13 Things They Actually Want for Valentine’s Day (Trust Us — We Asked!)

“Listen, everyone gets flowers on Valentine’s Day, but the real ones supply the vase, too. Many flower delivery services provide their own, but if you ask me, the sweetest thing to do is to pick up (and maybe even arrange!) the flowers yourself and buy your loved one a pretty vase to go along with it. The vase will totally outlast those beautiful but ephemeral blooms.” —Sofia Rivera, Lifestyle Editor, Special Projects

My husband has a major sweet tooth, so I’ll be getting him a tin of Milk Bar’s famous cake truffles. It’s a delicious departure from the usual heart-shaped box of chocolates and includes flavors I know he’ll devour — like Chocolate Chip Cookie, Red Velvet, and classic Birthday Cake. They come in a cute reusable tin, too, so there’s no need for gift wrap.

“I'm a total sucker for anything tiny, gold, personalized, and cute. So Framebridge's new Puffy Heart Table Frame would be the ideal Valentine's gift for me — and a hit with pretty much anyone on your list. Pick a photo from your camera roll to customize it, and Framebridge will print, frame, and ship the tabletop piece straight to your person's door (in a pretty giftable box, to boot). You can also pick one up the same day if you live by a store and want to deliver it to your lucky recipient by hand. Oh, and did I mention it's under $50?” —Danielle Blundell, Executive Home Director

“These crochet bouquets are a sweet alternative to real flowers, in case anyone you know has allergies! They're handmade and will last forever. My husband just bought me a similar one for Valentine's Day this year.” —Stephanie Nguyen, Lifestyle Director

“I love Valentine's Day because it's a great excuse to celebrate my Galentines, too — and to indulge in shopping for all things pink and cutesy. This year, I'm picking up these adorable Vintage Bow Compact Mirrors from Solar Eclipse for my friends (and myself). They're seasonal yet timeless and a perfect reminder that your number-one Valentine should always be the one looking back at you in the mirror!” —Emma Dangel, Style Editor

“My boyfriend drinks so much tea, so for Valentine’s Day I’ll be quenching his craving with this Chai Kit from Diaspora Spice Co. It comes with everything you'll need to make the perfect cup of chai. I have it and adore the ceremony of simmering a mug of warming tea, and I know he’ll love it too.” —Sofia

I’m planning a craft night with my Galentines, and this POSCA paint-by-numbers set is the first activity on the itinerary. It comes with two pre-drawn canvases and a set of purple- and pink-toned paint markers that offer bright, opaque color in a single stroke (without the mess of paint and water). They can frame their canvases to remember the day, too.

“I got this for my boyfriend while we were long-distance last year. It’s basically a bunch of letters you can write ahead of time, and then your loved one can open them up and read them when the moment’s right.” —Mila Hoang, Assistant Shopping Manager

Dig through my bag at any given moment, and you’ll find a Dedcool Lip Balm. This Valentine’s Day-themed trio includes flavors fit for the occasion — Rose, Marshmallow, and Vanilla — and features nourishing oils that’ll kick chapped lips to the curb. I’m convinced that they’d make a supersweet Galentine’s Day gift (or a treat for yourself). Give someone the entire set or split it up between girlfriends as a small gift they’ll use every day.

“I've always loved an activity as a gift, whether it's a wine-pairing dinner at a local restaurant or a DIY kit you can work on together at home. This new candle-making kit from Apotheke immediately stuck out to me because it combines two of my favorite things: crafting and candles! The set comes in three scent options — citrus, floral, and woody — so you can pick your favorite and turn it into a date night, whether you're with your SO, BFF, or on a solo night in!” —Katie Maguire, Director of Shopping Content Strategy

“I've always felt that turning precious memories into art for your home makes the perfect gift, and for Valentine's Day commissioning a custom, framed watercolor portrait is such a thoughtful and sweet way to bring more love into the home. If you're gifting a friend for Galentine's Day, try a pet portrait instead.” —Charli Penn, Editor-in-Chief

If you’re looking for something spicy, this Maude x “Wuthering Heights” collab should turn up the heat. You’re getting the massage candle, which has a eucalyptus and sandalwood scent worth burning beyond the bedroom, and there’s a bottle of the brand’s bath and body oil, too. It’s a gift you can enjoy with a partner, sure, but you could absolutely indulge in it during a self-care night.

“All Le Labo products smell amazing!” raves AT’s senior manager of brand partnerships, Jac Kenny. “I love Another 13.” This Discovery Set includes four sample sizes of Le Labo’s most beloved fragrances, so you can treat yourself or a Galentine to the gift of finding their new signature scent.