Practical Valentine's Day gifts quick picks
Comfy and stylish loungewear: Spanx AirEssentials Half-Zip Sweatshirt
For the person who's always cold: Bedsure Electric Blanket
A portable coffee maker: AeroPress Clear Coffee Press
For their groceries or on-the-go essentials: L.L.Bean Open-Top Boat and Tote
Valentine’s Day isn’t an occasion we typically associate with practical gifts. After all, the holiday is known as a time to give presents that tend to be a bit impractical: Roses, lingerie, perfume and jewelry are all popular Valentine’s Day gift ideas. But, counterintuitive though it may be, Valentine’s Day lends itself beautifully to giving a practical gift. With its red and pink palette and motifs of hearts, cupids and roses, it’s easy to find practical gifts for Valentine’s Day that feel special.
As lovers of giving great gifts, we especially love products that hit that sweet spot of truly useful and totally delightful. Of course, getting a practical Valentine’s Day gift right can be tricky — there’s always a risk of picking out something that disappoints or outright offends the recipient. But we’re confident that this group of curated picks will help you get something practically perfect for everyone on your Valentine’s Day gifting list.
For more inspiration, check out our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for him, gifts for her, gifts for kids and unique gifts.
Not all tote bags can handle the weight of life's demands (groceries, books, day-out essentials), but this L.L.Bean tote is made of durable, heavyweight canvas, so it can handle pretty much anything you dare to toss its way. You can even get it monogrammed with their initials for a personalized touch.
In our testing, writer Michelle Rae Uy liked the soft feel of this heated blanket and was impressed that it reached a toasty 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in under 10 minutes. If you're looking for something to keep your valentine cozy for under $50, this is a great option.
Some of us just feel better when we jot down our thoughts or write our daily to-do lists on paper. This vibrant red Moleskin notebook is the ideal gift to give your writing-prone partner so they can keep all their thoughts and scratchings in one polished place.
Sophie Shaw, Underscored's fashion and beauty editor, loves Spanx's Air Essentials line. It's a total win for lounging, traveling and even working, with ultra-comfortable materials and a flattering cut that your valentine will never want to take off. You can grab it in an array of neutrals, but the Spanx Red or Petunia colors are perfect for Valentine's Day.
Made with natural ingredients, this salve is the solution to chapped lips or hands, unruly eyebrows, flyaway hairs and irritated, dry skin too. A little tin that packs a punch, the rose-scented salve is also right on theme for Valentine's Day.
A lightning-fast charger is truly a game changer. As soon as I got this Otterbox charger, I realized just how much time I was wasting waiting for my devices to get some juice — and my family noticed it too, as this quickly became the charger everyone was asking to borrow over the holidays. Thanks to this little box, your sweetheart will always have a healthy charge on their essential tech devices, and for even faster charging, you can pair it with Otterbox's fast-charge cable.
Makeup wearers know the heartbreak of discovering that your mascara, lipstick or foundation has permanently altered the look of your bathroom towels. And on Valentine's Day, we're trying to avoid heartbreak at any cost, which is why these dedicated makeup towels that hide stains will make a great addition to your love's nightly cleansing routine.
Not a day goes by that I don't use my Hydro Flask mug (I'm actually drinking from it right now). It's my favorite cup for commuting with my morning brew, but it's also great for ice-cold desserts and snacks. I love gifting this mug to friends and family who will appreciate the sleek look, top-notch performance and travel-friendly design just as much as I do.
It's adorable, yes, but this Le Creuset Cocotte can do so much more than just look cute on your countertop. From baking a mouthwatering dessert to simmering a stunning sauce, this heart-shaped baking dish will become their new favorite kitchen tool. Not to mention its smaller 1.25-quart size, which is perfect for making dinners for two.
Thick without being bulky and remarkably nonslip, this Lululemon yoga mat is our favorite for tackling an at-home HIIT session or taking along to a studio yoga class. If your sweetheart is a fitness buff, they'll love grabbing this mat for their morning sweat sesh or nightly stretching routine.
Crafted with New England winters in mind, this turtleneck is made from soft merino wool with thumbholes and neck protection for cold weather versatility. In addition to performing on runs, the shirt's honeycomb jacquard knit still looks casual enough to pair with jeans or a jacket for winter layering.
Classic, simple and quality-made, this Leatherology pick was our favorite men's wallet from our testing pool. If their wallet has seen better days or is busting at the seams, this makes a great practical gift that will help keep all your partner's cards and cash organized.
Maybe their sheet pans aren't looking as shiny as they used to. Or maybe they're a constant baker who could always use another clean tray to test a recipe. Whatever the case, this sheet pan trio from Great Jones will bring some joyful color to their kitchen, and their sturdy design is equipped to handle even the most daunting of dishes.
Your valentine probably already has a pair of Bluetooth headphones they love, but not being able to use them to watch in-flight movies or shows is a real bummer — especially on long-haul flights. This gadget from Twelve South will change all that with just a few clicks, giving them a much more comfortable and convenient airplane experience.
Quince makes some of our editors' favorite clothes with high-quality materials offered at an affordable price. And since this super-soft Mongolian cashmere scarf is 6 feet long, your valentine can stay properly bundled while braving cold, winter days.
As a staff full of coffee fiends, we love the AeroPress here at CNN Underscored. It makes consistently delicious coffee in a jiffy, and this clear version is also a stunning piece of equipment anyone would look forward to using. Grab it in a red or pink hue for Valentine's Day or choose from five other color options.
Show you’ve been paying attention by buying their favorite brand of coffee, or go with something truly adventurous, like this coffee subscription. Atlas Coffee Club can send your valentine a new bag of coffee from a different country every month. This also makes a great addition to other coffee-themed gifts, like the aforementioned Aeropress or other brewing gadgets.
Roses are a Valentine’s Day staple, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to giving only the ones with stems. Go beyond the bouquet with this organic rose syrup that offers a fun twist on the traditional present of roses.
If Valentine's Day is looking more like a cozy night at home this year, this pack of 10 hydrating face masks from CosRX will help you and your partner get in some much-needed self-care.
The right candle can completely change the energy of a space, and this Snif candle comes packed with notes of strawberry, Champagne, chocolate, vanilla and patchouli that make it perfect for the holiday.
Whether they're traveling far for work or just commuting to the office or a café, this tech folio will keep all their precious gear from getting jumbled around. It can also hold their travel documents, IDs and credit cards so nothing essential will get lost if they like to switch bags often.
What better way to show your love than by making sure your valentine hits their daily hydration goals? This Owala bottle is a favorite of Underscored contributing writer Emily Pennington, who appreciates the thoughtful design elements (like multiple sipping options and double-walled insulation) that make this bottle a great companion for those with an active lifestyle.
This brightly colored towel will not only look great hanging from their oven, dishwasher or cabinet handle, but it also has some practical features that are likely to make it their new go-to kitchen towel. Made of super-absorbent and quick-drying fabric, this towel is also designed to never wrinkle — so no matter how many messes it tackles, it always looks fresh.
We can't always be there to offer protection and security to the ones we love most, but the She's Birdie alarm can at the very least grant you some peace of mind. Despite the low-profile design, the safety alarm packs a punch with flashing strobe lights and a siren sound that can deploy in one swift tug.
It doesn’t get much more practical than a new pair of socks. This gift set comes in a decorative box and includes five pairs of quarter-length crew socks embroidered with a heart motif. They’re perfect for Valentine’s Day but can be worn year-round.
It’s no fun holding hands when the hands are dry and chapped. This heart-shaped solid balm can be used to soothe and moisturize hands (or any other body part) and comes with a display dish that can be reused for bar soap or trinkets.
Pajamas are up there with socks on the list of standard practical gifts, but they’re there for good reason. Everyone could use a new set of PJs, especially when they’re as cute (and affordable) as this two-piece number with a heart pattern.
You know what’s even better than a warm hug? A warm towel. And Underscored's managing editor, Rachel Quigley, will tell you that this towel warmer is as much a luxury gift as it is a practical one. Your partner will be swaddled in soothing warmth every time they rinse off.
Home chefs know that a really good pepper grinder is a must-have kitchen accessory. This bright red pepper mill is the perfect way to ensure your sweetie is thinking about you once Valentine’s Day has come and gone.
A telescoping claw scratcher is the key to getting that spot on your back that always itches — and that’s always just out of reach. This inexpensive back scratcher and massager is a great tool, and the bright pink handle makes it perfectly on-brand for Valentine’s Day.
A heart-shaped serving platter makes a great gift for the person in your life who always puts out the most perfect charcuterie boards. This one is budget-friendly and can be personalized with a name, date or loving message.
Beware the perils of giving a vacuum as a gift! Vacuums are a great practical gift idea, but you have to be very, very sure that the recipient won’t be furious with you for giving them a household appliance. One way to get it right is to think small and red, like this chili-red handheld vac.
A luxe upgrade is a great way to turn a mundane-seeming item into a knock-their-socks-off present. For example, pillowcases aren’t especially giftable, but silk pillowcases are. In addition to being ultra glam, silk pillowcases are also a practical investment — they’re easier on your hair and skin than their cotton counterparts because they’re less drying. Our favorite comes in plenty of colors, including burgundy and rose.
A small tape measure is one of those items that is absurdly handy. This red faux-leather tape measure is retractable and super stylish and can be easily tossed in a bag or junk drawer.
Workout enthusiasts, including senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus, are obsessed with Bala Bangles. The super-popular wrist and ankle weights come in loads of colors, including Blush, that make them a fantastic gift option for Valentine's Day.
Kitchen shears are such a useful thing to own, but they’re a bit on the practical side to give as a gift — unless you elevate the form. These red-handled kitchen shears fit the bill perfectly. They feature a micro-serrated blade edge that allows you to cut through anything with ease and have a bottle opener built into the handle.
Serving spoons are endlessly useful items, and they’re an easy way to add a bit of whimsy to your kitchen. This hand-carved heart-shaped wooden spoon is the perfect gift for the cook or hostess on your Valentine’s Day gift list.
Bath bombs and salts are old Valentine’s Day standards, but if you want to up your gift game for a bath-obsessed loved one, this full-body bath pillow will take the experience to a whole new level.
Instead of giving flowers that will only last a few days, gift your sweetheart a set of pretty pink planters. Elevate the present by picking out flowering indoor plants to give the gift of flowers all year long.
Valet trays and trinket dishes are eminently useful items that come in handy in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen or home office. This white and gold tray from Jonathan Adler is adorned with a lips motif that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting.
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).
We love the classic Valentine’s Day gifts as much as the next person (you know flowers, candy, sentimental keepsakes), but we also love giving something new and exciting that still shows our loved ones how much we appreciate them. For this article, associate editor Jillian Tracy crafted a list of practical gift ideas that range from handy kitchen tools to cozy finds that your partner will love.
Jillian Tracy is an associate editor at CNN Underscored who covers topics that span the lifestyle vertical such as fashion, health, sustainability, beauty and outdoors. You can find her trying to catch up on her Goodreads goal, planning her next travel adventure or rewatching "RuPaul’s Drag Race."
