Let’s start with the most obvious: significant other. And first, we’ll focus on gifts FOR HER—whether it’s your girlfriend, fiancee, wife or just someone very special to you for reasons you’d rather not label, elaborate on, etc.

Flowers

It’s hard to go wrong with flowers, whether it’s roses or a more unique bouquet with, say, one bloom for every year you’ve been together. Unless your partner has specifically asked you not to give them flowers. Have they? Some people don’t like the hassle of re-watering before they wilt. Some people’s cats like to eat them and barf them up. Good times.

And even someone who loves flowers might not be into the classic dozen-roses thing. Does she have a favorite spring flower, or something lightly off-script, like a Gerbera daisy (my wife’s longtime fave)? If you’re not sure about any of that, you 100% need to keep reading.

(And if you’re not sure what each flower means, start with this super helpful breakdown.)

Something simple 

You want to show her you love her, but overthinking things is just not your jam. Perfect—here’s your stop:

• A Valentine’s Day card! There’s nothing like a card, and that’s for good reason. It’s a simple, keepsakeable way to let her know how much she means to you.
• Massage gift card. Sure, your shoulder rubs are great. No, really, they are. But it’s still incredibly thoughtful to let a pro take over for a sesh once in a while. This is one of my never-fail gifts for my wife of more than 20 years. She hasn’t divorced me yet, so it seems to be working?
• A pair of earrings. Try to keep them small and classic unless you’re sure she’d like something more showy. This does have the inherent stress of CHOOSING, though. And if that’s not your comfort zone or if she’s a tough one to buy accessories for, keep scrolling.
• A fun little stuffed animal. You could get her a quokka, for example, and maybe that’s how she’ll learn what a quokka even is! Or how about this adorable koala that lets you record a message and be there when you can’t?
• Fancy chocolates. Feel free to go with the standard heart-shaped box, no arguments, but you could also mix it up with some boutique choices, locally made flavors or booze-inspired ones.
• A coffee mug from a place you visited together. It’s an easy way to commemorate a nice memory you have as a couple.
• Is she into fitness? How about a gift card to a free session at her favorite place? Or maybe a studio she’s mentioned wanting to try?
• Does she love Hallmark movies? She might like this cute Hallmark Channel hoodie paired with these themed stemless glasses or this mug and some gourmet popcorn. Maybe these cozy socks, too!
• Does she love journaling or list-making? How about a beautiful journal with a starry skies theme and an elegant pen?

Something romantic

Were you one of the swoony teens I described earlier? If you want a gift that communicates high levels of schmoop, consider one of these:

• First date reboot. Was your first date at a restaurant? Perfect! Make a reservation for the two of you, if the place is still there. If it’s not, try a place she’s been wanting to try but hasn’t because it seems too pricey for the average Friday night.
• Date reboot, jokey option. If you cook at home a lot and you know she’d love a night out, you could briefly act like you’ll make a giant, complex, messy home-cooked meal…and then say JK, we’re going out.
• Add some mystery! With this Date Night Jar, you can let the whims of chance decide your evening together. Much less scary kinda magic than, say, a Ouija board.
• Take a hike. Is she outdoorsy? Is there a particular hike she loves or one she’s been wanting to try? Prep the car and backpack and go on an adventure.
• Take the day. Maybe she’d love a day set aside just for her favorite things and activities with you. Just do those, silly!
• Tell your story in pictures. Fill up an old-fashioned photo album that shows your tale from past to present. Doesn’t matter if it’s a few months or many years. Can you do it with just two pics? Try our Then & Now double frame.
• Put your love story on paper. From memories to songs to rules you live by, this prompted journal lets you capture the things that make your story unique.
• Give her a stadium shoutout. Does one of your local teams have the kind of atmosphere that announces milestones over the PA system? Try that, especially if it’s a big year for you two.
• Get her a personalized necklace. Maybe she already has a tattoo of your name? Well, great—getting her a necklace with your initials on it will just complete the set.
• Pet parent humor. Have a dog or cat together? Maybe both? Then this hilarious card will definitely hit the mark. Unless you’ve somehow managed to enforce the “no pets on the bed” thing.
• Get a fur baby. Have you talked about getting a pet together? This would be as good a time as any to visit a local shelter and pick out a pet who needs a good home.
• Good at messing around with music? You could write some personalized lyrics to the tune of a popular song or one that signals an old inside joke.
• Buy the book. Get her a new novel. Not sure which one to get, or what she’s already read? You could stealthily peep her Goodreads to see what series she might be into or what she’s been meaning to read.
• Go to bed. Old sheets wearing thin? You might still love them in a “woobie” kinda way, but why not mix it up with a fancy, high-thread-count upgrade? 
• Spring for some high-end bath stuff. Why stop at sheets? There are a lot of things you can upgrade. In this case, add some yummy smelling bubble bath, a bath pillow and a reading tray to shake up the routine.

Something last-minute

Did you get caught up in a big game weekend and just space that Valentine’s Day was even happening till a day or two before? Or even an hour or two before? We get it. And we’ve got you: 

• Pair of champagne flutes and a bottle of decent champagne. A time-honored classic that’s likely come across as wildly romantic instead of spur-of-the-moment. Extra points if you suggest bundling up to stargaze in the backyard while you sip it.
• Even simpler drink option: This “Love You Most” jumbo wine glass.
• Lottery tickets. Because you’re lucky in love, get it? Note: Odds are high that she’ll at least smirk appreciatively, and that’s not nothing. Pair with this simple card.
• Make her a playlist. Yes, that’s right. The essential goodness of a well-curated playlist of faves was romantic when you were teen and is still romantic now. But please, don’t just cut and paste her Spotify Wrapped. Find the deeper cuts—the meaningful ones.
• Order a heart-shaped pizza. Most places offer them as a limited-time thing. Why not?
• Create a grocery-store picnic. Get some pre-sliced meats and cheeses, pair them with wine and bring them to a nearby park (that allows it) or have them in the living room or on the porch.
• Have a firepit already? Grab some stuff for s’mores and get cozy.
• A fuzzy blanket to snuggle under. Or even just a cozy throw in her favorite color. You can’t have too many blankets.
• Clean the heck out of something. A bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, her entire place? Light a few candles to show off the handiwork and set the mood.
• Just get in the dang car and drive. Go somewhere to watch the sunset and then get dessert on the way back. You could make a playlist or even take turns answering these free conversation cards for some meaningful car convo.
• A rom-com movie night with chocolates, wine and strawberries. May we suggest Hallmark Channel’s new Valentine’s Day movie?