painless shopping

The 33 Best Gifts for Every Type of Girlfriend

Photo-Illustration: Courtesy the retailers

Whether you’ve been dating for ten years or just-shy of ten weeks, buying a Valentine’s Day present for the person you love can be fraught. You might want something meaningful — but not too meaningful — or you might want to gift something useful, weird, or a combination of the two. Whatever you’re looking for and whatever the budget, we’re here to help. We went through the Strategist archives and scoured retailers to find some of the most giftable products. And while most of these options are available on Amazon, we’ve found some options elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around. Read on for suggestions for stylish girlfriends, sporty girlfriends, minimalist girlfriends, long-term girlfriends, and “Is it official yet?” girlfriends. We’ve also added in the last date each item can be ordered with guaranteed delivery on or before the 14th and flagged if it’s available via Amazon Prime.

For the girlfriend who works from bed

Give her some sheets she wouldn’t mind being glimpsed on Zoom.

Last date to purchase: 11 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend with a more sophisticated WFH setup

A classic Parker pen for a heavy dose of corner-office energy.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who snacks

£13 for 20

These crispy roasted broad beans are the kind of thing you usually get with your sherry at Sager and Wilde — but would be just as nice with a glass of wine in front of Drag Race.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a Caroline Hirons stan

Dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman told us that a skin-care fridge could be the perfect gift for a beauty lover.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who found Squid Game too stressy

£17
Photo: retailer

Hive, a chesslike game we have written about before, is a far more enjoyable way to relax after work.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who can do a cut crease

Photo: RETAILER

Fetto’s favourite products, like lipstick or foundation, are shot on strikingly coloured backgrounds, and the jewel-green cover with foil lettering would look particularly nice arranged on a coffee table with a vase of fresh flowers.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a little bit luxury

These Himalayan bath salts feature lavender, rose, and chamomile.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s more than a little bit luxury

This is the best overall hairbrush according to the expert stylists we spoke to.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who has strong feelings on pyramid-shaped versus square-shaped teabags

Give her a striking-looking teapot for her (highly specific) selection.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who has strong feelings on burr versus blade grinders

Coffee experts recommended the Chemex as a gift for its beautiful aesthetic. The brew method is similar to the V60, but because of the size, it’s particularly good for groups or for batch coffee.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who has strong opinions on pour-over versus French press

A gooseneck kettle is perfect for blooming your freshly ground coffee.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who has an active eBay account

Consider this Kit-Cat clock, whose eyes and tail move every second.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a doodler

£16

Not too thin and not too thick, these pens (which came in at No. 24 in our exhaustive pen-testing project) come recommended by Diptyque creative director Myriam Badault, British GQ art director Kevin Fay, and designer Chloe Ainsley.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a painter

£50

Professional artist Natalya Lobanova is staunchly loyal to these quite affordable watercolours.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who loses her phone but also keeps it on silent so you can’t just ring it to find it

Tile Mate
£16

A gift that will pay for itself.

Last date to purchase: 11 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who wishes she lived by the sea

This scrub is made with sea kelp and French green clay (and smells like the seaside).

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the wife who always finds her light

A well-reviewed ring light: Its Colour Rendering Index is over 90. (Experts told us a CRI as close to 100 is best as natural light has a CRI rating of 100.)

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who drizzles

This bottle by Belazu came recommended by Joshua Paterson, co-founder of Bill or Beak in Camden Market, who told us it was one of his go-to oils for “dressing dishes and dipping ridiculous amounts of bread into.”

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who stays up late reading

This book light sits on the neck and is bright enough for her to keep page-turning without keeping you awake.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who stays up late seething

If you’re a snorer, author Sophia Money-Coutts says these earplugs “remain lodged all night, comfortably muffling the world outside.”

Last date to purchase: 10 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s just moved into a new flat

This looks like something you’d find in Anthropologie or an East London independent dedicated to reviving gems from the late ’60s.

Last date to purchase: 7 February.

For the girlfriend who overexerted on Yoga With Adriene

Photo: retailer

This back and neck massager was the top-rated one when we scoured Amazon for the best massagers.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who overexerted at the Nunhead Gardener

There’s a trove of tasteful planters, baskets, and pots on Amazon. We particularly like this set of two rope baskets.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a little bit of a grandma

Interior designer Rita Konig told us she likes the leather detailing on this radio (and Russell Tovey has it in burgundy).

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a winter girl

Supersoft and in a pleasing charcoal.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who’s a summer girl

It’s not too early to plan this summer’s picnics.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

A bottle of Champagne would fit quite nicely into that picnic basket.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime), or order with same-day delivery on the 14th.

For the girlfriend you’re just getting serious with

There’s no need for her to bring a toothbrush when she sleeps over anymore.

Last date to purchase: 11 February (Prime).

You could bundle the toothbrush with this stylish jasmine toothpaste.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend that didn’t miss a day of Chloe Ting during lockdown

£130

She’ll be hitting her New Year’s resolution of 10,000 steps in no time.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who never switches on the big light

To add to her fairy-light/LED strips/candle mood-light collection.

Last date to purchase: 7 February (Prime).

For the girlfriend who is fully analogue

Of all the Instax options, we particularly like this baby pink.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

You could also pair the camera with a pack of extra film.

Last date to purchase: 12 February (Prime).

The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

The 33 Best Gifts for Every Type of Girlfriend