Everyone shows and receives love in different ways, and there is always pressure to balance money and time, or to do something conventional, but fresh, when it comes to relationships.
Sometimes, something as simple as a Valentine’s Day gift can get overthought or maybe lost in the madness at the beginning of the year.
But if you are still in doubt about what to get your valentine for their upcoming special day, don’t worry, The Setonian has you covered. Here’s a list of gifts everyone is sure to love, from low-cost to lavish.
Godiva Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates, Target, $13.84
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!”Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, is known for saying.
The penultimate gift associated with Valentine’s Day is chocolate. It’s a universal gift, and similarly, it is universally available everywhere; stopping by the dollar store works just as well.
Affordable Roses, Walmart, $10
Nothing is more romantic than a bouquet of roses, especially on the night dedicated to romance across the nation. For an accessible and budget-friendly option, Walmart is often stocked with bouquets for around $10, but competition might be tight as the special day approaches.
Roses from a Local Florist, Garden of Edith Floral Designs, $125+
With over a week before Valentine’s Day, there are many florists who can create more specialized and likely higher-quality rose bouquets and arrangements. Down in South Orange Village, Garden of Edith Floral Designs offers Valentine’s Day flowers starting at $125.
Handwritten Letter, Target, $10
Another classic Valentine's Day gift is a handwritten letter. Whether on a sheet of printer paper or lined paper, or a $10 Papyrus card from Target, writing down your love and appreciation for your valentine is an irreplaceable gift that anyone would appreciate.
Snow Shovel, Walmart, $15
What says, “I love you” more than shoveling the snow this brutal winter brought upon New Jersey? Thankfully, Walmart carries snow shovels for $15.
Valentine’s LEGO Set, LEGO, Starting at $15
For flowers that last past the month’s end, you and yours can spend some quality time together building a LEGO Valentine’s Day Set—from bouquets to love letters, there’s a set that is sure to bring the love to life for days on end.
But if you are looking for something more romantic and personal, feel free to get a set that fits specific niche interests; from DC and Disney to Fortnite and Wicked, the LEGO store has sets from dozens of popular brands, plus the classic building blocks to let loose creatively.
If a LEGO store is too out of the way, the nearest Target or Walmart should carry a nicely sized selection to choose from.
Non-Flower Bouquet, various vendors, around $15
Maybe you appreciate the idea of flowers, but don’t care much about the maintenance and death of it all—some people appreciate the temporary, some don’t.
For those who do, and are foodies, try making a kebab-inspired bouquet of their favorite treat – it works with chicken nuggets, pretzel bites, doughnut holes, and so much more.
For those who appreciate a longer-lasting gift, crochet bouquets are on the rise and are customizable. There's one for everyone—Amazon has both kits and pre-made bouquets.
Build-A-Bear Stuffed Animal, around $30 to $40
Another classic Valentine’s Day gift is a teddy bear, and you can customize not just bears, but other stuffed animals with clothes, sounds, and scents at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
The classic Happy Hugs Teddy Bear starts at $28, and the popular Strawberry Highland Cow starts at $36.
A signature memento many love are the Build-A-Bear birth certificates, marking the purchase date of your bear and its name. It reminds your valentine of the sentiment behind this gift.
Jellycat Stuffed Animal, Jellycat, around $25
For a trendier option rather than the classic stuffed animal gift, Jellycats are the hot new craze.
You can shop their Valentine’s Day collection, which includes a rose bouquet, macaron hearts, and bunnies; or go for one of their classic best-sellers, which includes a bear, turtles, food, and cats.
You can also shop online or make reservations for their Jellycat Diner location that turns the plushie into an immersive experience.
Canvas and Paint Set, Amazon, $20
English poet William Wordsworth once said, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
Channel the love into the canvas and spend quality time with your special Valentine. Try painting each other, or maybe something that symbolizes them. You could also try to recreate famous paintings.
For $20 on Amazon, there is a set of two small canvases and acrylic paint (with brushes) to bring your artwork to life – or get a set of four canvases for just $10 more.
Matching Pajamas, Amazon, $24
With the weather keeping many people inside, take this as an opportunity to increase your comfort level in bed.
Ditch the old pajamas and upgrade to a nice matching set. Amazon offers a variety of patterns and colors in cotton, silk, or satin—whichever helps you and yours sleep comfortably and warm while it continues to freeze outside.
Or for something extra personal, put your head where the sun doesn’t shine (literally) with their custom photo pajama pants.
Kitchen Appliances
Food is the gateway to the soul—that’s a saying few people disagree with.
Instead of (or in addition to) a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, give the gift of everyday ease when it comes to food.
Target has an appliance for each meal of the day, all under $50, which is the perfect gift for anyone who spends each day wishing food were less of an inconvenience to make.
For breakfast—breakfast sandwich maker. For lunch—panini press / press grill. For dinner—air fryer. For dessert—ice cream maker. For a snack—popcorn maker.
Ceramics Class, Indigo Road Studio, $95
Whether in search of a new hobby, an object of your relationship, some quality time, or maybe to channel your inner Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in “Ghost” (1990), a ceramics class is a top-tier couples activity.
Down in South Orange Village, Indigo Road Studio offers “Try It” classes for a one-time experience for $95 per person, or a six-week session from Feb. 16 to March 29 with varying levels of experience, just under $500.
Solomon Lee is the advertising manager for The Setonian. He can be reached at solomon.lee@student.shu.edu.
