7 great Valentine’s Day gift ideas

If you’re wondering what a love language is, here’s a hint – it isn’t French. Dr Gary Chapman’s theory of love languages posits that people express and experience love in five ways – words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch.

Splashing out on a show-stopping present may sound like a good idea to win Valentine’s Day in an epic manner, but it may not work out as hoped for. Research shows that a gift selected for its wow factor may not elicit much satisfaction, compared to one that was chosen with the receiver’s preferences in mind.

To give the perfect gift to your Valentine’s, keep your partner’s preferred way of expressing love at the forefront of your decision-making – and express your own feelings with gifts that highlight your own love language.

ACTS OF SERVICE

Bialetti 01168 Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker (S$49.81)

For speakers of this love language, simple things – like buying dinner from their favourite hawker stall – can show that you’re thinking of them. The trick to finding a gift they’ll love is to observe their daily routine.

For instance, on mornings when their need for caffeine kicks in – but they’re not ready to get out of bed – you can make them a cafe-worthy brew in the Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker. Also known as the Moka pot, this sleek Italian icon is easy to clean, has a small footprint and is beloved for its ability to produce richly flavoured coffee in under five minutes. And in a particularly apt bit of romance, its eight-sided design – resembling a woman in a pleated skirt – was inspired by the silhouette of creator Alfonso Bialetti’s wife.

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION

Leuchtturm1917 Some Lines A Day A5 Medium Notebook Port (S$58.00)

The good news is that you don’t need to be the nest Shakespeare to offer words of affirmation. If they’re sincere and personal, affirming words will always be appreciated.

This Valentine’s Day, immortalise your messages in a notebook – but don’t go with a cheap lined that looks like it’s been bought from your child’s school bookshop. To ensure it lasts a lifetime, look for an option with thread-bound pages and thicker paper, like this Leuchtturm1917 hardcover, A5-sized notebook.

It also has space on each of its 365 pages for the same day across five years of your choosing. This means you can compare events on that one date across half a decade – such as Valentine’s Day dates, birthdays and anniversaries. If inspiration runs dry, fill up the blanks with song lyrics or meaningful quotes – anything that illustrates why your partner is the most important person in your life.

PHYSICAL TOUCH

Arboleaf Mini Massage Gun (S$65.99)

What could be more selfless than kneading your partner’s aching shoulders or back until your own fingers are sore? Unfortunately, not everyone has the stamina – or talent – to give a really satisfying deep-tissue massage. While you might be tempted to buy your Valentine a spa voucher and call it a day, here’s another option: An Arboleaf mini massage gun.

It can apply a force of up to 27kg to soothe soreness and relieve tension. It has five different levels of intensity – including an automatic mode that relies on pressure-adaptive sensors to adjust the vibration frequency – and lasts eight hours on a full charge.

On Valentine’s Day, offer your partner an at-home spa day with the help of this massage gun. Just add hot towels, soothing background music and herbal tea.

KELOR Luxury Bamboo Wrap Blanket (S$76.44)

If you and your Valentine are in a long-distance relationship, physical touch can be difficult to fulfil. The next best thing is a tactile gift that reminds them of you. To mimic the loving warmth of an embrace, gift them a blanket that they can wrap themselves in.

While cheaper blankets are usually made from artificial materials like polyester, this is woven from bamboo viscose, a breathable fibre known that’s soft and warm, yet light.

Its streamlined size – 170cm by 140cm – means it can be easily packed. Use it for a nap on the plane, then transform it into a shawl or oversized scarf for chilly weather. It’s also easy to maintain – throw it into the washing machine on a cool cycle and hang it to dry.

QUALITY TIME

DRJ Mini Projector (S$106.91)

Quality time isn’t just about being in the same room together – the emphasis is on quality, not time, after all. But if you don’t live with your Valentine, quality time can be difficult to achieve. To focus on each other instead of securing movie tickets at the right timing, consider a Valentine’s Day movie night starring this mini projector.

It’s small enough to fit into a tote bag and projects sharp, vivid full-HD (1,920 x 1,080) images. It’s compatible with an array of devices, including PCs, laptops, smartphones and Chromecast. The included tripod provides a stable base to adjust its height and attitude, while built-in speakers complete the package. Prepare some light snacks and drinks, dim the lights and introduce each other to your favourite movies.

SatisInside 31 Pcs Picnic Basket Set (S$90.36)

If your partner is the outdoorsy type, gift them this wicker picnic set with a note inviting them to brunch at the beach or park. Since the unofficial sixth love language in Singapore is food, make your own finger sandwiches or salads, which can be kept cool in the basket’s insulated interior.

Other thoughtful touches include salt and pepper shakers, waterproof blanket and wine glasses and bag. The larger size of this picnic set offers good value and the option of double-dating with another couple or your kids. If instant noodles are the limit of your culinary expertise, outsource the cooking by getting takeaway from your Valentine’s favourite restaurant. Served on the picnic set’s porcelain plates and stainless steel flatware, even the most humble curry puff will look Insta-worthy.

RECEIVING GIFTS

Porter Tote Bag, Amazon Limited (S$266.18; usual price: S$279.53)

Buying a gift for someone whose love language is all about gifting can be nerve-wracking – a bit like covering one of Taylor Swift’s songs in front of her. Just remember that it really is the thought that counts. To be an expert gift-giver, eliminate the guesswork with this clever strategy – buy them more luxurious versions of things that they already like.

For instance, if your other half carries a tote bag for work or travel, upgrade them to this Porter two-way tote that can also be worn cross-body. It’s roomy enough to fit a laptop, and has pockets for smaller items.

Aficionados of the Japanese brand swear by its Toray Strontex nylon, a durable material used in car airbags that offers abrasion and heat resistance. The brand’s Pouch Attachment Ladder System enables the bag to be customised by attaching pouches, keychains and other small items. While there are cheaper totes out there, this Amazon exclusive is from a brand known for its dedication to quality – making it an apt way to tell your Valentine that they deserve only the best.   

While gifting for Valentine’s Day isn’t always expected, a thoughtful gift can be a great way to celebrate a new relationship, commemorate a particularly memorable year as a couple, or reignite a bond that’s been put on the back-burner amidst the bustle of life and work. Just like your preferred love language, a heartfelt gift can say it all.

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