22 Best Valentine's Day Gifts
We've got you covered with creative ideas for everyone on your list
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Good Valentine’s Day gifts can be hard to come by, and if you’ve yet to find one that fits the bill, we’re here to help. Whether it’s for an S.O., a parent, a friend, or even yourself (yes, you count), a thoughtful treat will be much appreciated.
Non-Traditionalists
We’re all about a fun twist on convention, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Here’s how we’re rethinking the classics this year.
Rancho Meladuco Signature Hand-Packed Medjool Dates, 2lb box
When you’ve exhausted the standard boxed chocolate exchange, switch things up with this (dare I say) equally delectable alternative. The first time I tried Rancho Meladuco dates, I was floored by their quality. They were tender and indulgently rich, unlike the harder, saccharine versions I typically buy from the grocery store. Sourced from a date farm in California’s Coachella Valley (yes, the one and the same), they’re hand-picked, sun-ripened, and pretty sublime.
Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper
In lieu of date night at the movies, curl up on the couch instead and make your own medley of snacks. Load up on sweets with a candy salad and whip up freshly popped popcorn right from the comfort of your kitchen. This model was a standout in an evaluation of the best popcorn machines because it delivered a lighter, toastier flavor with a pleasant snap in each piece. It takes roughly 2 minutes to pop a whole bowl and has a capacity of 16 cups.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Piano Cocktail Glass, Set of 2
Ditch the bottle of wine and grab your Valentine a pair of martini glasses instead. These colorful vessels from Sophie Lou Jacobsen are prime for serving a variety of concoctions, and we’re not just talking about the spirit-forward kind. Available in an array of hues, the delicate stemware is bound to elevate the everyday. Each glass comes with a stainless steel stirrer that’s prime for your garnish of choice.
LEGO Wildflower Bouquet
If your Valentine’s view on florals is non-traditional, look no further than this build-it-yourself wildflower bouquet. Lego’s botanical collection is something out of a dream. Potted orchids, cherry blossoms, and roses are just a few of the creative options you’ll find, but we’re partial to this wildflower set, which is equal parts whimsical and artful. Once it’s complete, go ahead and display it in a vase. Why not?
Game Night
Sometimes the best gifts come in the form of elevated basics like a vibrant jigsaw or a book that inspires wanderlust. The gift ideas ahead are equal parts functional and design-forward.
Printworks Domino, Classic
Printworks reimagines classic games in bold, bright colors and streamlined packaging, which I’d say makes them exponentially more enjoyable. Snag this Domino set for game night and let the good times roll.
Paint Anywhere Joshua Tree at Day by Sarah Gesek Paint-by-Numbers Kit
Consider your Valentine’s Day plans found. Skip the pricey dinner out and instead, organize a night in with friends or loved ones and provide them with an activity they can relish on a cold winter day. Paint Anywhere’s vibrant paint-by-numbers kits offer the perfect escape, even if it’s only temporary.
Assouline Publishing Mykonos Muse
Treat the traveler on your list with a beautifully illustrated tome that’s bound to inspire a getaway. Assouline’s Mykonos Muse depicts inspired scenes from the Cyclades and beautifully curated passages from various tastemakers around the world.
If you’re ordering through Assouline, spring for the brand’s signature gift wrapping (it’s an extra $8), which is comprised of a white matte gift wrap and red wax seal.
Cavallini & Co. National Parks Vintage Puzzle
Here’s a gift perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. This 1,000-piece puzzle depicts various scenes from iconic national parks across the country. Pair it with a plush throw and a mug for the ultimate cozy evening starter kit.
Wellness and Beauty Enthusiasts
A cozy evening at home calls for stocking up on the essentials—something comfortable to wear, must-have beauty, and a little (natural) pop of color are just the start.
Béis The Dopp Kit
Replenish the beauty enthusiast’s must-haves and present the haul in this travel-friendly carrier. The Béis Dopp Kit is made of cotton and vegan leather and comes in a variety of colors. It’s a bag that you will enjoy holding because of how comfortable the material feels. It can be opened wide enough that every item in the bag is in full view and easy to access. The bag is divided into a top and bottom compartment, and there are two side pockets in the top compartment.
Naadam Signature Cashmere Ribbed Socks
Few things in life are as luxurious as cashmere socks, and this pair from Naadam is not to be missed. Available in four colors and two sizes, these 100 percent cashmere socks are light yet warm and will carry you through winter with flair.
The Sill Monstera Deliciosa
Give your Valentine a gift that’ll brighten up their space. The tropical Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is great for beginners and those who prefer a low-maintenance option. Monsteras can be happy with indirect light and can survive through short periods of drought. Bonus: The Sill allows you to customize this plant with various types of pots that come in seven colorways.
Papillon Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
The Papillon Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager Pillow checks a lot of the boxes for being the perfect massager. It’s effective and lightweight. In fact, it’s the lightest of all the electric massagers we tried, according to our measurements. It’s also fairly inexpensive. You can use the massager on different body parts, such as your back, neck, shoulders, legs, and feet. It also offers a good amount of heat.
Coffee Lovers
Whether their daily caffeine fix comes in the form of freshly brewed coffee or an iced matcha latte, we’ve got you covered with all the must-haves—and then some. Think a mug that will keep their brew warm or the tools to make the perfect espresso at home.
NotNeutral Lino Mug, 10 oz.
Give the gift of a better vessel for a morning brew. According to Bernie Deitrick, a CR test engineer, compact mugs for multiple small servings (rather than one big pour) can optimize the flavor and retain the heat of coffee. Jiyoon Han, a founder of Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters, recommends this mug from NotNeutral. “Made from high-quality porcelain, it has a wide mouth to enhance aroma, a comfortable handle for a secure grip, and a modern design,” she says. Choose from a range of vibrant and pastel hues or, better yet, mix and match to your heart’s content.
Created Stainless Steel Cold Cup
Cafe Grumpy founder Caroline Bell loves this 16-ounce Created Cold Cup. Available in six subdued colors, the stainless steel cup is suitable for hot and cold beverages. “It’s a practical and stylish option for enjoying your favorite iced coffee creations,” Bell says.
Yeti Rambler 30 oz. Tumbler
“I know it’s not as trendy as Stanley tumblers, but I love my blue Yeti 30-ounce tumbler,” says CR’s Daniel Wroclawski, who has reported extensively on topics such as the best coffee makers and how to make a great latte at home. “It keeps my iced coffee cold for hours and looks good while doing it.”
Wroclawski also purchased the Yeti straw lid for the tumbler so that he can get the perfect sip. “I’m of the opinion that straws are the best delivery method for iced coffee and cold brew.”
With its built-in milk frother, the Nespresso CitiZ EN267BAE takes single-serve coffee to the next level. It’s great when you’re hosting events, considering it aces CR’s tests for both speed and size consistency. The brand’s single-serve coffee makers also get top marks for reliability and owner satisfaction in our member surveys. This machine requires a bit more maintenance because of the milk frother, but if you love your morning latte, it’s a quick and easy way to get your fix.
For more options: Best Coffee Makers
One of the best Keurig K-Cup brewers is the Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer SS-10, which boasts a stellar convenience rating and offers great cup size and temperature consistency. This machine also packs a ton of features, including an auto-shutoff function, a removable water reservoir, a height-adjustable drip tray, a built-in water filter, and programming.
Aerolatte To-Go Milk Frother
The Aerolatte To-Go is a nifty little handheld frother that’s capable of frothing up a variety of milks both hot and cold, including plant-based milks. Using it has a bit of a learning curve, but we were able to get the hang of it in just a few minutes. This Aerolatte is also a cinch to clean: You simply run it in a cup of soapy water for a bit, then run it out of the cup to dry.
For more options: Best Milk Frothers
Audiophiles and Techies
The next best thing to the gift of music is a device that will allow them to get the most out of their tunes. For the rest (ahem, the hard-to-please) wearable tech is always a safe bet.
The Roam SL is the nonsmart version of the Sonos Roam smart speaker, the smallest and most portable model in the manufacturer’s lineup. Like its sibling, the SL has that Sonos look and feel, but our testers report that you can get similar sound and overall performance in a cheaper speaker like the JBL Flip 5. If you’ve already invested in a Sonos multiroom system, note that the Roam SL allows you to bring Bluetooth functionality to all your Sonos gear. And Sonos devices are rarely discounted, so you probably won’t find a better price on the Roam SL.
The Revolve+ II is the slightly larger sibling of the Revolve II. It can play a little louder and has just a bit more bass, but with most music, the two portable speakers sound quite similar, our testers say. We’d usually steer you to the Revolve II, but this discount reduces the price gap between the two models, so the Revolve+ II becomes the more attractive option.
These superb-sounding noise-canceling earbuds are a worthy successor to Sony’s popular WF-1000XM4 model. They’re smaller, lighter, and sleeker, and come packed with plenty of features, including variable noise cancellation, an ambient sound mode to actively pipe in audio from your surroundings, and Speak-to-Chat, which can automatically pause your music when you start talking. But most importantly, the sound quality of the XM5s is state-of-the-art for an earbud, and the noise cancellation is top notch.
Bose has been the go-to brand for noise-canceling headphones for years, and its impressive performance in our ratings bears out that reputation. The company’s flagship option, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, is a top-of-the-line product, with great audio quality, adjustable noise cancellation, and a slew of other features. Because Bose products aren’t frequently discounted, this is a solid deal on a high-performance product.
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