This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (2024)

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Love is in the air! Or is it? February 14—that heart-laden day with a fanciful origin tale—can magnify the full spectrum of emotions in any relationship. But whether or not Valentine’s Day envelops your own heart in a rose-colored veil, symbols of love are inescapable this time of year.

While there’s hardly a need to go all out on a gift, small tokens of affection are always appreciated—no matter how long your love has been blooming. For those with a strong feel for the holiday, our Valentine’s Day gift guide has small and grand gestures alike to pin down their love. For those looking for inspiration beyond the beribboned drugstore chocolates and hard-to-nab dinner reservations, our edit here is filled with ideas that are equal parts cheeky wink and wonderfully charming. Let’s jump right in.

Instead of an overpriced pre-fixe dinner…

Forgo the 7 PM Resy alerts! If the way to their heart is through their belly, chef up at home with a pasta kit from Roscioli—your tesoro will be most excited, almost more so than if you surprised them with a round-trip ticket to Rome. (Just kidding, that would indeed be better.) Embroidered placemats from Misette set the table, while anything—water included!—tastes better when sipped out of a Sophie Lou Jacobsen totem glass.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (1)

Roscioli

signature pasta kit

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (2)

Misette

set-of-four linen placemats

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Sophie Lou Jacobsen

Totem glasses

Instead of grocery store flowers...

We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with raiding Trader Joe’s fresh flower stand, but if you want a true show-stopping arrangement that will blow up the group chat, a flower delivery is the way to go. Most of these can be shipped with or without vases, ahead of time, or a mere 24 hours before, and sometimes with chocolates for a little extra treat.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (4)

Urbanstems

The Grower's choice

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (5)

BloomsyBox

pink peony tulips

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Flowerbx

roses and chocolate gift set

Instead of borrowing theirs…

Get yourself some sleepwear that’s chic and supremely comfy. Self-gifting is always in style.

Instead of another candle…

Scented matches!Incense sticks! Room spray! Your favorite plus-one might not live in a three-story townhouse on the Upper East Side, but that doesn’t mean their one-bedroom can’t smell like a home featured in an AD spread. These set a mood, and aren’t a fire hazard when you leave the kitchen unattended for… personal matters! A win.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (9)

Buly1803

scented matches

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (10)

Ginori 1735

scented incense

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (11)

Loewe

Ivy room spray

Instead of second-guessing your relationship status…

No time like the present to lock it in.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (12)

Chefanie

Relationship Status co*cktail napkins

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (13)

Georg Jensen

heart keyring

Instead of an awkward couple’s massage…

Explore a new kind of intimacy with a sensual body stone and oil that you can put to good use long after the clock strikes midnight.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (14)

Kate McLeod

heart-shaped body stone

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (15)

Damask rose and bergamot body oil

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Frédéric Malle

Editions de Parfums Portrait of a Lady hair & body oil

Instead of a Birkin…

Who knows when their Baby Birkin will arrive? Until that fateful call comes, your sweetheart can gaze longingly at the bag’s muse, Jane Birkin, all while shuffling through the house in a pair of fuzzy Birkenstocks. It’s called manifesting!

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (18)

Sonic Editions

Birkin Paris​ 1970 print

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Birkenstock

Boston shearling clogs

Instead of a coffee date...

Perfect for the newly-coupled, skip the queue and brew cortados for two at home with fresh beans from Partners, then serve them in artful cups sure to spark a lively conversation.

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (20)

Anissa Kermiche

set of two coffee cups

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (21)

Partners Coffee

Elevate espresso

Instead of drugstore chocolates…

Spoil your sweet with treats almost as irresistible as they are, like cherries dipped in chocolate or matchsticks for your forever flame.

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Lavoratti 1938

Library box chocolates

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MarieBelle

chocolate-covered cherries box

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Choc on Choc

Perfect Match Belgian chocolate

Instead of a trail of red roses on the floor…

Romantic movie gestures aside, these won’t require any tidying up but get the sentiment across all the same.

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L'Objet

Rose Noire gift set

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Diptyque

roses scented candle

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Gucci

Rouge à Lèvres Voile

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Pat McGrath Labs

Skin Fetish Divine blush

Instead of playing games…

Challenge your knight in shining armor to a game of speed chess—the melty pawns are made of chocolate, after all—or a round of hearts if three’s a crowd.

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Compartes

Grandmaster chocolate chess set

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Bottega Veneta

playing cards

Instead of heart-shaped jewelry…

A set of heirloom-worthy earrings to remind them of your affection.

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Dorsey

Sabine lab-grown white sapphire drop earrings

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David Yurman

sculpted cable stud earrings

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have personal experiences or emotions, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on available data.

Now, let's discuss the concepts mentioned in this article.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th each year. It is commonly associated with romantic love and is a day when people express their affection for one another through gifts, cards, flowers, and other gestures of love. The origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to ancient Roman and Christian traditions. It has since evolved into a popular holiday celebrated in many countries around the world.

Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day

This article provides various gift ideas for Valentine's Day. Here are some of the concepts mentioned:

  1. Pasta Kit from Roscioli: Instead of going out for an overpriced dinner, the article suggests cooking a special meal at home using a pasta kit from Roscioli.
  2. Flower Delivery: Instead of buying flowers from a grocery store, the article recommends ordering a flower delivery for a show-stopping arrangement.
  3. Chic Sleepwear: The article suggests getting yourself some chic and comfortable sleepwear as a self-gift.
  4. Scented Matches, Incense Sticks, and Room Spray: Instead of buying another candle, the article suggests trying scented matches, incense sticks, or room spray to create a pleasant ambiance .
  5. Locking in Relationship Status: The article suggests using cheeky co*cktail napkins or a heart keyring as a way to lock in your relationship status.
  6. Sensual Body Stone and Oil: Instead of a couple's massage, the article suggests exploring a new kind of intimacy with a sensual body stone and oil.
  7. Fuzzy Birkenstocks: Instead of waiting for a Birkin bag, the article suggests manifesting it by wearing fuzzy Birkenstocks.
  8. Brewing Coffee at Home: Instead of going on a coffee date, the article suggests brewing cortados for two at home using fresh beans.
  9. Treats and Chocolates: Instead of drugstore chocolates, the article suggests spoiling your loved one with treats like chocolate-covered cherries or matchstick-shaped chocolates.
  10. Romantic Gifts: The article suggests gifting items like scented candles, lipstick, blush, or a chess set to convey romantic sentiments.
  11. Heirloom-Worthy Earrings: The article suggests gifting a set of heirloom-worthy earrings as a symbol of affection.

These are just a few of the gift ideas mentioned in the article. Remember, the choice of a gift depends on the preferences and interests of the recipient.

I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (2024)

FAQs

Is Valentine's Day the 12? ›

Valentine's Day is celebrated annually on February 14.

What is the number one gift given on Valentine's Day? ›

Valentine's Day cards

Although cards are usually given in combination with other gifts like flowers or chocolates, more than 52% of consumers will present their loved one with a Valentine's Day card.

What are three facts statistics on Valentine's Day gift giving? ›

Valentine's Day Demographics
  • 67.68% of men said they would purchase Valentine's gifts for their loved ones;
  • Men are likelier to spend more on gifts, with an average spending of $249;
  • Women, on the other hand, have an estimated spending of $57;
  • 60% of flowers purchased by women on Valentine's Day are going to themselves.
Jan 15, 2024

What happens if you don't get anything for Valentine's Day? ›

Not getting a gift hurts, but try not to let it ruin your whole day. Treat yourself to a V-Day present, or try to pretend it isn't Valentine's Day at all. Ask yourself if you and your partner are on the same page about Valentine's Day. If you didn't say you wanted to celebrate, your expectations may be mismatched.

What day is 12 February Valentine? ›

Hug Day

What is Feb 12 for lovers? ›

Hug Day: February 12 (Monday)

There is a tradition of expressing your love on this day by hugging each other. Couples give hugs on this particular day to express their love and admiration for one another. A warm embrace may provide comfort and delight, as well as express emotions that words cannot.

Who started Valentine's day? ›

Oruch, a University of Kansas English professor, determined that Chaucer was the first to link love with St. Valentine in his 14th-century works "The Parliament of Fowls" and "The Complaint of Mars," notes the Times. Therefore, Oruch claimed, Chaucer invented Valentine's Day as we know it today.

What comes after Hug Day? ›

03/11​Valentine Week

Valentine's week comprises Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, Kiss Day, and Valentine's Day. It is the month of love, so cherish each and every day of the week.

What are the top 3 items consumers buy for Valentine's day? ›

While flowers, candy and greeting cards still top the list of main gifts, younger generations are shifting the way Valentine's Day is being celebrated, looking beyond traditional gifts.

What gender spends more on Valentine's Day? ›

Not only that, Valentine's Day tends to be the most popular day to get engaged. Spending differs by gender and age. Men spend more on Valentine's Day ($200+), while women usually spend less. Millennials are the biggest spenders, with those in that age group planning to spend around $300 on the holiday.

Is it bad if your boyfriend doesn t get you anything for Valentines Day? ›

Generally, some reasons why this embarrassing and heartbreaking event happened include: he's just too busy, your gift might still be in transit, or worse, he doesn't love you anymore. It might also be because he's planning a surprise for you or because he views valentine's as a “Hallmark Holiday.”

What to get someone who doesn t like Valentine's Day? ›

Here are eight Valentine's Day gift ideas for people who hate Valentine's Day.
  • Ice cream and booze. ...
  • A fancy vacuum. ...
  • A portable desk. ...
  • A very cozy blanket. ...
  • A 40-ounce mug with a handle—but no, not that one. ...
  • A good cast iron skillet. ...
  • Velvet hangers. ...
  • Really pretty coupe glasses.
Feb 1, 2023

Is it OK to skip Valentine's Day? ›

Of course it's okay. valentines day is just a holiday for people to celebrate their love for each other. Some people might believe that they don't need something like that to show their affection for anyone. You can make everyday valentine's day or you can block it out of your life as much as you want.

What country celebrates 12 Valentine's day? ›

Valentine's Day in Korea is a bit different from Valentine's Day elsewhere in world. In fact, Valentine's Day is one of 12 "love days" celebrated on the 14th of every month in Korea.

What is June 12th in Brazil? ›

In Brazil, the Dia dos Namorados is celebrated on June 12, which is Saint Anthony's Day Eve. Saint Anthony is recognized for blessing young couples with happy and prosperous marriages. Celebrations for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil and those for Valentine's Day in most other countries are similar.

What is the day 7 to 14 in February? ›

Valentine's Week, spanning from February 7th to February 14th is a vibrant celebration of love and romance. Each day of this enchanting week carries its significance and is celebrated globally in different shades and colours. Couples eagerly await Valentine's Day to celebrate their love and affection for each other.

Is Valentine's day in a Bible? ›

Since the origin of Valentine's Day as a romantic holiday only dates back to the 14th century, the Bible doesn't have any specific messages about the day—but it does have a lot to say on the subject of love.

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