(CNN) –
Valentine’s Day isn’t usually associated with practical gifts – it’s an opportunity usually seen as the time to get tall (jewelry!), Sexy (lingerie!), Or indulgent (chocolate and red wine!). But this Valentine’s Day you might want to put function above imagination and buy a gift for your sweetheart that they will enjoy all year round.
Of course, it can be difficult to give a practical gift, especially on a vacation associated with romance. But done right, a practical gift hits the sweet spot of items that are useful and yet feel special.
Are you looking for other gift ideas? Check out our favorite gifts, gifts for him, gifts for her, Nordstrom gifts, and a guide to flower delivery.
PHOTO: Our place
Our place always pan
You’ve probably seen this pretty pink pan everywhere (we love it in that bright red color, too); We tried and loved it ourselves. The Always Pan can replace a whopping eight cooking appliances. Combine it with a virtual cooking class from Sur La Table for a socially distant date night. (We also recommend adding in the brand’s handy spruce steamer for perfectly cooked dumplings, vegetables, and more.)
PHOTO: Tushy
Tushy Classic bidet
If you haven’t dared to take the bidet plunge, the Tushy can indeed make a wonderful gift. Our editors liked the simple bidet, the Tushy Classic, but for those who live in colder climates, the Tushy Spa may be a better choice as it offers a warm water cleaning option. (And it’s even available in pink.) For a few extra bells and whistles, you can also use the slightly improved Tushy Classic 3.0 ($ 99, originally $ 129; hellotushy.com).
PHOTO: Nordstrom
Pom Pom at Home Bucks Oversize Throw Blanket
If you’re half a couple who love to snuggle up on the couch, a lovely oversized blanket makes a wonderful gift idea. The pale pink color is a pretty nod to Valentine’s Day, which works in almost any room all year round. And if you share a blanket on a cold night, you have a good excuse to get closer to your honey – after all, the saying goes “Netflix and Chill”, not “Netflix and Chill”.
PHOTO: Etsy
DellCoveSpices gourmet popcorn
Really great popcorn is another great Valentine’s Day gift for the movie lover. DellCoveSpices offers tons of delicious varieties of specialty popping corn. Add a range of gourmet seasonings in flavors like salt and vinegar, chocolate caramel, and classic butter to spice up the gift.
PHOTO: Bando
Rose Parade Sip Sip Mug with Straw
Roses are a traditional Valentine’s Day gift that offers many options when you think outside of the bouquet. Rose-scented products like bubble bath or body lotion are one way, but fragrance can be tricky when it comes to gifts. If you are not absolutely sure that your Valentine’s Day likes floral notes, then you better go for a gift with a rose motif or design like this reusable water tumbler in a super pretty pink and blue rose print.
PHOTO: Amazon
Zimasilk 100% Mulberry Silk pillowcase
A luxurious upgrade is a great way to turn an everyday-looking item into a sock-off gift. For example, pillowcases are not particularly giftable, but silk pillowcases are. In addition to being ultra-glamorous, silk pillowcases are also a practical investment – they are gentler on your hair and skin than their cotton counterparts because they are less drying. These silk pillowcases come in six sizes and a whopping 36 different colors, including yup and red.
PHOTO: Amazon
Hamilton Beach Digital Food Dehydrator
As work from home becomes a more common part of our professional life, a new challenge has arisen: We need snacks. We no longer have food stalls in the office to graze at, and those lunch kiosk and convenience store runs are less likely to happen if you work from home. A dehydrator solves the problem with home snacks and is a fun hobby. It makes a great gift for the person who loves jerks and wants to make their own, or someone who loves nibbling on fruit leather during Zoom meetings.
PHOTO: Aim
Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother
Another basic requirement for office life that falls by the wayside for many people is the coffee shop stop. If your sweetheart has missed the triple espresso in the morning or the vanilla latte in the afternoon, a gift with good coffee, flavored syrups and a milk frother will give him the solution he was missing.
PHOTO: Amazon
KitchenAid cordless chopper
We love to give away a small kitchen appliance. Small appliances like air fryers and breakfast sandwich makers come in a range of prices, features, and colors – red, rose gold, or pink are an obvious choice for Valentine’s Day. This red chopper is a meal-prep expert favorite, but if that’s too tricky (got it ?!), a heart-shaped waffle maker is another great choice.
PHOTO: Amazon
Zadro luxury towel warmer in bucket style
Do you know what’s better than a big hug? A warm towel. A towel warmer feels like a luxury, but it turns out to be a pretty affordable luxury. This bucket heater can simply be plugged into an existing socket.
PHOTO: Amazon
QuiltedAir BathBed luxury bath pillows and spa pillows
A spa pillow is another luxury bathroom upgrade that doesn’t break the bank. Forget about bath bombs and salts – if your loved one loves a relaxing bath, this padded full-body bath mat with an attached bath pillow that cradles your neck and head while bathing will take the experience to a whole new level.
PHOTO: Amazon
Cabepow Long iPhone charging cable
An extra long phone charger cord is one of those things that once you have one you don’t know how you ever lived without one. The Cabepow 10-foot charging cable is available in red and pink and turns it from an everyday technical accessory into a holiday-appropriate gift that is also very useful.
PHOTO: Amazon
Ollivan Smart plant pots
Turn the typical flower gift for Valentine’s Day on its head by combining a flowering potted plant with a smart planter. This planter is linked to a flower care app that provides information and data on soil moisture, fertility and specific tips for your plant to thrive. Do you need a plant suggestion? Try a flowering anthurium ($ 33.18; homedepot.com) with red heart-shaped leaves.
PHOTO: Aim
Brother P-Touch PC connectable labeler
The trick to making a label maker giftable is to do something we normally don’t do with other people’s gifts: open it up and use it before you give it. Why? Because you want to use the device to make a homemade map out of your main print. If you really want to step it up, plan a couple activity with the label maker. Partners with a fun inclination can see who can find the most absurd things to label (hint: label the dog or the label maker!), While a more competitive couple can set a timer and race against each other for most labeled items in 10 minutes.