A hamper featuring a potted plant and some pantry goods.
Photograph: Supplied | Indoor Plant Co
Photograph: Supplied | Indoor Plant Co

Romantic and thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts to shop

The most romantic day of the year is just around the corner, so we've rounded up our favourite swoon-worthy gifts

Adena Maier
Contributor: Liv Condous
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The season of love has arrived, and we want to help you avoid the mad dash to the corner store on February 13 to see if any droopy roses or cliche cards are left on the shelves. Impress your loved ones with some of these thoughtful and romantic gifts by Australian makers, like monogrammed slippers and everlasting flowers. We've ordered the list from least to most expensive, in case you're on a budget or keen to splurge.

Looking to make Valentine's Day extra special? Book a stay at one of these romantic hotels in Melbourne. And if you're after more ideas, check out our complete guide to celebrating Valentine's Day in Melbourne.

Thoughtful and romantic Valentine's Day gifts

Keep things sweet and simple this Valentine's Day and give the gift of damn good chocolate. Whittaker's is a premium chocolate producer from New Zealand that has been crafting the good stuff since 1896. Go classic with a creamy milk, dark almond or coconut block, or try a speciality block such as the pear and honey or the ginger and mandarin. And if your better half is vegan, spoil them with an oat milk block that is entirely plant-based. Because no one doesn't like chocolate (well, if your partner doesn't that may be a red flag, just FYI). 

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  • Shopping
  • Jewellery
  • Fitzroy

Alicia Millan founded her Fitzroy-based independent jewellery brand Aletheia and Phos in 2014 to craft sustainable fine jewellery. For Valentine's Day, the 'I Carry Your Heart' collection has been handcrafted to be shared with someone special – whether that's your lover, best friend, mum or brother. It includes a range of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings (available in both gold and silver) that feature an anatomical heart. Think of it as a chance to wear your heart (or theirs) on your sleeve. Browse the collection here.

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If you're not familiar yet with skincare brand Grown Alchemist, its ethos is offering products and services that treat the skin from the inside out and are free from harmful synthetics. It has heaps on offer, including cleansers, moisturisers, creams and more, and for easy gifting, we recommend the intensive body cream. Featuring pomegranate and cupuaçu butter, the formula is rich in antioxidants and is designed to nourish, soften and hydrate the skin. Shop it and other products here.

Some things just make a perfect pair (hopefully one of them being you and your chosen date this Valentine's Day) and there is no denying that the ultimate match is wine and cheese. Spoil a special person in your life this V-Day with a wine-tasting experience at Quealy's Cellar Door followed by a cheese platter and a glass of your favourite vino for just $36. Walk-ins are welcome or book online now to secure a spot.

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If your boo loves their beauty sleep, then this is the gift for them. Melbourne bedding brand Gioia Casa has a luxe gift set that is sure to help your loved one have the a relaxing rest, with a silk gift set including a sleep mask, pillow case and scrunchies, that are all 100 per cent mulberry silk. You can purchase the set for a bargain on catch.com.au, and it comes in pink, navy blue and white. Shop it here

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Help your special someone to relax and unwind this V-Day. Self-care brand Epzen has everything you need to make it happen, with this bath gift set that is the perfect recipe for some zen. It includes aromatic bath bubbles, magnesium bath flakes, hydrating body wash and shower balm, making for a heavenly combo. Buy it here

Instead of sending a bouquet of plastic-wrapped flowers that'll end up in the bin after a week, consider sending your loved one a potted indoor plant that they can cherish for years to come. Indoor Plant Co is offering build-your-own and pre-made hampers that include a plant as well as other goodies like face and body scrubs, coffee beans, wine, candles and more. Browse the hampers here.

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  • Melbourne
This extra fancy premium bento box encloses four housemade treats, including Ishizuka's signature fresh fruit yokan, strawberry daifuku and pink sakura castella. But while these desserts would taste amazing on their own, what we love most about this gift is that it comes with two bottles of Tamausagi green tea. This revered slow-brewed sencha from Uki (south of Kyoto) makes for a wonderful tea ceremony to enjoy slowly with the loved one in your life. You can pick the box up from the restaurant only, between the hours of 4pm and 6pm, from February 13-15. Find out more at the website.
  • Cafés
  • Windsor

Now don't these treats look pretty? The Cookie Box is an artisanal cookie shop that prides itself on its chunky, homemade cookies. Every cookie is made using top-quality ingredients, rested for 48 hours, then baked and sold on the same day. If the apple of your eye has an insatiable sweet tooth, then these sugar wizards might just do the trick with their limited-edition Valentine's Day cookies. The creation is super gooey, almost like a cheesecake, and spiked with freeze-dried raspberries. Boxes of them will be available on February 14 from all Cookie Box stores until sold out. Go to the website to find the store closest to you. 

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If you think getting into a freshly made bed is the epitome of comfort, then just imagine how luxurious it would feel after adding a silk slip into the equation. Since 2003, Papinelle has been designing sleepwear, and its luxurious collection of silk slips make for a luxurious (and sexy!) V-Day prezzie. Add it to your cart here.

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Bottle of Rosé Brut from Champagne Tsarine, $64.99

This sparkly winner of a drink is the perfect way to woo a new love, with rosy pink hues and notes of strawberry, redcurrant and blackcurrant. Perfect for popping into a basket for a cute picnic date or bringing along to a BYO dinner, the bottle boasts an elegant design guaranteed to impress, but it's what's inside that will win your loved one's heart over. This award-winning Champagne house from France is known to delight vino afficionados all over the world, and their Rosé Brut is no exception. Ooh la la!

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