You’ve got a month left before Valentine’s Day is upon us, and that’s plenty of time to sort out the perfect Valentine’s gift for your loved one, whether that’s fragrance, an engagement ring or flowers.
The best engagement rings
The 14th February is officially the most romantic day of the year, so it’s unsurprising that it’s also the most popular to propose. There is still time to order a ring online, though if you want to make the experience more personal, then pop into one of the many jewellers on Oxford Street, like H Samuel and Pandora, to choose the perfect engagement ring for your partner. If you aren’t sure what style to choose, engagement ring trends for 2026 include vintage-inspired rings, coloured gemstones and mixed metals, but the experts will be able to advise you in store as well.
The best jewellery gifts
If you aren’t planning a proposal this Valentine’s Day, or are already married, then a jewellery gift is still guaranteed to please. For women, shops like Swarovski and Lovisa offer a range of discreet and statement jewellery for all budgets (think earrings and choker necklaces), and of course we love Pandora charms for thoughtful additions to any bracelet or necklace. If it’s men’s jewellery you’re after, the likes of H Samuel, Zara and River Island stock everything from men’s rings to gold necklaces.
The best perfumes for women
Jewellery aside, a women’s perfume might be the most personal Valentine’s gift you can get, since scent is often associated with the best memories. Mugler’s Alien perfume is a good starting point, with its top note of jasmine and base note of white amber, making it the perfect sensual scent. If budget allows, you can’t go wrong with Byredo’s Gypsy Water and its refreshing mix of pine needle, sandalwood and lemon. For something different, try Arabian Oud’s Musk Rose Hair Mist, to add floral notes on the go. Carolina Herrera’s La Bomba comes in the most beautiful bottle, and Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle is an absolute classic.
The best aftershave
Of course, the same rule applies to men’s aftershave. A whiff of his favourite aftershave might transport him back to his favourite holidays or your first date night. Jean Paul Gaultier’s Ultra Male gives major adventurous vibes with its bottle and scent of juicy pear, black lavender and woody vanilla. For something light and zesty, try Arabian Oud’s Arabian Code, and for a woody aftershave, we recommend Dior’s Eau Sauvage. At the top end of the budget, you have Creed’s iconic Aventus Cologne, which balances refreshing citrus top notes with a rich, musky, woody base. Still not sure which aftershave to buy? The Fragrance Shop sells over 20 bottles of Prada’s Paradigme in 48 hours online alone, so you know it’s a popular one.
The best self-care gifts
There is no excuse not to treat them to everyday pampering this Valentine’s Day. Whether that be a beautifully pigmented blush from Space NK or a bath bomb from LUSH that will put a smile on her face. Treat her to these fluffy slippers from Boux Avenue, ideal for relaxed mornings and cosy evenings in. And for him, you can’t go wrong with a gift set from Boots. Get him into the routine of skincare with this Clinique daily intense hydration starter kit, or move him away from that mint scented shower gel you hate and gift him the Homme set from Rituals.
The best food gifts
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You simply can’t go wrong with Valentine’s chocolate, in all its forms, for the perfect decadent treat to share or eat solo. M&S’s heart chocolate brownies, Whittard’s hot chocolate or Charbonnel et Walker’s pink champagne truffles will make the coldest month of the year that little bit sweeter. If you want to combine food with a date night, then you can treat yourselves to a Valentine’s Day meal at a romantic restaurant like Aqua Kyoto for Japanese dishes with a modern twist, and Aqua Nueva, which offers tasty award-winning tapas and cocktails. If you have a sweet tooth, then it has to be The Sanderson’s iconic Mad Hatter afternoon tea. Or why not gift them a hands on experience at Jamie Oliver’s Cookery School, the perfect gift for a food-loving couple!
Classic Valentine’s Day gifts
There’s no such thing as a cliche when it comes to Valentine’s Day, which is why we’d be remiss to not include flowers or teddy bears in our Valentine’s Day gift guide. When it comes to flowers, you can’t go wrong with a classic dozen red roses or an orchid, symbol of love and passion. As for cuddly toys, you can take your date on a fun outing to Build-A-Bear to create a bear and special memories in the process. If it’s the classic Jellycat bear you’re after, you might find it in store at John Lewis or Selfridges, since it’s sold out online, or you can order this cute Spring-themed version online.
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