Have you recently begun dating someone new? With Valentine’s Day approaching, isn’t it going to make finding the ideal present a little more difficult?
(I apologise if it wasn’t and now it is…)
Anyway, it’s truly our job to wave a lot of great presents in front of your face in order to provide some presenting ideas for your paramour, especially ones that don’t entail a small teddy holding a red, velvet love heart. I’ve been there and done that.
Of course, if you want to go for the traditional first Valentine’s gift, we won’t hold it against you, but if you’re looking for something a bit more unconventional, personal, or just not-another-teddy, this list may have some surprises.
We’ve got you covered for the lovers’ holiday, from heartfelt to cheeky, cheap and fancy.
But keep in mind that it is the thought that matters.
Hawkins & Brimble products

An Eau de Toilette is usually a pretty safe Valentine’s Day entry level gift for new relationships – especially if you’re yet to spot a signature scent on your new lover’s dresser.
This recently-released one from Hawkins and Brimble wraps rose and coffee around lavender, geranium and patchouli, resting on a bed of musk and amber that’s been sweetened with a hint of vanilla which sounds like quite the collaboration to us.
That and, for the ethical among us, they don’t do animal testing.
Check out the full Hawkins and Brimble range here.
Grande Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Plumper Gloss

If your new date is into their cosmetics then may we present to you Grande Cosmetics’ Hydrating Lip Plumper Gloss?
Those heady early days of dating are filled with enough lip smacking so you might as well help your pal pucker up with this one, eh?
We’re talking high gloss infused with hyaluronic acid for a high dose of hydration for chapped lips (please refer to our note on ‘early days of dating’ above).
Available from Sephora for £24
An actually not silly expensive cashmere wrap

If you’re not quite at the stage where you’re stealing one another’s clothes yet, why not get ahead of the game with this Rise & Fall cashmere wrap.
It’s such an accessible price point for cashmere (which to most of us is far too expensive to buy) that the brand claims they can’t keep their cashmere wrap in stock it’s so popular.
And at £160, it’s far cheaper than a luxury branded equivalent, should you already be keeping the receipts.
Fully customisable and personalised phone cases

Not into wearing your heart on your sleeve? What about on your phone case? Seeing as you’re probably stuck on your phone calling and messaging your new mate 24/7, might as well stick their name on your case, eh? Or, your name on theirs. Or both.
You can upload your own image or select a background colour then add a word, quote, sentence or even some initials. <3 heart optional.
Shop cases from £29 at The Dairy
Mr Black Coffee Liqueur

If your partner takes their coffee seriously and is fond of a prestige drop then Mr Black’s Coffee Liqueur has got the rep.
The cold-pressed coffee liqueur from Australia takes its wares so seriously that it even made people complete an exam before they could buy one particular bottle a few years back.
Now it’s much more accessible, and currently has a welcome deal for new faces, with a 200ml bottle setting you back £10 with promo code MRBLACK10.
Sustainable gold jewellery

Jewellery is often a no-brainer for the new relationship, but we’re not here to show you the run-of-the-mill items we’ve seen on every arm, are we?
Oh, did we also mention this jewellery is a TV staple, appearing on shows including Emily In Paris, House Of The Dragon and Sex Education?
Ottoman Hands’ pieces are constructed with recycled metals by skilled artisans in the heart of the jewellery quarter of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and are inspired by antique or vintage jewellery.
It’s gold jewellery, tick, with sustainable, tick, and pop culture, tick cred.
Axe throwing experience

Ah, is there any better way to get to know a potential partner than (safely) throwing some axes with them?
If you’re not sure what kind of gift to get a new partner, but you’re both into adventure, learn from an instructor and then take your aim and go for the target. If you love a little competition, go head-to-head or attempt to impress with some trick shots.
Axe throwing at Devon Country Pursuits, £50, buy here from Red Letter Days.
Bespoke (but accessible) jewellery

Yes, another jewellery mention but again not one of your boring usual suggestions, we assure you.
Lily & Roo have some cracking bespoke options, including personalised initial necklaces (always a winner, for £129) or, our personal favourite, its Special Date Calendar necklace where you can pop a gemstone on an important day of the month. Perhaps, the day you met? Just a thought.
Buy the Special Date Necklace here for £99.
Lego Bouquet

Sure you could buy some Valentine’s Day flowers, but they’ll be dead by the end of the month. Why not buy something that’ll live on in the form of a Lego bouquet?
Isn’t the saying, those who Lego together stay together?
Puppy yoga with mimosas

Puppies and yoga may be the most glorious of collaborations we’ve ever heard, but add mimosas and you may be onto a winner.
If you don’t fancy downward dogs with dogs yourself, it’s the perfect gift for your partner and perhaps one of their pals. Because, let’s be honest, you’ve still got to get them on side, don’t you?
Lovehoney Ignite Orgasm Gel

It might be too early in the relationship for you to bring toys into the bedroom, but Lovehoney’s Ignite Orgasm Gel might bring a little added zest as you continue to get to know one another.
It’s designed to magnify skin sensitivity with skin-tingling extracts, to build sensations and arousal with every stroke. So, love that for you.
Personalised peat

You can whack a name on any ol’ thing these days, but did you ever think of doing it with whisky? We didn’t think so.
You can personalise an Elements of Islay bottle for free when you purchase, simply choose a label and stamp, and enter a message to create a memorable V Day gift your partner isn’t about to forget any time soon.
£29.99 from The Whiskey Exchange
Date Night In cards

Found yourself a similar homebody who loves a cosy night in? Congrats!
Amp up date nights in with this book that’ll give you ideas for 24 date nights at home, as well as three fill-in-the-blank cards so you can personalise and create your ideal date.
We’re talking some classics like Movie themed night, or for the TV fans, a Bake off challenge. Some perfect getting to know you activity, there.
Hand casting

If you really want to (literally) solidify your love for someone, why not grab their hand, plunge it into goopy plaster and make a mould of the thing?
The kit includes all you need to create your masterpiece, and a guide to tell you what the heck to do.
And don’t worry, the plaster is dermatologically tested, so you’ll be contracting no nasties from this come V Day.
Personalised doughnuts

We’re really finding a groove here with personalised gifts this year, aren’t we?
For Valentine’s Gordon’s has done a limited-edition collaboration with Doughnut Time – designed also for Galentines with your friends, there’s nothing stopping you from getting together with your romantic love and decorating a bunch of doughnuts with drinks included.
Tamagotchi

Some things really do not go out of style and the fact we’re here talking about a Tamgotchi is a testament to that.
This little 90s wonder is part of the limited edition nano range – a miniature version of your favourite virtual pet, and the perfect gift for a Stars Wars fan keen to keep their R2-D2 droid clean, happy, charged up and well-rested, which is, essentially, what we want for ourselves, too.
Wine Art

If you’re feeling less ‘I want to create art’ and ‘I want to buy it’, this company provides original artworks riffing on everyday wines for the grape lovers out there.
Plus, they look pretty.
Prints for £30 from Wineartshop.com.
Pottery kit

Not only is this a fun little clay kit you can do at home, included are some conversation cards to get the chat flowing while you do your best Ghost reenactment.
Each box comes with an air-drying clay (kiln not needed) as well as sculpting tools – and some sweets to keep you fuelled.
You can also choose to include paint with your order, so you can get creative with your finished pottery.