing the Some Like It Hot puzzle on a table surrounded by puzzle pieces, hot peppers, and a bowl of salsa.

Piecework Puzzles Some Like It Hot Puzzle

Piecework's visually stunning creations aren't your grandma's Christmas puzzle. Featuring vibrant, busy photos, they offer a unique challenge and also look great as wall art when you're done.

A cute vase for their Valentine's flowers

white flowers inside the Hugs and Kisses Vase with the letters "X" and "O" patterned on the ceramic.

Anthropologie Hugs and Kisses Vase

To give their V-Day floral bouquet even more zing, pair it with this vase covered in Xs and Os. It's an extra cute touch for the holiday — and for the rest of the year, too.

A comfy, functional apron

A couple leaning against counters in a kitchen both wearing different colors of the Magic Linen Pinafore Cross-Back Linen Apron

Magic Linen Pinafore Cross-Back Linen Apron

For any passionate chef, this cross-back linen apron (endorsed by Bon Appetit staff) helps them keep their clothes clean, but also has the added plus of A.) not requiring any string-tying and B.) having a front pocket for extra storage.

A National Park pass for future adventures

America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, featuring an image of Inyo NF mountain in Sequoia & Kin's Canyon.g

REI America the Beautiful Pass 2023/2024

For fans of experiential gifts, this annual pass grants access to nearly all the US National Parks. It can accommodate a car of up to four people and makes park-hopping a breeze. It's the perfect nudge to finally plan that Utah road trip!

A tiny but thoughtful charm

A hand holding up a gold catbird necklace featuring the smallest love letter charm.

Catbird The Smallest Love Letter Charm

Turn the classic love letter into something they can carry with them anywhere. You can personalize up to three lines of engraving on this 14-karat solid gold accessory. Just keep in mind that it takes an extra 5-7 days for engraving when placing your order.

An instant camera that uses Bluetooth

A Polaroid one-step camera developing a photo of a bridge

Polaroid OneStep+ White (9015) Bluetooth Connected Instant Film Camera

If they love the idea of physical, instant photos, this camera lets them take snaps with two different lenses (standard and portrait). But if they have a pic on their phone they're dying to hang up, it also connects via Bluetooth and prints directly from the camera.

A heart-shaped serving spoon

Three wooden heart-shaped serving spoons, a whisk, and a ladle in a utensil holder set on a kitchen counter next to a stove and a bottle of cooking oil.

Uncommon Goods Hand-Carved Heart Serving Spoon

This simple yet practical gift works for pretty much anyone you love — a partner, a best friend, a parent or sibling. It's also hand-carved by an artist collective in rural Kenya, so each spoon is different and unique.

A custom phone case of a beloved pet

custom phone case with a portrait of a pet French Bulldog on an iPhone

West & Willow Custom Pet Portrait Phone Case

If they love the dog more than anyone, commemorate that love with this phone case. It features a realistic portrait of their pup or cat (based on a photo you upload) over a clear case, but you can also opt for a classic print, too.

Personalized Valentine's Day cookies

Set of three personalized Valentine's Day cookies, one shaped like heart and two shaped like love letter with the names "Jack" and "Taylor" written on them in icing.

Williams Sonoma Giant Personalized Valentine's Day Cookies (Set of 3)

Whether you're getting them for a partner or a couple you love, you can customize two cookies with up to nine characters, making it a sweet way to commemorate a relationship.

A versatile turntable

Crosley Ryder Turntable with a checkered lid playing a light blue vinyl record.

Urban Outfitters Crosley UO Exclusive Checkered Ryder Turntable

Featuring an exclusive checkerboard design, this vinyl record player is a great, lower-budget model that looks cute, too. Plus, if they want to switch to their Spotify, they can just hook up their playlists to the speaker va Bluetooth.

Dreamy wine glasses

Set of 4 Morgan Wine Glasses in the colors lilac, chartreuse, pink, and dark turquoise

Anthropologie Morgan Wine Glasses (Set of 4)

If you always look forward to your wine toasts, up the experience with these pretty, trendy wine glasses. They come in a few colors and are great whether you're hosting a dinner party together or it's just you two winding down.

UGG knockoffs for about half the price

Person's feet wearing Australian Shearling Mini Boots with one foot facing forward and the other turned out to the side.

Quince Australian Shearling Mini Boots

UGG boots have been making a comeback for a while now, and if a pair feels too costly, fear not! These booties from Quince are made from the same materials and offer practically the same look for a lower price.

A custom catchall for rings and keys

Three Scalloped Ceramic Catchall dishes in red, white, and pink, each with a monogram.

Mark & Graham Scalloped Ceramic Catchall

An especially great gift for any newlyweds, this catchall can be monogrammed with your or the couple's initials. You can pick from four different colors and a wide range of tasteful fonts.

A heart-shaped mini waffle maker

Dash mini waffle maker open to show a heart-shaped waffle inside, set on a table next to a plate of waffles and fruit.

Dash Heart Mini Waffle Maker

You can use this mini waffle maker to make them a Valentine's Day breakfast they won't forget (and many more like it).

A Lego bouquet you can build together

LEGO Icons Flower Bouquet in a vase

LEGO Icons Flower Bouquet 10280 Building Set for Adults (756 Pieces)

If they're a big fan of LEGOs or hands-on activities, why not opt for this creative take on a classic Valentine's Day gift? This surprisingly realistic-looking floral bouquet is a fun project to put together (and requires zero care afterward).

Custom Nikes

Custom Nike Air Force 1 sneaker

Custom Nike Air Force 1s

If you know their favorite colors, you can surprise them with their own Nikes. You can go all out with lots of colors or just do a few accents on a white shoe — the options seem limitless. If Nikes aren't their thing, Vans and Converse offer similar services, too.

A movie scratch-off poster

A hand scratching off a square on a black poster with 100 scratch off squares that display movie posters

Uncommon Goods 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster

Made for cinephile couples (or just ones who can never decide what to watch), this scratch-off poster features 100 classic movies that span all genres, like "Dr. Strangelove," "Spirited Away," "Boyz N The Hood," "This Is Spinal Tap," "Pulp Fiction," and the list goes on. Plus, every square reveals a cute, minimalist image for its movie, making this double as nice decor.

A bathtub caddy for all their essentials

Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray set across a filled bathtub with a glass of wine, flowers, candle, strawberries, chocolate, and a copy of the "Devil Wears Prada" book on top of it.

Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

If they live for a good bath, make that easier with this bath caddy, which extends to fit the tub and can store everything from books and tablets to snacks and wine.

A cake to satisfy all their sweet teeth

"All of the Above" Brownie Cheesecake Layer Cake on a cake stand with a slide of the cake set on a plate next to it.

We Take the Cake "All of the Above" Brownie Cheesecake Layer Cake

Valentine's Day is strongly affiliated with decadent desserts, but if you can't decide on one, this combination brownie-cheesecake-layer cake should do the trick. And if they're more of a savory person? You can get everything from Maine lobster rolls to Nashville BBQ from Goldbelly, one of our favorite services for gourmet eats.

A custom cartoon portrait

Custom illustrated portrait of two people holding hands while floating from a bunch of heart-shaped balloons hanging in a frame on a wall with a vase of flowers below it.

Uncommon Goods Love is in the Air Custom Portrait

For the partner who makes your heart float, get them this whimsical custom portrait of you two. All you need to do is choose the physical traits that best describe you (from skin tone to body type) and the artist will take it from there.

A book of questions for future date nights

"Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by John and Julie Schwartz Gottma, PhD book set upright, with the cover depicting the shape of the number 8 in green and blue brushstrokes.

"Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by John and Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD

Dr. John and Julie Gottman aren't just two psychological researchers with over 40 years of experience studying relationships: They're also a very happily married couple themselves. This book features guidance on how to stay connected, with eight different sets of questions to ask each other, broken down by themes like money or sex.

Adorable, quality socks

Women's Valentine's Day Ankle Sock 4-Pack Gift Box

Bombas Women's Valentine's Day Ankle Sock 4-Pack Gift Box

Beyond being holiday appropriate, these socks are reinforced with grippy bottoms and cushioned footbeds, making them our favorites.

Minimalist gold hoops

Closeup of a person's ear wearing a Mejuri small gold hoop earring

Mejuri Small Hoops

Valentine's Day is often affiliated with big, flashy jewelry — but what if your recipient is a minimalist at heart? These affordable 14k gold hoops are perfect for everyday wear while still feeling like a special gift.

A box of unique truffles

A box full of an assortment of exotic truffles from vosges.

Vosges Exotic Truffle Collection

With all the choices out there, it seems ironic that it's all too easy to fall into a rut when it comes to chocolate. This is Valentine's Day, for goodness' sake, and there's no sense in sharing middling sweets with our special someone. This box is full of chocolate truffles infused with adventurous flavor pairings from spices to liqueurs.

A Jenga game that brings you closer

Pile of wooden blocks from the Falling for You Personalized Couple's Game, with a fill-in the blank block that says "You are the best at __"

Uncommon Goods Falling for You Personalized Couple's Game

For Jenga lovers, each wooden block has a different engraved challenge for couples, from conversation starters to physical actions. You can also add up to five custom blocks with your own questions or prompts.

Adorable heart-shaped plates

Two stacks of dinner and salad white plates with a red heart indent in the center, and three macarons on top of the stack.

Williams Sonoma Heart Dinnerware Collection

You can mix-and-match the heart-shaped dinnerware you want, from plates to bowls and mugs. All are guaranteed to add a little cuteness to every meal.

An affordable cashmere sweater

Two people wearing different colors of The Essential Cashmere Sweater from Naadam.

Naadam The Essential Cashmere Sweater

Finding a cashmere sweater under $100 is a rarity, which is only one of many reasons why this sweater from Naadam is so widely loved. This sweater is sustainably made and soft to the touch, making it an excellent Valentine's Day gift.

Learn more about Naadam here.

A box of roses that lasts all year

Hot pink, light pink, red, and white floral bouquets arranged in square and circular boxes.

Soho Floral Arts Rose Box

These beautifully arranged roses are meant to last for a year — a more affordable version of the ever-popular Venus ET Fleur. Flowers are a classic Valentine's Day gift, but these roses will last long past February 14, reminding you of their love all throughout the year.

A 'perfect pair' of gourmet cheeses and accompaniments

Three wooden cutting boards featuring an assortment of meats, crackers and cheeses from Murray's Cheese Perfect Pair.

Murray's Cheese Perfect Pair of the Month Club

Specialty cheesemaker Murray's combines two kinds of cheese with two meats or snacks every month in this delicious monthly subscription. While it offers guidance on the best flavor pairings, your recipient is also free to experiment with their own combinations.

A handy ebook reader

A person sitting on a couch while reading a book on an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite in low lighting.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Whether their resolution is to read more or they're already a bookworm, they'll love the opportunity to carry around an endless library of books with them wherever they go. The Paperwhite has won over many readers on Insider Reviews, even those who previously swore by physical paperbacks. Here's our full review.

Cards to kick off deep conversations

A blue box with square conversation starter cards spread out in front of it.

TableTopics Dinner Party Edition

No matter who you're gifting to this Valentine's Day, everyone can use a new conversation starter or two. From questions specifically for couples to dinner party topics, TableTopics have you covered for nearly any kind of social event.

A romantic candle to brighten up any room

Two lit Homesick candles in the scents Love Letters and Date Night set on top of clear stands.

Homesick Love Letters Candle

If you want to set a romantic mood on Valentine's Day, try this Love Letters candle. Lemon, sandalwood, and rose petals fill the air with fruity and floral aromas.

A box full of sweet treats

A tin box full of individually packaged cookies and truffles from Milk Bar.

Milk Bar The Sampler

Milk Bar is arguably the holy grail of sweet treats, so it's a natural fit for a Valentine's Day gift. This sampler is home to some of Milk Bar's most popular treats: Birthday Truffles, cookies, and Milk Bar Pie.

Learn more about Milk Bar here.

Cozy slippers to pad around the house in

The brown suede and fur-lined Wicked Good Moccasin from L.L. Bean.

L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins

They're one of L.L.Bean's most popular shoes for good reason. The shearling uppers and linings keep their feet warm without making them sweaty, and the memory foam insoles are always comfortable and supportive.

Beautiful bowls to hold trinkets or snacks

Fisheye Ceramics Gold-Dipped Pinch Bowls in an assortment of colors from food52.

Food52 Fisheye Ceramics Gold-Dipped Pinch Bowls

However your recipient decides to use these small dishes, there's no disputing their style.

A subscription to watch live sports and their favorite shows

A hand holding up a phone featuring the ESPN+ app's monthly subscription.

ESPN+Monthly Subscription

If it's live sports, an ESPN+ subscription is well worth the $10. If they also love comedies, dramas, and Disney shows, there's a bundle that conveniently packages Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for an affordable price.

A sampler of red and rosé wine

A black box containing plastic tubes filled with wine, aside a glass filled with red wine from Vinebox.

Vinebox Ultimate Valentine Chocolate Pairing Collection

Vinebox's unique way of packaging and delivering its wines will make this your recipient's most memorable Valentine's Day yet. The three-glass assortment of reds and whites puts a twist on the classic wine gift.

A fun and educational cooking class

A person wearing a Cozymeal apron using a pipping bag to fill donuts with jelly.

Cozymeal Gift Card

Friends, family members, and lovers alike will enjoy Cozymeal's cooking classes, which are taught by professional chefs and cover everything from vegan Indian cuisine to pasta making.

A cozy bathrobe

A folded white brooklinen robe.

Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe

The robe is basically an oversized and wearable towel that they'll never want to take off. Extra-thick and made from soft and durable long-staple Turkish cotton, it'll make their bathroom feel like a private spa.

A colorful water bottle that doubles as a foam roller

Several Mobot Firecracker 18-Ounce Foam Roller Water Bottles in an assortment of colors.

Mobot Firecracker 18-Ounce Foam Roller Water Bottle

The fitness enthusiast in your life can take both hydration and a muscle recovery tool on the go. Depending on the temperature of its contents, it turns into a chilled or hot roller.

A geeky and creative card

A lovepop star wars BB-8 pop up Valentine's Day card.

LovePop "Star Wars" BB-8 Mine Pop-Up Card

The best thing about LovePop's cards is that they can also be displayed as decor and art. You can find more Valentine's Day options here, whether your recipient loves "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Up," "The Office," or just great puns.

A gourmet coffee bean subscription

A box of atlas coffee, a post card from Costa Rica, and a hand clutching a cup of coffee.

Atlas Coffee Club 3-Month Subscription

More than one area of the globe boasts amazing coffee, and around-the-world subscription Atlas Coffee Club is out to prove that by sending coffee from a different region every month. Each order includes tailored brewing recommendations and a postcard with information about the country's coffee-growing methods, so they'll fully appreciate the flavor and history of each cup.

A heart-shaped cat scratcher

A tabby cat playing with a heart-shaped cat scratcher set on a wood floor.

Furhaven Heart-Shaped Cat Scratcher

If your recipient is a cat lover or your actual cat (we won't judge), they'll delight in this cat scratcher, complete with jingly bells, a scratching surface, and catnip.

A pair of pretty makeup towels

weezie

Weezie Makeup Towels

These towels help your recipient wipe off the day's makeup and grime without leaving stains. Plus, the fun embroidered patterns differentiate them from ordinary hand towels.

A personalized photo calendar for their desk

A walnut desktop photo calendar featuring an image of kids modeling matching pajamas.

Artifact Uprising Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar

For those who want to add thoughtful decor to their office desk, this calendar is simple and customizable. You can handpick all of the photos that get put into the calendar, making this gift to a loved one even more special.

A smart speaker

An Amazon Echo Dot 4th gen smart speaker sitting on a table beside a plant.

Echo Dot (5th generation)

This latest iteration of the Echo Dot is great for the tech guru in your life, as it can control the home, stream music, and connect with others. The Alexa-powered speaker will easily level up any office, especially with its sleek spherical shape.

A soft blanket to keep warm

A Faux Fur Ombre Throw blanket draped on a grey couch.

West Elm Faux Fur Ombre Throws

What better way to cozy up than with a faux fur throw? Beyond its warmth, this luxe blanket also really ties a room together.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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By: [email protected] (Connie Chen,Julia Pugachevsky)
Title: 61 unique Valentine's Day gifts that go beyond the usual flowers and chocolates
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/guides/gifts/valentines-day-gift-ideas
Published Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2023 18:46:54 +0000

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