The Verge’s 2021 Valentine’s Day gift guide for girlfriends, boyfriends and partners

Romance can be difficult after months of living in tense times, whether you’re sharing your home space or being forced to express your affection via Zoom. It is a problem that many of us face. But a simple Valentine’s Day gift, no matter how impractical or stereotyped, can make your partner feel special and loved.

We ask the staff of The Verge to get some ideas on what they would consider the ideal Valentine’s Day gift. Whether you enjoy cooking together, watching movies or just being together, you should find something here that can help you express the simple phrase “I love you”.

For the partner who wants to look and feel good

At a time when tension is increasing and many of us would need a relaxing massage, many massage places have closed or just don’t feel safe now. Here is an alternative: a massage gun for portable muscle treatment that will allow you to give your partner a great massage – and your hands won’t be so tired.

If your partner is complaining that you snore at night, don’t deny it – just give him something that will help keep peace at night. This white noise machine from LectroFan is packed with lots of non-looping sounds, and turning it on at night should help you sleep faster.

Between winter, hand washing and disinfectant, our hands are getting very dry. This moisturizing hand cream is a wonderful solution for chapped and uncomfortable skin, so that you and your partner can enjoy smooth, well-groomed hands.

No, you cannot get the same gloves that Bernie Sanders wore at the opening – they were made for him by a teacher who is not producing them commercially – but that does not mean a similar pair of beautiful, warm, hand-knitted gloves the non would be a welcome gift for you or your partner. And it allows you to slide off the top so you can send a message to your partner and let them know that you are on the right track.

A beautiful underwear is always a good gift for Valentine’s Day, and TomboyX has a complete line of gender neutral underwear that is varied and looks great. There are also t-shirts, PJs and other pieces of this sustainable and inclusive brand. You can get gift certificates for $ 25, $ 50 or $ 100.

For the couple who enjoy cooking and eating together

*Personalized cocktail kit for home parties*

Valentine’s Day goes well with a personalized whiskey cocktail kit. Together, couples can learn to make Old Fashioneds, Mint Juleps and Whiskey Sours. But the best is to enjoy the drinks later!

If you and your partner love science fiction, pasta, or both, you will really enjoy Pasta Monster. These serving spoons spy on you from your spaghetti bowl, wondering if you’re going to take them to your leader.

This babka is so, so good. Like, I could eat it all at once. It is a fun alternative to the normal box of chocolates, and Breads Bakery is sold throughout the country, so that anyone can enjoy these tasty delights. Buy a pack of three for $ 50 or check the recipe and bake it yourself.

A fancy dinner may not be on the cards this year, but there is nothing to stop them from learning how to prepare dinner together! Sur La Table offers a wide variety of interactive online cooking classes conducted by real chefs.

Claire Saffitz’s dessert book is fun to read, beautiful to peruse and a wonderful gift for a partner who has always wanted to learn how to bake. And baking delicious cakes, cookies and pies together is a cute activity.

Chocolate is always a good Valentine’s Day gift, and that chocolate is delicious! There are many flavors and it is not very expensive. Each bar can be divided into eight different squares, so you and your partner can have four each – a great way to share. Prices start at $ 3 or $ 4 for a single bar.

For the partner who gets excited about books, movies or games

*Poster of the list of the 100 best films*

If your partner loves movies – and posters – this is a great gift. The poster features 100 of the “best films of all time,” and each time you watch a movie, you cross it off the poster for an icon associated with that movie. It is a great way to control movie nights.

This fun signature box is sent each month with case files, autopsy reports and other clues to help you and your partner solve a murder mystery. It’s a unique date night, especially for couples who are fans of real crimes. Prices start at $ 30 a month, but you can save some money by subscribing to a 6 or 12 month prepaid subscription.

Do you know the scenes in all those old movies where couples are sitting at the breakfast table, drinking their coffee and occasionally looking significantly at each other over the newspapers? Don’t you want that too? A real newspaper that arrives at your house every day? And you can support local journalism.

A subscription to the local newspaper

To make the movie night even more special for Valentine’s Day, build a strong blanket, hang some romantic lights or light some candles and watch a hit movie or series on HBO Max. Better yet, make this a regular date! It costs $ 15 a month, but by March 1, 2021, you can save 20% on a six-month prepaid subscription.

HBO Max

Prices measured at time of publication.

When Katie met Cassidy de Camille Peri is a romantic comedy that follows the connection of Katie and Cassidy while one questions her sexuality and other issues what she really wants. It is full of love, sex and queer subculture, making it a wonderful gift for a partner who loves to read.

Scrabble can be played as a fast competitive game or as a slow and friendly competition. If you and your partner are fans of Scrabble, this wall-mounted message board edition is a cute way to play together, either during long blocking weeks or as a fun nighttime activity.

For the partner who loves retro creativity

Give your significant other a tool to create art – a gift that continues to be offered. Unlike your phone’s camera, every photograph taken with this instant film camera takes consideration and reflection, and the results can be wonderful. It is exciting to see what is worth preserving in a physical copy.

Go to the old school and make some mixtapes for your love – then play them together. For an added effect: stand outside the window with the tape deck raised above your head. This is not just a cassette recorder / player, but it includes an AM / FM radio and a Bluetooth receiver so you can stream your digital music.

When you are looking for a cozy romance

Snuggle up with a luxurious cashmere blanket for your next spree session on your favorite show. This 40 x 60 inch 100 percent cashmere throw will make the union a real pleasure.

Immortalize your love for your partner with a photo and a romantic song that can be displayed all year round! This personalized plaque displays a photo of you and your partner above an image of your favorite Spotify song, including a scan code that you can use to play “your” song whenever you want.

It is never a bad time for fresh plants or flowers, and this monthly flower subscription will keep them growing throughout the year. What could be more romantic than that? Choose from Classic ($ 55 per delivery), Seasonal ($ 75 per delivery) or Luxe ($ 105 per delivery); the latter option offers a “curated vase for each delivery”.

There may be nothing more beautiful or more relaxing than spending a lazy afternoon outdoors in a hammock with your partner, and this portable hammock can be used in your backyard or in your neighborhood’s park.

Thanks to collaborators:

Mitchell Clark, Cameron Faulkner, Chaim Gartenberg, Kaitlin Hatton, Amelia Holowaty Krales, Barbara Krasnoff, Taylor Lyles, Jay Peters, Thomas Ricker and Sarah Smithers

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