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

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Misette

set-of-four linen placemats

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (3)

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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (28)

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

This Not That: 12 Unexpected Valentine’s Day Gifts They’re Sure to Remember (32)

David Yurman

sculpted cable stud earrings

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

FAQs

Is Valentine's day the 12? ›

February 14 is celebrated as Saint Valentine's Day in various Christian denominations; it has, for example, the rank of "commemoration" in the calendar of saints in the Anglican Communion.

What is the dark truth about Valentine's day? ›

One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.

What does it mean if your boyfriend doesn't get you a Valentine's gift? ›

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.”

Do dads buy daughter's Valentine's? ›

Many fathers give their daughters gifts for Valentines Day. It's not weird. It's a personal choice. You are saying “I'm your Dad and I'll always love you”.

What are the 12 love days? ›

12 Days of Love: From January to December January 14: Diary Day February 14: Valentine's Day March 14: White Day April 14: Black Day May 14: Yellow Day June 14: Kiss Day July 14: Silver Day August 14: Green Day September 14: Photo Day October 14: Wine Day November 14: Movie Day.

What day is 12 February valentine? ›

Hug Day. The sixth holiday of Valentine's Week is called Hug Day. On February 12, people give their loved ones hugs to comfort them because, in cases where words fall short, the warmth of a caring person can do wonders. Hugging releases oxytocin, a hormone that helps people de-stress and lowers anxiety and depression.

What does the Bible say about Valentine's day? ›

1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Does the Bible say about Valentine's day? ›

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.

Who created Valentine's day? ›

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day, and since then, February 14th has been a day of celebration—though it was generally more religious than romantic.

Is it bad if your boyfriend doesn't get you 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 to do if you forget Valentine's Day? ›

Share fond memories, express gratitude for their presence in your life, and apologize for forgetting Valentine's Day. Handwritten letters add a personal touch and show that you invested time and effort into expressing your feelings.

When a guy doesn't acknowledge Valentine's Day? ›

It doesn't always means he isn't into you, it can also mean that he doesn't know how to express himself and he's a tad bit emotionally unavailable which is true of plenty guys. If he gives you the “I don't do Valentine's” excuse then chances are he's just not that into you.

Is it right for a father to kiss his daughter? ›

There is nothing "odd in the slightest" or "sexual" about a mom or dad kissing their children on the lips. It's a perfectly natural way for "affectionate families" to express themselves.

Can a daughter love her father? ›

Whoever coined the phrase that a father is the daughter's first love was not wrong. Fathers create the first impression of how a man should be, for their daughters. Very often it is seen that when looking for a life partner a girl always looks for the qualities in a man that she sees in her father.

Should fathers cuddle with their daughters? ›

Our purposeful physical affection will help to create an emotional bond with our daughters. We can “say” things with a hug, a gentle touch, or a kiss on the cheek that we can't say with words, and our daughters desperately need these displays of affection.

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.

Is Valentine's day on 14 or 15? ›

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a holiday in Western cultures associated with romantic love. Originating from the Roman Lupercalia festival, it was later Christianized and named after Saint Valentine. Today, it's a day for love, romance, and appreciation for friends, family, and loved ones.

Why 14 is valentines day? ›

A pagan fertility ritual was held in February each year and the Pope abolished this festival and proclaimed 14 February Saint Valentine's Day, thus establishing this feast day on the Catholic Calendar of Saints. The poet Chaucer in the Middle Ages was the first to link St Valentine with romantic love.

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.

References

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