Forget flowers. These Valentine’s Day gift ideas are sure to make your sweetie smile.
Chocolove bars
$4 for 3.2 oz., worldwidechocolate.com
There’s no shortage of chocolate on display this time of year, but we love the adorable packaging on these premium bars (which includes a love poem on the inside wrapper). For the maximum health benefit, try Extra Strong Dark (77%), but we can’t blame you if you opt instead for one of the mouth-watering flavors like Peppermint, Crystallized Ginger or Chilies & Cherries. You can purchase bars individually at Whole Foods stores and other organic grocers, or online at worldwidechocolate.com.
Babycakes Waffle Maker
$29.99, thebabycakesshop.com
What’s cuter than mini-sized, heart-shaped waffles? With this adorable iron, you get wooden sticks, a measuring cup, metal sugar shaker and a manual with recipes and tips. Just like Babycakes’ other pastry-making options, the Waffle Maker is candy-colored, non-stick and designed to be safe for kids to use with parents. Try it with one of our favorite waffle recipes: Four Grain Waffles or Vegan Mixed Grain Waffles With Raspberry Butter.
Bouquet of Blooms Seed Collection
$7, hollandbulbfarms.com
It may be freezing outside, but February is a great time to start planning for spring gardening. Treat your special someone to the kind of flowers that they can enjoy for months with this collection of flower seeds, including sunflowers, daisies, cosmos, zinnias and coneflowers. Or choose from collections of perennials, fruits or veggies.
Cinda B Tennis Tote
$153, cindab.com
Why toss your tennis racquet into any old gym bag when you can pamper it with this unique quilted tote? The zippered front pocket securely holds two racquets. Side compartments easily fit spare balls and water bottles, while the interior is lined with plenty of pockets. Carry it over the shoulder by the adjustable strap, or grab the shorter handles. The tote comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns.
Bodum Assam Tea Press
$24.95, bodum.com
Bodum’s best-selling tea maker now comes in candy-apple red, making it a perfect V-day gift for tea enthusiasts, whether they prefer loose leaf or bags, black or green. A stainless-steel strainer is housed in a 34-oz. heat-resistant glass pitcher. The ingenious plunger design lets you control when brewing stops, to avoid over-steeping and bitterness. (To keep your tea warm in the press for hours, you can also purchase a colorful neoprene cozy.) Bonus: Both pieces are dishwasher-safe.
Heat Holders thermal socks
$19.99 to $24.99, heatholdersstore.com
Socks have gotten a bad rap as a less-than-romantic gift. But if your beloved’s toes are always cold, these furry footwarmers are a thoughtful (and cute!) choice. Made with an insulating, moisture-wicking yarn that claims to be seven times warmer than cotton, Heat Holders come in a variety of colors and several lengths. They’re perfect for wearing with rain boots, or just puttering around the house.
BITE Beauty
$18 to $24, sephora.comThis line of lip products contains the free radical-fighter resveratrol, an antioxidant most commonly found in red wine. It may be more fun to drink your antioxidants, but this way has fewer calories! BITE cosmetics are not only all-natural, but made from food-grade ingredients. Choose from creamy lipsticks, matte pencils or shimmery glosses, and a range of shades. (We like Vouvray, a universally flattering neutral pink.)
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Valentine's Day Gift Guide
Forget flowers. These Valentine’s Day gift ideas are sure to make your sweetie smile.
