Up your Valentine’s day gift game this 2025!

By Trần Thy Vân 7.1

Photograph by Chordboard, courtesy of Wikimedia. CC BY SA 3.0

“Cause I think I’ve fallen in love this time. I blinked and suddenly I had a Valentine.” Can you guess where those lyrics come from? If you answered the song “Valentine” by Laufey, then congratulations; you’re absolutely correct! It’s finally February, which means Valentine’s Day is coming around the corner. Although roses and heart-shaped chocolates are undeniably simple and safe, the ideal Valentine’s gift for him or her requires just a tad more effort. Thus, I’ve gathered my top 3 selections of unique, versatile gifts ranging from every price point—to help you successfully play Cupid this year and onwards!

Handmade pottery dishes:

Handmade pottery dishes are your best friend if you’re looking for an artistic, tactile approach. It reaches further than mere forms of decorative art, symbolizing connection and care through the intricate, patient act of shaping clay. Unlike store-bought pottery dishes, handmade ones are easily customizable. For some personal touches, consider their initials or your anniversary date! However, if you’re in quick need of a gift, you might want to reconsider this strategy! The entire process alone takes up to two weeks, while workshops range from 250K VND to 500K VND per person. 

Silk pillowcases:

Everybody’s locs need a bit of TLC, whether it's for him or her. If your special someone is a haircare fanatic with a load of products or has never touched anything besides a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, silk pillowcases are a must-have! It adds a touch of luxury to the everyday act of sleeping, as silk screams sophistication, comfort, and femininity for women. This kind of fabric doesn’t outright prevent bedhead, but it reduces frizziness and breakage thanks to silk’s smooth, friction-preventing properties. You can find these pillowcases at most bedding stores and online shopping platforms, with prices ranging from as little as 250K VND each! 

Snack bouquet:

Flower bouquets are a classic Valentine’s Day gift that anyone would accept with open arms, but what if we substituted flowers for food? We all know very well that the way to someone’s heart is through their belly, so what’s not to love about an indulgent bouquet of their favorite snacks? In addition to being a fun, delicious way to enjoy Valentine’s Day, it serves as a reminder to your attention to detail in the relationship—for you’d need to consider their likes, dislikes, diets, and allergies in order to construct the ideal edible bouquet. Of my top three, this approach is by far the least costly in terms of money, as it only calls for some snacks, stationary staples, and a little craftsmanship! 

In conclusion, it’s important that your gifts come from the heart—whether they're generic flowers and chocolates or more elevated ones. Want something close to the heart? Opt for handmade pottery dishes! Otherwise, if time isn’t on your side, some quicker, more easily accessible options would be silk pillowcases and snack bouquets. Remember, time doesn’t wait for anyone, so let’s start preparing our gifts now so we don’t come off as “sorry, I didn’t have time to think of any gift for you last minute” energy this year and onwards!