I'm a shopping expert: here are the Valentine's Day gifts your partner actually wants (and why)
With Valentine’s Day 2025 on the horizon, you might be thinking about how to spoil your other half. Yet it's hard to come up with a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift when you’re against the clock, so I've listed some of my favourite romantic gift ideas. Most are more unique than the standard chocolate and flowers (no offence to the classics).
I've worked as a shopping writer for over four years, across magazines such as Empire, Grazia and more. Having honed my expertise (scrutinising many-a-gifting-guide), I know exactly what your partner expects – and what they don't quite expect – from a Valentine's Day present.
Thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas to spoil your special someone
Whether your partner goes all in for flowers, fragrances or romantic getaways, we’ve got the gift for them. We’ve even found options for last-minute presents when you’ve only got minutes to spare. Take a look at the best Valentine’s Day gifts to order online below.
Gifts under £20
Hotel Chocolat A Dozen Little Lovebirds
Shop from: Hotel Chocolat for £9.95
Perfect for: Chocolate lovers
Why I recommend: If you’re after a quick and easy Valentine’s Day gift idea, chocolates are a no-brainer. In the pack, you’ll get 12 hand-piped chocolates made from natural raspberry-flavoured white chocolate – no artificial colours in sight.
Shop from: Hotel Chocolat for £9.95
National Trust Membership
Shop from: National Trust (joint membership from £12.60 per month)
Perfect for: Explorers
Why I recommend: If you and your partner enjoy visiting National Trust sites, a membership would make a magical Valentine’s Day gift. The joint membership costs £12.60 per month and will get you free entry at more than 500 different sites, as well as free parking at most National Trust car parks.
Shop from: National Trust (joint membership from £12.60 per month)
Purple Print Personalised Socks
Shop from: Amazon for £12.99
Perfect for: The long-suffering partner
Why I recommend: Will they roll their eyes at this present? Yes. Will they still be wearing these socks years after you've gifted them? Yes.
Shop from: Amazon for £12.99
Pukka Herbs | Premium Relax Herbal Tea Selection
Shop from: Amazon for £19.39
Perfect for: The tea drinker
Why I recommend: There's only so many mugs you can buy your tea-drinking partner before they cry "enough!" This relaxing tea selection will certainly take them by surprise.
Shop from: Amazon for £19.39
Thermos Stainless King Food Flask, 470ml
Shop from: Amazon for £20 (20% off)
Perfect for: Busy folk
Why I recommend: This container from Thermos, probably the most famous flask brand of them all, has a chunky design and grippy casing, designed to use when your partner is on the move. The selection of rich colourways such as Forest Green and Midnight Blue add to the appeal.
Shop from: Amazon for £20 (20% off)
Gifts under £50
Relaxing Spa Gift Box for Her
Shop from: Etsy for £23+ (10% off)
Perfect for: Self-carers
Why I recommend: Treat your partner to an at-home pampering session with a luxurious gift box like this one. It contains a cotton wash cloth, small bag of lavender and five handmade, eco-friendly natural body and skin care products from their Lavender range.
Shop from: Etsy for £23+ (10% off)
String of Hearts Trailing House Plant
Shop from: Crocus for £23.99 (10% off)
Perfect for: Plant parents
Why I recommend: For nature lovers, you can’t go wrong with a String of Hearts plant with its unusually shaped, pink-tinged leaves. As it grows, it’ll trail delicately from shelves and table tops, and would look lovely in any room.
Shop from: Crocus for £23.99 (10% off)
YETI Rambler Bottle Chug
Shop from: Amazon for £39.99
Perfect for: The hikers
Why I recommend: Active people like hikers are always looking to upgrade their water bottle, so do it for them this Valentine's Day. This is made of kitchen-grade stainless steel, making it puncture-resistant and rust-proof.
Shop from: Amazon for £39.99
Stargazing Experience for Two with Dark Sky Wales
Shop from: Virgin Experience Days for £40 (20% off)
Perfect for: Adventurers
Why I recommend: What could be more romantic than a night under the stars? This gift package can make it happen, and takes care of all the practical details. All you have to do is get to the Brecon Beacons Observatory.
Shop from: Virgin Experience Days for £40 (20% off)
Perfect for: The trendsetters
Why I recommend: Stanley Cups came into fashion in 2020 and haven't wavered in popularity since. A guaranteed gift to make your partner smile, the Stanley cup is a must-have for any lover of cold drinks.
Shop from: Amazon for £44.16
Gifts under £100
The Valentine's Indulgence Bundle from Bloom & Wild
Shop from: Bloom & Wild for £56
Perfect for: Those who want the classics
Why I recommend: Bloom & Wild have a huge selection of bouquets available to order online, many of which come with an extra treat like a box of gluten-free brownies.
Shop from: Bloom & Wild for £56
Browse more Bloom & Wild bouquets
KODAK Printomatic Full-Color Instant Print Digital Camera
Shop from: Amazon for £59.99
Perfect for: The photographer
Why I recommend: If your loved-one is a budding photographer, or just cherishes their memories more than anything, this digital camera is like a polaroid on steroids. This camera instantly prints high-quality vibrant photos using Kodak Zink Photo Paper, so no ink cartridges, toners or film are needed.
Shop from: Amazon for £59.99
Floral Street Perfume
Shop from: Beauty Bay for £68
Perfect for: Fragrance lovers
Why I recommend: When it comes to perfume, it can be hard to find eco-friendly, cruelty-free options, but Floral Street has a whole range of sustainably created – and beautifully presented – fragrances available online. I have several of their fragrances and would highly recommend them as they last all day on my skin. Wonderland Peony is a favourite of mine.
Shop from: Beauty Bay for £68
Luxury Cheese and Wine Hamper
Shop from: Snowdonia Cheese for £70
Perfect for: Luxurious folk
Why I recommend: You can't go wrong with a cheese and wine hamper on Valentine's Day. It's scientifically impossible. Prepare for a delicious selection of Snowdonia cheeses, chutneys and crackers, plus a full-sized bottle of smooth Chilean red wine.
Shop from: Snowdonia Cheese for £70
Muscle Massager Professional Deep Tissue Massage Gun
Shop from: Amazon for £71.82
Perfect for: The gym rat
Why I recommend: If your partner is always moaning about their aches and pains after the gym, this massage gun will be their saving grace - with six hours of power on a single charge.
Shop from: Amazon for £71.82
Coleman Cosy Double Sleeping Bag
Shop from: Outdoor Action for £89.95 (40% off)
Perfect for: Happy campers
Why I recommend: A double sleeping bag is a sweet option if you and your partner enjoy camping in the great outdoors. Plus, it’s practical – you can keep each other warm when temperatures drop. What could be more romantic for outdoor lovers than a spontaneous wild camping trip somewhere beautiful?
Shop from: Outdoor Action for £89.95 (40% off)
Planning an exciting escape for two? You may find these useful:
- Best places for wild camping around the UK
- Best romantic UK film locations to stay in
- Romantic cottages and cosy hideaways to stay in the UK
Gifts under £300
Sponsored
Is your partner a runner? We've got the ideal Valentine's Day gift
What your other half loves more than you, is running. These pair of long-distance trainers are raved about by many-a-marathoner. So, what are they - and why are they so special?
The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Shoes - why do people love them?
Hiver's Rural Beekeeping and Beer Tasting Experience for Two
Shop from: Virgin Experience Days for £130
Perfect for: Nature lovers
Why I recommend: Here’s a Valentine’s Day gift you won’t forget in a hurry: a beekeeping experience in a rural Sussex vineyard. The two-hour session begins with a quick introduction to the art of beekeeping, before you get into the protective suit. Honey and cheese tasting included... yum.
Shop from: Virgin Experience Days for £130
Le Creuset Enamelled Cast Iron Heart Casserole Dish
Shop from: Amazon for £146.56 (32% off)
Perfect for: The cook
Why I recommend: Everyone dreams of having a Le Creuset casserole dish in their kitchen, so why not get your partner one in the perfect theme of Valentine's Day? It just makes sense.
Shop from: Amazon for £146.56 (32% off)
Fortnum’s Shoulder Picnic Hamper for Two
Shop from: Fortnum & Mason for £200
Perfect for: The foodies
Why I recommend: Not only does this picnic hamper make a sweet gift, but it also allows for unlimited romantic outings in the future (when the weather is fair). It has everything you need inside.
Shop from: Fortnum & Mason for £200
Oura Gen3 Horizon Smart Ring
Shop from: Amazon for £249
Perfect for: The fitness guru
Why I recommend: Why get an engagement ring when you can get an Oura ring? Best-selling and the best fitness ring on the market, the Oura tracks your sleep, activity, stress, heart rate and more.
Shop from: Amazon for £249
And, if you're looking for something a little different, we've also put together a guide to the best experience gifts and best subscriptions for gifting.
