No-brainer gifts that'll please even the trickiest on your list. (Photos: Amazon, Kate Spade)
We heart Valentine’s Day! And one of the best things about the February holiday is showing people in your life how much you care. From the red and pink decor to the heartfelt cards, it’s just a sweet day. And of course gifting is optional, but if you’re looking for ideas for a loved one or friend, scroll through our guide of crowd-pleasing presents. We’ve got e-commerce expert and founder of the shopping app OuiShopp Carolyn Bosco weighing in on 2023's best gift picks.
Uplifting gifts are big this year, with friends and family opting for things “that lean toward self-care and beauty products such as face masks, lipsticks, mini perfume kits and even fitness accessories," Bosco says. "We've also noticed an uprise in home details, such as candles and coffee table books." But her big tip? “Be personal! Think about what your loved one may really be needing in life right now, whether it be the joy of wearing something elegant, a method of stress relief, more fun, or testing out a new hobby.” What is something that they would really appreciate? A smart mug to replace an oft-microwaved cup of coffee, a message from a favorite celeb or even a soak in a hot tub.
Bosco is always a fan of focusing on quality time for couples. “It doesn't have to be ultra extravagant, but life is so busy for everyone that it's easy to forget to put in the effort for special experiences together,” she says. It could be as simple as a night in with a new puzzle. Or scratchers with ideas for fun new activities.
Whether you’re feeling sentimental or just need a more casual gift, you’re bound to find the perfect item here. Scroll for some help from cupid.
A teddy bear is a sweet and sentimental gift, and it’s especially adorable for a child or teen. Who could resist Philbin’s soulful eyes and soft fur? You’ll want to sneak in a snuggle with this guy. Gund’s Philbin bear comes in choco or beige colors and is available in 12-inch or 18-inch sizes. And he’s ultra-popular with over 13,000 Amazon reviews averaging five stars! “This teddy bear is by far the softest, most snuggly stuffed animal I have ever owned!” raves one Amazon shopper. “Having this bear helps me sleep better, and it always brightens my day to see the bear sitting at the top of my made bed.”
Ember smart mugs have tens of thousands of excellent reviews, because people love keeping their coffee hot! "Obviously this is a luxury product that no one needs," writes one Amazon fan. "However, if you can afford it, it is well worth the expense! It works wonderfully and keeps coffee warm without tasting burned for about 2 hours." The latest version is the Ember 2, and not only is the red color perfect for Valentine's Day, there's a charitable component too. The Global Fund receives 3% of the purchase price from all Ember red mugs.
The included charging coaster can keep drinks at 120°F – 145°F, and off the coaster the 14-ounce mug has an 80-minute battery life. Bonus: you can control your Ember 2 with a smartphone! Also available in a 12-ounce travel size and a 10-ounce mug.
A photo frame is a classic gift with timeless appeal. This 5.5-inch x 6.25-inch gold frame isn't large, but it makes a very impactful gift. We love the sweet, chic heart design; it'll always remind your love of Valentine's Day. This frame is simple enough to appeal to a wide range of valentines; personalize it with your own photo. Bonus: according our expert Bosco, home details are trending this season.
All you need is love… and wifi. Send love notes in the digital age with LoveBox, an ingenious device that delivers messages to the 2.8-inch screen inside a wood box. The pixelated red heart will spin when a message is received. It’s a very thoughtful gift for an out-of-town love and much more fun than plain old email.
If your valentine loves putting puzzles together, gift them a good time with this brand-new Ravensburger challenge. The 1,500-piece version is already getting rave reviews on Amazon, perhaps due to its captivating design and well-made pieces. "Ravensburger is one of the best companies and their puzzles are among the best," comments one buyer. "One word to describe this puzzle — great. Its picture, its quality, everything is great."
Over 15,000 Amazon shoppers love this no-frills model. "If you are a coffee lover, and have never pressed your own, you really owe it to yourself to try this out," writes one reviewer. "After seeing Alton Brown's Good Eats: True Brew episode, I decided to take the plunge and made the switch from an automatic drip. I was astounded at the rich, bold, complex, and yet not bitter taste I was able to produce at home."
Bonus: We love the bright red color for Valentine's Day.
If you and your valentine find yourselves stumped when it comes to date night, pick up this pack of scratchers. Each one has ideas and info like price range and time of day. You know it's a solid pick because Date Night Ideas has over 3,000 excellent reviews on Amazon. "Really cool date ideas so far!" raves one buyer. "Lots of variety based on what you might want to do. Love the heart shaped scratchers!"
It's a pricier gift, but if your love could use some relaxation, Therabody's SmartGoggles are a very worthwhile luxury. Wear them for a tension-relieving massage centered on the face and eye area. And this isn't a simple massager; the SmartRelax mode "measures your heart rate to personalize your experience. Our Focus and Sleep modes use a combination of heat, vibration and massage to help with concentration and rest," says the company. Sounds nice, right? Maybe it'll eventually become a couples' gift...
"This product is very relaxing on an everyday basis and highly effective for migraines when in pain," writes a Target reviewer. "The vibrating heat helps me prepare for a more restful sleep at night. Would highly recommend! Great for personal treatment and makes for a thoughtful gift."
Fourteen dark chocolates will delight anyone on Valentine’s Day. Get this Godiva box to share and enjoy Dark Chocolate Caramel Embrace, Dark Chocolate Ganache Bliss and other decadent coco creations. It’s a great buy for a dark chocolate fan. If you’re not sold, just take it from a succinct Target reviewer: “Yes” they write. “Absolutely delicious.”
The ultimate duo: peanut butter and jelly! These 3.75-inch soft figurines make a super-cute gift, and your recipient will love adding them as festive decor. Adorn any mantle or shelf with Valentine's Day joy. Plus, they've earned 4.5/5 stars average rating from buyers. "Cute and made Mom laugh, she loves PBJ," writes one happy Target customer. "The one we got is well made, it's a little nicer than I thought it would be. Sitting on the table right next to her chair to brighten her day. 😍"
Order up and enjoy a night in from NYC's famed Magnolia Bakery. The popular dessert purveyor has paired two cups of their Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pudding with two delicious Valentine's Day cupcakes for a very sweet celebration. Magnolia offers nationwide delivery so everyone can enjoy these decadent desserts.
Available in pink (among other colors) JBL's popular Clip 4 Bluetooth speaker is truly portable, and we love that it's topped with a carabiner clip for easy mounting. Your sweetie can listen to their playlists for up to 10 hours on a charge, with wireless connectivity. It's even waterproof and dust-proof! Read more about the JBL Clip 4 speaker and then order one for your lucky valentine. It's perfect for camping and outdoor events, or just around the house.
Everyone loves a personalized gift: it shows you were thinking of the recipient. Choose the names and font for the label on this 9-ounce natural soy wax blend candle, and opt for your valentine's favorite scent. Options include Apple Harvest, Cinnamon Vanilla, Clean Cotton, Sea Salt + Orchid or White Sage + Lavender. Bonus: this is a gift that lasts; your candle will burn for up to 50 hours.
Black teas are infused with dessert flavors in The Tea Spot's popular Chocolate Cherry Bomb. If your love drinks tea they're sure to appreciate the bold, chocolate-y flavors this winter, and beyond. "Someday I’ll learn my lesson and stock up on enough of this when it’s available," writes one reviewer. "Chocolate Cherry Bomb is one of my favorite teas – it’s sweet enough with the chocolate flavoring, but then nicely balanced with the cherry and dark chocolate. I enjoy it hot in the winter, but also love it iced in the mornings during the summer."
Adorable Red the crab can hold your spoon while you cook! He’s the perfect little Valentine’s Day kitchen helper. And more than 5,300 rave reviewers on Amazon love this heat-resistant silicone sea creature.
"Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen,” commented one happy shopper. "Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's 'cute'. I laugh when I look at it, just cool! Hangs on all of our pots and pans and stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. Great addition to any kitchen." Who doesn't want a little more laughter in their kitchen? Bonus: Red is featured on our Amazon kitchen gadget deals list.
This set of Josie Maran products was created especially for Valentine's Day. The Sugar Balm Body Scrub is a moisturizing exfoliator made with shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil. Then there's the Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, a hydrating treat for the skin. The set is a favorite on QVC, with one 5-star reviewer writing "I loved using this! It made my skin feel super soft and the fragrance reminded me of my childhood. I absolutely love ALL Josie Maron products. She never seems to disappoint. I highly recommend and the price point is great too as you get a lot in the products."
Help your valentine keep their AirPods together and safe with this bright silicone case. AirPods generation 1 and 2 fit in the durable heyday case, which includes a carabiner clip to attach to bags, clothing, and more. “This product is simply amazing: made of high quality materials, soft to the touch, nice looking and it fits perfectly!” writes one reviewer. “It slid easily on my AirPods and it has stayed in place since the very first time. I absolutely recommend it to everyone.” Other fun colorways include Leopard Print Gold, Cool Pink, and Vibrant Orchid.
Did you know that Dolly Parton has a perfume collection? Well she does, and it’s a hit! Scents include Early Morning Breeze, Tennessee Sunset (above), Smoky Mountain, and Dancing Fireflies. If your valentine enjoys musky scents mingling with honeysuckle and vanilla orchid, Tennessee Sunset is a great pick. “My husband bought this for me for Christmas and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!” writes one very enthusiastic Walmart reviewer. “Dolly did not disappoint!! The bottle is gorgeous!!! The scent is amazing and is definitely my new fave!! It's long lasting and worth every cent! HIGHLY RECOMMEND”.
Jam may not be a traditional Valentine's Day gift, but maybe it should be! This Bonne Maman set contains eight mini-sized jars to elevate your love's morning toast, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, charcuterie board, or stack of crepes. A delightful assortment awaits: Apricot, Cherry Elderflower, Fig, Honey, Orange Marmalade, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Wild Blueberry.
This gift has a hefty price tag, but an Apple Watch is a big gift. This new SE is the entry-level model and features a durable sport band. It offers communication via call and text capabilities as well as safety features including call and crash detection and emergency SOS. The GPS version needs to be paired with an iPhone to call and text, but the GPS Cellular can call and text independently. Choose from 7 band colors or even create a custom look at the Apple Watch Studio. Read a full review of the Apple Watch SE here.
Picture it: stepping into a bubbly hot tub in your very own yard on Valentine’s Day. This luxurious and romantic scenario can become reality, you’re just one Amazon click away! The Coleman Ponderosa hot tub includes filter cartridges, an insulated cover and two handles — after all, it is inflatable. If you need more convincing, how about this Amazon review: “This Spa is amazing, we’ve been in it every night since it got delivered.” The happy buyer continues. “Easy to set up, heated up super fast in Arizona, we don’t have it set to heat as it’s too hot, but it will be perfect in the winter when we have cooler temps. We love getting in it at night, do not waste time and buy this right now, you won’t regret it!” This gift is really bringing in the big guns, but we have a feeling everyone will enjoy it.
A music box isn’t practical, but it’s a very cool gift for those who like interesting or sentimental objects. This glass globe has a dandelion inside (created with 3D engraving technology) and plays "Castle in the Sky" when you wind the base. It casts a warm light and interesting projections when you turn on the switch. (Charge via the port and the globe will glow for up to three hours.) Other designs include an astronaut, cat, elk, panda, or prince. “This would make a great night light for kids or gift for adults who want a little whimsy on their desk or nightstand.” notes one Amazon reviewer.
An eco-friendly option for the vinyl collector, this new suitcase record player has it all. Victrola’s Re-Spin is made from 25% recycled plastics, boasts an upgraded Bluetooth speaker, and can stream records to any Bluetooth speaker through Vinyl Stream. The Re-Spin is even shipped in 100% recyclable packaging! We suggest getting it in red for that extra festive touch.
This plush microfiber blanket does double duty. It's a couch blanket and it's also home decor, lending an updated touch to the living room. It's a dupe for pricier plush blankets, and this version holds up just as well. "I LOVE cuddling up with this blanket on the couch," writes one Amazon customer. "I'm going to order another one for my bedroom too because I move it back and forth from the couch each night!"
A perfect option for the kid-at-heart, this Lego Icons set includes everything needed to create a cool bouquet that your valentine can display forever. There are 15 "snapdragons," "roses," "poppies" and other colorful plastic blooms. For an elevated touch, get a vase to go with the finished flowers.
The set gets a solid 5 stars on Amazon, with over 11,000 stellar reviews from verified buyers. "These Lego flowers were amazing!" raves one reviewer. "I purchased them for my fiancé for Christmas, and we had such a fun time building them together!”
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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