19 Valentine’s Day Gifts That Are the Right Mix of Thoughtful and Unexpected

Think beyond a box of chocolates.
valentines day

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Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a big eye-roll. But it’s easy to fall for the same gifts that are passed between loved ones each year: a bouquet of roses, boxes of bite-sized chocolates, or heart-shaped jewelry. Even if they’re tried-and-true, we know you can get a little more creative than that. To help, we pulled together 19 ideas to act as the cherry on top of your date night, whether that’s a hard-to-nab reservation or cozy meal at home.

A Heart-Shaped Tote

Baggu

Nylon Heart Bag

$54
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Good luck finding an outfit that this bag won’t look great with. The statement has room for the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, sunglasses) and charm loops built right in.

A Spicy Chili Oil Jar

Maison Balzac

Crispy Chilli Oil Jar

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The homemade chili oil they make deserves a beautiful home. This is the perfect gift if your significant other spends more time in the kitchen than anywhere else.

A Set of Love Notes

Moda Operandi

Dear Annabelle Sweetheart Set-of-Four Notepads

$65
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This collection of four notepads each has a different sweet nothing. And the gift keeps on giving when you leave them little messages where they’d least expect it (inside a closed laptop, on top of their overnight oats container, or tucked into a travel toiletry case, to name a few).

A Luxe Cleanser

39BC

Fig Milk Oil Body Cleanser

$54
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This formula leaves a slight perfume of fig and violet leaf, turning an everyday shower into a spa experience. 

A Curation of Tinned Fish

Fishwife

Valentine's Day Gift Pack

$65
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There are three tins of actual fish (smoked rainbow trout with red chimichurri, smoked salmon with chili crisp, and albacore tuna with Spanish lemon) and two tins of special sardine-shaped chocolate tucked into a cute gift tin they’ll actually want to keep. This is the much better version of the usual “box of chocolates.”

A Trio of Apertivo Spoons

Big Night

Aperitivo Spoons Set

$36
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Maybe they are constantly hosting dinner parties, or they just love a good snack—either way, this set of spoons was made for stirring cocktails and spreading something delicious on a slice of bread.

A Collection of Moody Incense

Witch Hazel

Fischersund Incense Cones

$32
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Handmade in Iceland, these cones reveal notes of Icelandic pine, birch, and citrus, setting a woodsy vibe wherever they’re lit.

An Ashtray with Personality

Edie Parker

Lettuce Ashtray

$50
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This hand-painted ashtray gives off some major vintage vibes—think: cabbageware you’d more likely see in the kitchen. Even if they don’t smoke, it makes a great spoon rest.

A Pottery Date Night

Sculpd

Pottery Date Night Bundle

$115 $85
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Ditch the phones for a night and get a bit muddy. Available with a handful of paint color options and matte or glossy glaze, there’s enough clay here to make a couple of mugs or vases.

A Tomato-Scented Candle

Flamingo Estate

Personalized Heirloom Tomato XL Candle

$225
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Not only will this candle last a looooong time, but you can leave a personalized message on the label. (This is a perfect moment to immortalize your best inside joke.)

A Botanical Body Oil

Beauty Heroes

Activist Mānuka Green Botanical Body Oil

$75
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Suitable for all skin types, this elixir combines the power of mānuka oil, kawakawa, blue tansy, wild algae, kiwifruit, and avocado oils to serve up super-soft skin. This is a good pick for the partner who needs a little extra love and care.

A Sudsy Bar of Soap

Ash

Ash Soap on a Rope

$26
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There’s a lot to love here: the notes of Damask rose, nutmeg, and amber spice, but also how cute this soap-on-a-rope looks when not in use.

A Stress-Bashing Bath Soak

Flewd

Stress-Free and Sexy Bundle

$93 $62
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These curated sets are tailored toward specific needs: chronic aches, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, and more. It’s a nice way of saying “I know something is up, and I want to help.”

A Cheeky Home for Accoutrement

Sophie Lou Jacobsen

Le Pomme

$85
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Sea salt, beloved jewelry, hard candies, tea—the list of things you could store in this glass apple is never-ending. Plus, the design is inspired by designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s childhood memory of a sugarcube jar.

A Pill-Shaped Wine Carrier

Coming Soon New York

The Pill

$145
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Give them a (very good) reason to ditch the tote bag the next time they’re bringing a funky orange wine to the dinner party. The double-walled carrier is designed to keep bottles chilled for up to five hours. There’s also a secret compartment for storing wine openers or snacks.

A Gift Box for Runners

Fuel Goods

The Runnerbox Gift Subscription

$126
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If they’re constantly trying out new running gels, protein powders, or snack bars to fuel their workouts, this discovery box will be a complete home run.

A Perfect Lamp for New Yorkers

The MoMA Design Store

Only NY x MTA NYC Subway Table Lamp

$184
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Whether they live in the Big Apple or have dreams to, this lamp is a nod to the subway station lights of years past.

An Ikebana Set

Kikkerland

Mini Ikebana Kit

$25
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Instead of roses, gift them all the tools they need to create a completely unique arrangement—and potentially pick up a new hobby. This kit has a vase, kenzan, shears, and a cotton towel. All you have to do is add the flowers.

A DIY Reel Viewer

Uncommon Goods

Create Your Own Reel Viewer

$17
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You’ll have a great time digging through photos for your reel, so this is kind of two gifts in one. It’s a really beautiful way to commemorate a big event, like a wedding or your first vacation together.