At Business Insider Reviews, we test products year-round with the same rigor we bring to any story — evaluating materials, real-world usefulness, and long-term value. But Valentine's Day calls for something extra. Beyond specs and cost-per-use, the best gifts spark a reaction: a little rush of excitement, the pleasure of something beautiful, or the indulgent feeling of a treat that's meant purely to be enjoyed.
With that in mind, we've rounded up our favorite Valentine's Day gifts — the pieces that consistently deliver joy. These are small luxuries we love ourselves, playful finds that feel special, and a few practical items that still feel indulgent rather than utilitarian.
Whether you're shopping for a partner, a close friend, or yourself (highly encouraged), these picks are meant to feel thoughtful, romantic, and genuinely fun to receive. We've tested every item on this list, and each one has earned its spot by making everyday life feel just a little more special.
A personalized necklace
Oak and Luna
Herringbone Engraved Chain Necklace, $125 at Oak and Luna
We love Oak and Luna for their endlessly personalizable, yet relatively affordable jewelry. You can get nameplate necklaces, engraved pendants, initial jewelry, and more. The herringbone necklace above allows you to engrave a full message (up to 60 characters!), and it can be flipped around to keep the message close to your heart.
A monogrammed robe
Weezie Towels
Women's Long Scallop Lightweight Robe, $188
This lightweight scalloped robe is an all-seasons lounge piece that's just as cute as it is practical. Unlike thicker terry picks, this one won't leave you sweating in the summer months. Plus, it makes the perfect thoughtful gift when you add a chic monogram.
A subtle yet sophisticated winter scent
Ulta
Orebella Nightcap perfume, $72 for 50ml
It's easy to be skeptical of celebrity scents, but Bella Hadid's perfume brand has turned into my go-to — especially for cold weather months. The Nightcap scent is a spicy, complex vanilla flavor with notes of ginger, chai tea, and subtle woody undertone that smells like you just got back in from a winter walk among snow and pines. And my favorite part: it's not overwhelming at all. The scent is buildable, not cloying in the slightest, and doesn't give me a headache like many other perfumes.
A quirky claw clip
Jenny Lemons
Claw clips from Jenny Lemons, starting at $12
If you're on the hunt for a cute, personal stocking stuffer, these claw clips from Jenny Lemons are a quirky pick. They come in tons of different food items — like waffles, tinned fish, hot dogs, pickles, you name it. I have the dirty martini clip and love wearing it to girls' nights as a celebration of our favorite drink.
Plus, there's a special Valentine's Day collection with tons of cute shapes like chocolate-covered strawberries, boxes of chocolates, and bouquets of roses.
A digital camera that produces film-like photos
Camp Snap
Over the past few years, I've gotten into taking photos on an old-school disposable camera. The photos look imperfect and nostalgic, with that signature Kodak film look. But buying these cameras and paying to develop the photos is both expensive and inconvenient.
Enter: the Camp Snap camera. Not only does it make the photos look just like the disposable ones, but I can also plug it right into my phone to transfer the images — no wait time or expense required. I took it to Greece with me and was amazed that the photos I snapped looked just like film images. I liked these shots so much better than the ultra sharp photos from my iPhone.
The sleep mask that will make you a believer in the power of silk
Clementine
Clementine in NY Silk Sleep Mask, $108
I have tested tons of silk — from discount brands on Amazon to the highest tier of luxury — but no other brand can hold a candle to Clementine when it comes to quality. The material is expertly sourced, sandwashed for the perfect finish, and decorated with hand-drawn figures. I sleep with this mask every night and relish the sensation of the cool fabric on my eyes and the full blackout that it provides.
Spanx's famous sweatsuit
Spanx
AirEssentials Wide Leg Pant ($118) and Half-Zip ($128)
Spanx's AirEssentials sweatsuit is popular for a reason. The material manages to be both thick and light-as-air, which you have to feel to understand. Our writer Talia Ergas tried 22 sets for her review of the best sweatsuits and this one came out on top. And the whole team is a fan of the breathable yet cozy material that has taken the internet by storm.
An ice cream subscription
Jeni's
Jeni's Subscription, starting at $199
Jeni's Pint Club is a guaranteed win for anyone with a serious sweet tooth. The subscription delivers four curated pints of ice cream to their door each month, often featuring sneak-peek flavors that aren't available to the public yet. It's an easy way to keep the freezer stocked with small-batch, seasonal flavors without a trip to the store. Members can choose a 3-, 6-, or 12-month plan, making it a flexible gift that lasts well beyond one occasion. Bonus: the insulated packaging keeps everything frozen solid from Jeni's scoop shop to their doorstep.
And if she's more of a dog person, a book person, a coffee person, or even a cured meat person, check out our guide to the best subscription gifts for a huge variety of monthly delights.
A tennis necklace without tennis necklace prices
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider
Riviere Necklace, starting at $560 from Dorsey
I have long admired the diamond tennis necklaces on celebrities and influencers, but it's just not feasible to spend thousands of dollars on a statement piece.
This necklace from Dorsey is crafted from lab-grown sapphires, which are less expensive than lab-grown diamonds but just as sparkly and luxurious. It even has a fancy and secure clasp. Every time I put this necklace on, I feel like a Gilded Age heiress.
A luxury brush that instantly makes your hair shiny
La Bonne Brosse
I've recently become a convert to boar bristle brushes. Unlike plastic bristles, the boar fibers distribute your scalp's natural sebum from root to tip. This makes your hair look shinier and more hydrated. Plus, the bristles lift dirt and product from your locs, exfoliate your scalp, and can even lengthen the time between washes.
Since I've been using this boar bristle brush, I've noticed a huge difference in my hair's texture and volume. It looks bouncier, is markedly shinier, and feels softer than I've ever felt it. Yes, this brush is an investment, but boar brushes are a luxury for a reason.
An it-bag you can make your own
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
Clare V. purses are the Brooklyn it-bag. They are the perfect canvas for personalization, with tons of unique straps and charms available on the site that help you make it your own. We named the Petit Moyen one of the best crossbody bags we've tried, since it comes with a helpful crossbody strap — but you can also use the style as a shoulder bag.
A chic way to celebrate the Winter Olympics
J. Crew
U.S. Ski & Snowboard by J.Crew Graphic Rollneck Sweater, $198
With bold graphics and a chunky rollneck, this vintage wool sweater looks like something you'd spot in the stands at a 1980s Winter Olympics — in the best way. It's part of J.Crew's official U.S. Ski & Snowboard collection, and while it's not performance gear, it definitely nails the après-ski vibe.
An elegant travel cosmetics case
Revolve
Etolie Makeup Cases, starting at $90
These sophisticated makeup organizers evoke the train cases of yore — but they aren't just made for aesthetics. In fact, structured makeup cases make a thoughtful gift for anyone with a well-loved makeup collection, offering far more protection than soft pouches. Their reinforced sides and smart compartments help keep palettes, brushes, and products secure while traveling or moving between locations.
We love these cases so much that we featured them in our guide to the best travel makeup bags.
A decorative tumbler
Bohemian Gallery
JC Roy Tumbler from the Bohemian Gallery, $42
For at-home coffee enthusiasts, a tumbler is a must. This one is far prettier than the stainless steel and solid-colored options, which are a dime a dozen. And I can personally confirm that it gets lots of compliments — even if you're just sipping from it during a virtual meeting.
Our favorite cashmere sweater
Nadaam
The Original Cashmere Sweater from Naadam, $98
We've tried cashmere sweaters from all the top brands for our guide to the best cashmere sweaters, and this relatively affordable option from Naadam came out on top. Cashmere sweaters like this typically go for $200 or more, but this one is a great deal for the quality. Here's what our resident associate style editor and cashmere expert, Gabrielle Chase, has to say about it:
"I even sleep in mine, it's that smooth. The knit is breathable and insulating all at once, which is unique to cashmere. Another thing I love — this one sweater is unisex (just size up for a looser fit) and comes in dozens of colors, from versatile neutrals to vibrant pastels."
The silk pajamas I swear by
Eberjey
Washable silk pajamas in a printed version and solid color version, $298 from Eberjey
I tried luxury silks and budget silks for my article on the best silk pajamas, and these came out on top. They're miraculously soft, temperature-regulating in a way that only silk can be, and easy to care for. I've washed my set about a dozen times, and it still looks as good as the day I bought it, which is something you can't say about many silk pieces.
The set is so great that I even got my fiancé a men's version. Now he looks forward to slipping it on at the end of every day and has been dropping hints that he wants another set for Christmas.
The best work bag we've ever tested
Samantha Crozier/Insider
We tested approximately four dozen totes for our guide to the best work bag for women, and this one came out on top. You can read our full thoughts in our Dagne Dover Allyn Tote review, but here's the short version: it has a padded laptop sleeve, the best internal organization we've ever seen, a slim silhouette, and more practical bells and whistles than we could name here.
A bed for my favorite creature
Unhide
Floof Donut Pet Bed, starting $169 from Unhide
My very particular poodle knows good quality when she feels it. She constantly steals my fur throws or takes naps on only the softest of sweaters. So I knew it was time to upgrade her Amazon donut bed to something more luxurious. This bed is not only impossibly soft, but also looks great with my decor.
A bag from a brand that discerning purse enthusiasts love
Strathberry
Strathberry Crescent Moon in Oxblood, $685
I first learned about Strathberry from the subreddit r/handbags. The forum is full of dedicated purse enthusiasts who are sharp critics of leather and construction. Again and again, I saw Strathberry mentioned as a big standout when it came to value for quality. So, I knew I had to test the brand for myself — and once I did, I came to the same conclusion as many Redditors: these purses really are all they're cracked up to be.
The fanciest faux fur
Samantha Crozier/Business Insider
Faux Fox Fur Stroller, $523 at Lyla Grant
I've been looking for a coat like this in every thrift store I find. Once, I tried one on that I thought would be perfect — but I quickly realized that my allergies were aggravated not only by the dust caked into the coat, but also by the fur itself.
This one from Lyla Grant gives me the look of a great vintage fur without the allergies, dubious ethics, and maintenance that a fox fur would require. It sheds minimally, looks fantastic over a dressy outfit, and gets me endless compliments.
Our favorite socks ever
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
"I've tested a lot of brands over the years, but my Bombas socks reviews consistently come with high praise. In fact, about a year ago, I cleared out my entire sock drawer and filled it exclusively with Bombas because all my other socks had been shoved to the back of the drawer anyway!" says Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider reviews, in our Bombas review.
A pretty toothbrush that makes brushing fun
SURI
SURI Sonic Toothbrush 2.0, currently $114 at SURI
I recently switched from a manual toothbrush to this minimalist electronic one and never looked back. My teeth are whiter, they feel cleaner, and I love using such a pretty product. Plus, one single charge lasts over a month, and the inclused case has a built-in UV light to disinfect the head on the go.
A ritual on your nightstand
Theraplush
Soft Services Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment, $62
This luxury hand cream comes in a beautiful container with refillable pods. The dispenser has a push pump that feels great to use and looks even better on your nightstand. It contains a touch of retinol, which helps keep the skin on your hands looking youthful and healthy.
Colorful gripper socks
Verloop
Plaid Stripe House Socks, $36 at Verloop
These are the most fun, most colorful house socks around. Whenever I wear mine, I get a little spike of dopamine.
Cute, affordable cotton pajamas
Piyama
Nicolette Sleep Set, $89 from Piyama
This sleep set is so cute that I've worn it as a real outfit. The ruffled blouse is both stylish and comfortable, and the matching shorts are downright adorable. It's also made of 100% cotton, and we always advocate for sleepwear made of natural materials.
An iconic coat
Aritzia
The Slouch Coat, $375 from Artizia
As warm as puffers are, there's nothing fashionable about wearing a sleeping bag as outerwear. This wool overcoat is an elegant upgrade that will make her feel both cozy and sophisticated. In fact, Sabrina Carpenter was seen wearing this very coat during a recent NYC outing.
A honey-based face mask
BYUR
Honey Gorgeous Daily Aqua Serum Mask (30 Sheets), $22
These sheet masks use the power of honey to brighten and tighten skin. They come in beautiful packaging, with little tongs included to pick out each of the delicate masks without touching the rest of the stack
Glasses to romanticize your life
Choice Blooms
Wavy Glassware, from $38 at Choice Blooms
From iced coffee to wine to fancy cocktails, these glasses make any beverage more fun. You can choose from a 15-ounce or 24-ounce version, along with a variety of fun colors. I love using them for homemade iced matchas, and would be delighted to receive on as a gift.
A customized tote
Lands' End
The iconic Boat and Tote from L.L. Bean, $49.95 for the large
This canvas bag from L.L. Bean is one of the most recognizable totes around. But the best part is that you can customize it with a name or phrase of your choosing. Though it's typical to stick with initials, the TikTok generation has taken to monogramming these classic bags with jokes like "Unhinged" or "Contraband" — or my personal favorite, just emblazoning designer names like "Prada" or "Hermes" on the front.
The status symbol candle
Diptyque
Everyone knows the look of a Diptyque candle. The iconic label is an enduring symbol of luxury — and the candles sometimes seem too fancy to light. You can get it in sophisticated winter scents like cypress or fig to brighten up the season.
Our guide to the best candles also has some great, giftable picks.
A way to preserve fancy candles
Amazon
Candle warmer lamp, $26 on Amazon
This warmer lamp is perfect for luxury candles (like Diptyque above) that you want to preserve. It melts a thin layer of wax at the top, so the candle becomes warm enough to release its scent. This helps you enjoy candles without issues like fire, tunneling, and smoky air.
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