A Valentine’s Day gift is a beautiful way to show appreciation for your significant other.
Prepare for Wednesday, 14 February, with our guide to the most-wanted Valentine’s Day gifts of 2024. From timeless mementos to unforgettable experiences, these tokens of love will provide all the gifting inspiration you need.
2024’s top ten Valentine’s Day gifts for her and him in New Zealand
1. Romantic travel and adventure experiences
From left: A romantic Mount Maunganui Airbnb, Hot air ballooning with Red Balloon
For those who love a thrill, Red Balloon offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences like hot air ballooning, skydiving, a yacht cruise with dinner or a scenic flight — all being adventures you can embark on together.
If you prefer a less daring experience, Airbnb has numerous romantic getaways available for booking, including this tranquil retreat at a one-bedroom haven in Mount Maunganui. It’s the perfect way to spend some quality time together.
Lastly, consider a staycation at a city hotel through Booking.com to take advantage of amenities like day spas, pools, room service and breathtaking views. We recommend the Park Hyatt, Sofitel or Cordis in Auckland Central for an unforgettable night away.
2. Timeless jewellery
From left: Initial pendant necklaces from Mejuri, Tennis bracelets from The Iconic
Jewellery is a classic Valentine’s Day gift. Our advice? Choose a timeless piece that your Valentine will cherish for years.
The Iconic offers a range of stylish watches, exquisite pearl studs and sophisticated tennis bracelets.
We also love Mejuri for its affordable yet luxurious jewellery. It offers a selection of initial pendants and charms for a thoughtful touch.
Sophie, an Auckland-based store, offers a ‘Forever’ service where your chosen chain is soldered to your ankle or wrist — it’s a piece of jewellery that will truly last forever.
3. Personalised gifts
From left: Monogrammed accessories from kikki.K, Bespoke photo book from MILK Books
Adding a bespoke, personalised touch to a gift will make your loved one feel extra special.
Immortalise precious moments of your relationship in a premium photo book from MILK Books, whether holiday snaps, wedding photos or candid photos captured on your phone.
Monogrammed stationery is the ultimate personal touch and kikki.K has it all — notebooks, keyrings, wallets and bag straps.
For the tech-savvy sweetheart in your life, consider monogramming a Casetify phone or earbud case so they can flaunt their unique style.
4. Matching outfits
From left: 530 sneakers, from $170, from New Balance, Everyday Belt Bag, $69, from Lululemon
If you and your partner enjoy coordinating outfits, consider ‘his and hers’ clothing or accessories.
Our top picks include the New Balance 530 and 550 unisex sneaker styles, perfect for brunch dates.
The Everywhere Belt Bag from Lululemon is TikTok-viral for a reason. The most-wanted accessory is ideal for romantic weekend strolls.
5. Sweet and savory treats
From left: Mini Love Spell box, $52.95, from Celebration Box, Brunch Box, $59.95, from The Meat Box
For partners with a sweet tooth, Celebration Box offers gift boxes laden with chocolate and sweets and the option to add on a red rose.
If your other half loves cooking or you want to surprise them with a hearty breakfast in bed, treat them to this heavenly Brunch Box from The Meat Box. Don’t forget to add some tasty seasonings and sauces to your order to satisfy their appetite.
6. Beauty and grooming products
From left: Airwrap multi-styler and dryer, $849, from Dyson, Moschino Toy Boy Eau de Parfum, from $119, from Sephora
Beauty products aren’t just reserved for the ladies. Sephora offers a vast selection of beauty products for both men and women, including shower gel and cologne for him and makeup and skincare gift sets for her.
If you want to truly spoil your partner, consider the viral Dyson Airwrap hair styler in a limited edition Valentine’s Day colour. This trending haircare product is sure to please and comes with a complimentary travel case.
7. Candles & home fragrances
From left: Nola Cabin Fever candle, from $31.50, from Shop Your Home and Garden, Lunar New Year Rose & Lychee soy candle, $44.95, from Circa
Elevate your romantic evening at home with a captivating fragrance by Nola Candles. We suggest the timeless French Pear or the indulgent Cabin Fever, with its distinctive notes of Tennessee whiskey and bergamot.
Lyttleton Lights’ gift sets are a sensory delight your recipient will love using. The Sandalwood & Vanilla Home Collection is our pick for its intriguing blend of spicy, woody notes and the sweetness of vanilla bean.
Express your love with roses uniquely — through Circa’s limited-edition Lunar New Year Rose & Lychee soy candle. This enchanting mix of rose, lychee, and ripe strawberries is just as good, if not better, than a bouquet.
8. Tech gadgets and accessories
From left: Hero12 Black, $749.99, from GoPro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, from $2,449, from Samsung
If you’re an adventurous couple planning your next holiday, the new GoPro Hero12 Black is ideal for capturing those unforgettable moments. This gadget will take the best snaps of your underwater snorkelling or mountain biking adventures.
Communication is the cornerstone of any relationship, so ensure your love notes don’t get lost in translation with Samsung’s newest Galaxy S24 smartphones.
With the added benefit of Galaxy AI, these phones can translate voice and text messages across 13 languages in real time, ensuring your heartfelt messages are conveyed just as you intended.
9. Sex Toys
From left: Dream Wand Sex Toy Gift Box (12-piece), $149.95, from Lovehoney, DeeDee Rabbit Vibrator, $308, from Girls Get Off
Are you looking to explore new terrorities? Lovehoney’s selection of pleasure-enhancing Valentine’s Day gifts for couples will spice up your relationship and strengthen your collection. From app-controlled vibrators to couples’ sex toy kits and gift boxes, these sex toy gifts will keep on giving.
Popular Girls Get Off brand has debuted its new rabbit vibrator DeeDee, perfect for those seeking dual pleasure points. DeeDee is waterproof, so it promises to make bath or shower time more enjoyable.
Consider the Frenchie Double Entendre for a playful addition to your Valentine’s evening. It’s user-friendly, offers six pleasure modes, and is 100% waterproof for versatile use.
10. Sumptuous Lingerie
From left: Intense Power Micro Boxer Briefs (3-pack), $129.99, from Calvin Klein, Sasha Bralette, $29.99 and Sasha G String, $12.99, from Cotton On
Explore Cotton On Body’s collection of vibrant, lacy, and seductive lingerie sets that are both affordable and stylish.
For a luxury option, consider Calvin Klein. Its men’s underwear blends comfort, and you can’t go wrong with the classic cotton boxer briefs.
What are the three most popular Valentine’s Day gifts?
The three most popular Valentine’s Day gifts are flowers, chocolates, and jewellery.
While these traditional tokens of love are widely accepted, consider a unique and thoughtful gift idea from our Valentine’s gift guide, whether monogrammed accessories, breakfast hampers, or exhilarating adventure experiences.
What is the best gift to give a girl on Valentine’s Day?
The best gift for a girl on Valentine’s Day is one that shows thoughtfulness and makes her feel cherished. This could be a piece of jewellery, a hotel staycation, or another personalised gift that resonates with her.
What are some ideas for gifts for him?
Gifts for men can vary widely based on their interests and personalities. Some ideas include an exciting experience like a hot air balloon ride, upgrading his favourite tech gadget, or a big-ticket item like a pizza oven or barbeque.
What can I get someone for Valentine’s Day if we’ve just started dating?
Navigating Valentine’s Day gifting can be a delicate task when you’re in the early stages of dating. Aim for a thoughtful yet understated gift to not overwhelm your new partner.
A fragrant candle or an intriguing book, accompanied by a heartfelt card, could strike the perfect balance. The goal is acknowledging the special day without adding undue pressure to your budding relationship.
As with any gift-giving occasion, it’s always essential to consider your recipient’s interests and the stage of your relationship to determine the budget for the present.
