Love is in the air! Birds are chirping, Cupid is flying…but wait! Now I have to find the perfect gift! Finding a gift on Valentine’s Day can especially be stressful because of the pressure for it to be absolutely perfect. I am the type of person to want a picture-perfect Valentine’s Day, but get way too stressed out to actually enjoy it. That’s why this year; I’m coming up with valentine’s day gift baskets: 8 unique and romantic ideas to wow your loved one!
These gift baskets are perfect for anyone you care about. Whether you are making it for your kids, family, friends, or your significant other, a gift basket is an amazing way to show them how much you care! While Valentine’s Day is often associated with romance, I grew up celebrating it with my family as a day to celebrate love. My sister and I would make eachother Valentines, gluing together bits of construction paper to make the cutest cards. It may seem trivial now, but I still cherish those gifts. It goes to show that the price of the gift doesn’t matter as much as the love that goes into it.
Gift Baskets allow you to pack in multiple smaller gifts, letting you personalize the basket to fit your loved one’s interests. I love going through stores and finding things I know my loved one would enjoy. While you can get great already filled baskets, making your own can really show how much effort
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How to Assemble the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift Basket
- Choose a Theme:
- Start by thinking about what the recipient is really into. What are they interested in? What would they like? Remember that you are putting together a collection of things. I love baskets because they allow for a variety of things into a single gift. Think about your theme and all of the things that go into it.
- Focus on Presentation:
- I am not a very artistic person, so I find this part challenging. I find that a good hack is to find one or two colors that go with the theme. Choose one color to be the base. This could be the color of the basket, the tissue paper inside the basket, etc. Then, buy smaller pieces of decor, like ribbons and confetti, in the second color. Use these more sparsely, simply to make the basket feel more fancy and full.
- Add Personal Touches:
- I feel like gift baskets get a bad reputation because of how “corporate” they feel. The trick is to personalize them, make it clear that every item in the basket has intention. Adding things like handwritten notes, photos, and handwritten notes can make the gift basket feel warmer.
- Don’t Forget Practicality:
- Putting together a gift basket can be daunting. My best advice is to make sure everything in there has a use. Don’t fill up the basket for the sake of making it look bigger. Have a reason for including each item. The more intentional you are about the items you buy, the better your basket will be.
These are gift baskets inspired by the people I am lucky to have in my life. Feel free to mix-and-match to create one that fits your loved one’s interests!
8 Unique and Romantic Ideas
1. The Sweetheart’s Basket: Classic and Timeless
Valentine’s day gets a bad reputation for the holiday of consumerism. But in my opinion, nothing says love like these timeless date night treats. Think…picnic by the ocean or stargazing at the park. This basket is for those who adore traditional Valentine’s Day treats. I love how it doesn’t shy away from the holiday, embracing the season of love.
Add classics to this basket:
- A box of chocolates
- Premium candies (taffy, marshmallows, gummy bears, etc.)
- A bottle of wine or champagne
- Candles
- Find treats that your loved ones enjoy! If there is a treat that holds memories, this could be the place to buy some for them.
- Be careful with perishable items! Let them know if there is anything in the basket that needs to be refrigerated or enjoyed right away!
- Add a handwritten note! I always get nervous putting down my feelings on paper, but it is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give. If you are comfortable with writing, consider writing a poem or a haiku. You can also keep it simpler and write a short heartfelt message.
2. Spa Day in a Basket: Pamper Your Partner
My love language is definitely an act of service! Yes, a gift isn’t technically an act of service, but this one is in a gray area, since it allows you to take some time to pamper yourself. Consider getting your partner a day of relaxation, all packed into a basket!
- Fill this basket with spa day essentials!
- Bath bombs (I personally love the ones with rose petals in them)
- Essential oils (Make sure your loved one doesn’t have any allergies before you buy these!)
- Scented candles
- Face masks
- Cozy robes
- Add a mixtape! This may seem a little old-fashioned now, but mixtapes are the perfect way to express your feelings. I am a music enthusiast, so mixtapes are definitely my thing. Your loved one can listen to your mixtape during their spa day!
- Add a homemade touch if you can! There are plenty of recipes online to make bath salts, herbal teas and candles. Word from the wise: these are time consuming and sometimes difficult to make! I’m not that great at crafting, but these homemade items are different! If you have the time to make something homemade, I promise it is worth it!
3. Adventure Awaits: Outdoor Enthusiast’s Basket
If your loved one enjoys the great outdoors, this is the perfect basket for them! I love taking long hikes to see amazing views, so I know how important it is to have the right gear. This basket is perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.
- Think about your loved one’s favorite outdoor adventures as you fill this basket:
- Portable snacks (trail mix, beef jerky, dried fruits, granola, etc.)
- Insulated mugs
- A map of local trails and camping grounds
- Gloves
- Binoculars
- Trekking shoes (Make sure you get the right size!)
- One of the best ways to connect with someone is to share their interests! Consider planning an outdoorsy date for them and add a note in the basket. You can talk about where you’ll go and what you’ll do in the note, or keep it a surprise, simply giving a date and time. If you don’t know when they’ll be available, you can even make a “coupon” for one outdoorsy trip with you, redeemable at any time. I think we all have the childhood memory of making “coupons” for our parents on holidays, promising to do chores or for a simple hug. This nostalgic gift could be the perfect addition to your basket!
4. The Coffee Lover’s Dream Basket
I can’t start my mornings without coffee. Now I’m no coffee connoisseur, but I can definitely appreciate a good coffee set. This basket will not only be special, but useful to your loved one.
- Put your favorite coffee add-ins and morning treats into this basket:
- Premium coffee beans (You can buy these at your local coffee shop or in specialty stores online)
- Flavored syrups
- Travel mug
- Artisan cookies (Biscotti is amazing with coffee!)
- Add a note with your favorite coffee recipes, a handwritten note and a list of coffee places you can visit together!
- Instead of a basket, consider putting your items in a crate! That way, your loved one can repurpose it to build a coffee station!
5. Movie Night Basket: Cozy and Fun
There is no better date night than staying in and watching a movie and you can’t change my mind on that! I am a certified binge watcher. I love getting comfortable on the sofa and simply popping in a classic movie at night, especially when it’s raining or cold outside.
- Fill this basket up with everything you need for the perfect night in!
- A cozy blanket
- Something salty (popcorn, chips, pretzels, etc.)
- Something sweet (M&M’s, Skittles, Twizzlers, etc.)
- Ramen
- DVDs or streaming gift cards
- Maybe this is the nerdy side of me coming out, but add some paper and pens where you can write down your thoughts and share them after the movie! You can also add in a list of your favorite movies that you would like to watch together!
6. Gourmet Foodie Basket: Tantalize Their Taste Buds
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…I am a big foodie! I think this basket may be my favorite on the list, since it allows your loved one to taste a variety of foods. You can plan a romantic picnic with this basket!
- Make sure you have variety when filling this basket:
- Something crunchy (crackers, breadsticks, pretzels)
- Something umami (cheese, cured meats, sun dried tomatoes)
- Something pickled (olives, pickled peppers)
- Something bitter (dark chocolate, grapefruit)
- Something sweet (honey, jams, dried fruit)
- Something to drink (wine, champagne, apple cider, artisanal sodas)
- This basket may contain perishable items, so make sure you don’t buy the products too far in advance, and to let your loved one know how to store the basket safely.
- Make sure you include foods your loved one enjoys! If there is a treat you know they love, this is the perfect place to add it. Also, consider having a theme! Take inspiration from different regions of the world to create a culinary experience.
- If you really want to go the extra mile, add in an engraved cutting board or wooden utensil to this basket. This can be a little more expensive, but it is a keepsake that lasts a lifetime!
7. The Bookworm’s Basket: For Literature Lovers
I am a bookworm! I love curling up with a good book, whether it is a classic or a book released earlier that week! If your loved one is a reader like me, they are bound to love this basket.
- Put reader’s essentials in this basket!
- A collection of novels (If you know what kind of books your loved one enjoys, include new books/editions of that genre)
- A cozy blanket
- A clip on reading light
- Herbal tea
- Consider annotating a book for your loved one so that they can read your notes as they read! These annotations can be our thoughts, opinions, and anything else that pops in your head while you read!
- You can also make a handmade bookmark to include in your basket! If you are an artist (I am not), you can draw pictures to decorate the bookmark. You can also write a love note and tuck the bookmark into one of the books for your loved one to find.
8. DIY Love Basket: Completely Customizable
This basket is a celebration of your love! While I can give you ideas on how to fill your basket, only you know the joys of your relationship. Think about the best things about your relationship, the things that make you smile.
- Fill this basket with:
- Mementos of your relationship (photos, receipts, keepsakes, souvenirs)
- Things that mean a lot to both of you (a reservation at your favorite restaurant)
- Snacks
- Small gifts (yarn if they like crafting, golf balls if they like golfing, etc.)
- Create a focus item: something that requires a little more time and effort. You can create a slideshow or a scrapbook with pictures of the two of you. Another idea is to write them a collection of heartfelt letters. Whatever you decide, make sure it is something that means a lot to both of you!
Looking for More Romantic Gift Ideas? If you’re still searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift basket, check out Good Housekeeping’s top picks! From indulgent chocolates to cozy spa sets, these ideas are sure to wow your special someone.
Where to Buy or How to DIY Your Basket
I recommend looking at local stores to find the right products for your baskets. They will often have unique premium products that would be perfect for a basket. However, retail stores will also have items that fit well in the basket.
- When you go shopping, consider the following things:
- Prioritize your budget!
- Plan, plan plan! Think about what you want in the basket before you go to the store. Make sure you have a list before you go to the store.
- The basket does not have to be crazy expensive. I know how easy it is to get carried away when planning an intricate gift like this, but there is no shame in getting more budget friendly items to fill your basket. Because you are buying multiple things, the cost can add up pretty fast, so be careful!
- Have a mix of expensive and affordable items in your basket. I like splurging on the focus items; the things I know that my loved one will use a lot. By keeping the additional items low-cost, there is room in my budget for more premium items.
- Find the right basket!
- There are tons of baskets out there, in different colors, sizes, and materials. You can get a basket that fits your theme and is already decorated.
- Consider your budget! The basket doesn’t have to be fancy. Places like the Dollar Store have more budget-friendly options.
- It doesn’t have to be a basket! I love the idea of challenging the idea of a traditional gift basket and making it fit the personality of your loved one.
- Decorate!
- Fabric, tissue paper, gift wrap, and ribbon can give your gift basket an extra oomph!
- If you have the time and space, you can set up your gift basket in a display, adding a background of balloons and confetti.
- Consider getting sustainable decorations that are better for the environment and can sometimes even be reused!
- Personalize it!
- Remember that I am just giving base ideas for what can be built into a wonderful gift basket that fits your needs. Get creative, tap into the depths of your heart, and add your personal touch to the baskets to make it extra special.
- Prioritize your budget!
While I highly recommend curating your own basket, I completely understand how time consuming it can be. There are plenty of pre-made gift baskets you can explore. Online retailers, like Harry & David and Stonewall Kitchen specialize in making great baskets. Etsy and Amazon also have unique options. You can also check your local stationary store, coffee shop, or deli to find a carefully curated basket featuring premium products. You can also add personal touches to these baskets, such as adding an emotional note or a card.
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day is not just a “gift card” holiday. I love how gift baskets allow you to pour your heart out into a gift. It takes care and effort, the celebration of love that Valentine’s Day is supposed to be.
Gift baskets can look like anything! Focus on personalizing them. My favorite thing about gift baskets is that there is no “standard” way a gift basket has to be. Don’t be afraid to get creative and challenge the idea of traditional gift baskets. Think about your loved one and your relationship with them as you find the perfect items.
This Valentine’s Day, let your gift basket tell the story of your love!
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