The red-and-pink heart-ification of every aisle in Walgreens beginning the day after Christmas should have served as your warning. We get it—sometimes Valentine’s Day just creeps up. But fear not! Whether you’re giving something to a beloved friend or to the cuffing-season lover you snagged just in time for winter, there’s still time to win the day. The gifts here can ship in under two days or arrive in an inbox in less than two seconds, so you can quickly get something great at the last minute.
Pop secret
W&P Collapsible Popcorn Bowl ($20 at the time of publication)
There’s no wrong way to enjoy popcorn, but if your valentine has been microwaving unimaginative bags of the prefab variety, a dedicated popcorn bowl that they can use with their own kernels and their own seasoning is a great upgrade. A favorite among the popping methods we’ve tried, this silicone bowl is dishwasher-safe and collapses to about 2 inches for easy storage. And it can pop up a bowl of the good stuff in just about two minutes.
Titillating tales
Kink: Stories ($16 at the time of publication)
As this anthology’s name suggests, the literary short fiction collected here examines love and desire, through journeys across bedrooms and therapists’ offices, modern sex clubs, and a 20th century Parisian sex theater. Edited by writers R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell, and featuring new works by literary darlings Alexander Chee, Roxane Gay, and Carmen Maria Machado, among others, this book is not a bedside read for just anyone on your gift list. But we do think it makes an excellent choice for an open-minded friend, or for a lover you’d like to explore its pages with.
For the aspiring home cook
Blue Apron (prices vary depending on subscription)
If you’ve witnessed your loved one bingeing 100 hours of Bon Appétit videos, and they’ve started saying things like “This garnish really brightens up the dish,” a meal subscription is a perfect last-minute gift. Blue Apron is especially great for inexperienced cooks thanks to its straightforward recipes and wide range of meal options. Your valentine will be able to try new dishes, and it will give you two the opportunity to cook a meal together. Blue Apron even makes wine suggestions based on each meal, in case you want to add a celebratory bottle to the mix.
For the photo nerd
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 ($80 at the time of publication)
There’s something irresistible about an instant camera—it’s more fun to shoot with (and to see the results from) than the camera on a smartphone, and it avoids the usual pressure of taking a picture over and over until everything is perfect. If your loved one feels the same, they might like the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6, our favorite instant camera. It’s easy to use, and in our tests it produced better-quality photos than other cameras we tried. This camera also comes with advanced features such as macro, landscape, and double-exposure modes, which set it apart from old-school instant cameras. Plus, you can choose from a variety of flash filter colors to add some spark to those nostalgia-induced party shots.
For the self-improver
MasterClass subscription ($180 for an annual subscription at the time of publication)
For the insatiable scholar (or just the person who has exhausted all the palatable content on Netflix), membership to MasterClass will prove to be an invaluable gift. Your valentine will be able to take a variety of virtual classes with famous instructors: cooking with Yotam Ottolenghi, skateboarding with Tony Hawk, writing with David Sedaris, acting with Natalie Portman, and on and on. It’s also a great gift for people with curious kids: Deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset says, “My 7- and 5-year-old kids totally watched the Alice Waters cooking one by themselves, and my 7-year-old can now make an amazing salad dressing.” Now, that’s a gift that keeps on giving.
For the music fan
UE Ears Wonderboom 2 ($80 at the time of publication)
If your partner likes to listen to music outdoors or to sing in the shower with accompaniment, get them the UE Wonderboom 2, our favorite portable Bluetooth speaker under $100. It has a clear, full sound, it’s waterproof (in case that shower karaoke session gets out of hand), it can withstand a 5-foot drop, and it fits in nearly any bag.
For the bookworm
Book of the Month ($15 a month at the time of publication)
For your literary loved one, a book subscription box that sends them a new hardback every month makes a fabulous gift. For those who would prefer an element of control—but don’t want to get overwhelmed with options—we like Book of the Month, which offers readers a choice among five recently released books (and also helps direct your giftee to more books they may want to check out later). The picks are always books released during the month in which they’re included, and they span a range of genres to keep your gift recipient engaged.
For the one with a sweet tooth
Sugarwish eCard (from $20 at the time of publication)
If you’re not totally sure what kinds of sweets your sweetie prefers, a great way to get around the problem is to send a customizable candy gift box Sugarwish eCard. With it, your gift recipient can select their favorites online, whether they like Sour Patch Kids, Jelly Bellys divvied up by flavor, or more esoteric offerings like Banana Heads (though if that last one is their favorite, we’d reconsider the relationship). Select the box size, eCard design, and delivery method (email or “messaging,” including text and social media). The eCard and a redeemable code then arrive on a day of your choosing to make it a sweet one for all involved.
For the always cold one
Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho ($115 at the time of publication)
While indoor hangs remain largely out of reach, give your loved one the gift of a warmer outdoor experience with what Wirecutter has dubbed the height of COVID fashion: a wearable sleeping bag. The Therm-a-Rest poncho technically skirts by that label and therefore looks just a bit more respectable, but what it shares with the competition is its water-resistant and breathable polyester fabric, which will keep your loved one oh-so-warm even during the coldest gatherings.
For the budding coffee connoisseur
OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker ($200 at the time of publication)
If your loved one is ready to level up their morning coffee, get them the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker. It produces pour-over-quality brew, but with push-button ease. We’ve recommended the OXO for years and used it regularly in our office. We particularly like that the carafe keeps coffee warm without scorching the brew, that it has a programmable start time, and that it has an automatic pre-infusion cycle (which wets the coffee before brewing for better extraction).
For the persnickety sipper
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug (about $30 at the time of publication)
Whether your loved one commutes across town or shuffles across the apartment to work from the couch, the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug is the best travel mug for keeping their drink hot and preventing leaks. We’ve tested the Zojirushi for four years running, and it has consistently kept liquids hotter than the competition, even after eight hours in the harsh environment of a freezer. This means your gift recipient’s morning java or tea will still be piping hot by the time they get to work—or find it in the kitchen after forgetting it there hours earlier. Either way, they’ll never have to suffer the disappointment of a tepid sip.
For the one who needs to chill
Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser (about $25 at the time of publication)
Levoit Himalayan Salt Lamp ($20 at the time of publication)
The Asakuki 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser is a great gift for anyone who wants to make their living space smell and feel nicer. It’s slightly larger than the main pick in our essential oil diffuser guide, but we think its low profile and overall look make it a better gift. It produces a strong, rich stream of mist, and the tank will last longer than our main pick’s. To help your partner relax even more, we recommend the Levoit Himalayan Salt Lamp, which looks like something out of a Star Trek episode. We can’t speak to its supposed benefits, such as air purification and helping your loved one sleep, but it’s beautiful to look at and brings good vibes to a room.
For the one who needs better sleep
Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Body Pillow ($70 at the time of publication)
Baloo Cool Cotton Weighted Blanket ($170 at the time of publication)
A body pillow might not seem like an amazing Valentine’s Day gift, but if your special someone is a side- or stomach-sleeper and already likes to hug a pillow when they sleep, they might just love the Snuggle-Pedic Memory Foam Body Pillow (a favorite from our guide to body pillows). The shredded memory-foam fill molds precisely to the body and nicely supports hips, knees, and the abdomen; as a result, it can help reduce or eliminate aches and pains in the morning. (And this is why it would also make a good present for someone who is pregnant.)
If your partner has been curious about weighted blankets (or just likes the sensation of sleeping under piles of heavy comforters), they may like the Baloo Cool Cotton Weighted Blanket (pictured above). Some people find that sleeping under a weighted blanket helps them feel calmer and better rested (although there isn’t conclusive scientific evidence to back up those claims). The Baloo looks just like a comforter (you can even buy a lovely linen duvet cover for it). And unlike many other weighted blankets, this one can go right into the washer and dryer.
For the meditative one
Headspace: Meditation & Sleep App ($70 for a yearly subscription at the time of publication)
A little guided meditation could be beneficial if your loved one has been feeling stressed lately, which they have, unquestionably. (Trust us.) Headspace is a great meditation tool that can help someone calm down on a particularly hard day—or week, or year—by encouraging them to take a moment for themselves. Our favorite of all the apps we tested for beginners and seasoned meditators alike, Headspace provides a wide variety of structured courses, as well as short meditations for the time-strapped. All your valentine needs to do is pop in their headphones and try to relax for a bit.
For the hard-to-wake
Philips SmartSleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up Light ($180 at the time of publication)
Waking up can be hard, especially in the grim, gray winter of 2021. The SmartSleep light can’t fix everything that makes that so, but it can at least make the process of waking up a little less painful. Our upgrade-pick sunrise alarm clock, the SmartSleep features several brightness levels, alarm sounds, and sunrise options to perfectly rouse your lover into another morning.
For the stylish commuter
Rains Backpack Mini ($95 at the time of publication, plus $15 for two-day shipping)
The Rains Backpack Mini is super sleek and just big enough to hold a laptop, some books, and a light sweater (it’s one of our favorite laptop bags). And because it’s water resistant, it’s a good choice for someone who regularly forgets to bring their umbrella on their commute (which, optimistically, we hope to do again soon). Judging from our experience, we can assure you that the person you give this to can expect to get quite a few compliments. But you will have to pay $15 for expedited shipping if you need to get this item in a hurry.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more Valentine’s Day gift ideas we recommend.
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Valentine’s Day Gifts
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