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Gifts /
By Jolie Kerr, CNN Underscored
Published 5:09 PM EST, Thu January 18, 2024
Valentine’s Day is the time when we celebrate the people we love, often with traditional gifts of jewelry, roses or chocolate. But those traditional gifts, plus a night out, can get really expensive really fast.
We know that people are feeling squeezed by rising prices, so if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day presents that won’t break the bank, our gift guide has got you covered! Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best Valentine’s Day gifts for your sweetheart — all under $25.
For more Valentine’s Day inspiration, check out our favorite Valentine’s Day decorations, gifts for her, gifts for him and unique gifts.
This set of five pairs of socks with hearts embroidered on the ankle is such a cute way to show someone you love them on Valentine’s Day. The subtle heart motif keeps them from being so in-your-face that they can’t be worn all year long.
Sidestep the traditional Valentine’s Day motif of hearts with this romantic-looking lunar lamp that offers soft, enchanting lighting.
These gorgeous Pink Champagne truffles come packaged in a stunning pink-and-purple box and are a perfect Valentine’s Day treat, because at $20, they’re hardly a splurge at all! If chocolates aren’t your thing, check out our roundup for more great food gift ideas.
This dishwasher-safe mug is one of our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts from Target. And at just $5, you might as well buy it for yourself too!
Yes, you can treat your man to a new scent this Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. Duke Cannon Supply Co.’s solid cologne balm is a cool take on fragrance that’s especially great for guys who travel a lot and don’t want to risk spillage.
We love that this top-rated pair of plush slippers — available in 14 colors, including red and pink —features an open-toed design, which will keep her tootsies warm in February but won’t feel too hot when summer rolls around.
Glossier’s Balm Dotcom is wildly popular for a reason: This multiuse salve can restore chapped skin and soothe dry lips, and it comes in a Valentine’s Day-appropriate rose tint.
Best Tested
The MYK Silk Natural Silk Pillowcase, featuring silk on one side and white cotton on the other, was our favorite affordable pick in our review of silk pillowcases. Silk pillowcases are known for being gentler on skin and hair than regular cotton, and in pink or red, they make a lovely Valentine’s Day gift idea.
Add some sparkle to your Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed with Runamok’s edible glitter-infused maple syrup. If glitter isn’t your thing, the brand also has maple syrup in a holiday-appropriate strawberry-rose flavor.
Jellycat plushies are one of the hottest presents these days, and the Love-Me Lobster is the perfect thing for your sweetie on Valentine's Day.
Cult-favorite beauty brand Dae makes a wallet-friendly detangling and styling brush in a perfect shade of pale pink for Valentine’s Day.
If your valentine is obsessed with keeping his beard looking perfect (or if you’re looking to deliver a hint with pointed gifting!) this set that includes a beard comb, brush, mustache scissors and a travel bag is the perfect present.
Knots are a traditional symbol of love, making this sweet gold knot bracelet a darling Valentine’s Day present for your beloved.
Does your honey love honey? This clever no-drip honey dispenser is a cute and useful Valentine’s Day gift for the honey lover who will appreciate this mess-free problem solver.
Reader Favorite
Laneige’s beloved mask is an Underscored-reader favorite —and we understand why! Packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients that promise to deeply nourish dry, cracked lips overnight, this overnight mask keeps lips kissably soft. Plus, a little goes a long way, so this Valentine’s Day gift will last all year long.
If they prefer salty over sweet, colored and flavored salts make fantastic cheap gifts. Sure, you could choose Himalayan Pink salt for Valentine’s Day, but we think this Hawaiian red sea salt is a surprisingly deep cut of the fancy-salt world.
If your sweetheart is not one for romance or frippery, shopping for a Valentine’s Day gift can be a challenge. A practical present in a holiday-appropriate shade of red, like this notebook for visual thinkers, is a great option for hard-to-shop-for people.
Oysters are a known aphrodisiac, and while we can't promise this oyster shell ring dish will put your valentine in the mood, we think it makes a great gift all the same.
When we asked Bravolebrity DJ James Kennedy for his go-to gift ideas, he told Underscored he loves to give the gift of portable speakers. We agree that music-on-the-go is a great gift, and this small speaker ups the fun with color-changing lights in yellow, green, blue and — you guessed it— red and pink.
The architectural detailing of these affordable earrings elevates them from simple to stunning, and the rose gold makes them a Valentine's Day-appropriate present for the person who prefers a more subtle look when it comes to jewelry.
A fancy deck of playing cards makes a surprising and wonderful gift for those who love card games. Give your valentine a happily-ever-after by letting them win at Go Fish.
If your special someone is a book lover, these adorable paper rose earrings will surprise and delight them. Handmade from recycled book paper, each pair is unique.
There are plenty of ways to give the gift of flowers that go well beyond the stem, like this set of budget-friendly flower-scented markers. They also come in delectable dessert scents.
Valet trays are such handy little items to have. Use them to corral keys, phones, watches, loose change or other odds and ends that can clutter surfaces. This budget-friendly leather version can be personalized with your valentine’s name.
These gorgeous salted caramel bonbons check all the Valentine’s Day boxes: Red? Check! Heart-shaped? Check, check! Delicious sweets for your sweetie? Check, check, check!
Coffee lovers will love-love-love this hot French press coffee maker in bright red that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting.
If your Valentine has a DIY bent, an at-home candle-making kit is a fun twist on the gift of scented candles — and it makes for a great date-night activity.
Everyone can use a pair of lounge-around-the-house pants, and Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to treat your sweetie to a new pair in a seasonally appropriate shade of red. The joggers also come in plenty of neutral hues in case they prefer subtle loungewear.
If you need a small gift for someone who loves to do their nails, this box of cute press-ons is the perfect thing. Choose from a variety of designs, including Discoteca, a pink-and-red, ’70s-inspired design that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Champagne and bubble baths are practically synonymous with Valentine’s Day. Combine the two with this Champagne Bubble Bath Bar from Candier. Just break off a piece like you’re breaking off a section of a candy bar and drop it in the tub for bubbly fun.
Dense and chewy Luxardo cherries have a sweet-tart flavor that’s equally delicious in co*cktails or on top of ice cream, making them a great sweet treat for your loved one on Feb. 14.
Flowers are expensive, and they don’t last long. For a fun (and budget-friendly!) twist on the traditional Valentine’s Day gift of flowers, give a bunch of pampas grass instead. If pink isn’t their aesthetic, this set of eight pampas grass fronds comes in eight other colors, including red, beige and purple.
The W&P Popper is a great Valentine’s Day gift idea for the couple who enjoys popcorn when they Netflix and chill. Simply fill the bowl with kernels, pop it in the microwave (get it?!) and enjoy fresh-popped popcorn in a matter of minutes.
Name necklaces never go out of style, and they make a great personalized gift for your partner or bestie, especially at this super-affordable price point.
For a valentine who loves to bake, this set of four conversation heart cookie cutters is a sweet treat indeed. Each heart-shaped cookie cutter features a message inspired by those ubiquitous conversation heart candies, like Be Mine and You & Me.
Jewelry is a staple of Valentine’s Day gifting, but don’t sleep on the gift of a really handy travel jewelry organizer to keep their baubles safe and tangle-free while on the go.
These pretty stacking rings are inset with your choice of one of the 12 birthstones for a personalized Valentine’s Day gift that looks way more expensive than it is.
Spice up your honey’s Valentine’s Day with this set of three mini Fly By Jing condiments. They’re just what your favorite foodie or home chef needs to amp up their dishes.
A jade roller and gua sha set can help with lymphatic drainage and muscle relaxation, making it a great gift for self-care. And because it’s made from cooling Brazilian rose quartz, this inexpensive set is perfect for Valentine’s Day gifting.
This handheld frother whips up perfect foam at the press of a button (it’s also great for whisking matcha powder) so your Valentine can play at-home barista. The frother comes in a ton of colors, including several shades of pink and red, but for V-Day, we think the heart motif is just perfect.
Turn any room into a Valentine’s Day ~vibe~ with this personalized neon sign that punches way above its price tag.
Valentine’s Day lingerie can get expensive, fast. But this pair of pantyhose with a saucy red back seam brings the sexy without breaking the bank.
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Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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