Why we all need a bit of Valentine’s spirit – and the gifts worth giving

2 weeks ago 35

You can be a Grinch about it or, as Jess Cartner-Morley wrote in her latest Filter edit, you can embrace it for the “daft festival of joy in the bleakest moment of the calendar” that it is. Valentine’s Day, if nothing else, is a reminder in the depths of unromantic February to cherish those you love. And let’s be honest, the world needs a bit more of that sentiment right now.

But there are Valentine’s Day gifts, and there are Valentine’s Day gifts. In our guide, we decided to eschew the throwaway and unimaginative in favour of a selection of thoughtful, creative ideas that will last well beyond 14 February (we included flowers, because who doesn’t love flowers, but opted for longer-lasting stained-glass alternatives and subscriptions over a single bunch of blooms).

Banished are flammable teddies and high-sugar supermarket chocolates; instead, there’s a candle that melts into a massage oil, a mini photo book, and a two-cup flask for couple hikes. More considered presents like these should bring you and your partner closer.

There’s no need to spend a fortune – we found an M&S fragrance for under £10 that’s a great dupe for a Jo Malone scent, and an affordable table tennis set to unleash both your inner Marty Supremes.

Be my Galentine

A composite of a heart-shaped box of chocolates, a Frida Kahlo cross-stitch and the front of the Bad Friend book with two black line illustrations of a hand giving a gift and two people hugging

Sometimes, though, you just want to celebrate your besties. The reason Galentine’s Day, on 13 February, sounds like a modern-day confection is because it is (thank you, US sitcom Parks and Recreation). But that’s no reason not to embrace its feminist spirit. We’ve handpicked a selection of gifts, from a mystery football shirt to a cafetière guaranteed to spark joy, that your female friends will really appreciate.

There’s no doubt the V-Day/Galentine’s hoopla, with its highly feminised aesthetic, is aimed squarely at women. But we’ve also included some lovely gifts for men – think David Gandy trunks, a personalised beer stein and Le Labo beard oil. Have you ever received a great gift on Valentine’s Day? Please reply to this newsletter to share your wins. And whoever you are, happy 13th and 14th.

This week’s picks

Editor’s pick

Timothée Chalamet dressed all in black and two black boots on a purple background

“Much like our bodies, our wardrobes need to acclimatise to winter,” writes Peter Bevan in his guide to the best men’s boots, and he’s right. Whether chelseas or hikers, a good pair of boots feels like essential armour to stomp through wet, cold February. We’ve also covered the best boots for women, including everything from slouchy to cowboy.

Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter

In case you missed it …

Dale Berning-Sawa tests frying pans for The Filter. 19 June 2025

Here on the Filter, we eat pancakes year round. But if Shrove Tuesday, which is rapidly approaching on 17 February, reminds you to get the eggs, flour and lemons in, you might want to take a hard look at your frying pan too, to avoid a sticky, sludgy mess on the day.

Dale Berning Sawa tested the best Pfas-free frying pans by cooking up a batch of pancakes (as well as other tricky stickers such as scrambled egg and marinated pork) on everything from ceramic non-stick to cast iron.

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Scented burning candle with an open paper book on a wooden tray and a knitted textile on a chair

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