Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved Valentine's Day. I used to carefully select my Valentine cards at CVS and write the names of each my classmates as neatly as possible. At our elementary school, each student had a brown paper bag with his or her name on it, and students would drop their Valentines into the mail bags. Maybe that's why I love snail mail so much?
As a grownup, I am always the friend rallying my fellow single ladies to go out to dinner, see a movie, or in more recent years, book a day at the spa.
Whether you are single or in a relationship, Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to remind someone just how much they mean to you. Instead of pacing the aisles of CVS after work on February 14, read on for some card and gift ideas that will be sure to make your Valentine smile.
Let's start with cards. Succulents have been super trendy for the last few years, giving inspiration to this "You're My Soilmate" card. This is available on Etsy, so if you're interested in buying it, orderly quickly. The shop owners tend not so ship as quickly as Amazon.
This llama card is a play on the Spanish words for "I love you" (Te amo), instead reading "Te llamo." This one's also an Etsy find.
This next card combines to amazing things - Galentine's Day and Beyonce. I can think of at least five ladies I'd want to send this to!
It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without chocolate. My favorite chocolate makers, EHChocolatier, are offering the most beautiful collection of sweets this Valentine's Day. If you follow me on Instagram, you may seen my taste test from last weekend.
The bonbon collection is available in a few sizes - 6 pieces, 9 pieces, 12 pieces, 18 pieces or 36 pieces. I flipped for the raspberry and the burnt caramel.
This year they're also offering a gift box of salted caramel hearts. These would win me over!
If you live in a place as freezing cold as Boston, gloves are always a solid choice. These are made by one of my favorite Etsy shops, Talking Gloves.
They also come in charcoal gray, which I'm kind of digging even more than the red.
On the subject of keeping warm, I drink a ton of tea and cocoa in February, as it's one of the coldest months of the year. I recently met the co-founders of Jamber, a company re-engineering how we drink. Jamber has designed a line of mugs that you grip in a way that causes much less strain on your hand, arm and shoulder. They even make a red one!
This next gift is one I like so much I'm thinking about getting it for myself - a red fondue pot! Make delicious cheese fondue with bread and green apples, or chocolate fondue for strawberries and marshmallows.
If you and your boo like to entertain, customize this Mark & Graham serving tray with your initials. This would also make a great bridal shower gift.
This is the cutest custom gift I have ever seen - personalized Connect Four!
I like to spoil my little cousins and Valentine's Day is no exception. GAP has the best items this year, starting with this adorable dress.
These leggings with the heart on the butt are just too much! Perfect for a new crawler.
This sweater is made for stroller walks (and compliments from strangers).
And this heart pom pom hat - I can't.
You know I couldn't do a Valentine's Day gift guide without including a few ideas for the love of my life, Scout. We are huge fans of BarkBox and their Valentine's Day toys are outrageously fun this year. I love these clever conversation hearts.
Though they can't have real chocolate, the pups can fake it with this plush chocolate covered strawberry.
Last, but not least, give them a Valentine card they can't destroy (at least not right away).
If you're looking for even more ideas, revisit my Valentine's Day gift guides from years past - 2017, 2016 and 2015.
