It seems that Christmas is barely a memory before Valentine’s Day merchandise starts making its appearance. You’ve probably spotted plenty of the usual suspects—we’re looking at you, teddy bears and chocolate boxes—and haven’t really felt too inspired or excited by them. No surprise there, considering they’re the ubiquitous, go-to gifts doled out by the millions year after year. If you’re gearing up to surprise your special someone with something considerably more interesting this year, here are 12 incredible, non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gift ideas they’re sure to appreciate.
Personalized Whiskey Barrel
Spirits aged in barrels have a distinct advantage over others. The alcohol goes through a natural filtration process as the compounds evaporate, allowing the wood to impart lignin, vanillin, lactones, and tannin and transforming the fluid into a smoother, more refined product with a robust flavor profile. Although some may choose to add a few charred oak chips into their bottle, another more comprehensive approach involves placing the liquor directly inside a barrel—much as is done inside distilleries. For the drink enthusiast in your life, this personalized whiskey barrel handcrafted in Virginia by the Thousand Oaks Barrel Co. is sure to delight. It’s available in both 2L and 5L sizes, and can be customized with the recipient’s name, a distillery name, a year, and a city and state.
Kikkerland Concrete Desktop Planter
Anyone with an appreciation for greenery will tout the many virtues of surrounding yourself with plant life inside the home or office. If gardening isn’t quite their forte—or they simply don’t have time to dig—but they love a pop of natural beauty on their desk, the Kikkerland concrete desktop planner makes a fantastic addition to their repertoire. The solid material alone makes it a handsome statement piece. Available in small and large sizes, it arrives ready to fill with anything—you may want to add a few faux succulents to display right away! There’s also a terrace base that’s ideal for holding anything from pens to business cards.
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses Set
If you’re hell bent on sticking to the Valentine’s Day theme in some way, shape, or form, may we present to you a set of sleek pink tequila glasses? This set includes four, each meticulously and masterfully made with Himalayan salt to form a sophisticated and elegant vessel that adds a most-welcome salty flavor to your tequila or mezcal. Even better, this isn’t a one-and-done deal. Salt is stable and antibacterial, so your recipient can reuse these standout glasses from one celebration to the next.
Love Is Art Kit
true feelings are best expressed in words—but when even those aren’t enough, there’s the Love Is Art kit available to fill in the gaps. The set includes a white cotton canvas, black non-toxic washable paint, disposable slippers, a body scrubber, and plastic sheeting. Together, you two can create a piece of truly unique, special artwork that heightens the romance by putting you in a new, vulnerable position where all that’s left to chance is your ability to express yourselves through the beauty of art. When you’re done, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind piece that you can stretch, frame, and display for posterity on your bedroom wall.
Hanging Cocktail Bar
There may not always be room for a bar cart or even much useful space to hold the various sundries necessary to create unforgettable cocktails. To the rescue comes this hanging cocktail bar, which quite literally can be hung on the wall. It’s made with wood and metal, so it’s sturdy enough to support all of the mixing essentials. The shelf folds down, drawbridge style, providing just enough space to prepare a Valentine’s Day tipple or two.
Anatomical Heart Unframed Art Print
The requisite heart is as synonymous with Valentine’s Day as the brilliant red rose. But if you prefer to take a different approach to the festivities, take a peek at this unframed art print depicting an anatomical heart. The representation is eye-catching and completely unique—and so thoughtful for anyone who appreciates the true depth of love and passion. It arrives on high-quality stock, so you can trust that it will look beautiful when slipped inside a handsome frame and suspended on the wall.
Cooper’s Cask Coffee Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee
Whether your first date was at a coffee shop or you’re basically that couple that starts brewing first thing in the morning, then a bag of Cooper’s Cask Coffee—bourbon whiskey barrel aged coffee, to be precise—is all but guaranteed to please. The bag of whole beans includes the brand’s beloved single origin-sourced coffee beans blended with Kentucky bourbon. The result? A robust, deeply flavorful blend that marries notes of chocolate and hazelnut with plum and roasted nuts for a distinctive taste that is unlike any other.
Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe
Few gifts benefit your true love as much as this Brooklinen super-plush robe—and few garments live up to their name quite so successfully, either. The material is, indeed, extra plush thanks to its 100% Turkish cotton composition and thick texture. This is a robe of substance, with plenty of heft and warmth to make even the chilliest mornings more bearable. It’s the ultimate for those weekend cuddle sessions on the couch, and perfect for adding a little spa-like quality to very necessary self-care routines.
Downton Abbey Finest Blended Scotch Whiskey
Who needs a bottle of wine when you can have a bottle of Downton Abbey Finest Blended Scotch Whiskey? The unique blend includes water from Harrogate Spring, often touted as the topmost bottled water in Britain, along with fine grains and malts to yield a delicious flavor. The blend is hand-distilled on the grounds of Ripley Castle, a lovely 14th-century country home in North Yorkshire.
L.B. Evans Aristocrat Scuff
There’s nothing like a classic pair of slippers to make life more comfortable. That’s certainly the case with these L.B. Evans Aristocrat Scuffs, which are renowned for their beautiful, timeless silhouette and ability to hold up well for years. This style is made with supple full-grain leather and features a full leather lining and a cushioned insole. The result is constant comfort from the first step to the last.
Zeel Massage
Not everyone has the time to go to the spa for a massage—but thanks to the fact that it’s 2020 and convenience is king, the massage can come to you very easily! Zeel is the purveyor of this phenomenal service, and they’re committed to delivering wellness on demand. Book a couples massage, select your desired duration, and choose from a variety of treatments, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sleep, and Sports therapies.
Williams-Sonoma Comfort Food Recipes
Admit it—you love yourself a great home-cooked meal. This little treasure from Williams-Sonoma will benefit you, too, since it’s packed with 100 mouth-watering comfort food recipes, the likes of which you will crave for eternity once you’ve tried them. From cheesy, gooey pastas to rich, chocolatey desserts, there are divine concoctions packed inside the hardbound book.