Decorating & Design
Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas That Impress For Less
Updated on October 19, 2017
Couples take note: Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away — and that means it’s time to get thinking! After all, taking a bit of time to make loved ones feel appreciated is always a good idea. This year, push yourself beyond the last-minute bouquet, and find something fresh and perfectly suited to your sweetheart. Here are 15 of our favorite affordable Valentine’s Day gift ideas — all coming in at $50 or less.
Another way to give flowers is to pick up a gorgeously photographed book. Gardenista came out last fall and quickly became The New York Times, Domino and Goop’s go-to pick. Want to get ahead of the next trend? Pre-order acclaimed Brooklyn florist Ingrid Carozzi’s Handpicked, which hits shelves in March.
The tea-drinker in your life is sure to love a fine, artisanal variety from Sloane Fine Tea Merchants. Bonus: Each flavor is blended and packaged in Canada (and has been since 1899), and comes in a display-worthy, reusable metal tin.
Shopping for a no-fuss coffee-lover? Check out online retailer Herriott Grace’s handmade earthenware cups. Simple yet striking, they’re just as gorgeous as owner Nikole Herriott’s photography (which regularly appears in H&H).
Ferm Living’s mod gilded teaspoons come in a sweet set of two, and will elevate just about any morning routine — whether your loved one’s day starts with lightly sweetened tea or a high-octane ristretto.
Gifting a high-quality artist’s pad is a perfect way to acknowledge your partner’s creative side. We love the smart-looking, durable pads from Washington, D.C., company Appointed, which can be monogrammed in gold for a luxe personal touch.
Prefer pre-made art? There are plenty of prints on the market from up-and-coming creatives. Toronto designer Xenia Taler’s vibrant Masculin/Féminin risograph print is a steal at just $24, and will make a colorful and contemporary focal point in a space you share with your Valentine.
A filled candle is a popular choice for gifting on Valentine’s Day, delivering that soft, romantic glow. But don’t feel limited to the sickly-sweet, candy-colored offerings in stores. With its clean-lined ceramic container, this candle from Elte Mkt feels much more sophisticated and will look great year-round.
We love the idea of pairing a candle with a box of long, high-quality matches, like these delicately scented sticks from the world’s oldest candle manufacturer Cire Trudon. Their ornately designed box means they’re as pretty as they are practical.
Fine apothecary goods make ideal Valentine’s Day gifts when they’re infused with soft floral scents. This petal-topped rose soap from Victoria, B.C-based company Carriage44 fits the bill, and is packed with all-natural, skin-loving ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil.
Another welcome addition to a shared ensuite is a plush, hammam-style towel. This one from Toronto’s Tonic Living was woven by Turkish artisans out of 100% organic cotton for extra absorbency and the softest feel.
For the cocktail connoisseur, consider Food52’s vintage French aperitif glasses, which come in charming mismatched sets of two. (Tack on a bottle of Lillet or crème de cassis to complete the package.)
Frequent flyers love W&P Design’s classic Carry on Cocktail Kit, which comes with all the fixings for a nice in-flight cocktail. But during these chilly winter months we think the brand’s new hot toddy kit is the one to choose, with its spicy ginger syrup, zingy lemon packets and fragrant cinnamon sticks.
Soma’s 5 Berry Pop proves that high-end sweets are still a foolproof pick for Valentine’s Day. This white-chocolate bark is studded with crushed berries and fizzy pop rocks — a serious update from the standard box of candy.
All settled on a gift? Cap it off with a card that doubles as a keepsake. This alderwood piece from California brand Cardtorial is laser-cut to order, and subtle enough to set out on a bookshelf all year.