Valentine's Day gifts under $50

Valentine’s Day might seem like a cheesy holiday at times, but it’s still a great excuse to spoil your partner or closest friends, and show them just how much you appreciate them. But all those flowers, chocolates, stuffed teddy bears and cards can get expensive. That’s why we’ve curated a list of Valentine’s Day presents that will wow your loved ones — and each gift idea costs $50 or less.

From practical products to romantic gifts that are almost guaranteed to make them shed a tear, here are our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts under $50. Looking for more Valentine’s Day ideas ahead of Feb. 14? Check out our favorite gifts for him, gifts for her, gifts for kids and unique gifts.

A sweet breakfast surprise

Wake up your loved one with a delicious and ridiculously cute heart-shaped waffle with this mini appliance from Dash. You can choose from a few different Valentine's Day messages, including Cutie Pie, XOXO and Bestie.

For some extra sparkle

These earrings are a sweet and charming gift. Though there are nine colors to choose from, the Rose Quartz color is our favorite for Valentine's Day.

Editor Favorite
A gift they won't be able to stop talking about

This custom illustration is a unique and personal gift to capture your relationship. Underscored's home and gifts editor, Amina Lake Abdelrahman, has ordered from this Etsy shop before, and the process is straightforward and quick. Plus, you can choose from a print, canvas or digital file.

A romantic and long-lasting candle

Pair this romantic and cozy floral-scented candle with a handwritten love letter for a sweet surprise.

A charming sweet treat

One of my friends got this as a Valentine's Day gift in the past, and it was such a hit. Each M&M can be personalized with either a photo or a cute message. Plus, you can continue to refill the adorable teddy bear gift box.

A creative twist on flowers

If you want something that's more long-lasting than flowers, these Lego Orchids are a fun and creative way to spend some time together — and you still end up with beautiful flowers. There is also a version with a dozen roses and a 16-stem wildflower bouquet.

For a relaxing spa experience at home

With a handmade soap bar, body butter, massage oil and more, this spa gift set is a fantastic way to relax and de-stress. The set also includes a greeting card so you can add a thoughtful note. Besides the rose scent, this gift set is also available in lavender.

A personalized book with all your favorite photos

This customizable photo book can be filled with pictures of you and your partner on all your adventures. You can even customize the colors of the cover and foil letters to make it even more unique.

For the one who loves funny gifts

These handholding mittens are perfect for the couple who loves a good laugh. They're guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces, and it's an especially useful gift for couples who like to take walks together.

The perfect way to display a dessert

Surprise your better half with a romantic Valentine’s Day dessert and candy spread, presented in these heart-shaped pinch bowls from Le Creuset.

For the dog lover

This adorable plush is a cuddly surprise for the dog lover in your life. The rose in its mouth adds a romantic and whimsical touch.

The ultimate day of relaxation at home

Thanks to this bath tray, they can easily enjoy a day of pampering and relaxation while soaking in a bubble bath. It's a great way to hold a book and all their bath essentials for a spa day at home.

For the tarot card lover

For a unique Valentine's Day activity, check out this live virtual tarot class experience. Consider adding the Star Spinner Tarot Cards to your gift so you're ready for the reading.

A thoughtful conversation starter

Get closer to your partner this Valentine’s Day with an introspective and intimate deck of conversation starters meant to help you understand each other on a deeper level.

A stylish closet staple

He’ll be cozy, warm and stylish with this plaid flannel shirt from L.L.Bean. Crafted from Portuguese cotton flannel, it’s incredibly soft and comes in 10 different designs.

For a romantic and unique date night

Looking for an affordable Valentine's Day activity that doubles as a gift? From making pasta to baking chocolate cake, Nonna Live has a variety of not only live classes but on-demand cooking classes for a hands-on date-night experience.

A fairy-tale storybook

For a gift that's bound to bring out the waterworks, get this book that turns your relationship into a cute and heartfelt story, all based on your favorite memories together.

For the one with a sweet tooth

Make a chocolate gift more exciting this Valentine's Day with a personalized chocolate heart filled with delicious treats. It comes with a wooden mallet so it's easy to crack open and enjoy the sour gummies inside!

For the one who loves to take naps

Upgrade her sleepwear with this three-piece satin set that features a long-sleeve top, shorts and an eye mask. It comes in four different colors, including a couple Valentine's Day-themed options.

If their cocktail of choice is an old-fashioned

This customizable whiskey decanter set is a tasteful and elegant gift for any whiskey lover. You can choose from over a dozen personalized designs for a luxurious gift that won't break the bank. You can also choose from a variet of sets, some of which include glasses and/or a woodbox to match the decanter.

For the one whose love language is words of affirmation

Show your love and appreciation with this sweet container filled with a dozen customized messages. This is a gift they can pick up whenever they need a reminder of your love.

For the food lover

With over a dozen beef jerky bits in a fun heart-shaped box, this gift set is a whimsical mix of delicious bites for anyone who loves snacking on meat.

A cozy gift for stress relief

Stuffed with real lavender, this microwavable heart plush is a cozy and relaxing gift. At 2 pounds, this adorable plush is weighted for ultimate comfort and stress relief.

For the romantic adventurer

This fully functional brass compass has a gorgeous engraving (choose from two options), and to make it extra personal, you can add either a photo or a sweet message on the inside.

For the person who's always on the go

This belt bag is super versatile and stylish, and we especially love the bright-pink color (aptly named Passionate) for Valentine's Day. Whether they use it for everyday errands or outdoor workouts, the water-repellent fabric and adjustable straps will come in handy.

For the zodiac lover

This zodiac brooch is an eccentric gift for the astrology lover in your life. It's made of gold-plated brass and has a pin closure that can be attached to their denim jacket, tote bag and more.

For the beauty lover

A lip balm from Glossier is a staple in any beauty bag. I have multiple colors, and they're all incredibly hydrating and have a buildable tint. This duo is a delightful way to gift a lip essential with a fun smiley face mug. Choose from 10 Balm Dotcom colors. My favorite for Valentine's Day is the Black Cherry.

Jewelry made just for them

Get this necklace that can spell out your partner’s name in sterling silver, 18-karat gold or rose gold. You can even choose from a variety of fonts to truly make this necklace feel personalized.

An enchanting way to display flowers

With 24-karat-gold decals and a pretty mosaic-inspired design, this vase is a showstopper. It's such a fun way to display flowers and add some whimsy to their home year after year.

A touching surprise

Turn any photo of you and your partner into an incredible work of art with this heart-shaped crystal photo. You can even add a light base to make your crystal shine bright. I gifted a similar 3D crystal to my parents and siblings, and they were obsessed; they still have it on display in their living rooms.

A beauty staple that fits perfectly in a purse

This soothing ice roller is a great tool for depuffing and de-stressing. Bonus: The pretty red heart design is perfect for Valentine's Day.

The perfect mix of flowers and jewelry

If you're deciding between flowers and jewelry, this necklace is the best of both worlds. These dried flowers are picked and preserved in eco-resin so they'll stay in bloom forever. Plus, you can personalize the gift by choosing their birth month flower.

A unique way to say "I love you"

This fill-in-the-blank book is the perfect way to show your love, even if you're usually not good at expressing it. The handwritten elements of this book make it even more meaningful.

For the one who loves functional gifts

Tangle Teezer's detangling hair brushes are loved by several Underscored editors, and this version has unique artwork for each zodiac sign.

Why trust CNN Underscored

Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. We also know that you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why our team of editors has carefully curated each of our gift guides with a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you’re shopping for (though, if you’re seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means that we really love them). For this article, editorial coordinator Stephanie Luna scoured the internet, including Underscored’s rigorously tested product reviews, to find the very best Valentine’s Day gifts under $50.

Stephanie-L.jpg
Stephanie Luna Editorial Coordinator

Stephanie Luna is an editorial coordinator at CNN Underscored based in NYC. She produces articles across Underscored to maintain formatting and style consistency and optimizes stories to ensure best SEO practices. In her free time, she loves to read, crochet and go on walks with her dog, Stitch.