What to give your girlfriend on Valentine's Day

A good Valentine's Day gift says not "I bought something for the holiday" but "I know what you like". Here are gift ideas for your girlfriend — from flowers and experiences to small handmade things — plus tips on choosing and presenting them. Ideas for other people and occasions are in our guide what to give: gift ideas. Ideas for him: Valentine's gifts for him.

Flowers to go with your gift are in our roses in a box and flowers for her sections.

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How to choose: three questions

• What does she love? Hobbies, favourite places, things she mentioned recently are the best hints.
• What stage is your relationship at? On a first date a small bouquet is more fitting than expensive jewellery; in a long relationship attention to detail matters most.
• What is your budget? An expensive gift can't replace care: a small but well-chosen thing brings more joy.

Ideas by personality

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Flowers are a must

Even if the main gift is a trip or jewellery, flowers remain the symbol of the holiday. Red roses speak of love, pink and peach ones of tenderness, tulips of a spring mood. More in "Valentine's Day flowers".

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Popular gifts

• A bouquet or an arrangement in a box — a classic that is almost always appropriate.
• Jewellery — best chosen in her style; check her ring size in advance.
• Perfume or skincare — only if you know her preferences for sure.
• Sweets — handmade chocolate, macarons, a custom cake.
• A book, a vinyl record, a board game — for couples with shared interests.

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Experience gifts

Time spent together is often remembered longer than things: dinner at a restaurant she has long wanted to visit, a concert, a workshop (pottery, cooking, floristry), a photo shoot, a spa day or a weekend trip to another city.

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How to plan a surprise

• Delivery to work — a bouquet with a card in the middle of the day.
• A morning surprise — breakfast, flowers and a note before she wakes up.
• A treasure hunt — notes with clues leading to the gift.
• A romantic evening at home — candles, a favourite film and dinner you cooked.

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Handmade gifts

A valentine card, an album of your photos, a letter or a jar of notes saying "why I love you" are valued for the time you put into them. Ideas in "DIY Valentine's gifts" and "DIY Valentine cards".

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What to avoid

• Gifts "with a hint", such as a gym membership or self-improvement books.
• Household appliances, unless she asked for them.
• Last-minute shopping: on 13–14 February the choice of flowers and free restaurant tables is much smaller.

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FAQ

What is an inexpensive Valentine's gift for her?

A small bouquet with a handwritten card, sweets, a handmade gift or an evening together at home.

What should I give a girl I have just started dating?

Flowers and a small pleasant gift: sweets, a book or tickets to an event together. Save expensive jewellery for later.

Do I have to give flowers?

Not necessarily, but for most women flowers are an expected and welcome part of the holiday.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.