A Fun Valentine’s Day Gift Guide + Date Ideas

Here’s a question: do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

I know that this holiday is a hot-button topic and a controversial holiday. Some people love Valentine’s Day. Others hate it. Or don’t care.

Is it a somewhat contrived holiday pushed by corporate America to get us to buy more stuff? Yeah, probably. But it’s also a chance to tell the people in our lives that we love and appreciate them. And in my book, there’s nothing wrong with that.

I’ve always been a big believer in celebrating love – of all kinds – so I like this holiday. I don’t think Valentine’s Day is just about romance. It’s about celebrating your best friend. Or the cousin in your family who just gets you. It’s time to loosen the parameters of this holiday to make it more inclusive so people can just celebrate what is most important. And that’s love, actually. (I had to; it’s my favorite holiday movie!)

So, with that in mind, I put together a fun Valentine’s Day gift guide. This isn’t a guide full of romantic gestures. Instead, it’s filled with gifts your mom or friend would appreciate, or even you! Yes, you deserve a gift, too, and why can’t you buy yourself something special for Valentine’s Day? There are no rules, so buy yourself the damn flowers! (Personally, I’m more of a tulips girl than roses. What about you?)

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Fun Valentine’s Day Gifts

1. You can’t go wrong with a designer scent like Gucci’s Bloom Eau De Toilette.
2. Jewelry is always in fashion, and I love this delicate Amour bracelet from Gorjana.
3. Bring a little love into your life every day with this Queen of Hearts robe.
4. I’m in love with this red loafer. It’s going to be my Valentine’s Day gift to me!
5. For the girl who already has the Lululemon crossbody bag in every other color.
6. I can’t think of a better way to serve breakfast than with this heart print mug and plate.
7. Heartprint PJ bottoms are always a good call for Valentine’s Day!
8. And it’s even better when said PJs are a matching set.
9. I know, everyone is wearing the Adidas Gazelle sneakers now, but this color slays.
10. A heart shaped candle is the perfect gift for your bestie.
11. Champagne pink glassware? Yes, please! I’ll drink from these whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not!
12. For the woman who loves to wear her heart on her sleeve, literally, this sweater is for her!

And if you live in the NYC area, I’m also including some fun activities you can do with your partner or friends to celebrate. And no, these activities do not involve sitting down to an over-priced dinner of mediocre food because nobody has the time or money for that.

Fun Valentine’s Day Activities in NYC

Go on a Spa Date

One of Governor’s Island’s best-kept secrets is the QC NY spa. Located on the island’s edge, with spectacular views of downtown Manhattan and the NY harbor, this spa is the perfect place to pamper yourself and relax. Go with your partner or a group of friends to enjoy the spas, many dry saunas, wet baths and steam rooms, and the outdoor heated pools. They also serve cocktails and light bites; you can book massages and facials for extra TLC.

A Museum Date for Valentine’s Day

My husband and I recently spent an evening at Fotografiska, a photography, arts, and culture museum in the Flatiron district of NY. Set in a beautiful building, what I love about this museum is that you can order a cocktail or coffee to take with you through the various photography exhibits. And you’ll get bonus points if you score a reservation at Veronika, the hard-to-get-into restaurant within the museum. Another popular museum that recently opened is Mercer Labs in Soho. Here, you can immerse yourself in state-of-the-art AI exhibits.

Take in the City From New Heights

What about a nighttime adventure high in the sky at The Edge or Summit One Vanderbilt? It’s gotta be cool to see the glimmering lights of Manhattan from above, and both experiences also serve cocktails.

What Are Your Plans for Valentine’s Day?

Whether you plan to celebrate the holiday with a grand gesture for your loved one or will just be sitting on the couch watching true crime documentaries (or, like me, you have a husband who hates the holiday so you plan to indulge in self-care), I hope you at least reach out to someone in your life to let them know you’re thinking about them and love them. Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest impact. With everything happening in the world right now, we can all use more love and support.

Wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day!