Romance isn't dead because you didn't blow hundreds of pounds on dinner, drinks, and a sparkly necklace – despite what any diamond adverts might say. Why not get something that is equal parts meaningful and useful?
We've picked out what we're getting for our boyfriends, girlfriends, partners, husbands and wives for Valentine's day. Plus, there are a few other ideas for good measure – all (except one) under £50.
Most of these suggestions are Which? tested, too. While we'd encourage you to read our full reviews, we'd never recommend a bad product.
Looking for some bargains on TVs, laptops, fridges, or washing machines? Head over to ourbreakdown of the best February dealsto save money on good products
The best Valentines gifts under £20
Make a handmade card
- Easy to make
- Little to no artistic skills required
- Affordable
We like: Heartfelt and thoughtful
Watch out for: Could be time consuming depending on ambition
You can make (or at least pick up) a card no matter what you do. It's a nice gesture – especially if you take the time to create one yourself.
All you really need are some felt tips, paper, or card. You can draw your own designs or just a heart on the front – it doesn't need to be perfect, it's the words and thought that count.
You can pick up art supplies such as card and felt tips from stores such as Cass Art orHobbycraft.
Circular and Co. reusable coffee cup
- Two size options: 227ml and 340ml
- Dishwasher safe
- 100% recyclable
We like:Made from used paper cups
We don't like:Isn't the easiest to clean
If your partner loves coffee or commutes often, this could be a really kind gift to give. The smaller size should easily fit into most bags too, so they won't forget it before going to queue at the coffee shop.
It's made from recycled materials and is recyclable itself. They won't need to worry about figuring out how to sip from it correctly either - the locking mechanism lets you to drink from any part of the lid. This makes it a bit tricky to clean, however.
Read our review on thebest reusable coffee cups and travel mugs. You can compare prices on both sizes below:
Rose plants or shrubs
- Several varieties to choose from
- Can grow them in a pot on your patio or balcony
- Read our advice on how to care for roses
We like:Cheaper than buying a bouquet outright
We don't like:Have to grow it yourself
Getting flowers is always a good idea, but why not get something a bit more symbolic of your relationship? Something that grows and lasts for a long time (if taken care of properly).
If your partner is green-fingered, a rose bush could be a great addition to their garden. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from, so why not look for one in their favourite colour?
Read our guide onhow to grow roses and review on the best varieties.
We thought the 'Blush Noisette' were gorgeous – you can pick up a potted shrub fromBritish Roses, or bareroot fromTrevor White Roses.
Lego Roses (set 40460)
- Two buildable roses
- 25cm tall
- 120 pieces
We like: No water required
Watch out for: Small bricks could be easy to lose
If having to maintain a pot of roses sounds stressful, why not opt for these plastic flowers instead?
You might be surprised to see a Lego set on here, but it's not a strange as you might think. These buildable roses are extremely popular – they're one of the most searched-for sets in the past 30 days.
This set comes with two roses, and can be a small, sweet gesture. They are sold out from a few retailers, however. Be sure to check whether they'll come in time for Valentine's day or not.
Read ourbreakdown of the best Lego deals, where we've highlighted some other floral sets. You can buy direct fromLego, where they're most widely available. Or you can compare prices below:
If you're after more roses, you could also consider Lego's other rose bouquet set – number 10328 – it's a bit more pricey, but it comes with 10 more blocky flowers with more pieces for you and your partner to build together.
You can compare prices on the other rose bouquet (set 10328) below:
Maximo Yoga Mat
- 170 x 56 x 1.2cm (H x W x D)
- Rubber foam
- Includes carry strap
We like: Twice as thick as every other model we tested
We don't like: Not super easy to roll up
This was the thickest yoga mat we tested, so if your partner is looking for added support or cushioning while doing exercises like yoga or Pilates this mat is a great option.
While this is a great gift to give, we'd recommend picking up a pair of mats so you and your partner can both do yoga together. Why not check out available classes at one of our recommended gyms?
You can read our full review in our guide on thebest yoga mats. Compare prices below:
Best Valentine's gifts under £30
Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne
- 75cl bottle
- Non-vintage champagne
- 12% ABV
We like:Suitable for vegans
We don't like:Might not impress some snobs
Our tasters commented on its smoky and nutty notes complemented by red apple, lemon, and grape. Our experts also liked its freshness and long finish. It's cheaper than luxury champagnes and still tastes good.
We'd recommend picking up a few bottles and celebrating. Just be sure to drink responsibly.
It's good, but how good? Read ourreview on the best champagne to find out.You can pick up a bottle from Co-opfor just under £23.
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Photobox photobook
- Lots of options in book types, sizes, and papers
- Creating your own layout is simple
- Sizes available: Little, A4, A3
We like: Can build a book directly from your phone
We don't like:You'll need to order it soon for it to arrive on time
While photo library apps will often collate featured photo albums, there's something special about having physical pictures in your hands.
We'd recommend putting your favourite pictures of the two of you in a large album. Depending on the book, you can add dozens of pictures using their auto-format tool, or make the layout yourself.
Add a few goofy ones for good measure.
Read our Photobox review in our guide onthe best photobook album services. You can order fromPhotobookstarting from £13.
Best Valentine's gifts under £50
Carcassonne board game
- 2-5 players
- Strategy game
- Game time: approximately 45 minutes
We like: Easy to pick up, but tricky enough to make it compelling
We don't like: Scoring can be a bit confusing at times
If you both love a board game night, getting a new game might make the perfect gift – this one won't disappoint, either. Our testers thought it was a lot of fun, with lots of thinking involved.
Plus, if it ever gets stale there are myriad expansions you can buy to add more flavour and depth to the base game.
Not tickling your fancy? Read ourreview on the best board gamesto see our findings– no membership required. You can compare prices below:
If you're looking for a different gift, why not visit the actual Carcassonne for a romantic weekend getaway? Round-trip flights from London Stansted can cost about the same as the board game, and a hotel for two can be found under £150 for two nights. Flights to and from the city are typically on Friday and Sunday mornings in the off-season, before they pick up in frequency (and price) around April.
The old medieval city is massive and well preserved, there's a weekend farmer's market, and the city has a great selection of local wine and foods.
Maybe skip the torture museum while you're there, though. It's surprisingly expensive, full of creepy mannequins, plus it doesn't exactly read as 'romantic', either.
You can check out hotels in Carcassonne from Booking.com.
Does your partner play video games? Take a look at the games on sale onbest Nintendo Switch,PS5 deals or Xbox to find a great gift
Make a nice meal together
- Adaptable for any diet
- Think about wine or non-alcoholic pairings
- Will likely impress most dates
We like: Restaurant-quality food for a fraction of the price
We don't like: Having to wash up the dishes
If you're going to do anything for Valentine's Day, it has to be a nice meal. But depending on where you live, restaurants might be booked up, 'not the vibe', or – worst of all – insanely expensive.
Why not eat in and make a special meal with (or for) your partner? Following the right recipe and techniques, you can make restaurant-quality food at home – although it might take a bit longer. Plus, if it goes wrong, there's always takeaway.
You can look for inspiration from BBC Good Food, from chefs such as Nigella Lawson, or check recipes from supermarkets such as Waitrose. (Check our breakdown of the cheapest supermarkets first.)
Read our guide onhow to cook a leg of lamb orhow to match food and wine. Alsocheck out ourfavourite red wines, or order one of ourrecommended fruit and veg boxesto cut out a trip to the shops.
Read our reviews on thebest dishwashersto skip the dishes altogether.
Cosi Home heated throw
- Size: 160 x 130cm
- Nine heating settings
- Machine washable
We like: Fuzzy and soft
We don't like: Not the cheapest to run at 4p an hour
Although spring is right around the corner, this cuddly blanket is a great way to get warm and cosy in the evenings, and makes for a great gift. It comes in a variety of colours and materials including Sherpa, micro-fleece, and faux fur. Some options are a few pounds extra.
Just keep in mind that your partner probably won't want to share it, and may not ever emerge from under it.
Read our review on thebest electric blankets and throws. You can compare prices below:
Lakeland White Compact 1lb Daily Loaf Bread Maker
- Has knead-only function for dough
- Size: 25 x 31 x 21.5cm (H x W x D)
- 11 programs: including French, Sweet, and Gluten Free
We like: Compact
We don't like: Can only make 500g loaves
Waking up every day to the smell of freshly baked bread is a fantastic gift – especially freshly baked bread that only requires a fraction of the work of making it from scratch.
This one breaks our budget at £60 from Lakeland, but the extra tenner makes this a gift well-worth considering.
It's the smallest bread maker we tested, so it's limited to only 500g sizes.
It smells nice – but how does it taste? Read our fullLakeland White Compact Bread Maker review to see our results. You can compare prices below:
If a bread machine doesn't sound appealing, why not consider an air fryer? Read our article on thebest air fryers for two people – it might not be the most romantic gift, but you'll both get a lot of use out of it
