18 Thoughtful and Unique Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Flowers, candy, stuffed animals… it’s all been done. If you’re looking for something different for Valentine’s day, this list of unique and thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas is just what you need.

Pin

Thoughtful Doesn’t Mean Expensive or Complicated

Thinking outside the box for gift ideas says a lot to the recipient about how much trouble you went to! And you personally going to trouble means a lot more than you taking 3 minutes to order something super expensive from Amazon.

If you want to show someone you care, this list will give you some ideas. Even if you don’t end up going with any of these gifts, they will still help you come up with something unique!

Valentine’s Day Gifts from Outside the Box

1. A Customized Love Story Book

You could gift your partner a book that narrates your love story, complete with personalized illustrations and anecdotes. Many online services like Shutterfly let you create customized storybooks where you can add pictures and input details about your relationship.

You can include how you met, memorable dates, and even future dreams. This heartfelt gift allows for both creativity and nostalgia, giving your loved one a tangible reminder of your journey together.

2. Memory Jar

A memory jar is a simple yet profoundly meaningful gift. Gather small pieces of paper and write down your favorite memories together: moments that made you laugh, milestones you’ve achieved, or times when you felt especially connected.

Fill a jar with these memories, and let your partner read one each day or whenever they need a pick-me-up. This gift is not just a collection of memories; it symbolizes the many beautiful moments you’ve shared and will continue to create. You can both add new memories to the jar as time goes by!

Decorate the jar with paint, ribbons, decals and more to make it look really special.

3. Personalized Puzzle

Get a custom jigsaw puzzle made from a photo of you and your loved one together, or a trip you took together, or the kids! Every time your recipient works on the puzzle, it’ll be a reminder of how much you mean to each other.

And when the puzzle is finished, it can be framed as a piece of art for your walls!

4. Love Tokens

Present your loved one with this beautiful bag of love tokens. Each token promises something like breakfast in bed, massage, a cuddle session, a day of compliments and more. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

5. Chore Coupons

Along the same line as love tokens, you can offer chore coupons for your loved one to use to get you to do chores. Or if you’re creative, you can make your own very personalized versions on your computer or an app.

6. Scrapbook

Get a scrapbook, and begin to fill it in with some photos of the two of you together, along with notations about where and when the pictures were taken, and maybe some beautiful quotes. Leave most of the pages blank for the two of you to fill in together over time.

7. Personalized Wallet

A personalized wallet makes a really nice gift! This one has room for initials and an inside message. It’s practical, but beautiful and very thoughtful.

8. Experience Journal

Gift your loved one an experience journal like Our Bucket List for the two of you to fill out together throughout the year. This journal can include ideas for activities, places to visit, or new things to try as a couple.

It’s a great way to dream together and visualize a beautiful future.

9. A Handwritten Letter Series

This one takes some planning ahead, so start early! In a world of texts and emojis,  writing letters can be a refreshing and heartfelt gift. Write a series of letters expressing your love, admiration, and appreciation for your partner.

You can structure them to make it more interesting. Say, one letter for every week leading up to Valentine’s Day, or letters to be opened during specific moments, or notes celebrating different aspects of your relationship.This creates a keepsake that can be cherished forever, and even passed on to kids someday.

10. Sign Up For a Class

Is there a class you and your special someone have always wanted to take? Sign the two of you up for it, and it’ll be a shared activity for weeks or months to come.

Or if you and your partner have different interests or schedules, sign them up for a class you know they’ll love. Even though you won’t be there with them, they’ll think of you every time they go.

And yes, this can be an online class rather than an in-person class if that works better.

11. Indoor Garden

If your partner loves to cook or grow things, but you don’t have space for a garden outside, a hydroponic indoor garden makes a terrific gift. If comes with its own LED grow light and everything you need to start growing veggies, flowers or fruit as well as herbs indoors.

12. Pajamas

A cute set of pajamas – or matching couples’ pajamas – makes a great gift for Valentine’s Day. It’s cozy and fun, and perfect with breakfast in bed!

13. Handmade Soap

If your recipient likes bar soap, make some beautiful bars from one of these handmade soap recipes and offer them in a nice presentation box! Just make sure you know of any ingredients or scents to avoid – they may have allergies, sensitivities, or just not like certain scents.

14. Handmade Bath Bombs

Similar to the soaps, you can make your own bath bombs as a Valentine’s Day gift. These are great for anyone who loves to take a nice bath from time to time!

15. Donation in Their Name

If your loved one is passionate about a particular cause or charity, consider making a donation in their name. Most charities will send a nice letter or certificate for the donation, and you can present it thoughtfully in a nice card or gift box.

16. Personalized Mixtape or Playlist

Put together a collection of songs that hold special meaning for your relationship, whether it’s the song you danced to at your wedding, the tune you listened to on your first date, or a selection of your love’s favorite artists. You can even create a custom cover or sleeve to make it feel extra special.

17. Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Whether it’s a monthly delivery of their favorite snacks, a curated selection of books, or a box filled with self-care products, these gifts show that you’ve put thought into their interests and are committed to spoiling them on a regular basis.

18. Smart Home Devices

A smart home device can make life simpler! This could be a voice-activated assistant, a smart thermostat, or a connected lighting system. These types of gifts not only make life more convenient but also show that you’ve put thought into making your person’s life easier.