The Emerald Palate

Seattle food tours & retreats

Gift Guides, Makers ·

14 of the Most Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him & Her

roundup of thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas for him and her

If you’re looking for the most thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas, step away from the drug-store box chocolates and lingerie (but keep the flowers). Valentine’s Day is about giving gifts that are special and meaningful, not impersonal.

To help you give a truly meaningful gift, I’ve curated some of the best and most thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas for both him and her, and then paired them with experiences or crafts to up the wow factor.

Let this be the year you give your loved one the best Valentine’s Day gift ever!

This post has affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you, turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!

My secret to giving a great gift is to try really, really hard to not just get “things.” Rather, I try to think of something that is either truly utilitarian (i.e. something they need but wouldn’t necessarily get themselves) or thoughtful.

The key to a thoughtful gift is to think about something they love or that you love to do together. Their hobbies and interests should be the basis of your gift.

The other trick is to give experiences. I usually pair a small gift to open that relates to a bigger experience gift. If you’re based in Seattle, I have a whole guide to the best experience gifts in Seattle for more ideas.

To help get your creative juices flowing, here are ideas for thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts whether you’re buying for your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, best friend, or yourself. Oh, and all of them are made in the Pacific Northwest!

Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Collage of 14 thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas for him and her, all made in the Pacific Northwest

1. Custom couples portrait

This couples portrait lets you encapsulate a cool pop art version of you two forever. If you’re worried about getting art, you can get a couples portrait on pretty much anything on Etsy. Just search “couples portrait” and objects like sweatshirts, embroidery, jewelry, etc. will appear.

 

2. Personalized kitchen utensil + a cooking class

This ceramic bowl comes with a printed recipe on it! If you and your loved one have a memory of a specific dish, pair this personalized gift with a cooking class for the same type of cuisine.

If you live in Seattle, check out my guide to non-eating foodie activities for a list of my favorite places to take in-person cooking classes. Or, make a night of it in the kitchen with this fun Make Your Own Truffle Kit or Make Your Own Scandinavian Cinnamon Buns Kit.

 

3. 12 months of pre-planned dates

This Valentine’s Day craft is one of my favorite thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Simply think of 12 awesome dates and put one on each card to represent one date a month. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The beautiful version of the craft pictured above is from The Thinking Closet. If you’d prefer not to craft, here are nicely designed date night idea cards you can fill out and put in a jar.

4. Massage oil + spa experience

Dan knows the way to my heart is a looooong foot rub, so if he got me this organic massage oil along with a 20-minute foot rub, I’d be in heaven!

If giving the massage on your own isn’t in your wheelhouse, you can easily pair the lotion with a relaxation services at one of Seattle’s best spas or:

If pampering isn’t your person’s love language, why not fulfill their need for acts of service with this Box of Personalized Tickets. You’ll find things like “lover’s quarrel victory” and “breakfast in bed” that’s sure to make anyone’s day.

5. Custom mix tape + concert

Long-live the mix tape. Well, the CD. Or maybe this keychain embossed with a Spotify playlist code. Whatever the medium, curate a playlist that tells your partner how you feel.

Once you’re done making the perfect playlist, let them open a pair of tickets to a music event. Whether it’s their current favorite band or one that’s a nod to their childhood, they’re sure to love the opportunity to spend time with you.

Need ideas? This Candlelight Concert Series hosts orchestra renditions of popular music under the twinkle of thousands of candles. This March there is a Pink Floyd Candlelight Concert and a Taylor Swift one.

Or check out this Concert Under the Stars series where the host cover bands at various cool rooftop bars around Seattle. For example, there’s one for Nirvana, Amy Winehouse, Frank Sinatra, and more this spring.

6. Food journal + restaurant date nights

If your loved one enjoys eating out and taking notes of their favorite dishes, get them one of these food journals so they can take notes comparing their favorite food or drink. You’ll find options for doughnuts, wine, coffee, cheese, whiskey, and more.

This gift would be thoughtful on its own, but you can up the ante by also decorating a jar and adding local restaurants the two of you have always wanted to try (or love). The idea is that you’ll pick a restaurant out of the bowl and dine there that evening. This is perfect for couples that play the, “What are you in the mood for?”-“I don’t know, you?” game before every meal.

Check out my guides to the best Seattle restaurants for inspiration of what places to add to the jar!

 

7. Chic lunchbox + love notes

For the brown bagger in your life, upgrade them to a really awesome canvas lunchbox. Then, fill it with a month’s worth of love notes to be opened during the work day. You can make it easier for them to keep all your notes by getting them this thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift idea: a Personalized Box of Reasons I Love You.

 

8. Travel mug + fully planned trip

For those who have a relationship filled with humor, imagine your partner’s face when they open this personalized camping mug. They may be thinking, “This is a nice gift, but maybe not what I expected.”

However, you’ll surprise them by pairing it with a trip fully planned by a personal travel planner. They’ll create a custom itinerary catered to you and your loved one’s interests so all you two have to do is show up and enjoy the insider experiences they curate for you.

9. Alcohol + monthly subscription box

For the alcohol lover in your life, why not get them a bottle of their favorite libation followed up with a subscription that delivers more each month?

In terms of the wine bottle you can buy them to open, here are some of my favorites from the best wineries in the PNW:

If beer is more their thing, fill a Customized Craft Beer Growler with a brew from one of the best Ballard breweries. You can also get them a gift certificate to a local bottle shop like Chuck’s Hop Shop.

You can enjoy the bottle of wine or beer together while cooking them this romantic rosemary steak recipe!

If you want to give them a gift that keeps on giving, there are so many subscription boxes for wine-o’s, beer enthusiasts, and cocktail lovers alike. I personally prefer to shop local, so I’d recommend the Brimmer & Heeltap wine club, home to one of the best Seattle wine shops or the Portland-based Division Wine Company wine club.

10. Custom luggage tag + weekend getaway

Get a personalized luggage tag and book a weekend at one of the best winter cabins in Washington state, most unique hotels in Washington state, or romantic Airbnbs in Washington.

If your loved one like crossword puzzles as much as my partner, you can also get this Personalized Crossword Print to do one morning during your trip.

11. Camera strap + photography class

If your significant other is into photography, they’ll love a minimalist monogrammed camera strap. This would be great on its own, but you could also help them improve their skills by getting them a photography class. Here are some options:

12. Cheeky card + tickets to an event

I absolutely love giving experience gifts. Think of something the two of you have always wanted to do, buy tickets, and insert them into a thoughtful (even handmade) card and you’re good to go.

If you need a cheeky card to put the tickets inside, this card that says, “There’s no one I’d rather lay in bed with and sit on our phones,” makes me laugh.

Some ideas for events are sporting events, concerts, musicals, plays, foodie events or festivals, wine tasting, restaurant, or movie. Or make it a virtual experience and try something quirky. Check out my Seattle events calendar for ideas.

13. Beanie + outdoor adventure

You can tell from my Instagram that I love beanies. This handmade beanie would look great on all people and will keep your loved one cozy as you take an outdoor adventure.

Some outdoor adventures you two will love include going on one of the best Seattle-area hikes, taking a day trip to islands off Seattle, or crossing indoor skydiving off your bucket list.

14. DIY craft + quality time

One of the most thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas is quality time. There’s no better way to do that than learn how to do a new craft together. Here are some ideas of crafts your loved one may love:

 

More gift ideas

I have so many gift guides, so get ready for some serious inspo beyond these thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift ideas!

Join the club

You May Also Like

collage of the best food gifts from Seattle16 Best Food Gifts from Seattle That’ll Leave an Impression
Best Place to Buy Seafood in SeattleThe Absolute Best Place to Buy Seafood in Seattle
best Seattle gifts online you can shipA Local’s Picks of the Best Seattle Gifts Online

Comments

    • Adria Saracino says

      Thanks, Charlotte! I love taking cooking classes in general and I think it’s a great way to bond with your partner…and if it’s a new relationship see how you collaborate! 😉

Copyright © 2024 The Emerald Palate · Theme by 17th Avenue