Valentine’s Day might be about romance, chocolates and date night with your partner, but let’s not forget another kind of love worth celebrating — your besties. Enter Galentine’s Day, the ultimate excuse to shower your favourite people with thoughtful gifts and quality time.
If Galentine’s Day isn’t on your radar, it was first made famous by Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope, who declared 13 February as a day for the “ladies celebrating the ladies” — whether that’s over brunch, cocktails or a cheeky pampering session. Since then, it’s become an annual tradition, giving us all the feels for women who’ve been there through the highs, lows and everything in between.
To help you spoil your squad, our shopping team has rounded up the best Galentine’s Day gifts — from luxury electric diffusers to beauty boxes. Because let’s face it, nothing says ‘I love you’ like a thoughtfully chosen present (or a bottle of wine and a cheesy rom-com marathon).
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Oliver Bonas ‘Bloody Love Ya’ Mug – £12.50
Oliver Bonas’ cheeky ceramic mug is destined to brighten up your mate’s morning cuppa. It’ll look super cute in any kitchen and it’s microwave—and dishwasher-safe, too, making it easy to heat up or wash when needed.
If you like this design, there are heaps more available at Oliver Bonas. Another top pick is this affirming ‘You Got This’ mug — ideal for a friend who needs a little bit of encouragement at the start of their day.
Abbott Lyon Entwine Custom Heart Necklace – £89
For a Galentine’s Day gift that feels truly special, Abbott Lyon’s heart necklace is a standout pick. This gorgeous 18k gold-plated piece can be personalised with your bestie’s initials or even a birthstone, making it as unique as your friendship. Thoughtful, chic and totally Instagram-worthy, it’s the kind of gift she will treasure forever – and one that shows you’ve gone the extra mile.
Saying that, £89 doesn’t exactly make this an impulse buy — and if you’ve got multiple friends you’re buying for, we can’t imagine this will make the shortlist. So, for something more affordable, Accessorize has a similar heart pendant necklace that’s just as pretty — and it only costs a tenner.
Neom Wellbeing Pod Mini Essential Oil Diffuser – £55
Got a pal who deserves a little R&R? Neom’s mini diffuser is the ultimate treat for the one who is always on the go but could use some chill time. Available in five dreamy colours (I have the blue one, and it’s seriously cute), this pod’s sleek, glossy finish makes it stylish enough to double as décor.
Not only is it perfect for creating a zen vibe at home, but it’s also portable, with a 50-hour charge, so your mate can take their relaxation on the road—imagine popping this in the car for long journeys! Pair it with a Neom essential oil blend, and you’ve nailed a thoughtful gift that screams, “You deserve a break.”
Kocktail’s Classic Collection – £29
You’ve probably heard of letterbox flowers, but what about letterbox cocktails? Subscription service Kocktail delivers ready-made drinks straight to your front door, so your BFF can have a boujie bar experience from the comfort of their living room.
This fancy box contains four ready-made bevvies — Espresso Martini, Passionfruit Martini, Margarita and an Amaretto Sour — all with accompanying garnishes and serve cards. Otherwise, there are more fun options to explore, including a gin-based Negroni Collection if that’s more up your friend’s street.
Papier Full of Heart Undated Daily Planner – £30
These undated daily planners from Papier are the ultimate gift for any occasion, but this heart print design was practically made for Valentine’s Day. Because it’s undated, no page will go to waste, whether your pal will use it religiously every day, once a month, or sporadically throughout the year to track various projects.
The planner can be personalised on the cover with their name or a phrase and contains 365 daily pages of silky paper that’s a dream to write on. Inside are undated month views, space to write down your to-dos and priorities and a gridded notes section at the back.
And if red and pink hearts aren’t your vibe, it also comes in a range of designs, so you’ll find one she loves.
LookFantastic ‘With Love’ Valentine’s Edit – £50
LookFantastic has launched a limited-edition beauty edit that’s perfect for gifting to a bestie or splitting among a group of gals. Starring everything from iconic fragrances to premium skincare essentials, the stunning seven-piece collection is worth £195 and includes five full-size products and two deluxe-size samples.
Priced at £50, it saves £145, with one product worth more than the price you pay for the entire edit. The indulgent Laura Mercier Bath and Body Oil Ambre Vanille is a silky bath and body oil that would usually set shoppers back £62.
In addition to the luxury bath oil, there’s an Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream, worth £38, and two 111SKIN Rose Gold Face Masks, worth £40. Perfect for date night or a cosy pamper night in, it also stars an Illamasqua Powder Blush, Iconic London Triple Threat Mascara, and the fruity and floral Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist.
Kylie Jenner Cosmic Perfume – £34
When Kylie Jenner’s debut fragrance launched at Boots last year, it quickly became the retailer’s fastest-selling perfume launch of 2024—and for good reason. I’ve been spritzing this perfume religiously for the last eight months, and it never fails to get me compliments, with friends forever asking what I’m wearing.
The ambery floral fragrance features star jasmine and blood orange notes alongside golden amber and red peony, rounded off with vanilla musk and cedarwood. It’s subtle and a little sweet — but not sickly — still grabbing attention without being too overpowering. And at £34, it’s surprisingly affordable, too, making it great for gifting.
Paul & Joe Cat Lip Balms – £7
Paul & Joe’s feline lip balm is a gift that will make your friend say ‘aw’ at first sight. The made-in-Japan formula gives a glossy finish, keeps your pout hydrated, and protects it from the sun’s harmful rays. The anti-UV formula also helps build the lip barrier in harsh winter conditions.
The lip balms are refillable, and you can choose between UV, Pearl (with a luminous finish), and Treatment (with highly nourishing ingredients including hyaluronic acid and collagen). They are priced £11 each.
You can also choose a case from one of Paul & Joe’s modern French illustration cases, like this lovely blue-and-white ‘Sleepy Cat on Clouds’ or this Nounette in Paris, which features a cat with a beret and the Eiffel Tower—each retails at £7.
Dyson Haircare in Jasper Plum – Various
Okay, so buying something from the notoriously pricey Dyson may not be an option for everyone, but if you really want to make a pal love you forever, this is a fantastic shout. And the brand’s latest colour launch — a deep purple colour — is sure to delight.
The inspiration behind the hue comes from the rare purple jasper gemstone, which symbolises strength and self-discovery. Its triple-toned palette combines deep plum, rich violet, and blush pink accents, creating a distinctive and empowering design.
The Dyson AirWrap i.d Styler, £479.99, is designed to intelligently adapt heat, airflow, and timings to your hair type while drying and styling it. With six attachments, you can dry, curl, wave, smooth, volumise, and hide flyaways with ease.
If you want to save time swapping attachments, the Dyson AirStrait, £449.99, can straighten your hair from wet to dry with no heat damage. The powerful, directional airflow smooths and aligns hair and delivers results just like other straighteners.
A significant upgrade from the original SuperSonic, the Nural hair dryer, £399.99, does not only take care of your hair but also your scalp. It detects the distance of the hair dryer to your scalp and adjusts its temperature to minimise the damage caused by heat.
Mischief Candles Friendship Candle – £12.40 from £15.50
Everyone loves candles, right? They’re a gorgeous way to bring a serene ambience and a delightful aroma to your space. If you’re looking to gift one to a pal, I’m obsessed with these friendship candles from Manchester-based Mischief Candles.
There are heaps of fun designs to choose from, including this motivating ‘You Got This’ candle — a great way to add positivity to your giftee’s life — or this cheeky yet brilliant ‘I Love You, You Little Sh*t’ option. Choose from various scents, such as the comforting Sugar N’ Spice and the floral-based Pink Blossom.
Plus, each hand-poured candle is made from vegan-friendly soy wax and arrives in 100% recyclable packaging. What’s not to like?
Zymurgorium Realm of the Unicorn Marshmallow Gin Liqueur – £14.49
Opting for a fancy bottle of alcohol is always a great shout, whether you’re gifting for Galentine’s or another special occasion like a birthday or engagement. But perhaps it’s time to step away from the standard Prosecco and go with something more fun.
Enter this unicorn-inspired pink gin liqueur, the perfect addition to your mate’s home bar/drinks collection. Infused with a variety of sweet flavours (marshmallow, vanilla and marzipan, to name a few), it sounds delicious. Our favourite bit? It shimmers when you swirl it.
Cath Kidston Hearts Borg Jacket – £48
Many people are wearing dark-coloured clothes due to the cold weather, and this Valentine’s Day is the perfect moment to spice things up. This Cath Kidston Green Borg Jacket features lovely heart prints to make your lucky giftee smile.
Designed for indulgence, this cosy and comforting outerwear piece is the perfect winter warmer. It also features minimalistic bow detailing for a feminine feel, and the pockets are at the front to keep your hands warm. Advise your mate to pair it with a turtleneck top and wide-leg jeans for a chic, effortlessly cool look.
