16 gifts we love to lovers

In this edition of the gift, we fix some of our favorite gifts to surprise your sweet with – from an iconically pleated bag to a sexy card tire. Plus: What to give a curmudgeonly partner.

A video has recently floated around my feeds by a very distressed woman who asks her supporters something like, “Does anyone know what we are doing at Valentine’s Day in the talking phase?” I actually can’t help you with that. Not exactly my beat.

But if you have already made your mind to acknowledge the holiday and give a gift – whether it is your situation (good luck), your partner of 30 years or your secret hug (brave! I support!) – and you just use Too little help finding out “What should I give” of it all, here’s my advice: Choose a poisoning course first. Then go from there.

As I see it, there are five (ish) simple enough paths you can take as you approach romantic gift: sentimental, classic, sexy, unconventional and then jewelry that is definitely classic, but worthy of its own separate course.

If you already know what type of gift you would like to give, great! You can jump on.

But if you are struggling to land on what kind of marriage you would like to be this year, we will not accuse you. All the different ways of approaching “romance” (a nebulous concept to begin with!) Have been wasted up and spit back to us in a fire hoof of red-struted customs-aisle campaigns this time of year. I would suggest – in the spirit of surprise and joy – to go the opposite direction of what is expected.

If you tend to give practical gift release, your Valentine would probably be extra touched by something sentimental. Consider yourself as a rather romantic, effusive partner? Why not go with something less traditionally sweet, like a really cool or nice gift that just happens to be red. (The exception here may be jewelry: If you give it often and it is well received, probably … don’t stop.)

For the record, these categories are loose and right up to your interpretation. A person’s dream “sexy” gift can be lingerie; Another may be the dishes. But here was where I would start, with a few lovely little things that have caught my eye recently, each grouped in another category. All closely monitored by our gift experts as always.

• Sentimental: This beautiful personalized print catches what the stars looked like in an evening of your choice – maybe the night of your first date? When newsletters -editor Brittney Ho went to his partner last year, he declared it the “most thoughtful gift” he has ever received. Or how about a modern VRI on an old classic: Make them a mixing tape with this keychain – engraved with a scannabel barcode that draws a playlist up to your creation.
• Classic: For something sweet, these cherries have a heartfelt, but not bitter dark chocolate shell. Says gifts editor Hannah Morrill: “I’m embarrassed at how fast we went through the package of 12 in our house.” Of course, it’s hard to go wrong with a really good bouquet. First try for a reliable local florist if you can (to any colleague Brooklynites I love Stems). But if you send a long way, our testers found that these flowers look beautiful from the box. Pair them with this slim enamel that can moonlight like a vase for something that lasts.
• Sexy: This lovely lacy bra with a soft, velvet lining is pretty exquisite. More hot ideas: A sexy map tire for the bedroom, this version of Tiktok-trendy vibrator rose toys that our experts call “way better than decent” or a pair of one of our favorite boxers, in a lovely heart print.
• Non-traditional: A few ideas of a more random character: this chic issey miyake harmonica bag in light red would bring a very-like-now-now pop of color to any clothing, but is iconic enough to be timeless. Maybe your love needs this glass of carafe set with a perfect minimalist flashing face? I appreciate that it also has a located drinking cup, for bedside table. Or what about this little but mighty (and affordable!) Espresso machine?
• Jewelry: Any of our experts’ favorite timeless jewelry would probably be a hit coming on February 14th. But I am especially charmed by this gravisable heart environment that you can pull a small photo into. If you go big: there is a lot of twinkly choker made with lab-cultivated sapphires we’ve been finding before. For a more affordable but still swingy and sparkling chain, this sophisticated brass necklace looks more expensive than it is. And in the end, an urner may be able to appreciate a little extra wrist candy, like this boxing chain bracelet.

Any of these, by the way, would make a good gift to myself – there is no rule that says you can’t be your own valentine. You can think of it like setting a tall bar to your next valentine, or at least that’s what I want to do.