Vicky Parry, money-saving expert at MoneyMagpie, has hunted high and low to put together a Valentine’s Day gift guide that’s chock-full of ideas
Valentine’s doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. The gifts people actually remember aren’t flashy; they’re thoughtful, practical, or create shared experiences.
A small luxury, a shared laugh, or a comforting gesture can speak louder than a designer label. Skip the panic-buying and focus on gifts that say, “I see you.”
Every pound you spend should count, whether it creates a shared moment, improves everyday life, or just makes someone feel truly seen.
Free and thoughtful gestures
Sometimes, the most meaningful gestures don’t come with a price tag. Writing a proper letter – not just a card – to tell someone what you appreciate, admire, or a favourite memory can be incredibly powerful.
Planning a future date, whether it’s a walk, a free exhibition, or a picnic when the weather improves, stretches Valentine’s Day beyond a single evening.
Cooking their favourite meal at home shows attention to the little things that matter and often becomes a more memorable experience than an expensive night out.
For food and drink lovers
For those who love food and drink, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to indulge — Aldi have a rather promising looking menu coming in on February 10 (steak anyone?). Prices start under £3.50.
Or if you fancy splashing out a bit – M&S are back with their Dine in For £25 offer, which features a starter, main, dessert and wine for two.
If you are looking more at the gifting options. Knoops Vegan Hot Chocolate is rich and indulgent, ideal for cosy nights in, while Lily O’Brien Luxury Chocolate Collection offers a beautifully presented mix of 27 chocolates in milk, dark, and white varieties.
Then for the cheffy luxury lovers Olive Oil Guy Single Origin Olive Oil brings premium Mediterranean flavours straight into the kitchen.
Gourmet hampers and treats
Hampers make Valentine’s feel like an adventure without leaving home. We have had great fun making our own hampers over the last few years. Often combing the more deli items from Aldi and Lidl with treats from TK Maxx – you can do something rather special for £20.
However, if you are not with your loved one on Valentine’s Day, they can be expensive to post, so we looked into some trustworthy postal options that won’t break the bank.
If you are looking for a real treat, Hampers.com start at around the £30 mark and, having received them myself, I can attest the quality.
The same can be said for Prestige Hampers, who have 50% off at the moment and start at around £25. Meanwhile, for chocolate and sweet lovers, the sweet hamper company have a huge range – starting with jars at £12 and offer 5% off first time orders at checkout.
For homebodies and comfort seekers
If you are a Bridgerton fan, Asda have in a really fun range at the moment, including an adorable teacup and saucer for £6, paired with a lovely tea or coffee – this would show real care and romance.
Valentine’s is also the perfect time to think about comfort and relaxation and also show your loved ones that you have their welfare at the forefront of your mind.
A Bedsure blanket transforms a chilly evening into a cosy treat and they start at around £16 on Amazon and OHS do a Ribbed Hot Water Bottle set, featuring a faux fur water bottle cover, eye mask, socks and a coordinating scrunchie, and a handy drawstring bag to keep everything together for only £6 (on offer at the moment – full price £12).
A coordinating scrunchie, and a handy drawstring bag to keep everything together. If you however like natural fibres then Woolroom have a 50% off sale at present and whilst they are more of a splurge (starting at the £50 mark) they are 100% wool and last forever.
For a spa type vibe the HoMedics Luxury Foot Spa Massager offers an at-home spa experience that melts away stress and whilst a bit more expensive at £39.99 – it will offer regular relaxation. For candle lovers A Sara Miller Sandalwood, Cardamom & Oud Candle adds subtle everyday luxury.
For style and grooming enthusiasts
For partners who enjoy looking after themselves, gifts that combine practicality and luxury hit the right note. There are some good Beauty Edits on offer at the moment.
Glossybox have a Valentine’s love heart bag paired with amazing trending products for £13.50 and Face the Future have a “Reset and Revive” Edit which is only £39.99 but the products in it are worth a whopping £236: here is a bath oil alone in there worth around £80.
We also like the Rehab Men’s Collection and Rehab Your Hair Care Set as they provide high-performance grooming essentials and offer 10% off for first time shoppers.
If you are trying to sneakily cut down on those hairdresser bills we suggest a good quality styling set like The Revlon Multi-Air Styler allows hair to be dried, smoothed, volumised, or diffused with minimal heat damage, elevating everyday routines into thoughtful indulgence.
We also suggest you go and look in B&M Bargains as they have a really lovely heart bathmat for £4, which paired with Wilko’s £1.99 Valentine’s bath-bombs would make a rather cute gesture.
Indulgent beauty gifts feel special and thoughtful Perfume Direct have so many deals on at the moment, with designer perfumes at a fraction of the cost.
The French Soap Discovery Box is rather fun and lets people explore luxurious rose-scented soaps from multiple brands. Helloskin Eye Masks refresh tired eyes and for £12.99 you get loads in a tub. I don’t say this lightly – these are one of the only eye masks that get rid of my lines (I am in no way affiliated with or have never worked with this brand – this is my truth).
For gamers, builders and creative types
Interactive gifts encourage shared fun and creativity. LEGO Bouquet of Pink Roses turns a traditional floral gesture into a playful building project.
Aldi are back this year with their own version at a fraction of the price (very much not the LEGO brand – but for £2.99 a bit of fun) and Lidl has actual LEGO sunflowers in for £9.99 at present, and the Smarter Card Game sparks conversation, laughter, and healthy competition and The Talking Hearts Couples game is great fun (available on TEMU for £2.99).
Fresh flowers
Lidl do a rather nice potted mini rose for £2.99 that my gardener Mum says have strong bulbs and Aldi are doing a bunch of cut roses for £2.69 – TikTok is awash with people buying up bunches to present their beux with 100 red roses for under £25.
If you however want to send by post then Interflora are doing a special range for Valentine’s, with Love and Joy boxes looking particularly special. For a real splurge look into Haute Florist too, they start at the £25 mark.
For dog lovers
For anyone whose four-legged friend is part of the family, a gift that acknowledges this is always appreciated. Dog & Bond Natural Dog Treats are high-quality, natural, and thoughtful — guaranteed to earn brownie points with both the dog and their owner.
And if you want to show your dog some love – Pooch and Mutt’s are doing a rather cute Valentine’s treat called “Lovestruck Lamb”.
MoneyMagpie’s Valentine’s take
Whatever your budget, please remember that Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be expensive to be memorable. The gifts that truly resonate combine thought, practicality, and shared enjoyment.
Comfort, time together, and items that enhance everyday life will always outlast flowers, chocolates, or gimmicks. With this guide, curated and personally vetted by the MoneyMagpie team, there’s truly something for everyone — and everything we’ve suggested is something we’d happily give, or receive ourselves.
- Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of MoneyMagpie.com. However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
