Valentine’s Day is always a good time to spoil your loved ones. And as we head into another month of locked down togetherness, it’s almost certainly a good idea at present.
And whilst you might not be able to take your loved one out on a fancy dinner date this year, that’s all the more reason to ensure you come through with an excellent gift. It’s understandable that it might currently be challenging to think of a creative and thoughtful present after months of isolating together, so we’ve curated a selection of eight of the best Valentine’s Day gifts on offer.
From a little bit of sparkle and shine, a stylish home update and a high-tech upgrade, here are a selection of presents that are sure to get their hearts racing this holiday.
For her
A bit of bling
Sif Jakobs Jewellery is a Danish brand that’s making a rather big impression, with a devoted celebrity following that includes Alesha Dixon, Nicole Scherzinger and Katy Perry.
These ultra-pretty heart earrings are ones she is certain to cherish. Beautifully suited for Valentine’s Day, they are stylish and sweet, crafted from 18 karat gold plated sterling silver with facet cut white zirconia.
Buy: Sif Jakobs earrings, £99, sifjakobs.uk.
Loveseat luxe
Uber stylish and smart, Swyft sofas are all designed in house by celebrated interiors expert John O’Leary, and their unique design means they can be fitted at home without any tools. Easy to assemble (within 10 minutes) they are billed as the Swyft Sofa in a Box, because it’s a sofa that fits through any doorway or up any staircase.
Unlike other furniture brands which often have eight-week delivery schedules (if you’re lucky) Swyft sofas arrive the next day – yes, you read the correctly, the next day – so certain to arrive in plenty of time for Valentine’s Day.
Buy: Model 02, velvet two-seater sofa, teal, £1,095, swyfthome.com.
Olverum
Give the gift of relaxation this year. A powerful blend of essential oils beloved by beauty editors and celebrities, Olverum’s Body Oil is a rich, nourishing therapeutic oil which absorbs quickly and is sublimely aromatic – with over 30 essential and cold-pressed botanical oils.
In addition to a proper bathe, you can also nourish parched, dry, continually washed hands and then cup hands over my mouth and breathe in the aroma for a quick, relaxing and invigorating boost. Ideal for supporting sleep and soothing colds and flu. Rather good for right now.
Buy: Olverum Bath Oil, 250ml, (enough for 50 baths) £65, spacenk.com.
A magic MINI
We may all be grounded right now, but why not gift her with something that heralds the promise of freedom?
Whether she might be looking to add a bit of fun on a daily drive, or an off-road adventure – or simply the space for both – the new crop of MINIs are utterly delectable.
MINI’s solid feel and precision is quality you can feel and, thoughtfully, the company covers all standard maintenance for three years (or 36,000 miles). They accelerate quickly, are fuel efficient, they come in petrol and electric models, and they are also very fun to drive.
The compact design, low centre of gravity, and even weight distribution gives the MINI its legendary handling capabilities. This will keep the car planted through the corners giving her the freedom to have some fun on twisty roads and never feeling out of control.
Buy: MINI Electric, from £25,500, mini.co.uk.
For him
Notoriously difficult to shop for at the best of times, surprising the man in your life is always tricky, but lockdown has made it particularly challenging. So, whether he’s a coffee fanatic or tech-loving armchair athlete, find something he’ll actually enjoy below:
Bespoke brews
De’Longhi’s new Primadonna Soul offers an option of an astonishing 21 coffee drinks, all customisable via their app, from flat whites to macchiatos and cortados to cappuccinos; this extraordinary machine will effortlessly assess your beans, and grind and extract them accordingly. The end result is some of the most silky, sumptuous coffee ever tasted in the confines of your home.
Imposing on a countertop, the machine is actually rather easy to get to grips with, just plug it in and it guides you through the process seamlessly via its touch screen LCD screen. It connects to Wi-Fi, too, so once you download the app you can sync it to your phone and start adapting it your specific needs.
Buy: De’Longhi Primadonna Soul, £1,199, delonghi.com.
A bit below the belt
Makers of JustWears men’s underwear are on a mission to transform the industry.
Creating a pair of pants that was more comfortable than any of the competitors, improved sperm count, with anti-bacterial fabric was just the beginning. What really sets them apart is a signature pouch design that efficiently and comfortably separates male anatomy. Dubbed a ‘palace for your phallus’, by using ventilated fabrics on the underside of this area, it provides men with more space and airflow where they need it most.
Made from soft cellulosic fibre, MicroModal Air, all underwear is manufactured using a natural, high-performance fabric sustainably sourced from Austria. Stylish and smart looking, they are also incredibly comfortable to wear- and a full five times softer than cotton.
Buy: JustWears Boxer Briefs, from £40 for two pairs, just-wears.com.
Wrist watcher
Dubbed as the future of health on your wrist, Apple Watch Series 6 is one of this year’s most sought after, and timely gifts.
In addition to looking rather smart, it allows him to check blood oxygen levels at all times, and, using an app, he can even take an ECG from his wrist. In addition to high and low heart rate notifications, he can gauge his fitness metrics, set a bedtime routine and track sleep. All this plus GPS tracking, taking phone calls and texting without a phone, and the always on retina display makes it easy to read outside in any and all lighting.
Buy: Apple Watch Series 6, 44mm, GPS + Cellular [2020], £509, ao.com.
The perfect shave
A collection from luxury shaving experts at Wilde and Harte, this beauty is named after Eltham Palace, the former Royal Residence to a young Henry VIII (now owned by the Crown Estate). The perfect gift for the discerning gentleman looking for the highest quality shaving tools, it offers an indulgent, close and comfortable wet shave.
Directed by the stunning modern Art Deco interior detailing at Eltham House, it features an octagonal design with highly polished facet faces running down each razor and shaving brush handle. Each beautifully crafted set features a three-piece double edge, monogrammed safety razor, shaving brush with engraved detailing and a choice of real badger hair or synthetic fibres.
Buy: Wilde and Harte Eltham Collection Razor, £440, wildeandharte.co.uk.
