17 thoughtful and affordable Valentine's Day gifts
Choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day gift can be a lot of pressure. But the truth is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your person — be it a partner, friend or family member — you care. In fact, hitting the sweet spot has more to do with listening than anything else. “If [they] mention something they like or want, file that away for future reference,” Stuart Fensterheim, a licensed clinical social worker and family counselor in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, previously advised NBC News BETTER.
If you’re looking for that perfect gift for a partner, and finding yourself stumped, consider determining their love language to inform what — and how — you shop for them. Gary Chapman created the concept in his "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Languages," identifying people by the way they want to be loved: receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch. Put simply, when you understand what sparks their fire, you can get your partner something that will bring you two closer. To help in your search for the best Valentine’s Day gifts for him or her, consider these gifts that are both affordable and thoughtful.
Best gifts for spending quality time together
1. The Ultimate Game for Couples
If their love language is quality time, this game delivers an easy way to make it happen. The deck has 200 cards with questions and challenges that are designed to help you understand one another better — like naming the dog breed that best suits you or prank-texting someone on your contact list. There’s also an option of competing against other couples for a hilarious game night.
The Ultimate Game for Couples
The Ultimate Game for Couples, $24.99, Shop now
2. Spafinder Gift Card
This gift speaks to a bunch of love languages: quality time, acts of service and physical touch. The beauty of this gift card is that it can be used to book services at thousands of spas — so it's easy to make good on a promise to make a blissful massage for two a reality.
SpaFinder Gift Card
SpaFinder Gift Card, $50.00, Shop now
3. Soothe Massage On-Demand
If heading off to a spa is too time-consuming or you're both home bodies, consider a service that brings the massage to you. Whether you need some hands-on therapy stat or prefer to schedule ahead, Soothe lets you choose any of its certified and highly-rated massage therapists and order an in-home massage to your specifications.
Massage On-Demand Gift Card
Massage On-Demand Gift Card, $145.60, Shop now
3. Wifey and Hubby Coffee Mug Set
This set of two ceramic mugs includes one cup with “Wifey” emblazoned on it and one with “Hubby,” for endless morning coffee dates.
11oz White Ceramic Coffee Mug Couples Set
11oz White Ceramic Coffee Mug Couples Set, $17.85, Shop now
4. HelloFresh Gift Certificate
Here’s one way to get closer to the gift jackpot: Give something you can do together that also takes a chore off the to-do list. This meal kit delivery service eliminates the need for grocery shopping by sending out a box of everything you'll need to make three to four recipes per week.
HelloFresh Gift Card
HelloFresh Gift Card, $60.93, Shop now
Best Valentine's Day gifts that prioritize self-care
5. Just Love Hooded Velour Robe
This plush, velour robe is knee-length and comes in a variety of sizes. The robe also has a sherpa-lined hood for an extra dose of softness. If bright red isn’t the right color, it’s also available in Valentine’s-appropriate pink or burgundy.
Just Love Velour Robe with Sherpa Lined Hood
Just Love Velour Robe with Sherpa Lined Hood, $29.99, Shop now
6. Winky Lux Flower Balm
This clear lip balm not only feels good — it reacts to your lips’ pH level and turns into a unique pink hue. And here's a fun twist on Valentine's Day flowers: There's a real chrysanthemum inside. Vegan and phthalate-, paraben- and cruelty-free, the balm will help them look good — and feel good about wearing it.
Winky Lux Online Only Flower Balm
Winky Lux Online Only Flower Balm, $16.00, Shop now
7. 2018 Cherries & Rainbows Red Wine
Whether you go for a celebratory bottle like this one or gift them a Winc membership, this wine delivery service filters out what you don't like and delivers everything you love — without requiring you to leave the comfort of home.
2018 Cherries & Rainbows Red Wine
2018 Cherries & Rainbows Red Wine, $22.99, Shop now
Best practical gifts for Valentine's Day
8. Happy Socks Big Dot Gift Box
If their sock drawer's getting dull, an upgrade is a thoughtful and fun gift idea. Whether you go with a set of socks on the colorful side or want to head in a more conservative route, Happy Socks has dozens of styles to choose from.
Big Dot Gift Box
Big Dot Gift Box, $48.00, Shop now
9. Timex Southview Watch
This relatively affordable watch is outfitted with a buttery soft, dark brown leather strap with a buckle closure. The blue face has three sub-dials for added sophistication.
Timex Southview Leather Strap Watch
Timex Southview Leather Strap Watch, $72.00, Shop now
10. Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
The classic knife features 15 functions within a 3.5-inch body. From a Phillips screwdriver and scissors to a bottle opener and blade, having one of these around is a good idea for anyone — but especially a Valentine who does a lot around the house (or hopes to).
Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool
Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, $30.87, Shop now
Best home gifts to share for Valentines's
11. Amazon Alexa Echo Dot Smart Assistant (3rd Gen)
The smart assistant sets reminders, keeps track of your online life, controls your smart home devices, and allows for hand-free phone calls.
Amazon Alexa Echo Dot
Amazon Alexa Echo Dot, $49.99, Shop now
12. Google Nest Mini Smart Assistant
The Amazon-alternative home assistant from Google is equipped with voice recognition, streams music and news, can help with guided meditations, tells you the weather and more. If your love language is quality time, then don’t hesitate to set a reminder for your partner about dinner and a movie next Friday.
Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation)
Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation), $49.00, Shop now
13. Secura French Press Coffee Maker
The brightly colored stainless steel French press comes in a rainbow of hues. Beyond its eye-catching appearance, this makes both coffee and tea and boasts very high ratings — nearly 7,500 5-star reviews, to be exact. (And if this color isn't your or their favorite, there are nine other colors to choose from, including the classic stainless steel.)
Secura French Press Coffee Maker
Secura French Press Coffee Maker, $24.99, Shop now
14. Keepsake Box - Grow old with me, the best is yet to be
This is the perfect box to rest your engagement and weddings rings in for the night. With nearly 20,000 positive reviews, this Etsy artisan will surely deliver a box worthy of holding on to your love for years to come.
Keepsake Box
Keepsake Box, $46.95, Shop now
Best Gifts That Spark Romance
15. "Lovers' Yoga: Soothing Stretches for Two" by Darrin Zeer
How about a gift that will help you relax and rekindle your intimacy? This book outlines 60 simple stretches — from playful to peaceful to powerful — you can do with your partner every night.
Lovers' Yoga
Lovers' Yoga, $9.95, Shop now
16. Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil
When physical touch is their love language, what's better than massage with your own two hands? This body oil (which they can apply themselves after a shower, too) contains rosehip and sunflower seed oils to hydrate and soften skin.
Noni Glow Body Oil
Noni Glow Body Oil, $58.00, Shop now
17. Letters to My Love Book
If your sweetie’s love language is words of affirmation, then consider this book, filled with 12 letters that allow you to put all those feelings down on paper. You can give them one letter now and then promise the next 11 are to come on a monthly basis throughout the year. It hits on one of the cardinal rules of maintaining love and intimacy for the long haul, as Fensterheim explained: Show people you care throughout the year, not just on Valentine’s Day.
Letters to My Love
Letters to My Love, $14.95, Shop now
More gift guides and shopping recommendations
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