Creative Valentine’s Day gifts (that aren’t basic)

Hey, folks! Valentine’s Day is upon us once more. That annual festival of panic-buying petrol station roses and pretending you definitely booked the restaurant weeks ago.

If you’d rather not participate in the great industrialisation of love, here are some genuinely thoughtful ideas that don’t scream ‘last-minute aisle sweep’.

1. A love story book

Write the story of you two. How you met. Who fancied who first. The awkward bits. Add photos. Doodles. A questionable but heartfelt dedication. It’s surprisingly romantic and costs roughly $0, aside from dignity.

2. Personalised playlist (with commentary)

Yes, anyone can send a Spotify link. But add liner notes. Explain why that obscure Bon Iver track reminds you of the time you both got lost in the rain. Romance lives in context.

3. A jar of memories

Fill a jar with 52 tiny notes. Reasons you love them, favourite memories, future date ideas. It’s wholesome. It’s organised. It suggests long-term commitment without saying it outright. Win.

4. Artistic portrait or collage

Paint them. Sketch them. Collage their face from magazine cuttings if you’re feeling mildly unhinged. Abstract counts. But remember, passion over precision.

5. A ‘year of dates’

Twelve envelopes. Twelve pre-planned dates. From low-effort picnics to cultural outings you’ll both pretend to understand. Romance plus logistics? Irresistible.

6. A memory map

Mark the spots that matter… first date, first kiss, first argument about where to eat. Add photos and future pins. Nostalgia, but curated.

7. Handmade gift box

Homemade biscuits. A small candle. A handwritten poem. Essentially, effort in a box.

8. A living plant

Because unlike supermarket roses, it might survive longer than the relationship. 😜

You’re welcome.

x Victoria

About Victoria Hall

Victoria Hall is an English-born, Australian-based writer and illustrator — and a lifelong romantic in every sense of the word. She believes in handwritten letters, sea air, grand gestures, small mercies, and the quiet magic tucked inside ordinary days.

Victoria is the creator of four picture books for children: Penny Prickles at Coogee Beach, Eggy Peggy Has Lost Her Leggy, The Fairy Beasts and Fliss The Fairy. Her stories are filled with whimsy, resilience and heart.

For more updates, follow Victoria on Instagram or check out her bio.