Valentine's Day. Who doesn't look forward to the prospect of a heartfelt love letter scribbled on a pink-and-red paper heart? Add to that pastel-colored candy, chocolate truffles, and flowers, and Feb. 14 may well be the most festive day of the year.
But why stop at a day? What the world needs now is love, sweet love, and plenty of it. So, if you're like us, you'll agree that it's time to rewrite the rules of this festive occasion. If Christmas can have 12 days, it stands to reason that Valentine's Day can — and should — have 14 days of romance dedicated to its commemoration.
Before we completely reinvent this holiday, though, let's talk about why it's necessary.
Love in the modern age
Our world is a loud, noisy place, and one that's filled with many distractions. The pace of modern life can cause couples to feel untethered in their relationships and experience a sense of complacency. Relationship expert and TikTok influencer Eros Miranda stresses the importance of making connections to help us deal with these feelings. “How can we use this holiday to come closer together?" Miranda poses. He suggests learning more about our partner's needs.
"Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to learn our love language," Miranda says. "Maybe they want a partner who is closer to them more often. Maybe they want a partner that, whenever they are feeling anxious, can give them a little extra help.
"This is a growth opportunity," Miranda continues. "Learn about each other's love language, see how they want to love, and look at the holiday as an opportunity to see how you want to be loved."
And what better way to reignite that love than with a new tradition involving 14 days of Valentine's Day gift ideas.
14 days of romance
You can approach this novel idea in many ways; what's most important is you make it personal to your particular circumstances. Here are some ideas.
- Give a Valentine's Day gift to your significant other every day from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14. Is that not true love or what?
- Spread the love around and give one gift each to 14 special people in your life. Recipients could be a love interest or anyone who means a lot to you, including a parent, child, grandparent, best friend, and work colleague.
- Flying solo this year? That's OK! Few loves are as important as the love of self — so go ahead and treat yourself to 14 Valentine's Day gift ideas that revolve around self-care.
Most of all, embrace the idea that gift giving is as important to your emotional wellbeing and happiness as it is to the recipients of your kindness and generosity.
Here are 14 Valentine's Day gift ideas to get you started on your new two-week-long tradition of romance.
Timeless and traditional
Timeless and traditional
Shop : Two Dozen Red Roses from 1-800-Flowers.com
For the classic romantic, you can never go wrong with roses. Red roses are always welcome, but you'll win bonus points if the bouquet of Valentine's Day flowers is in your intended's favorite color.
Shop : Two Dozen Red Roses from 1-800-Flowers.com
Breakfast in bed
Breakfast in bed
Shop : Tearoom Scones Sampler from Wolferman's Bakery
Treat your special person like British royalty with a breakfast of yummy scones they can enjoy from the comfort of their bed. Don't forget the bloody marys!
Shop : Tearoom Scones Sampler from Wolferman's Bakery
Chocolat s'il vous plait
Chocolat s'il vous plait
Shop : Norman Love Black Single Origin Dark Chocolates from Simply Chocolate
If your sweetheart loves chocolate, you'll find no shortage of options during the month of February. Artisan truffles, chocolate with nuts and caramel, rich dark chocolate, a signature chocolate collection in a heart-shaped box...don't you just love the tastes of Valentine's?
Shop : Norman Love Black Single Origin Dark Chocolates from Simply Chocolate
Decadent strawberries
Decadent strawberries
Shop : Sweetly Sprinkled Dipped Strawberries™ from Shari's Berries
"Pretty Woman" paved the way for romantics around the world to woo their love interests with a chic strawberries-and-champagne combo. But if champagne (or sparkling wine) doesn't fit the mark, we can also suggest the tried-and-true pairing of strawberries and chocolate.
Shop : Sweetly Sprinkled Dipped Strawberries™ from Shari's Berries
Baked with love
Baked with love
Shop : Decadent Happy Valentine’s Day Truffle Cake Pops from 1-800-Baskets.com
Homemade baked goods are an especially nice way to express affection. From donut bouquets and truffle cake pops to cookies, your significant other will appreciate the thought and effort you put into the gift.
Shop : Decadent Happy Valentine’s Day Truffle Cake Pops from 1-800-Baskets.com
Make their morning
Make their morning
Shop : Tea for You Market Box Sending Sunshine from 1-800-Baskets.com
If your sweetheart loves tea, it simply doesn't get better than the gift of gourmet blends. Add a personalized mug, and they'll enjoy their cuppa even more.
Shop : Tea for You Market Box Sending Sunshine from 1-800-Baskets.com
Charcuterie for your cutie
Charcuterie for your cutie
Shop : Ultimate Charcuterie and Cheese Collection from Harry & David
Gift a beautiful charcuterie board overflowing with fine meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits. Don't forget to include the wine.
Shop : Ultimate Charcuterie and Cheese Collection from Harry & David
Handmade from the heart
Handmade from the heart
Shop : Wrapped Around the Heart Earring from 1-800-Flowers.com
Who doesn't love a handmade treasure? From a paper Valentine to a piece of jewelry, custom cards and one-of-a-kind treasures are sure to capture the heart of your beloved.
Shop : Wrapped Around the Heart Earring from 1-800-Flowers.com
Misty-eyed movie night
Misty-eyed movie night
Shop : Tins With Pop® Movie Night from The Popcorn Factory
Gift your mate a night of binge-watching their favorite romcoms — just make sure to bring the tissues and popcorn.
Shop : Tins With Pop® Movie Night from The Popcorn Factory
Romantic dinner in
Romantic dinner in
Shop : Ribeye Steaks and Garlic Parmesan Fries from Harry & David
Nothing fosters connection quite like a delicious meal enjoyed in the comfort of your own home. Break out the china and fancy flutes, then dim the lights and enjoy a ribete dinner for two. What makes it even better is you didn't have to turn on the stove. Hooray for meal delivery!
Shop : Ribeye Steaks and Garlic Parmesan Fries from Harry & David
Baubles, bangles, and beads
Baubles, bangles, and beads
Shop : Double Heart Earrings with Crystals from 1-800-Flowers.com
Give your honey a bit of shine and sparkle that they will cherish for years to come. It need not be extravagant — it only must come from the heart.
Shop : Double Heart Earrings with Crystals from 1-800-Flowers.com
Fun for foodies
Fun for foodies
Shop : True Love Gift Basket from 1-800-Baskets.com
Is gifting food ever a bad idea? We think not. Send your favorite foodie something unique and special that you know they'll enjoy — be it meats and cheeses or king crab legs.
Shop : True Love Gift Basket from 1-800-Baskets.com
Extend the love
Extend the love
Shop : Conversation Heart Personalized Heart Throw Pillow from Personalization Mall
Offer a hug and 14 handwritten IOU coupons that they can exchange for special treats during February, including a dinner out, foot rub, heart-shaped pillow, or weekend getaway.
Shop : Conversation Heart Personalized Heart Throw Pillow from Personalization Mall
Warm and fuzzy
Warm and fuzzy
Shop : My Valentine Personalized Teddy Bear from Personalization Mall
Finally, don't forget the littlest valentines in your life! Teddy bears and other plush cuties are the perfect way to send your sweet ones off to sleep with a smile.
Shop : My Valentine Personalized Teddy Bear from Personalization Mall
AUTHOR
Rebecca Razo has over 20 years of experience in book and magazine publishing, editorial project management, and content creation. She has overseen the creative development of hundreds of books, and she writes across multiple categories, including art, DIY, home decor, lifestyle, and more. Originally from Southern California, Rebecca now lives in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, reading, baking, and cuddling with her two dogs and cat.
