14 Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts That Don’t Skimp on Charm
Chocolate caviar and crepe paper bouquets say anything but eleventh hour.
Updated Feb 7, 2023 6:05 PM
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Not all last-minute gifts are Valentine’s Day gifts, but most Valentine’s Day gifts are last-minute gifts. Blame it on the short month or shopping fatigue or post-holiday madness. Whatever it is, we somehow cannot seem to plan ahead when it comes to getting that certain someone a little something before the clock strikes February 14. Because we’re all just doing our best—and no one needs to know we bought that gift for under $20 yesterday—we put together a roster of present ideas that will deliver speedily and without skimping on charm.
Below, shop our flirty, funny, funky picks for last-minute V-Day gifts. Some offer expedited shipping free of charge, others at an added cost—which, for certain chronic procrastinators, might be better than dropping the ball completely this year.
The Good Last-Minute Food Gifts
Catbird Chocolate Sardines and Chocolate Caviar Tins
Catbird is our shopping director Liz Buxton’s trusted source for last-minute luxury gifts. On top of its cult-favorite dainty jewelry offerings, the New York–based shop offers a delightful selection of unique home goods—our favorite croissant lamp and the chocolate conservas spread (above) included. The best part, according to Buxton? If you’re a true procrastinator and your giftee lives in the Manhattan or Brooklyn area, you can get same-day delivery. And for those existing outside the Big Apple, next-day domestic delivery is still on the last-minute gifting table.
Shipping: Order before noon ET on February 14 for same-day delivery ($30) in Brooklyn and Manhattan by 8 p.m.; order by 2 p.m. ET on February 13 for next-day domestic delivery ($25).
Alessi Heart-Shaped Ice Cream Spoons
It’s as if Alessi—one of our favorite Italian homeware brands you didn’t know was hiding on Amazon—created these heart-shaped silver spoons with only one holiday in mind. To complete this genius Valentine’s Day idea, pick up a pint of your person’s favorite ice cream. Boom.
Shipping: Next-day delivery with Amazon Prime membership.
Milk Bar Red Velvet Duo
Another New York stalwart offering speedy nationwide shipping: Christina Tosi’s famed sweet shop Milk Bar is a seasoned player in the eleventh-hour shopping game. Whether you’re going for the classic cookie samplers or limited-edition holiday creations (like the Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Duo), it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that will feel like a huge step up from that box of chocolates alternative.
Shipping: Order by noon ET for guaranteed delivery on February 14.
Menu Design in Europe by Jim Heimann
While this Prime-deliverable Amazon gift idea is not of the edible persuasion, it is intended for the culinary inclined. A newly released coffee-table book from Domino-favorite publisher Taschen, Menu Design in Europe is described as a “mouthwatering feast for the eyes.” The sprawling pages are packed with hundreds of European menus, tracing restaurant history through the dual lens of cuisine and design, spanning the early 19th century up through the year 2000.
Shipping: Next-day delivery with Amazon Prime membership.
Magnolia Bakery Classic Banana Pudding Multi-Pack
If you’re sensing a NYC-based theme here, what can we say? The city has the best bakeshops—and expedited nationwide shipping makes sending a six-pack of Magnolia Bakery’s famed banana pudding to your valentine across the country as easy as…banana cream pie.
Shipping: Currently offering guaranteed February 14 delivery nationwide.
Maison Balzac Shrimp Cocktail Coupe
Made from 100% borosilicate glass and offered in two stackable sizes (coupe and platter), this whimsical Maison Balzac creation contains an everlasting glass prawn to keep all of your valentine’s future shrimp cocktails company. Bonus points for serving it up during dinner to really seal the surprise.
Shipping: Delivery in 1 business day with USPS Priority Mail ($8).
Last-Minute Flower Gifts (That Don’t Feel Overdone)
Unwilted Crepe Paper Flowers
Instead of ordering the more expected last-minute V-Day flower bouquet, turn that tired tradition on its head by opting for an arrangement that’s made of paper. Not only will the blooms last, well, forever, but they’ll also be sure to surprise and delight your giftee—who will be so distracted by their artful beauty, they’ll never guess you ordered them yesterday.
Shipping: Priority Mail Express shipping ($28) for delivery within 1 to 2 days.
The Bouqs Co. Dried Flower Bouquets
The same logic applies here: When stuck in an “I am so late to the gifting game that I have no choice but to order flowers” rut, opt for dried instead of going with fresh. An arrangement that lives forever is decidedly more romantic than a dozen red roses that will wilt away before their very eyes.
Shipping: Order by February 13 for guaranteed delivery on February 14.
Farmgirl Flowers
But for those who do love a classic fresh bouquet, Farmgirl Flowers sends some pretty lovely ones sourced by local growers across the country. They’re sustainably wrapped in burlap bouquet sacks for safe (nationwide) shipping to your sweetheart. As an added bonus, there’s a current deal of the week promo going down, offering up to 30% off a selection of the company’s Valentine’s Day arrangements.
Shipping: Currently offering guaranteed February 14 delivery to select zip codes.
Last-Minute Unique Gifts That Feel Flirty/Funny/Funky
Edie Parker Strawberry One-Hitter Necklace
A piece of jewelry for the valentine who puff-puff partakes. The delicate strawberry-shaped “necklace” is crafted from 100% borosilicate glass and supported by a delicately strung glass-bead chain.
Shipping: Order between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET for same-day delivery in NYC Monday through Friday ($40).
DedCool Poop Drops
We’ll let you decide whether this falls into the flirty or funny camp—that will ultimately depend on your relationship with your chosen giftee—but if you’re looking for a little Valentine’s surprise that’s both practical and punchy, look no further. DedCool’s most recent trendy scent release comes in the form of a tiny bottle of luxury toilet drops that, according to our staff writer, Kenya Foy, was “$25 well spent.” Foy says the drops have a subtle fragrance that gradually wafts and lingers post-use but is potent enough in scent-masking power that it completely eliminates unpleasant odors. The scents: Taunt, a bergamot, vanilla, and amber concoction; Red Dakota, a trio of amber, bergamot, and gardenia; Smiley Face Garden, a combo of guaiac wood, musk, and rose that Foy describes as smelling “good enough to wear.”
Shipping: 2-day shipping with USPS Priority Mail ($10).
Kule the Heart Socks
Kule has your last-minute gifting covered when it comes to socks that pack big personality—and, in this case, Valentine’s Day–appropriate sweetness. We’re eyeing the heart-stamped style, but you can’t go wrong with any of the plucky foot warmers available for men and women from the brand’s aptly named Sock Bar.
Shipping: 2-day nationwide delivery with UPS ($17); 2-to-3-day East Coast delivery with UPS Ground ($7 or free for orders of $75+).
Dad Grass CBD Dog Bones
If your valentine is a dog or just a dog lover, these small-batch CBD-infused bones will be a treat. Crafted using the same full-spectrum organic CBD oil found in Dad Grass’s human fan-favorite offerings, the ingredients—in addition to being gluten-free and vegan—come tested by certified third-party labs for high quality and mellow potency. (Our deputy shopping editor’s beagle-corgi, Elsa, also “certifies” them as delicious.) The pouches are resealable and compostable, containing 20 bones with a 4MG dosage of CBD in each.
Shipping: Delivery in 1 to 5 business days with USPS First-Class shipping ($7 or free on all orders $100+); delivery in 1 to 3 business days with USPS Priority Mail ($10).