My gifting philosophy is straightforward — listen well, buy thoughtfully. This strategy has served me well over the years and is easily applied to any recipient. This is particularly true for gifting a romantic partner, because the gift’s intent can mean just as much, if not more, than the actual item. With that said, sometimes you need a little guidance to get started. Everything on this list is a bit splurgy (sometimes it’s fun to blow a little cash on something super nice), but also worth the price. To source these, I dug through the Strategist archives to surface products our staff and contributors swear by and combed through my horde of bookmarks. The result is this list. There’s pony-hair sneakers that will never go out of style, patterned cashmere sweaters, and a cleanser estheticians keep recommending to me. For additional gift ideas, we also have a gift guide for all kinds of girlfriends (at every price point) and a bigger Valentine’s Day hub for everyone on your list.
The Wales Bonner Sambas manage to feel fresh despite the silhouette’s popularity. I like these pony-hair ones, which are a little high-maintenance but worth the effort.
From our favorite mattress brand Saatva, a weighted sleep mask for deeper sleep.
For scenting a room, this intoxicating candle from Le Labo contains synthetic ambergris and has notes of musk, wood, and jasmine.
My esthetician friends love the iS Clinical cleansing complex, which they say offers a deep clean without stripping skin of its natural oils. This four-piece set includes the cleanser along with the brand’s sunscreen and two serums.
A stripey-satin pajama set she could conceivably wear outside.
Cashmere is always a nice and functional gift. Knitwear brand Leret Leret takes it up a notch with fun patterns, which makes it feel a little more gifty.
For something a little less playful, Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla recommends this sweater from Guest in Residence, which she says is warm and lightweight. “I’ve worn it an almost embarrassing amount of times this month,” she says.
A skin-soothing red-light mask that’s backed up by 40 peer-reviewed studies.
This foulard (a fancy way of saying “neck scarf”) is made from Scottish cashmere and can be used to jazz up an otherwise basic outfit.
I’ve been balaclava-pilled, so I assume your girlfriend is too. This one from Herd has a cute bow and is made with English wool.
If the Salter House clogs feel a little too ubiquitous (they’re all over Brooklyn), the Wellies are a nice-looking option, too.
Pardilla, a fine-jewelry enthusiast, describes this Spinelli Kilcollin ring as the “the priciest fidget spinner around.”
A few years ago we asked celebrities about the splurgy thing they bought once they hit it big. For Molly Baz, it was a pair of Tekla sheets. Taking a page out of her book, this cozy blanket is made from lambswool and comes in four shades.
For the at-home chef, an official-looking apron with playful details.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
