Want to give someone – or yourself– a treat around Valentine’s Day but find ‘traditional’ gift ideas too cheesy? I’ve got your covered – and not a teddy bear in sight…
With Valentine’s Day coming up next week (Friday 14 February), it’s hard to ignore that the shops are currently filled with heart-shaped balloons, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, teddies holding hearts…heart-shaped everything, really. Here at The Mirror we’ve rounded up our pick of the best traditional V-Day gifts, but if you’re after something a little bit different, keep reading…
I’m in a loving, long-term relationship but we’ve never celebrated Valentine’s Day or bought each other gifts, finding the whole idea fairly cheesy, and deeply uncool. However, I do like receiving gifts, whatever the occasion, and also buying myself little treats. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite cool, quirky and useful things that I think anyone would be thrilled to receive, whether on Valentine’s Day or at any point in the year…
Valentine’s gifts from £4 to treat your loved one, your friends and yourself to this year
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Best alternative Valentine’s Day gifts for 2025
Lego Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet
£54.99 from LEGO
I do actually love receiving flowers (these are our favourites), but if you’re looking for something a little different – and that will last longer than a typical bunch – I love the idea of giving this LEGO bouquet instead.
We’re big LEGO fans in our household and regularly buy sets, both for each other as gifts and as treats for ourselves, and I think this design manages to look pretty and feminine (not something that can always be said about LEGO) builds!). I can’t wait to make a start on it this February.
- Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet, £54.99 from LEGO
Hotel Chocolat The Nice Slice – Valentine’s Edition
£17.95 from Hotel Chocolat
OK, yes, it’s chocolate, and there are hearts on it, but this is way better than your standard selection box, IMO. If you haven’t tried one of Hotel Chocolat’s Nice Slice’s before, you’re in for a treat – something between a tiffin-type cake and a chocolate bar, they’re big slabs of praline packed with crispy rice, cornflakes and caramel. Keep it in the fridge ready to cut off a slice and enjoy with a cup of tea in front of the telly – true romance.
For something a bit more interactive, I also love Hotel Chocolat’s Mini Chocolate Dipping Adventure for Two, £28.95.
Côte des Roses Rosé
£14.99 from Waitrose
If you or your loved one drink wine, I think a nice bottle always makes a lovely gift, and something to enjoy together, too. Summer may be the typical ‘rosé season’ but this one tastes delicious all year round – crisp, dry and your classic pale French rosé – and this limited-edition design gives a nod to Valentine’s Day.
- Côte des Roses Organic Languedoc Rosé Limited Edition, £14.99 from Waitrose
Diptyque Classic Candle
£58 from Diptyque
I don’t know many who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive a Diptyque candle, at any point in the year. It isn’t the strongest of their fragrances but Papier is my favourite Diptyque scent to wear as a perfume, and so I’m excited that it’s now available as a candle. It smells crisp, clean and ever so slightly musky, with the smell of ‘paper’ coming from the unusual ingredient of sesame.
Otherwise, Baies is one of Diptyque’s most popular scents, and a guaranteed to delight.
- Papier Classic Candle, £58 from Diptyque
Loowoko Candle Warmer Lamp
Currently £28.99 from Amazon (usual price £34.99)
Along a similar vein, this unusual gift idea comes from our head of shopping Zoe, who said it has ‘transformed her mood and her living room’. This clever Loowoko lamp melts your favourite scented candles in a cleaner, safer way, thanks to a 50-watt halogen bulb that gently warms the wax. Within minutes, you’ll notice the fragrance filling the room, and the best part? No flames, no soot and no indoor pollution.
You can read Zoe’s full review here.
- Loowoko Candle Warmer Lamp, currently £28.99 from Amazon (usual price £34.99)
Elemis Black Cherry Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
£49 from Elemis
In terms of beauty products with cult classic status, Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is certainly up there, and this Black Cherry is the latest fragranced balm. It’s made of the same formula as the much-loved original – a trio of nourishing oils as well as marine algae, and rose and mimosa waxes – but with a sweet new scent of cherry, almond and vanilla. I’m obsessed, and I think any skincare fan would be too.
