The best Valentine’s day gifts for him & her
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and for some people, the pressure is on. Whether you’re looking to treat a loved one or a love interest, there are plenty of great Valentine’s Day gift ideas out there. Without the traditional date night and gift ideas like dinner and a movie or a fun getaway, you may just have to get a little creative. And that’s ok—it makes for the best Valentine’s gifts. To give you a head start, we’ve rounded up some of the best Valentine’s day gift ideas, from romantic love cards to thoughtful presents, and silly DIYs in between.
Best Valentine’s day gift ideas
A thoughtful, personal gift always goes a long way, no matter the occasion. That being said, if you’re giving someone a gift on Valentine’s Day, you probably know them well enough to know if they’d prefer something fun and frivolous over serious and sentimental. If you want to avoid being overly saccharine while still being thoughtful, take their passions and hobbies into account.
Do they like cats? Board games? Candy or decadent chocolates? Are they into DIY projects? Objects are nice, but experiences can sometimes be more memorable. Treat them to takeout from that restaurant they’ve been wanting to try. Or make a scrapbook (your Photoshopped faces included) of the vacation you’re going to go on as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Another great gift idea for Valentine’s Day is to make a charitable donation in their name. The Humane Society or ASPCA are great options for people who love animals. If they’re passionate about social activism, donate to a political cause that’s meaningful to them. For foodies, contribute to a fund that supports local struggling restaurants. When it comes to Valentine’s day gift ideas, it really is the thought that counts.
Valentines day gifts for him
What do you give a guy for Valentine’s Day? Maybe he’s into V-Day, maybe he’s not, but everyone loves a great gift and knowing they’re on someone’s mind. Big or small, practical or just for play, the best Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him are ones that fit his personality and interests. Tickets to a sporting event may be out of the question, ditto movies and concerts. But we think you can still find something that he’ll absolutely love. 
“____ and Chill” by Paperless Post; “Love Shutter” by Petit Collage for Paperless Post.
A celeb Cameo: Cameo is an incredible new platform you can use to pay celebrities (minor and not-so-minor) to send greetings to a friend or loved one. From reality stars (Mike “The Situation”) to his favorite podcast personality or sports hero (Pete Rose or Jack Nicklaus), you can certainly find someone on here he wouldn’t mind hearing from. You provide the celebrity the context and occasion as well as any other essential (or silly) details, and they do the rest. It’s a fun and welcome surprise for any fan, guaranteed.
Game night: If your loved one is into game nights, treat them to a bunch of new games and maybe spring for takeout and drinks. Game nights are great for those with a soft spot for nostalgia. Or those with a competitive streak. They’re a great date idea for anyone who loves a good challenge. Or for couples who like to pair up and compete against other couples. Need to refresh your game selection? Fans of “Cards Against Humanity” might like “What Do You Meme?” If your go-to game is “Settlers of Catan,” try “Codenames.” If you’re going for family-friendly, play “Heads Up” or the ever-addictive “Exploding Kittens.”
A houseplant: Brighten up his home office (especially now that it’s most likely his WFH space) with a small green plant from Urban Stems. They’ll let you know which plants are laid-back and low-maintenance, or require a lot of attention.
Local brews: Help support his local haunts by doing a “bar crawl” at home. Pick up some of his favorite beers, snacks, and cocktails to-go from local bars and restaurants.
Virtual mixology class: Get him tools and tickets for a virtual mixology class from a swanky local bar.
Customize it: It’s always fun to personalize things, so why not award him with a fun superlative or show off his best sports moment (even if it’s from childhood) with custom soda bottles.
A playful online Valentine’s Day card: We have plenty of options to choose from!
“Tandem Love” “Hoppy Note” and “Electric Love” by Paperless Post.
Valentines day gifts for her
She could be a friend, a crush, or a longtime love, but the perfect Valentine’s Day gift can be whatever you want it to be. (And mean whatever you want it to mean). However, a serious relationship doesn’t require a serious gift, and the opposite of that is true. If you know her interests and what she likes, you’ll have no problem picking out something perfect—whether it’s something sweet, something practical, or something just her style.
Flower subscription: When so much time is spent at home these days, why not brighten up her space with regular delivery of fresh flowers from Urban Stems? You can choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly flower subscriptions. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. 
“I Dig You” and “Wild Things” by Red Cap Cards for Paperless Post.
Packing cubes from Paravel: Lewis Carroll once said that the greatest gift you can give is a lifetime of adventures. Remind her that while vacays may not be possible now, she’ll be ready to get up and go when they are.
Virtual floral arranging class: Sign her up for a virtual flower workshop with bulk blooms from your local market.
A celeb Cameo: As we mentioned above, Cameos are the perfect gift for anyone on your list—especially when sent with a digital card. From her favorite actress (Lindsay Lohan) or childhood crush (Nick Lachey) to Bravolebrities with cult followings (Sonja Morgan), there are endless personalities to choose from.
“Partner in Wine” by Paperless Post; Sonja Morgan on Cameo.
A new sweatsuit: When it’s your everyday WFH uniform, you can never have too many. In bright and bold colors and super-soft materials, they’re selling out everywhere because everyone’s spending their days at home.
Cloth napkins: Hear us out—if she’s big on eco-friendly solutions to everyday living (or even if she just loves cute things for the home), she’ll love these popular Swedish dishcloths that come in great patterns.
A gift set from Matchaful: Complete with everything she’ll need to make the latest beverage fad (with tons of health benefits, to boot).
Matcha Lover’s Set from Matchaful; “Fill in the Blanks” by Paperless Post.
Candles: Nothing sets the mood quite like them. Plus, it’s a chance for her to make her home extra cozy. (Since we’re spending a lot of time at home these days). Look for long-burning beeswax in pillar or tapered styles.
Milk Bar gift sets: Delicious indulgence, delivered to her door? Who would say no to that?
“Sweet Gesture” by Paperless Post; Cake by Milk Bar.
A romantic Valentine’s Day card: Get something sweet that will make her swoon—and don’t forget, it’s all about the personal touch, so add a heartfelt message to your Valentine’s Day card.
“Love My Tender” by The Indigo Bunting for Paperless Post; “Language of Love” by Jonathan Adler for Paperless Post.
Valentine’s Day gifts for Mom
Mom always deserves a Valentine’s Day gift, even if it’s just a sweet call or text. This year, go the extra mile and treat her, especially if you’re long distance. You know Mom best (fingers crossed!), so you’ll know if she wants to be pampered, learn something new, or just listen to your voice.
An adoring online Valentine’s Day card: Go for silly or sentimental (or a little bit of both).
A bouquet from UrbanStems: Plus, add a pair of garden shears for her to use in her own garden when spring arrives.
The Verona by UrbanStems; “Arrangement in Red” by Paperless Post.
A silk scarf: These little things can add a lot to Mom’s outfit, whether she ties one in her hair, on her neck, or on her purse. We love this one from Kate Spade New York, as well as any silk scarf in a print or color that pops.
Baked conversation-heart cookies: Did you know that in 2019, there weren’t any conversation hearts in stores, and last year there was a super limited supply? Treat your Mom’s sweet tooth and get ahead of the game. Add a creative, personal touch by baking Mom the cookie version.
Personalized stationery: Go old school. We love the beautiful options from our friends at Paper Source.
Virtual cooking classes: With more time at home and less time at restaurants, Mom may enjoy sharpening her cooking skills from the comfort of her own home. Companies like Sur la Table and some local restaurants offer classes online.
“Pho Evah” by Hello!Lucky for Paperless Post; “Brie Mine” and “Beet of My Heart” by The Indigo Bunting for Paperless Post.
Williams Sonoma’s Valentine’s Day dinners: Save Mom from cooking and start with a cheese plate from Cellars at Jasper Hill, followed by individual beef Wellingtons or lobster mac and cheese, and finish it off with a chocolate layer cake. There are plenty of more options to suit Mom’s tastes.
Valentine’s Day gift ideas for friends
Missing your friends this year? Need Galentine’s gift ideas? V-Day is a popular day for singles and couples alike to get together and hang with friends. While years past have may included a wine tasting weekend or dinner and dancing, this year may be a little different. However, this year you probably miss your friends even more! You can still show your BFFs all the love this Valentine’s Day with these gifts:
Get your quaranteam together: Movies, virtual game night, endless snacks—you can still get together with your pod and celebrate safely.
Virtual wine tasting: Make it as formal (think tasting notes, charcuterie, and in-depth wine discussion) or informal as you like. And if it’s more of a virtual happy hour or vent session, that’s fine, too.
Virtual watch party: Be it a classic ‘90s rom-com, superhero film, or the latest binge-worthy show, there’s something to watch together and dissect with your friends at your fingertips. In fact, Teleparty was made for this very thing.
Send a Valentine’s Day card to friends: From your “partner in wine” to someone you just think is “ducking amazing,” there’s a card for everyone in the group chat.
“Ducking Amazing” and “Partner In Wine” by Paperless Post.
No matter what you plan to gift your boyfriend, girlfriend, Mom, or friend, make it feel personal. Show you know what they like (or what they need) and that you appreciate them—especially if you’re far away and can’t see them for a while. Of course, a FaceTime or phone call goes a long way, too.
Ready to schedule your own ecard? Browse our full collection of Valentine’s Day cards.
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