With Valentine’s Day just a hop and skip away, I’ve decided to pull together a roundup detailing 16 of my favourite love-inspired items that would make for amazing Valentine’s day gifts, most of which are from local shops and companies.
Spread some much-needed joy and give things that are sure to put a smile on that special someone’s face. Or just treat yourself – because you deserve it!
Scroll down for products spanning self-care, foodie favourites, gifts for the fashion-forward and more.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Quick Summary
- Chocolate Goodness Mask (Skin Drama)
- Crystal Contour Gua Sha in Rose Quartz (Odacité, available at The Detox Market; similar here)
- Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque (Dermalogica)
- Bleu Lavande Products (Bleu Lavande)
- Lexi Nameplate Necklace (Suetables)
- Mono Low Sneaker (House of Hayla)
- Gold Cuff (Ania Haie)
- Brie Mine Box/Platter (Graze Thyme)
- Valentine’s Edition Afternoon Tea For Two (Embiria)
- Experience Boxes (FARE by Food Dudes)
- Matcha Tumeric Latte Pouch (Golde; or try this Cacao Turmeric option from Golde)
- Floral Arrangement (Stok Floral, or DIY from shopping at local flower shops)
- SoL Cup in Perfect Pink (Drake General Store)
- Valentine’s Edition Essential Sleep Pants in Navy (Joe Fresh)
- Goodnight Sleep Bundle (Embiria)
- Weighted Blanket Dusty Rose (Casper)
Self-Care Selection
Self-love and appreciation are more crucial now than ever before, so consider a Valentine’s Day gift that promotes mindfulness, moments of calm and of course, a clear complexion.
1. Skin Drama Chocolate Goodness Mask
Mimic a rosy glow and infuse hydration back into your complexion, especially during these drying winter months. An ideal gift for those that appreciate brands with a green ethos, Skin Drama’s attention to detail and commitment to natural and organic ingredients will ensure that your face is cared for on a deeper level.
2. Odacite Crystal Contour Gua Sha in Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz crystals are known to inspire unconditional love. Pair that with the ancient ritual of the Gua Sha facial massage meant to lift and revitalize one’s complexion, and you have a recipe for skin happiness.
3. Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque
This rescue and repairing mask in a bottle is designed to minimize the look of stressed and ageing skin. Packed with vitamins A, C and E, botanical extracts and nutrient-rich Algae, this will give a lacklustre complexion a serious boost. Consider this for Valentine’s Day or Lunar New Year to give the gift of resilient and replenished skin.
4. Bleu Lavande Products
Since 2004, this Canadian beauty brand has been cultivating lavender to inspire well-being through a range of products spanning skin, home, and health. As lavender boasts many benefits including clearing the complexion and promoting relaxation, it makes for the perfect self-care ingredient. A few of my favourite items from Bleu Lavande are their Herbal Tea which aids in digestion, their Foaming Bath which provides a soothing and calming bath experience, their Dry & Cracked Skin Balm which is so essential at this time of year, and their Linen Water which is cruelty-free and leaves a delightful scent on all our fabrics.
Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Fashion-Forward
Even though we’re at home for a while longer, giving the gift of sophisticated style is always in season. As I shared in My Intentions for 2021, I decided to get out of my long-term relationship with sweats this year. I plan to get back into ‘normal clothes’, wear jewelry, and get outside more to feel like my old self again. These next few items will help, if you have the same aspirations.
5. Suetables Lexi Nameplate Necklace
Started by Sue Henderson, Suetables’s aim is to design and create beautiful and high-quality heirlooms. Made from 10K gold, I absolutely adore this gorgeous, minimalist nameplate necklace! Wear this stunning accessory on its own, or layer it with additional pieces. Laser engraving is available to personalize how you like.
6. House of Hayla (HOH) Mono Low Sneaker
Currently on sale, these simple and sophisticated sneakers are a great Valentine’s Day gift for even the most discerning fashionista in your life. These shoes are constructed using lightweight Peta-approved vegan synthetics and will complement any outfit. HOH is committed to never using any animal-based materials or leather, so you can feel good about gifting these Low Sneakers.
7. Ania Haie Gold Cuff
This London-based jewelry brand is proud to spotlight collections that look luxe, but with a more approachable price point. Featuring a minimalist design, this 14K gold-plated on sterling silver piece will add a touch of class to any outfit. Designed with day-to-night in mind, this bracelet can be layered accordingly to ensure maximum impact for every occasion.
Gifts For the Foodie
Give the hostess in your life a culinary gift for Valentine’s Day that she’ll really appreciate.
8. Graze Thyme Brie Mine Box/Platter
As a self-proclaimed charcuterie enthusiast, Graze Thyme is one of my favourites in the city for a good grazing box. All of their boxes are packed to the brim with yummy items – both sweet & savoury. They’ve just released Valentine’s Day edition goodies, including their Brie Mine Box and Brie Mine Platter. Inside, you’ll find a selection of specialty cheeses, cured meats, fresh and dried fruits, sweet and savoury spreads, yogurt and chocolate covered pretzels, baguette bread, and other tantalizing accoutrements. Complimentary contactless curbside pickup is available and home delivery comes at a nominal charge. You can also include a Valentine’s Day card with your order.
9. Embiria Valentine’s Edition Afternoon Tea For Two
Embiria is a local Toronto company founded by Palak Loizides. Once offering curated workshops, Embiria has now pivoted to experiences to elevate our at-home environments. Their Valentine’s Edition Afternoon Tea for Two (or Four) is a real treat. For this, they’ve teamed up with Leo & Co Bakery who makes gluten free, dairy free treats. Inside, you’ll find mini mushroom & thyme tarts, rosemary scones, turmeric scones, strawberry preserves, almond biscotti, mini chocolate & vanilla cupcakes, and turmeric teas. Best of all, everything has zero refined-sugar, grains, dairy, soy, peanuts, additives, or preservatives.
10. Experience Boxes from FARE by Food Dudes
This Valentine’s Day, leave the hard prep-work to the dedicated team at Food Dudes. They are masters at catering, so I’d expect no less than their usual outstanding presentation and taste in their experience boxes. They launched FARE by Food Dudes a couple months ago, and in my opinion, their boxes are the best in at-home experiences in Toronto. Order The LOVE Box for a romantic night in for Valentine’s Day. You’ll get a choice of smoked short rib or Halibut en papillote, along with tuna sashimi, a raspberry lychee & ruby chocolate dessert and many more goodies. Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for a slow morning (Valentine’s Day does fall on a Sunday this year!), opt for the Breakfast in Bed box or any of their other breakfast boxes.
11. Golde Matcha Turmeric Latte Pouch
I love you so matcha! This powerful powder blend from Golde contains 7 essential superfoods and is designed to support a healthy glow from the inside out. Another noteworthy benefit includes its ability to improve focus, which is essential for long days spent in front of a screen. Try their Cacao Turmeric Superfood Latte for a great latte option with anti-inflammatory properties.
A Valentine’s Day Gift For the Romantic
Give fresh and fragrant blooms as a Valentine’s Day gift, but make your arrangement even more special and personal this year.
12. Floral Arrangement
Break from the tradition of giving red roses and opt for something more unique this year. When it comes to buying florals, I think independent shops are the way to go. Many in Toronto (such as Coriander Girl, Crown Flora & Wild North Flowers) offer arrangements that would be totally suitable for Valentine’s Day. Or, you can get creative by picking up blooms and greenery yourself from a local shop such as Yang’s Flower Market (much more cost-effective too). This DIY-ish arrangement comes from Stok Floral, who was happy to suggest beautiful options within my budget, like ranunculus and carnations. Once you’ve sourced the flowers, select an appropriate vase (like this pretty pink gradient ceramic vase) or hand-tie the bouquet using natural raffia or gift wrapping cord.
Gifts for the WFH Woman
Our WFH sitch is likely not changing anytime soon, so give pieces that will instantly elevate our home work environments, or at least make them cozier!
13. SoL Cup in Perfect Pink
Now on sale at the Drake General Store, this 12 oz cup in Perfect Pink is made from hand-blown Borosilicate Glass, is BPA and chemical-free and can be popped into your microwave or dishwasher. What’s even more amazing about this cup is that it has a spill-free lid and silicone thermal sleeve. This will definitely catch the eye of your other Zoom participants!
14. Joe Fresh Essential Sleep Pants in Navy
Nothing says lockdown style quite like a cozy pair of pajama pants, and Joe Fresh does them so well! As I shared here, Alex and I plan to stay in these PJs all day long and cook on Valentine’s Day. Made from 100% cotton jersey, these patterned pajama pants will easily brighten up your day and guarantee a restful night’s sleep and/or work from home experience. I loooooove the new patterns Joe Fresh has released for Valentine’s Day, which include navy with hearts, blue stripes with LOVE letters, and white with multi-coloured hearts. Which pair would you pick?
Sweet Dreams
We’re spending more time at home than ever before, so beds have become a place of peace for many. Check these out to help promote a good night’s sleep for those on your Valentine’s shopping list.
15. Goodnight Sleep Bundle from Embiria
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Embiria has conveniently bundled all the essentials for a good night’s sleep in collaboration with Dreams Jumper, a sustainable brand with a zero-waste policy. Included are a French linen, hand-stitched eye mask, heatable weighted eye pillow, and a matching water-absorbing linen scrunchie.
16. Casper Weighted Blanket Dusty Rose
Weighted blankets are the ideal Valentine’s Day gift for those feeling restless, anxious, or just having a hard time falling asleep. Designed with relaxation in mind, this weighted blanket from Casper is like a warm hug on a cold night. Inspired by performance outerwear, this blanket was made to minimize movement throughout the evening.
Do you have your eye on any of these gifts for Valentine’s Day? What are some other things you’d add to this list? Let me know below!
