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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Tania Leslau

Best Valentine’s Day gifts for her 2024: Thoughtful and romantic presents

It may be considered a highly commercialised affair that many would prefer to skirt over in their calendar, yet Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spoil your loved one.

Flowerschocolates and twee slogan-clad teddy bears are all part and parcel of Valentine’s gift-giving, but it’s surprisingly simple to get creative in the name of love.

As with all forms of gifting, it’s the thought that counts. Sure, you can trot to your local florist and conjure up a cascade of red roses (the preferred petal for loved-up celebrities like the Beckhams and Kardashians) but for the same price, you could treat her to something with longevity and, dare we say, more substance. The real ones know that Valentine's Day is no tick-boxing affair. 

According to a 2016 report, research has indicated higher satisfaction among gift recipients if the item has a specific use rather than how impressive it looks upon opening. This means that personalised pieces such as fine jewellery, homeware accessories and coveted fashion staples are set to spark joy with the fussiest of partners. 

It can be argued that the same goes for indulgent items such as silk pyjamas, decadent arm candy and luxurious beauty products that one tends not to treat themselves to. All can be attributed to the saying 'happy wife, happy life'.

However, a sprinkle of designer dazzle doesn’t hurt. Look to Vivienne Westwood and Comme Des Garcons for house-coded pieces brandishing their signature heart motifs, or browse the collections of Loewe, Molly Goddard and Miu Miu for charming pink and red colourways to make her blush. When in doubt head to the jewellery department. In the not-so-subtle words of Marilyn Monroe, “Diamonds are a girl's best friend.”

And then we have the novelty picks. Cliché cards, naughty mugs and of course, risqué underwear. The ‘stuff’ nobody needs or necessarily wants. We’re here to save you from the repercussions of a disappointed girlfriend who wanted Tiffany and got Tesco’s finest singing plushie.

Opt for quality over quantity and consider beautifully crafted lingerie courtesy of Bluebella or Fruity Booty. Elevate her kitchenware collection with utensils showcasing the cherubic face of Harry Styles to keep her company when you’re not home. Presuming you’re not actually Jacob Elordi, then your next best bet would be a candle inspired by the actor’s musky Hugo Boss scent. Celebrity-themed pieces never go amiss, especially when they depict GQ's Men Of The Year.

Discover the best Valentine’s Day gifts to treat, surprise and thoroughly indulge her this year.

Shop now

Vivienne Westwood Granny Small Velvet Clutch

The most romantic evening bag out there, Vivienne Westwood’s Granny Small Velvet Clutch is a charming piece of arm candy that exudes opulence. A beautiful crimson hue will pair perfectly with some red wine during date night. 

Buy now £220.00, My Theresa

Loewe Scarf

Capture the magical colourways of Valentine’s Day with an aptly pigmented scarf by Loewe. The raspberry neck warmer features a reversible checkerboard pattern with all-over anagram jacquard crafted from a sumptuous wool and cashmere blend.

Buy now £350.00, Loewe

Monica Vinader Heart Locket

Hold your loved ones close with a beautiful heart locket by Monica Vinader. Featuring a contemporary design that departs from traditional, antique-style lockets, the silver piece is to be worn as an everyday heirloom to pass down for generations to come. Add complimentary engraving for an extra special touch.

Buy now £115.00, Monica Vinader

This Smells Like Jacob Elordi Candle

I mean, need we say more?

Buy now £15.59, Cool Girl Candles

Elemis Pro-Collagen Gift of Rose

When you gift Elemis, not only are you treating your loved one to a luxury experience but you can be sure that it’s a present that they will use and treasure. The British brand considered every price point when it came to their gift set selection and there are beautifully adorned sets as low as £30 that still are substantial and sure to go down a treat. At the top end is the Ultimate Pro-Collagen Gift at £235, containing the full bestselling anti-ageing Pro-Collagen collection.

To elevate their skincare practices, whether they’re a 12 or two-step kind of person, the Pro-Collagen Gift of Rose has caught our attention and not just for the geometric pink and red box. The duo of the Cleansing Balm and Marine Cream in the rose fragrance has long been a staple part of our routine and turns the everyday practice of cleansing and moisturising into one to relish. Worth £91.

Buy now £60.00, Elemis

Le Creuset Cast Iron Heart Casserole, Cerise

They say home is where the heart is, but we think it’s more specifically in the kitchen. Le Creuset appears to agree with our notion with this symbolically heart-shaped casserole dish, featured here in the brand’s iconic Cerise shade. Prepare the perfect at-home romantic meal in this show-stopping kitchen accessory.

Buy now £199.00, John Lewis

Chopova Lowena Silver Forgetful Legs Necklace

Opt for something other than a classic heart pendant with Chopova Lowena’s Silver Forgetful Legs Necklace. A large rouge heart charm reads ‘forget-me-not’ alongside a pair of golden party-ready pegs.

Buy now £350.00, SSENSE

Gucci Teddy Bear Needlepoint Cushion

The second best thing after having a hug from your favourite teddy bear is having a hug from a Gucci one. The brand’s adorable teddy bear cushion is a tongue-in-cheek take on luxury furnishing. The kitsch knotted tassel trim, the flirtatious pink backdrop and the needlepoint technique inspired by 17th-century craftsmanship encircle a friendly bear design and sweetly misspelt ‘Guccy’ motif.

Buy now £885.00, My Theresa

Smythson The Boss Wafer Notebook

Who wears the trousers? The answer is her - always her. Smythson’s leather-backed notebook is a small yet significant gift to show her that she’s always right. 

Buy now £45.00, Smythson

Fruity Booty Golden Trio

A double whammy for you and her, Fruity Booty’s Golden Trio is a sumptuous collection of silky underwear that will instantly reinvigorate her lingerie drawer. Pastel tones of blush and pistachio complement cheeky cherry motifs which pepper the covetable, confidence-sparking set.

Buy now £73.00, Fruity Booty

Miu Miu Matelassé Leather Wallet

Tickle her pink with a presently crafted purse courtesy of Miu Miu. A sweetheart brand for your very own sweetheart, the Barbie-inspired accessory will be one she cherishes for life.

Buy now £395.00, Farfetch

Molly Goddard Sonia Jacquard-knit Cotton Cardigan

Dating a fashion girlie is no easy thing. Gift-giving can be a challenge, but with Molly Goddard’s darling knits in tow, you’re set for success.

Buy now £590.00, Net-A-Porter

Jellycat Sienna Seahorse

Whether she’s 16 or 26, a Jellycat always goes down a treat. Not only is the blossom pink tone of Sienna Seahorse utterly adorable, but the dainty sea creatures mate for life, making this teddy an extra special pick. 

Buy now £27.00, Fenwick

Missoma Jelly Heart Gemstone Bracelet

Baffled boyfriends, look no further. Missoma has garnered a reputation as a cult brand thanks to its quirky cute styles and uber-wearable treasures. Express your feelings with the Jelly Heart Gemstone bracelet which will inject her jewellery collection with a cheerful dose of colour.

Buy now £135.00, Missoma

Cashmere Hot Water Bottle

She is certain to love the preppy colours of this cashmere hot water bottle. Available in red and pink, blue and green and more tempting tones, the item promises the toastiest night in snuggled-up at home.

Buy now £85.00, Not Another Bill

Rixo Maddy Set

Rixo’s sleepwear archive is the crème de la crème of night attire. Ruffled collars, ditsy prints and puff sleeves all feature in the brand’s adorable pyjamas that are now at the very top of our wish lists. Choose from a range of jewel tones and hit the hay in a sleepwear set that’s sweeter than sugar.

Buy now £225.00, Rixo

Clio Peppiatt Embellished Velvet Clutch

Help her keep her essentials close with a decadent clutch. Clio Peppiatt's celebrity-approved pieces are meticulously crafted and this one is made from plush velvet, pink beaded floral embellishment and a crystal lattice.

Buy now £435.00, Net-A-Porter

Maison Balzac Bordeaux Wine Glasses

Cheers to one of many Valentine’s Days with Maison Balzac’s Bordeaux Wine Glasses. The unique glassware set will transport users to the vineyards of France, thanks to the pink-tinted borosilicate glass and hand-blown glass grape detailing.

Buy now £150.00, Koibird

Harry Styles Mini Dustpan and Brush

Cleaning has never been more tempting with this Harry Styles-themed dustpan and brush. The quirky pink piece will ensure your house is left spick and span while providently endless hours of aesthetic entertainment.

Buy now £13.50, Etsy

Comme Des Garcons Play White & Pink Heart Patch Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Add a bolt of pigment to her winter wardrobe with a classic Comme Des Garcons tee. Featuring a sweet strawberries and cream colour palette, the striped number can be easily elevated with jeans and sneakers.

Buy now £100.00, SSENSE

Dior Addict Lip Tint

Dior has been hitting it out of the park with its collection of lip products, from the oil to the plumping heroes that have gone viral on TikTok. The label’s Lip Tint deserves every word of praise that it receives, leaning towards the tint aspect over the balm for long-lasting colour that is also transfer-proof.

There are 12 colours that vary from a natural rose peach to the darkest berry red as well as beige, coral and bright orange - all of which have a semi-matte finish. The ingredients are derived from natural origin and include cherry oil which was chosen for its ability to provide all-day hydration.

Buy now £32.00, Dior

Joanie Como Rose Print Quilted Cosmetic Bag

Shop sustainably thanks to Joanie. The brand’s rose-printed cosmetic bag is crafted from deadstock fabric and natural fibres, plus features a sweet floral design set against a bubblegum pink hue.

Buy now £25.00, Joanie

Gucci Heart Interlocking G Hair Clip

High school meets high fashion with Gucci’s rhinestone-embellished heart hair clip featuring a baby pink hue and the house’s interlocking ‘G’ motif.

Buy now £310.00, Selfridges

Laura Ashley Button Through Pyjama Short Set

We tend not to buy ourselves new pyjamas very often, so being gifted a pair is always a treat. Laura Ashley’s affordable pyjama set is replete with adorable detailing, from the petite rosebud designs to the soft white fabric to snuggle down in.

Buy now £44.00, Laura Ashley

LOLA Massage Gun

A good massage can make you feel reborn. Offer fast relief to those aches and pains with LOLA’s massage gun, which uses percussive therapy to smooth out those knots and kinks. The compact device, about the size of an iPhone, is perfect for stashing in a gym bag ready to use after workouts with four speeds to target fatigued muscles. It’s also useful for fighting jet lag and general tension. Comes with a two-year guarantee.

Buy now £80.00, Argos

Duke + Dexter Wilde Kiss Penny Loafer

Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds and Michael B. Jordan are fans, so naturally so are we. London-based brand Duke + Dexter has a plethora of contemporary loafer designs to choose from, yet these Snake Loafers caught our eye. Featuring a unique serpent print and crafted from handmade Italian leather, they are the ultimate gift for style-conscious loved ones.

Buy now £260.00, Duke + Dexter

Stone and Mason Aubergine Tumbler

A tongue-in-cheek gift never fails to spark joy. Stone and Mason’s cute aubergine tumble is naughty and nice in equal measure. Mix and match from the other designs up for grabs, from red hot chillis to charming woodland creatures and more.

Buy now £16.50, Stone and Mason

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