Firstly, let’s clear something up here: it’s completely impossible to actually have everything. This is bad news for all the Veruca Salts of the world (that’s a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory reference, for anyone who doesn’t know) but great news for anyone struggling to think of what to get their respective other this Valentine’s Day.
The trick here is to go thoughtful and obscure, rather than grand and showy. Chances are that you’ve got the kind of gal who will go out there and get the items she really wants for herself, a la Destiny’s Child, so opting for a designer bag is futile – and expensive for you.
My guess is you’ve already ruled out flowers, which is why you’re here. But what to get instead?
Don’t panic, I’ve got your back, with a collection of original gifts that are sure to elicit a smile. From personalised pressies to quirky accessories and a whole host of homeware goodies that will keep you out of the doghouse for the entirety of 2020 - you’ll have Valentine’s Day covered in no time.
Don’t know what her favourite lipstick colour is? Try 10 of them instead, gorgeously packaged and ready to give. Charlotte Tilbury is the pinnacle of makeup brands and her matte lipsticks are legendary. It’s definitely time to pucker up!
Cheers to getting it right! This bold decanter will take pride of place at her next dinner party and look great displayed on a shelf when it’s not in use. Earn extra brownie points by buying the gin to go in it, too.
This delicate gold cuff makes an elegant statement on its own or can be mixed with her other bracelets to add a different shape and texture. Layering jewellery is still all the rage, so even if she already has an overflowing jewellery box she’ll be able to work this in.
If she’s a yoga or pilates lover than she’ll get a lot of use out of this clever backpack. She can free up her arms by clipping her mat in under the bag itself and durable scuba style fabric makes this extra lightweight, even when she has many, many possessions to carry around.
We know that chocolates for Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly ground breaking, but these deluxe truffles have the royal seal of approval, as well as ours. They’re creamy, filled with Marc de Champagne and lightly dusted with a sweet coating of icing sugar. In short, they’re the best of the best, and a renowned brand in the upper circles of chocolate lovers.
She’ll love you forever for saving her the stress, and room, of trying to pack all the jewellery and makeup she needs for a trip away. This chic, personalised, two-in-one travel case fits cosmetics and brushes and comes with a separate, detachable section to keep precious jewellery safely stored.
You might know actor turned artist Jessie Cave as Lavender Brown from the Harry Potter film series but she’s since made a real name for herself with her hand drawn prints. They’re quirky, totally customisable and this one in particular is completely adorable. I defy her heart not to melt when she opens it.
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, John Lewis, From £127
There’s no denying that Le Labo is the perfume brand of the moment, and it looks set to continue that way. Santal 33 is its most sought-after scent and draws inspiration from the old Marlboro ads – aka the soft, seductive drift of smoke from an open fire.
The sad thing about candles is that they eventually run out, which is great news for you as it means that even if she has several, she will always need more. This deep red version is totally in keeping with the theme of romance and will last even the most avid candle burner a long, long time.
I know mugs seem an odd choice for Valentine’s Day but hear me out. We often buy them cheap and cheerful and yet we use them day in, day out, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a gorgeous set of mismatched mugs to clutch coffee in the morning or drink hot chocolate from bed?
We all work hard to earn our money – so it shouldn’t feel like hard work to spend it well. At HuffPost Finds we’ll help you find the best stuff that deserves your cash, from the ultimate lipstick to a durable iron to replace the one that broke (RIP). All our choices are completely independent but we may earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.