PR: Some items featured were gifted

Sian Victoria © - Victoria’s Secret pink lace plunge bra, YSL Beauty & Elie Saab perfume

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide & Presents Ideas For Her

A romantic getaway for two is what I would usually recommend as the ideal Valentine’s gift to experience with a loved one. Spending quality time together and making memories is the best gift, whether with your partner or best friend.

As you know packing a bag for an overnight luxury hotel stay isn’t always possible. So, I’ve put together a few lovely gift ideas to treat yourself this Valentine’s or gift someone special.

Plus, thoughtful gift ideas to show someone you care for that you are thinking of them, especially if they will feel extra lonely on the 14th of February.

1. Fine Jewellery

Sian Victoria © - Ana Luisa fine jewellery

In recent years, many independent carbon-neutral accessory brands have emerged. Two eco brands I’ve had the pleasure of wearing in the past year are Ana Luisa and Influenstar.

I've been wearing Ana Luisa, an American jewellery brand, since my birthday celebration last February. The delicate pendant necklace I saved to wear for the day of celebrations still holds special memories for me. So, it’s true when they say jewellery has sentimental value.

The unique independent jewellers make small batches of rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces using recycled gold and silver to create beautiful, unique pieces with a 365-day warranty.

My recent Ana Luisa piece is the Ava Set, which combines three necklaces that can be purchased separately. The Ava Set layers a 14K Gold Virgin Mary choker, a black onyx collar, and a dainty sun coin necklace.

Also shown is the Temple Black delicate layered necklace composed of dual gold chains and a glossy black Onyx gem pendant. The last piece is Alexity, a layered two-piece necklace with a link chain to be worn together or separately. With the other to be worn by your partner, mother, or best friend.

Besides making memories, gifting precious jewellery has always been the perfect way to show somebody you love them. The most ethical way to do this in 2021 is to say you care with sustainable jewellery.

A new independent and British jewellery brand you must know about is Influenstar. The eco jewellers create an eclectic collection of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, and rings to be layered and combined to create an individual look.

The accessible and affordable accessories are designed following the newest trends and techniques to make gorgeous everyday pieces from 925 recycled sterling silver plated with 18-carat Gold and hoop earrings made of 14k gold; this more robust alloy composition gives it a subtler gold tint that is perfect for everyday wear.

The Influenstar pieces are the Gold Chain Necklace with Pearl and CZ Stones and the Gold Crescent Moon Necklace. Both look gorgeous layered or worn alone. Each necklace comes in an eco-box to keep it safe and tangle-free.

2. Locket Necklace

Sian Victoria © - Astley Clarke locket necklace

Why not keep Valentine's close to your heart with one of Astley Clarke’s locket necklaces? This unique ‘Deco White Sapphire Cosmos Locket in Yellow Gold Vermeil’ makes the perfect keepsake gift. At the checkout, you can engrave it with a special message and upload a photo to have it conveniently printed and inserted into the necklace. You can also choose from two types of display boxes to keep it safe and beautifully presented.

Astley Clarke is a luxury British brand creating design-led, refined jewellery. Their lockets, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings have been worn by many inspirational women, not just on the red carpet but for everyday wear, too. They have a flagship store in London, which can be found in Selfridges, Liberty, and Harrods, to name a few. They also deliver to over 200 countries via the website.

This gorgeous necklace was ordered, personalised, and delivered to me within three days, making an Astley Clarke locket necklace an excellent last-minute Valentine’s gift.

3. Stylish Watch

Sian Victoria © - Nordgreen Native Watch with White Dial and Silver Mesh Straps

Nordgreen is a sustainable watch brand that offers some of the best watches for women who seek minimalistic fashion. The Nordic brand creates Scandinavian-inspired wristwatches that are minimalist in design yet oozing with style and practicality. Adding interchangeable straps will give each watch dial a completely new look.

I have a white dial face with a silver rim and two straps, so I can wear it with a silver mesh strap or a khaki nylon strap to enhance my outfits effortlessly. This sustainable approach saves money and materials, as buying multiple watches is unnecessary.

Vegan leather and three—and five-link straps are also available in various colours. So, each day, you can feel like you are wearing a new wristwatch to mix up your style.

There are many more reasons to buy a Nordgreen watch. One of them is that they have giving back initiatives to support vulnerable communities. Use the discount code ‘SianVictoria’ at checkout to get 15% off.

4. Fragrances

Sian Victoria © - Miss Dior Eau De Toilette & Miss Dior EDT Rollerball

If you can find the perfect scent, fragrances can be a thoughtful gift. Scents can evoke special memories we have shared with others and trigger an emotional feeling. Whether happy or sad, a particular scent can bring back memories and feelings or make you feel closer to an individual you have connected a specific scent to.

Yardley's signature scent, English Lavender, reminds me of happy times with my Nan when I was young. The Kate Moss perfume Vintage Muse reminds me of dating my now-partner as a teenager. The scent of Vanilla reminds me of Christmas because I would always receive a vanilla-scented body spray from my auntie. In recent years, the smell of Miss Dior perfume reminds me of summer adventures with my partner.

Finding the perfect scent, whether it’s a bottle of perfume, a candle, or a diffuser, can be a lovely gift to yourself or someone special.

5. Gift Hamper

Sian Victoria © - Vegan snack food hamper gift basket

The past year has been tough on everyone. So, either treat yourself or someone special in your life to Valentine’s hamper full of thoughtful goodies that will either taste great, like this basket of delicious vegan snacks or a gift box of pampering treats for a self-care boost.

If there are people you know, either in your local community or friends and family, who are going to be feeling extra lonely this Valentine’s Day, sending a Valentine’s ‘care package’ is a great way to show them you care and are thinking of them.

6. Lingerie

Sian Victoria © - Boux Avenue Chloe Red Lace Plunge bra & thong lingerie set

A Valentine’s gift guide wouldn’t be complete without suggesting gorgeous lace lingerie or some silky nightgowns to feel sexy and confident whether it’s a gift to yourself to wear for attention on the gram to show that guy you like what he's missing and to roll in the compliments and likes.

Or a gift to your partner to enhance their beautiful body shape. Either way, wearing a new matching set of underwear that fits your unique shape can make you feel fabulous and confident.

Especially at a time when most of us working from home have been spending their days in pyjamas and loose fitted clothes. So, having the excuse to dress up (or down) for a Valentine’s night will make you feel great.

7. Alcohol & Non-Alcoholic Beverages

In our household lockdown evenings have been made bearable with Gin O’clock. We have been enjoying a glass or two of gin and tonic and experimenting with different flavours.

It was the monthly subscription service Craft Gin Club that first introduced me to the world of gin. I’d receive an exciting Gin & Tonic hamper with sweet and savoury snacks every month. So, creating a hamper like this would make a great drink gift to open on Valentine’s night.

Gin isn’t for everyone. So, if you or your partner miss beach holidays, why not recreate a Spanish night in with a bottle of vino, juice, and a selection of fresh fruit to make a pitcher of sangria? Just don’t forget the tapas.

8. Beauty Gift Set

Sian Victoria © - Pixi Beauty Skintreats Glow Tonic gift sets

For a glowing complexion on Valentine’s Day and every day thereafter. Getting your hands on the Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic is a must to achieve a fresh and radiant glow, and smoother skin texture.

Whether it’s a gift for yourself or your partner, purchasing the mini Pixi gift sets to trial the iconic vitamin-infused skincare is a great way to glow up your beauty regime.

My favourite Pixi Beauty products are the Vitamin C and Retinol range, which are perfect for glowing-up mature skin. So, if you or your partner deserve a self-care pamper treat the Pixi Skintreats collection will help re-create a spa-like treatment at home.

9. Luxury Intimate Skincare

Sian Victoria © - The Perfect V, Vanicure Essentials, Intimate skincare

If you or your partner would usually visit a beauty salon for intimate hair removal but have instead been doing it at home throughout lockdown, then you may be experiencing redness, ingrown hairs, and unpleasant bumps on the delicate skin from a change in treatments and products being used.

This skin area can be susceptible to change, so The Perfect V created the Vanicure Essentials to exfoliate, refresh, and moisturise the intimate area to make it feel pampered. Vitamin E and antioxidants in skincare help repair damaged skin caused by aggressive hair removal by balancing the pH levels.

Despite The Perfect V name, all can use this to make you feel smooth and confident.

10. Flowers or house plants

Sian Victoria © - Bloom & Wild, Red & white rose flower bouquet

Receiving a bouquet on Valentine’s Day is traditionally the first gift people think of to brighten up their loved one’s day. If you do choose to buy flowers. I’d recommend helping local independent florists who may still take collection orders by phone rather than getting them from a supermarket.

If your local florists aren't taking orders, I recommend having a Valentine's floral arrangement by Bouqs delivered directly to your door. Just ensure your partner is there to open the door to a fresh bouquet. It will make a lovely surprise, guaranteeing a memorable and delightful Valentine's Day moment.

In addition, gifting an indoor house plant is a more sustainable option, and they last longer. Plus, you’ll both get to nurture it and watch it grow together over many years. If this sounds like an enjoyable and rewarding option, then see my easy to care for houseplants post. You can re-pot and make multiple plant babies within a year or two.

Plants are the gift that keeps giving, making them far superior to a bunch of flowers that last a week or so.

11. Personalised Pyjamas Set

Sian Victoria © - Personalised black satin pyjama set

Since many of us work from home and wear pyjamas, fitness gear, or loose-fitting clothes all day, a black satin pyjama set with embroidered initials could be the perfect gift to make you feel more elegant while lounging at home. It could also be kept special to wear on the weekends so you or your partner feel like you’re ‘dressing up’.

If you’re gifting your best friend this Valentine’s Day, then a personalised pink silky satin pyjama set will make lovely gift idea for a friend so that you can match when you’re finally able to have sleepovers.

12. Personalised Chocolate Gift Sets

Sian Victoria © - Cadbury Dairy Milk bar

Flowers, a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates are perhaps the most traditional Valentine’s gifts to give. But nowadays, sharing a box of chocolates can be much more personal and thoughtful than simply picking up a bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk from the supermarket.

The Cadbury Gifts Direct store has Cadbury Chocolate & Wine Hamper sets that can be printed with a personal message, making them the sweetest gifts for any chocolate lover.

Of course, there’s not just Cadburys. Thornton’s also has a Dozen Red Roses and a Continental Chocolate Box that can be delivered directly. Some offers come with Processco and next-day delivery, helping you to cut out a trip to the florist and supermarket.

There’s also the luxury Godiva Chocolates, which offers indulgent chocolate hamper sets for coffee and truffle chocolate lovers.

13. Hot Chocolate & Home Cooking

Sian Victoria © - Hotel Chocolat Cafe, Birmingham

Usually, I’d suggest cooking your partner a meal from scratch for Valentine’s to show that you’ve tried to impress them. However, right now, ordering food and drink from an independent or chain takeaway place on Valentine’s will be great for local businesses.

Suppose a takeaway isn’t for you. I’d recommend a healthier fresh alternative by checking out Allplants and HelloFresh and cooking up some delicious recipes at home.

Or to share the love and support for local businesses. I’d recommend visiting your local independent farmer’s market or similar alternative within your restricted area. My local farmers market is a mini supermarket. It has everything from organic red wine, flowers, rustic home gifts, pantry essentials and of course plenty of fresh produce to choose from.

A cute idea to sweeten the night would be to bake cookies or a cake and stir up the ultimate hot chocolate drink with themed Valentine’s treats.

14. Homeware

Sian Victoria © - Scandinavian home interior

Since we all spend much more time at home, purchasing homeware might be a lovely gesture, whether it’s a scented candle, diffuser, wall art, photo frame, trinket box for jewellery, a vase to present your flowers in or an indoor plant to add life and colour to a part of your home. I’m sure the gift will be appreciated.

Alternatively, if there’s a home improvement chore around the house that needs to be completed, getting that completed may be appreciated a lot more.

15. Personalised Photo Book Album

Sian Victoria © - Personalised printed photo book

In the digital world we live in, most people never print their precious photos. Therefore, I created this 328-page A4 Photobook for Christmas to print 14 years’ worth of photos for my partner. So, if you have plenty of memories to print, a personalised photo album might be the best gift.

If you don't have many photos, getting individual photo prints done would be a lovely idea. They can then be put into a frame, made into a fridge magnet, printed onto a cup, a plant pot, a cushion, or made into wall art.

To conclude

In addition, proposing on Valentine's Day can be a romantic and memorable way to express your love and commitment to your partner. The holiday is synonymous with love and affection, so it's a fitting time to ask the question.

Whether you propose with a vintage engagement ring or a flashy brand-new ring, it can still be a unique and charming way to make your proposal even more special. You may plan an elaborate surprise or keep it simple and intimate. The key is ensuring your proposal reflects your relationship and your partner's preferences.

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