Life
With Valentine's Day around the corner, the pressure is on to do something memorable with your significant other — or not, which is completely OK, too. However, in addition to doing something together, there's also the whole gift-giving process to take into consideration. Perhaps you decide to make your partner a DIY gift, like a scrapbook of your time together. But if you go the store-bought route to get something for your significant other, what do you get? Believe it or not, there are Valentine's Day gifts that are actually cool. After all, you don't want to be cliché in what you get, but you also don't want to get something too un-Valentine's Day-esque. I remember a friend who got a blender from her boyfriend one year, and it was *not* what she'd been expecting. I think it's all about personalization and honing in on your partner's tastes, then choosing from there.
"Sometimes it isn't the gift itself that matters, it is the thought behind it," Stef Safran, matchmaking and dating expert, tells Bustle. "For many long-term couples, if you ask them what gift they most remember, it's not the most expensive dinner or the most expensive piece of jewelry, it's the time that their significant other gave them something unique that applies to the two of them."
As Safran says, choosing a gift that is unique but applicable is key. If you need some Valentine's Day gift inspiration, you'll find some ideas below. If nothing else, hopefully they'll prompt you to think of the perfect present for your valentine.
1
Legacy Mini-Book
Legacy Mini-Book, $30 (for a set of three identical ones), Legacy Republic
Not only can you personalize it, but the mini-book is also pocket-sized and expandable. All you do is choose a theme, then add six photos. It's almost too easy, yet definitely makes for a memorable Valentine's Day gift.
2
Bagby
Bagby, $20 (for two Bagbys and two removable hooks), Indiegogo
If you want a cool Valentine's Day gift for your significant other that gives you two a chance to reconnect the old-fashioned way, face-to-face, Bagby could be the perfect gift for your partner — actually, the perfect gift for both of you since it comes two-for-one. It's basically a sleeping bag for your phone to promote talking and connection IRL. In this text-heavy society, I think it's a great idea, Valentine's Day or not.
3
Elemental Bottle
Elemental Bottles, $34.95, Elemental
Even if you and your partner don't do daytime activities together like hiking or running, everyone can always use another water bottle, right, either for home, work, your car, or on the go. That's where Elemental Bottles come in. Aside from the Valentine's Day-themed Bubble Gum Pink and Tuscan Sunset Red ones, the bottles also come in a wide range of colors, from Robin's Egg Blue to Matte Black, and more.
Plus, your beverages will stay cold for up to 24 (!) hours or hot for up to 12. Since it's still winter in much of the world, the latter is perfect for keeping your coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or beverage of choice warm, and your partner warm as a result. Once you choose your color, you can choose the type of cap: stainless steel, bamboo, or a sport one.
4
Vinebox
Vinebox, $27 (for three glasses of wine per month), Vinebox
If you and your significant other are into wine, it may already be part of your Valentine's Day plans. However, with this gift, you can get wine all year long, and delivered right to your valentine's doorstep. Vinebox is a wine-by-the-glass monthly subscription service. Instead of getting a bottle of wine, your partner will get individual portions via cool single-serve vials. The flights are chosen by Vinebox's team of sommeliers and also come with pairing suggestions, so the gift is educational, too.
Note: You may want to order a subscription for yourself also, so you can have wine tastings together, so to speak.
In honor of Valentine's Day — and National Rosé Day on February 3 — Vinebox is featuring a wine package perfect for couples, the Rosé Pack ($49). It includes three different Old World Rosés from France and Italy (two glasses of each, six total). No matter which Vinebox subscription you choose, cheers!
5
Motiv Ring
Motiv Ring, $199, Motiv
For a while there, it seemed that everyone had a Fitbit to track their every move — literally. Now, there's the Motiv Ring, which is a ring that doubles as a discrete fitness tracker. So as your partner wears it, the ring will assess their active minutes, heart rate, and even their sleep (!). It'll fit in with what they're wearing whether they're at the gym or at a business dinner — no one will know the difference, unless they tell them, of course. Not only is it durable and waterproof, but the battery lasts for three days, so your significant other doesn't have to worry about charging it every night. You can choose from rose gold or slate gray. Even if you don't get it for your partner, this also makes a great gift to give yourself.
6
Whale Watching Or Kayaking
Everyday California, prices vary, Everyday California
Giving your partner the gift of adventure — and doing something outside — is another amazing and unique Valentine's Day gift idea. Hopefully, they will bring you along, too. For instance, with Everyday California, you can have your significant other kayak off the San Diego coast and go whale watching at the same time, right from their kayak. If standup paddleboarding (SUP) is more their thing, you can rent paddleboards from the company, too, or surfboards. Everyday California also sells apparel, from shirts to hats and more, so you can pick some out to commemorate your partner's day out on the ocean.
If you're not in California, you can find similar ones closer to where you live.
7
Lula's Garden
Lula's Garden Gift Box, From $25 and up, Lula's Garden
Anyone can buy someone flowers, but with Lula's Garden, you can order a succulent gift box for your valentine. Succulents live a long time, much longer than a vase of flowers, so your other half will have a constant reminder of you wherever they display their succulent garden. This also makes the perfect gift for people who are not necessarily great with plants (guilty!), as succulents are very low-maintenance to care for.
8
Shutterfly Custom Phone Case
Shutterfly Custom Phone Case for iPhones and Androids, From $44.95 and up, Shutterfly
For a cool Valentine's Day gift for your partner that they can use again and again, you can make them a Shutterfly Custom Phone Case with anything from a picture of you two or something else that's meaningful to them. Whether your partner is an iPhone person or an Android one, you can customize their case. In essence, this gift is a store-bought/DIY gift in one.
9
Sur La Table Cooking Class
Sur La Table "Classes With Heart", prices vary, Sur La Table
Aside from selling amazing cookware and accessories, Sur La Table also hosts cooking classes, and has many Valentine's Day themes, appropriately titled "Classes With Heart." So, in essence, this gift is not only for your significant other, but you as well. Even if you two are more takeout people than cooking-something-for-yourselves ones, these classes are a fun way for you and your partner to do something fun together, and then have dinner (or dessert) afterwards, depending on which class you choose.
Classes vary from "Night Out: French Romance" to "Chocoholic," and just looking online at the options will make your mouth water.
10
Himalayan Salt Lamp
Himalayan Salt Lamp, $24.95, T.J. Maxx
T.J. Maxx is always a great and affordable go-to place to get cool gifts, and this Himalayan Salt Lamp is no exception. Even if your love interest has never expressed interest in having one, once you fill them in on the health benefits of owning a Himalayan Salt Lamp, they'll be into it. For instance, the salt rock crystal helps detoxify the room, reduces stress, and helps people sleep better. Plus, the lamps provide a pretty, calming, and romantic ambience when they're on, which is also perfect for Valentine's Day.
11
Personalized Hearts Four-Across Game
Personalized Hearts Four-Across Game, $75, UncommonGoods
Everyone loves a good game of Connect Four, right? Well, this Personalized Hearts Four-Across Game from UncommonGoods is like that, but with a customized twist. You can get this four-across game personalized with your names, so not only will it be fun on display, but fun to play as well. Of course, the hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day, in addition to reminding you and your partner of your love all year long.
12
Crated With Love
Crated with Love Date Night Subscription Box, From $19.99/month, Crated with Love
When you and your partner are both busy, sometimes it's easy to skip official, interactive date nights and replace them with Netflix-and-pizza ones instead. However, if you get your partner a Crated with Love monthly date night subscription, problem solved. There are a few different options available. For instance, with the Diamond Membership, you get a new date night every month, all the items you need for it, and access to online bonus content — plus free shipping in the U.S.
The membership is *very* affordable, $19.99 and up, and definitely worth a try if you want to vary and up your dating game.
13
Massage Stone Set
Massage Stone Set, $20, T.J. Maxx
Also from T.J. Maxx, you can pick up this Massage Stone Set. Who says you need to pay a spa a ton of money to do a stone massage when you can do one yourself for your valentine? The 20-piece kit contains more than enough stones to use for your DIY massage for your partner. You can also pick up extra accessories to go along with this idea, such as a silk lavender eye mask from Amazon and a carved wood lid candle and essential oils from T.J. Maxx.
As you can see from the above, there are plenty of gifts to get your significant other this Valentine's Day that are actually cool. Plus, the gifts keep on giving, since most will last far past February 14. Of course, however, your partner themselves is the best gift of all, and vice-versa.
