The Verge’s 2021 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Girlfriends, Boyfriends and Partners

Romance can be tough after months of living in tense times, whether you’re sharing living space or forced to express your affection through Zoom. It is a problem that many of us face. But a simple Valentine’s Day gift, no matter how impractical or stereotypical, can make your partner feel special and loved.

We asked the staff of The edge to come up with ideas about what they would consider the ideal Valentine’s Day gift. Whether you like to cook, watch movies together or just hang out together, you should find something here that can help you express the simple phrase ‘I love you’.

For the partner who wants to look their best and feel good

At a time when tension is mounting and many of us can use a relaxing massage, many massage places are closed or just don’t feel safe now. Here’s an alternative: a portable muscle treatment massage gun that allows you to give your partner a great massage – and your hands won’t get that tired.

If your partner complains that you snore at night, don’t deny it – just give him something that will help keep the peace at night. This white noise machine from LectroFan is packed with a lot of no-loop sounds, and turning it on at night should speed up sleep.

Between the winter season, washing hands and the disinfectant, our hands become seriously dehydrated. This moisturizing hand cream is a wonderful remedy for cracked, uncomfortable skin, so you and your partner can enjoy soft, cared for hands.

No, you can’t get the same mittens Bernie Sanders wore to the inauguration – they were made for him by a teacher who doesn’t produce them commercially – but that doesn’t mean a similar pair of nice, warm, hand-knitted mittens wouldn’t be a welcome gift to you or your partner. And these let you slide off the tops so you can text your partner and let them know you’re on your way.

Beautiful underwear is always a good Valentine’s Day gift and TomboyX has a full range of varied and great looking gender neutral underwear. There are also T-shirts, PJs and other clothing from this sustainable and inclusive brand. You can get gift cards for $ 25, $ 50, or $ 100.

For the couple who like to cook and eat together

Valentine’s Day goes well with a custom whiskey cocktail set. Together, couples can learn how to make Old Fashioneds, Mint Juleps and Whiskey Sours. But the best part is you enjoy the drinks afterwards!

If you and your partner love sci-fi, pasta, or both, then you will really enjoy the Pasta Monster. These serving spoons stare at you from your bowl of spaghetti and wonder if you’re taking them to your leader.

This babka is so, so good. Like, I-could-eat-the-whole-thing-in-one. It’s a fun alternative to the regular box of chocolates, and Breads Bakery ships all over the country, so everyone can enjoy these tasty treats. Buy a three-pack for $ 50 or check out the recipe and bake it yourself.

A fancy dinner may not be on the agenda this year, but nothing will stop you from learning to cook together! Sur La Table offers a wide variety of online interactive cooking classes led by real chefs.

Claire Saffitz’s dessert book is fun to read, beautiful to flip through and makes a wonderful gift for a partner who has always wanted to learn how to bake. And baking delicious cakes, cookies and pies together is a fun activity.

Chocolate is always a great gift for Valentine’s Day, and this chocolate is delicious! There are tons of flavors and it’s not too expensive. Each bar can be divided into eight different squares, so you and your partner can each have four – a great way to share. Prices start at $ 3 or $ 4 for a single bar.

For the partner who gets enthusiastic about books, films or games

If your partner likes movies and posters this is a great gift. The poster features 100 of “the greatest movies of all time,” and every time you watch a movie, you scratch it off the poster to an icon associated with that movie. It’s a fun way to keep up with movie nights.

This fun subscription box ships every month with files, autopsy reports, and other clues to help you and your partner solve a murder mystery. It makes for a unique date night, especially for couples who are true crime fans. Prices start at $ 30 a month, but you can save some money by getting a 6 or 12 month prepaid membership.

You know the scenes in all those old movies where couples sit at the breakfast table, drink their coffee and occasionally stare meaningfully at each other over their newspapers? Don’t you want that either? A real newspaper that comes to your home every day? And you can support local journalism.

A subscription to your local newspaper

To make a movie night extra special for Valentine’s Day, build a blanket fort, hang romantic string lights or light candles, and watch a blockbuster movie or series on HBO Max. Better yet, make it a regular date! It costs $ 15 a month, but through March 1, 2021, you can save 20 percent on a six-month prepaid plan.

HBO Max

Prices taken at time of publication.

When Katie met Cassidy by Camille Peri is a romantic comedy that follows the connection of Katie and Cassidy as someone questions her sexuality and questions what she really wants. It is full of love, sex and strange subcultures, making it a wonderful gift for a partner who loves to read.

Scrabble can be played as a fast competitive game or slow friendly game. If you and your partner are both Scrabble fans, this wall mounted bulletin board edition is a fun way to play together, either during the long weeks of lockdown or as a fun evening activity.

For the partner who loves retro creativity

Give your partner an art-making tool – a gift that keeps on giving. Unlike the camera in your phone, every photo you take with this instant movie camera is taken into account and thought of, and the results can be great. It’s exciting to see what’s worth keeping on a physical copy.

Go old school and make mix tapes for your sweetheart – then play them together. For added effect: stand outside their window with the cassette player above your head. Not only is this a cassette recorder / player, but it also includes an AM / FM radio and a Bluetooth receiver so you can stream your digital music.

If you are looking for a cozy romantic romance

Cozy up with a luxurious cashmere blanket for your next binge at your favorite show. This 40 x 60 inch 100% cashmere bedspread makes getting together a real pleasure.

Immortalize your love for your partner with a photo and a romantic song that can be displayed all year round! This custom plaque features a photo of you and your partner above an image of your favorite Spotify song, including a scan code that you can use to play “your” song whenever you want.

There is never a bad time for fresh plants or flowers, and with this monthly flower subscription they keep coming all year round. What’s more romantic than that? Choose from Classic ($ 55 per delivery), Seasonal ($ 75 per delivery), or Luxury ($ 105 per delivery); the latter option offers a ‘composite vase with every delivery’.

There may be nothing more beautiful or relaxing than spending a lazy afternoon outside in a hammock with your partner, and this portable hammock can be used in your backyard as well as in your neighborhood park.

Thanks to the contributors:

Mitchell Clark, Cameron Faulkner, Chaim Gartenberg, Kaitlin Hatton, Amelia Holowaty Krales, Barbara Krasnoff, Taylor Lyles, Jay Peters, Thomas Ricker, and Sarah Smithers

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