Shared from Refinery29
News flash: February 14th is only two weeks away. With the treat-laden occasion that is Valentine’s Day approaching, you may be in the market for something special that doesn’t fall under the category of “stuffed toy that was obviously purchased at a national drugstore chain.” Another benefit of ditching those mass-market buys? It’s easier to avoid gendered knickknacks of a bygone romantic era and find something more in step with your unique relationship.
With this in mind, we rounded up a few sweet tokens (and some big ones) to show your affection. Think all the must-have accessories for Netflix and chill, greeting cards that feel unique, and even some flower alternatives that will stand out among the traditional delivery of long-stem roses. Click through to find that special something for your special someone — no matter their gender or orientation.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Sill Monstera Deliciosa
We’re huge proponents of plant gifts — they’re small, generally inexpensive, and they grow and evolve as time as time goes on. (Just like your relationship. Aw.) This oversized houseplant feels extra romantic, and the monstera is said to bring luck and positivity to all who grow it.
Shop The Sill
The Sill Monstera Deliciosa, $, available at The Sill
Personalized Record Cutting Board
If they’re a big fan of music AND cooking, gift them a custom cutting board of their favorite album. They’ll be sure to freak out. Just make sure to keep it in the kitchen, so they don’t confuse it with an actual vynyl.
Shop Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods Personalized Record Cutting Board, $, available at Uncommon Goods
Hunt A Killer Body At Boardwalk
Listen, I know it’s not the most romantic thing out there — but if you and your partner are obsessed with true crime, this gift is perfection. (As someone who recently enjoyed playing it, I can’t recommend it enough.) It’s a very nice way to spend some quality time with your Valentine’s boo all while solving a murder mystery.
Shop Amazon
hunt a killer Body On The Boardwalk Immersive Murder Mystery Game, $, available at Amazon
Bearaby Cotton Napper
If your partner deals with anxiety, there’s no better gift than a non-suffocating weighted blanket — trust us. It can act like a warm hug from you, no matter where you are.
Shop Bearaby
Bearaby Cotton Napper, $, available at Bearaby
Mejuri Contrast Pearl Climber Studs
A unique spin on the classic Valentine’s gift of pearl jewelry, with Mejuri’s quality and fair pricing? Yes, please!
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Mejuri Contrast Pearl Climber Studs, $, available at Mejuri
UGG Marlow Double-Face Fleece Robe
Add to their after-work self-care routine with this luxurious, ultra-plush robe — a gift they’ll be sure to treasure for years to come.
Shop Nordstrom
Ugg Marlow Double-Face Fleece Robe, $, available at Nordstrom
Unbound Best Sellers Set
It’s official: You can never have too many sex toys. Get excited for tonight — whether you’re flying solo or coupled up — with a bundle of best-sellers from this affordable, styish sexual wellness.
Shop Unbound
Unbound Babes Best Sellers Bundle, $, available at Unbound Babes
Personalized Gift Glass Art
The waterworks will be sure to start as soon as they open this super thoughtful personalized gift — just make sure to choose a romantic song!
Shop Etsy
PixArtsCo Personalized Gift Glass Art First Anniversary Gift for Boyfriend Custom Album Cover Music Plaque, Personalize Gift with Photo, Wedding, $, available at Etsy
Skims Fits Everybody Crossover Bralette
Forget the ribbons and lace this year. There’s nothing sexier than comfort. On that front, you really can’t go wrong getting anything from Skims.
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Skims Fits Everybody Crossover Bralette, $, available at Skims
An AirBnB Booking
Sometimes all you really need is a break from the hectic city life and to get some quality time together. A lakeside romantic cottage is exactly what rom-com dreams are made of.
Book Carriage House On The Falls
Personalized Boxers
Remind your partner of you every chance you get with literally your face on a pair of boxers. They’ll get a good laugh out of the whole thing and thank you when it lets them wait a day longer to do laundry.
Shop Etsy
SundaySomeone Personalized Boxers, $, available at Etsy
Charcuterie Board Set
Is there anything better than a beautiful cheese spread? Make them a total Instagram-worthy charcuterie board they’ll adore with this set. Once it’s cleaned, it can be stored compactly until your next wine and cheese night.
Shop Amazon
ChefSofi Charcuterie Board Set and Cheese Serving Platter, $, available at Amazon
Long Distance Friendship Frame
Adulting often means moving away from your closest friends and family. If miles separate you and your favorite people, let them know you’re thinking of them with this light-up frame.
Shop Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods Long Distance Friendship Frame, $, available at Uncommon Goods
BestSelf Intimacy Deck
This Q-&-A deck will help you get even deeper with your significant other this Valentine’s Day. “Describe our first kiss” is just one of the cards from the 150 prompts to choose from.
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BestSelf Co. Intimacy Deck, $, available at BestSelf
Steve Madden Vava Rose
Why get her roses when she could add these swoon-worthy Steve Madden vegan leather pink boots to her closet?
Shop Steve Madden
Steve Madden Vava Rose, $, available at Steve Madden
LEGO Friendship Tree House
If LEGOs are more their speed, give them this beautiful treehouse to decorate your home. Plus, make it a super cute date — add some dinner and drinks and build it together!
Shop LEGO
LEGO Friendship Tree House, $, available at Lego
Coming Soon Fortune Cookie With Hidden Message
This gilded dessert is tricked out with a nifty hinge so that you can open it up and insert your very own secret message — a cool and keepsake-worthy alternative to a paper card.
Shop Coming Soon
Coming Soon Golden Fortune Cookie, $, available at Coming Soon
Farm Rio Maxi Dress
There’s no dress more unique out there than the bright and colorful offerings from Brazilian brand Farm Rio.
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Farm Rio Star Fruit V Neck Maxi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio
Skin Gym Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tool
It’s super trendy, has amazing skincare benefits and it’s an on-themed pink — there’s not much else we could ask for!
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Skin Gym Rose Quartz Crystal Sculpty Heart Gua Sha Tool, $, available at Skin Gym
Glossier You Solid Perfume
If your valentine loves perfume and you’re looking for a less cliche way to gift them the fragrance they so desire, try out a solid perfume. The much-loved Glossier You Solid is back in stock just in time for V-Day.
Shop Glossier
Glossier You Solid, $, available at Glossier
Anthropologie Nellie Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Sometimes the best gift is something that doesn’t resemble any of the classic Valentine’s decorations. This gorgeously unique spin to the classic vanity mirror will be sure to please.
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Anthropologie Nellie Tabletop Vanity Mirror, $, available at Anthropologie
Wall Art Mirror Melting Heart
Equal parts sweet and sour, this melting mirror is perfect for the cynical valentine who’s a softy at heart.
Shop Etsy
MostAmazing Wall Art Mirror Melting Heart, $, available at Etsy
Society6 Baby It’s You Wall Tapestry
Whether your valentine just moved into a new home or they’re simply redecorating this colorful tapestry will remind them they’re your special someone and, of course, that you got good taste.
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Society6 Baby its you Wall Tapestry, $, available at Society6
Lakrids by Bülow Valentine’s Day Love Box
Why go the classic (and expected) route of gifting chocolate when you could give them the most unique candy of all, licorice? Forget the waxy red candy you might know from childhood. This box of treats is full of complex flavors that celebrate the Scandanavian candy.
Shop Food52
Lakrids by Bülow Valentine’s Day Love Box, $, available at Food52
The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition
Make sure you never run out of date ideas with this date-challenge-meets-scrapbook. Whether you’ve been dating a few months or been married for years, this book will be sure to keep things interesting and fun.
Shop The Adventure Challenge
The Adventure Challenge Couples Edition, $, available at The Adventure Challenge
Parachute Percale Venice Set
Before you dismiss bedding as boring, consider this practical and cozy buy. It’s an everyday luxury that will last for years.
Shop Parachute
Parachute Percale Venice Set, $, available at Parachute
Milk Bar Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Truffle Dozen Box
Unlike a whole cake or pie, cheesecake truffles can be enjoyed one at a time and stored in the fridge or freezer without drying out — if they last that long.
Shop Milk Bar
Milk Bar Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake Truffle Dozen Box, $, available at Milk Bar
Usual Wines Valentine’s Day Set
Get them an extra-special (and super aesthetically pleasing) wine gift for a special night this Valentine’s. This set includes six bottles each of the brand’s bestselling rosé and brut (a dry and effervescent sparkling wine). Each bottle is the equivalent of one pour.
Shop Usual Wines
Usual Wines Valentine’s Day Set, $, available at Usual Wines
Frenchie Lovers Kit
You’ve got all the toys for the big night, but what about the rest of it? This kit includes everything you could need like water-based lube, condoms, a silk play eye mask, and sexy dice set to spice things up.
Shop Frenchie
Frenchie Lovers Kit, $, available at Frenchie
A Romance Book
A book that’s sweet, swoon-worthy and will have them hooked from page one? Check, check, and check. Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a must-read for romance enthusiasts and first-timers alike.
Shop Bookshop
Casey McQuiston One Last Stop, $, available at Bookshop
Samsung The Freestyle Projector
If you’re looking to spend big on something practical but still super impressive, look no further. Whether they’re tech-savvy or don’t own a TV (guilty!), this new Samsung projector will blow them away.
Shop Samsung
Samsung The Freestyle, $, available at Samsung
Wild Flower Enby Vibrator
As previously stated, lube is a safe bet when it comes to sex-toy gifting — but there’s an innovative new crowd-pleaser out there that’s worth a mention: Wild Flower’s Enby, a cleverly designed implement that holds pleasurable potential for a variety of anatomies, thank to its flexible, multi-position design.
Shop Wild Flower
Wild Flower Enby, $, available at Wild Flower
Cost Plus World Market Glass Microwave Popcorn Popper
You know you are going to Netflix and chill with this person for the rest of your days — or, at the very least, this weekend — so why not gift them with the perfect snack-making equipment for your couchbound quality time? This lil’ popcorn popper will cook kernels up in the microwave for a quick, no-mess snack to get you through that Friday-night Cheer binge.
YoCrazy Hot Chocolate Bomb, $, available at Etsy
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic Limited Edition – Chili Pepper
Whether you need to clip a loose thread, file a broken nail, or need to quickly open a box, a classic Swiss Army Knife does it all. Snap up one of these useful tools (reimagined in extra-hot packaging) just in time for Valentine’s.
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic Limited Edition – Chili Pepper, $, available at Amazon
“You Were Born For This” by Chani Nicholas
Our obsession — actually, make that the entire astrology community’s obsession — with Chani Nicholas knows no bounds, and her empowering new book combines star-gazing insights with tools for self-actualization. Remind your partner that they are special to you and to the universe with this supportive tome.
Chani Nicholas You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance, $, available at Amazon
Winky Lux Steal My Heart Lipstick
This creamy, duo-core lipstick comes in three shades (classic crimson, baby pink, and orangey-red) and the heart-shaped bullet is too adorable for words.
Winky Lux Steal My Heart Lipstick – Kiss Me, $, available at Winky Lux
Cakes of Eden Cake Pop Making Kit
Another alternative to the obvious? An all-accessories-included kit so that you and your honey can make your own sweets on the indulgence-fueled holiday. It’ll be a million times better than anything store-bought, simply because it was a joint effort. (If cake pops aren’t your speed, there are kits out there for chocolate lovers and gummy enthusiasts, too.)
Cakes of Eden Complete Cake Pop Making Kit, $, available at Amazon
Pinsanity Enamel Pins
Are you in the market for just a little bitty treasure to signify your romantic feelings? Pinsanity has lapel-decor that ranges from the traditionally Valentinian (a red rose) to the offbeat and clever (anatomical heart, anyone?) to the tongue-in-cheek (George Constanza engaging in the timeless art of seduction).
Pinsanity The Timeless Art of Seduction Enamel Lapel Pin, $, available at Amazon
Pinsanity Pinsanity Anatomical Heart Enamel Lapel Pin, $, available at Amazon
Pinsanity Red Rose Enamel Lapel Pin, $, available at Amazon
Modern Sprout Mint Indoor Garden Kit
Sure, you could say it with flowers — but you could also say it with a fresh mint plant. With a minimal, chic opaque glass pot and relatively low-fi care needs, this green gift will trump the short shelf life of stemless flora — and serve as a tasty garnish for your at-home mojito.
Modern Sprout Mint Indoor Garden Kit, $, available at Verishop
Daughters Night Ritual Pillow Spray
We’re willing to bet that the bedroom is a hotbed (!) of activity in your coupledom, but it’s also a place where you relax, have serious conversations, drink coffee, and possibly eat the occasional meal. Oh, and don’t forget sleep. Give your partner the gift of nighttime relaxation and a spa-like atmosphere with Daughters’ aromatherapy pillow spray, scented with lavender and bergamot to help reduce restlessness and insomnia.
Daughters Night Ritual Pillow Spray, $, available at Need Supply
OstrichPillow Light Reversible Travel Pillow
Ridiculous, you say? Unsightly and embarrassing? Well, there are a few hundred people who went on record to disagree with you, singing the praises of this alien-like but thoroughly comfortable pillow through reviews left on Amazon, Nordstrom, and OSTRICHPILLOW.com. “So strange and so lovely,” said reviewer Bryce on the pillow’s e-commerce website. “Love this thing on my head in my seat on a plane. My wife says people walk by and just stare and smile!” Reviewer Florian simply stated, “This is my happy place!”
Ostrich Pillow LIGHT Travel Pillow for Airplane Neck Support, $, available at Amazon
Sudachan Dachshunds on Bicycle Cards (Set of 10)
For some, V-Day is a cards-only holiday: you find a cute paper good that expresses your love and hand it over at the romantic restaurant that you and your partner hit up every February 14th. However, you can’t just show up with any old Hallmark tomfoolery — the card in question must be adorable and highly thoughtful. Enter designer Sudachan’s heart-melting cycling pups card. We have to quote the product description here: “These dachshunds are taking a break from their busy schedules by going on a bicycle ride. There’s no stopping them.” If this doesn’t embody you and your partner’s Saturday-morning approach to life, you’re doing it wrong.
Sudachan Dachshunds on Bicycle Cards (Set of 10), $, available at Amazon
Vintage Valentines
You could also switch it up with a throwback treasure like one of the thousands of vintage Valentine’s cards on Etsy.
AlbinaVintage Lot of Three Vintage Valentines, $, available at Etsy
RoseBYANDER Love Sign Pendant
This 14K gold pendant depicts the American Sign Language hand gesture for love — we can’t imagine a more universally appropriate gift for the national holiday of romance.
RoseBYANDER Love Sign Pendant, $, available at RoseBYANDER
Glossier You + Pro Tip + Lip Gloss Bundle
OK, we know this seems like a present in line with a bowling ball labeled “Homer”, but hear us out. People — all people — rave about Glossier’s You fragrance. It’s formulated to adjust to the body’s unique chemistry, making it a perfect unisex options that smells a little different on everyone. And isn’t that what you love about your boo — their special “you”-ness? The top-rated lipgloss and eyeliner that comes in this bundle are either a.) great additions to a multi-part gift for a makeup-wearing partner or b.) things for you to keep for yourself after you gift just the fragrance.
Glossier You + Pro Tip + Lip Gloss, $, available at Glossier
ClassPass Monthlong Free Trial
Whether you love a gym rat or your partner is trying to prioritize fitness in 2020, ClassPass makes for a choose-your-own-adventure gift that keeps on giving. Here’s a fun hack if you’re a little low on funds this year: “buy” your lover 30 days of the service during their monthlong free trial offer! They’ll be none the wiser, and you can save your pennies for a nice dinner. (Earlybird shoppers, this gift is for you — the promo ends on January 31st.)
We Are Knitters Happy Cushion
Do you love a crafter? There’s no better way to communicate your feelings than with a heart-themed DIY gift. If your partner is less-than-handy, never fear — the “easy” level kit from We Are Knitters is a fun way for you to hand-make a heartfelt gift for your loved one.
We Are Knitters Happy Cushion, $, available at We Are Knitters
Hay Tann Toothbrush
For those among us who are in that special, delicately fetal stage of couplehood and find themselves on the brink of making it official, may we suggest the ultimate object of commitment? Gift your boo with this Danish-designed toothbrush on February 14th, but with one caveat — they have to leave it at your place. Awww.
Hay Tann Toothbrush, $, available at Hay
Madewell Beau Unisex Fragrance
A unisex fragrance called “Beau”? We‘ll take it. With notes of Palo Santo, coconut, leather, and cedar, this earthy scent is sure to please partners of any persuasion.
Madewell Madewell Beau Fragrance, $, available at Madewell
Sunnylife Monstera Neon Light
Sure, the temptation is to get flowers for your partner — or, in our modern times, a plant. However, if green-thumbery isn’t their strong suit, this everlasting neon greenery will freshen up their living space just as nicely — and it’ll last longer, too.
Sunnylife Monstera Neon Light, $, available at Cara Cara
Anthropologie Codify Pencil Holder
OMG. Our highly organized hearts are going pitter-pat at the sight of this cool, sleek desk organizer. It’s got enough wabi-sabi randomness to please the impressionistic sensibilities of your stuff-everywhere partner, but will corral pretty much everything on those days that you’re furiously cleaning up after them. Love’s grand, ain’t it?
Anthropologie Codify Pencil Holder, $, available at Anthropologie
Heart-Shaped Inflatable Pool
It’s all about the hearts this holiday, right? Take this motif to its limits with this “kiddie” pool that will actually fit up to three adults. Sure, you’ll have to save it for the summer — but your boo will thank you once the season rolls around and backyard hangs are in full effect.
ban.do Heart-Shaped Inflatable Pool, $, available at ban.do
Meet the everyday bag they’ll actually love — boasting separate tech pockets, a sleek leather exterior, and a hint of hardware. Your S.O. will think about you every time they’re on the go.
Available at Recently.
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Images and Article from Refinery29
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