As Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and cuffing season is at an all-time high, the loving spirit begins to grow. Even if gift-giving is your love language, there’s a chance you might stress over finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift that suits every taste, style, and budget.
Despite limitations on Valentine’s Day demanding nearly unprecedented attention and creativity, experts say it’s still worth it even if it doesn’t look the same as years past. “Valentine’s Day is very different this year because this is the most popular day couples celebrate by eating out,” said Deanna Crosby, AMFT, a licensed therapist and clinical director at New Method Wellness. “For many couples, Valentine’s Day is a special day to take a break from the monotony of everyday life relationships. It can feel disappointing to not be able to make one day a year special with your partner.”
Whether you’re freshly intertwined with a quarantine bae or have found yourself suddenly spending way more time with your partner than either of you ever anticipated, here are some cute February 14th gift ideas that you can use to brighten anyone’s spirits this romantic season:
- Mini Heart-Shaped Waffle Maker for $18
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What better way to start the chilly season than with a warm cup of coffee and some nice, hot buttered waffles? Even better, this mini-waffle maker can help make the nicest breakfast in bed anyone has ever had. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who’s looking to spice up their breakfast time and have a tasty, love-filled morning! This waffle maker was so cute that I couldn’t help but purchase it for my boyfriend too!
- UBOTIE Green Typewriter Wireless Keyboard for $73
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Stuck at home and tired of your boring, classic keyboard? Look no further: this colorful and aesthetic wireless keyboard will make you want to do your essays and write those love letters even faster. With a “clicky” “clicky” feel, this retro keyboard is definitely worth the buy for any occasion and can help anyone feel more productive. (Side note: the price for this keyboard has been rising quickly!)
- Weighted Blanket for $44.99 ($45 off)
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Using a weighted throw blanket helps relax your body by simulating the feeling of being held or hugged, making you fall asleep faster and sleep better throughout the night. The 7-layer system is designed to comfortably surround your body and form to your shape while you sleep, and the more glass beads & less fiberfill design offers better temperature control to help anyone feel loved and cozy this month, single or not!
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 or $59 ($11 off)
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Capture the memories you make on Valentine’s day with a romantic photoshoot and a cute camera. This item would not only make a wonderful present for someone, but would also work for those who like a more “practical” gift. I personally love this camera and after a shoot, I often find myself hanging up all of the polaroids onto my wall and reminiscing about the amazing times I’ve had and the moments I was able to record.
- Poppy Flowers At-Home Kit from $65-125
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Instead of gifting your Valentine with a bouquet of roses, channel his or her love of flowers into a relaxing experience. This company allows you to pick from nine floral collections for Valentine’s Day to be delivered to your doorstep. The kit itself comes with design instructions and access to a Poppy video tutorial with arranging tips.
- 3-D Personalized Glass Photo Lamp for $33
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I recently purchased this product as an anniversary gift, and the quality was amazing! I loved the way the image was illuminated through the glass and the wood base gave a very traditional feel. You can customize the photo as well as the caption that is engraved into the wood base, making it a perfect fit for a “Happy Valentine’s Day” moment.
- Shiba Inu Dog Plush Pillow for 25$
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For babies, oldies, and everything in between, I’d say this doggie plush is perfectly appropriate and adorable. Not only is it super soft and cuddly, but it also doubles as a fluffy head rest or pillow. For those who want to snuggle up with their Valentine, this gift is, I shih tzu not, perfectly amazing!
- Painting to Gogh Date Night Painting Class for $45
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Surprise your loved one with this at-home twist on a popular pre-pandemic date night idea. Instead of heading out for a relaxing paint class, you and your s/o can pick your painting kit of preference with everything you need delivered at your doorstep. As you watch a video tutorial and unwind to your favorite snacks, you can paint the night away and make a Bob-Ross worthy artwork. For added romance, you can opt for one of this company’s “diptych” options, which allows you to each work on a canvas that, when combined, creates one complete painting.
- Lovebox for $100
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As the company advertises, “Lovebox is a connected, messaging device that pairs with an app to go beyond regular communication and deliver special expressions of affection.” Although this item is more on the expensive side, it can definitely work as a solo gift for someone who truly means alot to you but lives far away. With the Lovebox, you can send each other messages, stickers, or drawings. The heart on the box itself can spin around to alert you of new notes from your s/o and help you both feel close in this pandemic.
- DIY Exploding Box Card for $13
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Nothing beats a personalized, heart-felt DIY card as a Valentines gift. This exploding box kit can help anyone who needs some crafty guidance in their card-making or simply wants a template to jumpstart the process. When closed, it looks just like a regular gift box, but once opened, it reveals 6 sides that explode out and fall back to show all the love you put into it. You can add anything from stickers to pictures of your loved one or even to sneak in a chocolate or two. If you want to go old-style and make the box yourself but still need a little help, this Youtube tutorial is perfect and super easy to follow!
Meagan Prost, a licensed clinical counselor specializing in couples therapy, explained to NBC News that it’s imperative to consider one thing while shopping for the perfect gift: your partner’s love language.
“When thinking about giving to your partner, consider: What fills them up? What means the most to them?” she stated, noting that often, “the way we prefer to receive love is the way we give love but sometimes our partners may have a different love language.” A romantic dinner out (when it’s safe for indoor dining) might be your go-to way of showing your affection but your quarantine crush might have a different way of perceiving love. These include:
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Gifts: If receiving gifts is their love language, consider sending gourmet cookies, a gift basket of your partner’s favorite things (like flowers, a bottle of wine, chocolates, etc.), a framed favorite picture or piece of jewelry.
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Quality Time: For those who prefer quality time, gift something around a future date night like a living room campsite, backyard wine tasting or at-home spa.
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Acts of Service: Consider preparing (or picking up) your partner’s favorite meal or investing in something that will make their daily life easier.
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Words of Affirmation: Order cards or post-it notes to express appreciation for your partner, write out positive affirmations or things you love about them to hide within other gifts or start a new journal with a love letter that you’ll add to each year.
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Physical Touch: Shop around gifts that allow you and your partner to be intimate like a bath set, soothing candles or massage essentials.