We Created the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift List With Tested Products That Are Sure to Impress

Tea is best when shared with someone you love. Whether the woman in your life is tea-obsessed or simply loves snuggling up to you with a mug in hand, this gift from Teapigs is just the thing. Teapigs’ packaging is gift-worthy, too, from its charming brown boxes with animal logos to the large, biodegradable tea “pyramids” that replace boring paper tea bags.

Editor and tea connoisseur Olivia Campbell can attest to the quality of these teas. “My favorite is the English Breakfast. It’s really delicious: malty and incredibly flavorful,” she says. “I like the open, pyramid-shaped bags that allow the leaves the space they need to move around. The company also uses much larger leaves and pieces than most bagged tea, giving it better and stronger flavor.”

If black tea isn’t your gal’s favorite, there are also lovely green teas and herbal options, like chamomile and ginger lemon.

Looking to spice up your love life? Look no further than New Salt and New Pepper, a salt-and-pepper duo from Spicewell. Each seasoning is vegan, keto, and gluten-free, and packs a nutritional punch.

New Salt is Himalayan pink salt mixed with kelp, broccoli, onion, tomato, carrot, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts. I’ve tried it, and it tastes just like regular salt, but with 30 percent less sodium. It also provides 10 percent of your recommended daily value of vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K, as well as iron, folate, zinc, and more.

New Pepper contains black pepper, turmeric, broccoli, onion, carrot, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts. You can taste a hint of the turmeric along with the black pepper, and I really like how nicely it seasons everyday staples like eggs or chicken breast. The pepper also provides about as many vitamins and minerals as the salt blend. If you really want to make it a treat, I’d recommend pairing this gift with a nice new salt-and-pepper shaker set.

If your loved one cooks or bakes, this is the perfect gift to throw in the mix. This beautiful 84-ounce (oz) ceramic mixing bowl is microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe.

“It's a good-size bowl with a gorgeous pattern that I could see being a household staple for years to come,” says editor Ally Hirschlag, who tested one. She appreciates that it has two spouts for easy pouring into baking pans or skillets. You can upgrade this gift by purchasing the set of three Great Jones Stir Crazy bowls that nest together.

A gift of artisan oils like this trio from La Tourangelle can give you the impetus to cook more at home. And it’s even better if you decide to prepare a special meal for the woman in your life.

The gift set includes roasted walnut oil, avocado oil, and toasted sesame oils. They’re all “finishing” oil — not the kind you’d use for cooking at high heat. That means they’re great on salads, already-grilled meats and vegetables, pasta, and soup.

“The walnut oil was new to me, but it was fun to make a salad dressing vinaigrette with,” says editorial director Simone Scully. She agrees that this trio makes a nice gift for someone you love who likes to cook or simply eat.

On top of giving your loved one a boost, receiving a coffee called “The High Achiever” is an excellent compliment. And as the name suggests, this Bulletproof coffee goes above and beyond the brand’s regular stuff.

“I love the flavor of this coffee and how it includes several beneficial ingredients,” says writer and editor Katrina Cossey. She calls its medium-dark roast “rich, deep, and smooth” — smooth like your gift game. 

Buying a heart-shaped box of drugstore chocolate for Valentine’s Day is basic. Buying a Bauhaus-inspired box of teardrop-shaped calissons from Aix-en-Provence, France, is brilliant.

Campbell had the tough job of sampling these and would not stop gushing about them. “These chocolates are imported from Europe, and it shows,” she says. “The flavors are to die for. The citrus is so delightfully intense. The hazelnut is creamy. The chocolate is rich and decadent — really an elevated chocolate experience.”

This box contains lemon, hazelnut, and black currant calissons. But Muzeo offers other boxes with European chocolates and caramels that sound equally decadent.

This gift is one way to make your sweetheart melt! These wax melts resemble nostalgic Valentine’s Day candy forget-me-nots with messages like “Call Me,” “UR Cute,” and more.

If you’re not familiar with candle melts, these are fragrant bits of wax you can place over a tea light, in a pot on the stove, or in an electric warming device. They release olfactory treats akin to scented candles, without the dangers of an open flame.

“The vanilla scent is absolutely delightful, too. Everyone in my family loves it,” says editor Ashley Ziegler. “Plus, these are so easy to use.”

While we’re months out from peak garden season, you can show that plant mom your love with this thoughtful collection of goodies. It includes a culinary herb-seed collection, pollinator seed pops, carrot-and-neroli shea butter hand cream, Bella Cucina artichoke pesto (an Oprah fave), pruning shears, an herb pull-and-pinch pot (it strips the herbs off the stem), gardener’s hand soap, and a candle in a box that’s also plantable with seeds. 

“This is such a pretty, well-made gift,” says Ziegler. “It arrived in a sturdy box tied with a ribbon and fresh lavender. I would say it's truly a luxury box.”

Plane tickets to the far-off destination you’ve been dreaming of together might be the most romantic gift ever. But when that’s not necessarily in your budget, how about a candle that transports your senses to faraway lands?

“The scent is just intoxicating,” Hirschlag says of the Marrakech candle that combines orange blossom, tobacco, cinnamon, and amber fragrances. “It really does put you in a spice market, but it's not overwhelming; you get a delightfully complex set of notes that all work beautifully together.”

Other dream cities the brand offers in candle form are Aspen, New York City, and Paris. Plus, they all have a 50-hour burn time.

This gift is so fun that it could probably turn anyone into a bird watcher. Your Valentine may already be a birder, or you could expedite the process with this gift. 

Even Scully, who didn’t think she was a birder before receiving her Birdfy feeder, was fascinated by the winged visitors it attracted. “I found myself more entertained by this than I expected,” she says. She appreciated that the accompanying AI-powered app helps experts and non-experts alike identify the birds captured by the camera. “It will also start to give you hints as it learns about the birds that come to it, and will tell you if, for example, a chickadee tends to visit your feeder in the early afternoon.”

For a little extra, you can buy a solar-powered version and spring for the lifetime subscription to the AI app. Of course, that depends on how confident you are that she’ll keep up with this hobby.

This rechargeable diffuser is easy to use, mess-free, safe, and sure to titillate your loved one’s senses, creating a home paradise. It uses fragrance-oil bottles (a separate purchase you should add to this gift) and lasts for up to 14 hours between charges. You can use it with or without an app to set a timer, adjust to three levels, and operate a mood light that changes colors. 

“I love how you don’t need water to make this work,” says Cossey. “You just screw the bottle onto the lid, and that’s it. It’s incredibly simple to use. Plus, the scents I tried (Vanilla Cedarwood, Mandarin Basil, and Miami Sunset) are not overpowering and don’t give me a headache.”

This body oil is surprisingly affordable, given how luxurious it will make your loved one feel. The oil moisturizes skin with botanical ingredients, including kukui, cacay, squalane, moringa, meadowfoam seed, karanja, fermented saururus oils, and other plant extracts. It also blends bergamot, sage, and driftwood notes, leaving the wearer smelling fantastic.

“I love the scent; it's elevated woodsy, like what you'd expect from a spa,” Hirschlag says. “It's super-lightweight, too, which is great for an oil.”

You have to be careful when buying a facial roller for someone else; the wrong person could take it as an insult about their face looking puffy or saggy. The right person, on the other hand, just loves self-care and treats themself to a morning (or midday or late-night) facial massage. And the Timebeam Ice Baby feels good, having tested this myself.

There is some kind of “cryo technology” (magic?) at work here that makes the two balls on the roller feel ice-cold, even if you don’t store them in a freezer. That makes this very convenient for travel or for keeping this roller in a bag for anytime use.

If your special someone loves the spa but doesn’t have the time to go, bring the spa home! This gift set includes eucalyptus- and mint-scented shower steamers, sugar scrub, “24K gold” under-eye masks, and steam eye masks — a luxurious bundle that rivals what’s available at many a spa.

“I personally love eucalyptus- and mint–scented products, because they help open up my sinuses,” says Ziegler. The shower steamers were her favorite item in this gift set, which she also recommends because it’s so affordable.

Rest is a luxury these days, and this weighted eye mask can help your loved one shut out the whole world, let go, and drift off to sleep. The mask contains a special kind of clay that conforms to the wearer’s face and weighs down gently on pressure points. The outer material is something the brand calls upcycled Cloudweave, and even though I don’t know what that is, Ziegler says it’s wonderful.

“If you had told me [its] price before trying the product, I probably would have given it an automatic no. But now that I've been using it regularly, I think it's definitely worth the cost,” Ziegler says of the mask's $69 list price. “It's well-made, it works, and it's so soft. … Now that I know how well it works, I can confidently say it's worth the investment.”

You or your loved one may have wondered whether a red-light therapy (RLT) mask or wand device could address your skin-care concerns — but maybe you weren’t quite ready to drop hundreds to find out. Now is your chance to satisfy your giftee’s curiosity at a much more affordable price point.

“I was excited to try this, as I have been interested in trying red-light therapy,” says Campbell, who was pleased to discover that RLT did not aggravate her rosacea. “I like that this product is small and doesn't take up a lot of space. I also like that it beeps every minute to tell you to move to a different area of your face, like an electric toothbrush.”

This inspiring planner can make sticking to New Year’s resolutions easy, and it’s never too late to start. “This gift is really a subscription. The recipient gets monthly journals that help them track basic well-being goals, like staying hydrated and getting enough sleep, but also has some ‘big’ questions and is designed to help people be intentional with their time and energy and meet their big goals,” says writer Julia Pelly, MPH.

The journals encourage you to set goals, record your gratitude, and track healthy habits. They include plenty of prompts and stickers to help. And along with the journals, a subscription includes access to an online community, a content library, an app, and wellness events.

“It's a really pretty journal. I like the graphics and the usability of some of the lists,” says Pelly. You can gift one month for $33.20, three months for $24.95 per month, or a full year for $239.40.

One lip gloss is fun. So why not give someone three? This trio from Live Tinted includes colors like sparkly Honor, bright-red Smart, and pink Grace.

“A lot of the time, gloss just sits on the lips, but this really feels like it's making them feel softer,” says Hirschlag, who tested the trio. That effect is likely due to the formula’s hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and shea butter. “The applicator wand is also nice and big, which I appreciate. I'd recommend it to my gloss-lover friends who enjoy a nice pop of color and sparkle.”

A good bath bomb can make you feel pampered and like you’re a little kid playing at bath time. You and your loved one can enjoy those fizzy bubbles while also relishing in some grown-up relaxing scents. You'll also let your muscles relax in Epsom salt and have your skin moisturized by cocoa and shea butter.

This set comes with the bath-bomb varieties Florida Fresh, Coconut Lime, Lavender Vanilla, Sun-Kissed, Boyfriend, and Ocean Breeze. “My favorites were the Florida Fresh and Lavender, because these had the most natural, floral, or fruity scents,” says Scully. “They dissolve nicely and quickly and are very relaxing.”

Paint by numbers may be easy, but it’s enjoyable. It allows you to make art without all the pressure to be talented or creative. That’s why we’re grouping this kit with the other relaxing self-care gift ideas.

The kit’s floral design can make it feel like spring, even in the dead of winter. “It is really cute, easy to use, and a great price point,” says writer Julia Childs Heyl, MSW. The kit comes with a pre-printed canvas, 12 paints, and three brushes.

The effortlessly cool girl (woman) in your life will appreciate this sole-ful gift. And it doesn’t hurt that Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, and Kate Middleton are reportedly fans of these casual, stylish shoes.

“These are very attractive, everyday sneakers that are comfortable to wear when you go on a walk, on a trip, or just on your day-to-day,” Scully says of her red pair.  “They have a flexible sole and nice padding.”

If you think a robe is too common a gift for a woman, let me change your mind: I have treasured (and used) every robe I’ve been given. I don’t think I’ve ever even bought myself a robe, come to think of it. This waffle robe from Ettitude is made from a bamboo weave that the brand promises gets even softer with time.

“The fabric also helps pull moisture away from you when you're just out of the shower,” says Hirschlag. “I think it's a great gift for a friend, parent, or partner, since it doesn't involve too much guesswork with sizing — and everyone loves a good robe.”

Some of the cutest pajamas out there also make us sweat like crazy, which is zero fun for hot sleepers, regardless of what time of year it is. These PJs are made from bamboo viscose (with just a little spandex for stretch), which stays cool and dry, no matter how much your body heats up. 

“The fabric is very soft and smooth,” says Campbell, who agrees with the brand’s stay-cool claims. “They are thin and stretchy and super-comfy. The sizing is generous, which I think is good for pajamas. But some may prefer to size down.”

Whether your loved one is a fitness enthusiast or she lounges around, this wardrobe staple makes the perfect gift. “The material is superb,” said master health coach, trainer, and fitness instructor Jill Brown, back when she helped us name these the best leggings for everyday workouts. With that kind of endorsement, I’m confident these will also be an excellent gift.

“The Daily Leggings have a wide waistband with a drawstring that is both flattering and functional,” Brown said. That drawstring also helps prevent that dreaded problem of leggings sliding down mid-workout. “I can wear these for any activity, from my indoor cycling to Pilates classes.”

Swimming used to be one of the few solo sports you couldn’t do while distracting yourself with music, podcasts, or audiobooks — until the recent advent of special headphones like these.

The Zygo Z2 takes things a step further: Instead of requiring you to download files into a headset, it allows you to stream music or audio from your phone to a transmitter on the headphone case. The transmitter, in turn, streams to the bone-conducting headphones that fit over or under a swim cap. You can also get the associated app to have it count your laps and even get guided workouts.

“This opens up a new way for someone to stay engaged with their exercise,” says Spencer Ziegler, husband to editor Ashley Ziegler. “The setup was quick and painless, and I never experienced connectivity issues. The sound is clear, particularly underwater — it's actually clearer beneath the surface, which I found interesting. The fit is tight to the head, so the headphones don't shift when swimming.”

The Zygo Z2 comes in two sizes, so you may want to check the size guide before making your purchase. 

More often than not, women’s running clothing still doesn’t have good pockets. Even when it does, runners get uncomfortable with loose items jostling in them, or they run the risk of something falling out.

This little belt keeps everything snug against your favorite runner’s waist without bouncing. It fits waist sizes 25 to 38 inches (in), and you can buy a belt extender for sizes bigger than that. Plus, it comes in 35 color choices.

“You will not be weighed down with this running belt,” says writer and runner Brittany Vargas. “When it doesn't have stuff in it, it's very compact, but it actually stretches a lot to accommodate items.” Vargas does note that the design of this belt makes it easy for small items to fall out when you open it. So you might want to warn your gift recipient not to try to take out their ChapStick while running at full speed.

Support your loved one’s fitness goals without cluttering her home by gifting her this adjustable kettlebell. An adjustable device like this saves space. But it also encourages the user to work up from lighter weights to heavier ones without having to make another purchase.

While Campbell says this product is bulkier than a typical kettlebell, it's “still smaller than having several different-weight kettlebells.” She adds that it's “great for ramping up your weight amount, or for households where there are many members who are at different fitness levels.”

Just be aware that the price listed above is for one kettlebell, not a pair.

Heyl calls this kit “an epic Pilates gift box,” so we can’t imagine anything better for the Pilates fanatic or beginner in your life. It comes with a toning Pilates ring, three long resistance bands, three loop resistance bands, a soft Pilates ball, and a pair of grip socks. Choose from one of nine different colors, with options like raspberry pink and subtle mint that make them even more special.

“It feels put together and has everything you need for an at-home practice,” Heyl says.

Smartwatches are great for those of us who want to stay connected to all of the data, all of the time. But some people are ready for a break — from screens, from constant alerts, from everything that tries to distract them from the present.

This screen-free tracker from Polar makes that possible, while still allowing you to gather fitness and sleep info to check on your phone later. 

“It's a robust tracker,” says Vargas, praising the value of the kinds of data the Loop collects. “For example, Training Load helps track how much you are straining your body, so you can see when to ramp up or scale back. It also tracks sleep, steps, workouts, and has a test to determine your aerobic fitness. The sleep feature tracks how well you've recovered from any strain your body has been under, including how your nervous system is functioning. It also gives tips for how to regulate your energy levels, recover from stress, etc.”

Best of all, your gift recipient won’t have to pay a subscription to an app to get all this info — it’s all free.

One of the most wonderful things about yoga is that you can do it almost anywhere for free, once you know the basics. That doesn’t mean it’s exactly comfortable to do anywhere, though. And most yoga mats these days are pretty cumbersome, even rolled up.

This foldable mat from Yune Yoga is just 2 millimeters (mm) thick, and it weighs less than 1 pound (lb). So your yogi can pack it into a backpack, purse, or carry-on and take their practice anywhere. It’s also gorgeous, PVC-free, sustainably sourced, and won’t slip on any surface.

“It folds very easily, and the surface is soft,” says writer Alexandra Ginos, RD, who tested this mat. “I'd recommend it for a friend who travels a lot and needs a nice mat for hotel or Airbnb workouts.”

Ginos warns that the thin mat didn't provide much cushioning on her hardwood floor, so it may not be great for everyday use. But we also think you could bring this to the gym or yoga studio to place on top of the communal mats for a cleaner, more comfortable surface.