20 Valentine's Day Gifts for $10 or Less
It's easy to forget that Valentine's Day is about celebrating love over material things — what, with all the swag being shilled in the name of Cupid — but you can put more of an emphasis on your actual relationship while still gifting a small, thoughtful present with a smidge of effort.
Alas, I can't help you with what you'll do to recognize your partner or loved ones on February 14, but I can make a few suggestions on several special items you can give to bring a smile to that someone's face. Best of all, everything is $10 or less. Let's go shopping.
1. Aqua Love Notes
Specially designed for Valentine's Day, Aqua Love Notes — a waterproof pad for the shower for you and your honey to exchange sweet greetings — comes with a pencil, suction cup holder, and 40 sheets of waterproof paper. You'll bring a grin to your significant other's face on a regular basis by leaving sexy messages every time you hop in for a scrub.
Cost: $7
2. Love Photo Album
If your beau is a bit old school, this mini, love-inspired photo album holds 24 memorable moments in the form of 4x6 photographs that he or she can cherish in hard copy for years to come. To fill the album quickly and easily, download the photos via the CVS app or website to your local CVS. Prints are 19 cents each at most locations and can be done within an hour. You can make a more elaborate gift by also including memories such as movie stub tickets, notes to one another, a hotel key card, and other mementos.
Cost: $6.65
3. Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Nothing says "I want to get drunk with you" better than a bottle of red wine, and the Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 is an affordable way to get that sultry sentiment across. Featuring notes of blackcurrant, black cherry, and plum with subtle hints of dark chocolate and spice, it's a perfect complement to a homemade Valentine's dinner.
Cost: $9.99
4. Design a Tea
You'll earn big points with a gift from Design a Tea, which allows you to create and personalize your own loose or easy-fill teabags. With a wide selection of ingredients from which to choose, you can put together a package of drinkable delight, especially if you know the recipient's favorite foods and flavors.
Cost: $4.95
5. It's All Buttah Bath Salts
The handmade bath salts from Etsy store It's All Buttah are just what the doctor ordered for those who like to kick back in a relaxing bath. Scented with organic lavender essential oil, the salts are soaked for a week to ensure that they're highly fragrant and moisturizing.
Cost: $8.25
6. "Good For One Mediocre Shoulder Rub" Coupon Book
If you've been married for a while, you're sure to find the humor in this quirky coupon book that allows the recipient to redeem for special domestic treatments like the eponymous mediocre shoulder rub, a night off from doing the dishes, and more. Pair it with some special edition Hot Tamales candies — emblazoned with the word "Hottie" on the box in celebration of Valentine's Day — for an even more gratifying gift.
Cost: $9.34
7. BBQ Sauces and Rubs
If you've got a serious meat lover in your midst, touch his heart by way of his stomach with Pirate Jonny's Caribbean BBQ rubs and sauces. I recommend picking up one bottle of Syrena's Seduction Hot Sauce and pairing it with a new silicone basting brush, or spring for two bottles in Pirate Jonny's Hot Saucey Combo Pack for double the deliciousness.
Cost: $9.25 to $9.74
8. Sharetapes
Mixed tapes are a thing of the past, but the concept of compiling musical content to express your feelings to someone you love is alive and well in the present.
Next-generation Sharetapes enable you to give a classic mixtape-style gift in the form of a digital production by connecting to services like Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, and 8tracks. Once complete, all the recipient has to do is activate his or her Sharetape with NFC or QR enabled smartphone or tablet. Packs of five are available at $9.99 — which will eat up your entire budget — so I suggest picking up one Sharetape for $2.49 and pairing it with another music-inspired gift, like framed ticket stubs from a memorable concert or this music note bottle opener.
Cost: $7.79
9. Panasonic Earbuds
Instead of a Sharetape for your musically inclined paramour, go another route by creating a playlist in iTunes and secretly uploading it to his or her device. Leave a note instructing your partner how to find the playlist along with a pair of new Panasonic headphones with which to listen.
Cost: $9.99
10. Dappertime Cufflinks
If your man prides himself on his put-together appearance, the gift of a glittering brass accessory will definitely make his day. These gold-colored, crown-shaped Rex cufflinks from Dappertime's Cuffmachines collection let him know that he's king of the castle — even when you know better.
Cost: $9.99
11. Melt-Your-Heart Brownies
For this DIY gift you'll need a heart-shaped silicone baking mold, Hershey's cocoa, Reese's Peanut Butter Chips, 18 Reese's Peanut Butter-Filled Hearts, and a few pantry staples. The result is decadent candy-topped brownies made from scratch that you and your boo can share anywhere — even in bed.
Cost: $5.59 + a few ingredients
12. Coracao Confections
Get a little fruity — then nutty — as you put together a special selection of chocolates for your S.O. Eclectic choices from Coracoa Confections include the Ghost Pepper Baby Bar, Kale Granola Bark, Rose Truffles, Berry Caramel Hearts, and more.
Cost: $3.25 to $5.99
13. Inkling Scents
Breathe in the aroma of love with a five-fragrance sample package from Inkling Scents. Select from a dozen women's scents, seven men's scents, and one unisex scent to create a personalized package. Each milliliter vial is packaged in a clear pillow box tied with a bow.
Cost: $10
14. "I Love You Mom" Trinket Dish
You can't forget mom on Valentine's Day — she's the reason you're here after all. Show her a small measure of your appreciation with the "I Love You Mom"trinket dish from Kennebug Boutique. This cream-colored ceramic dish with a flower border and terra cotta backside will be Mom's new favorite place to keep all her cherished charms and baubles.
Cost: $6.99
15. Pop Vinyl Figures
Let him know he's your Superman (or that she's your Superwoman!) with Funko's officially licensed Pop Heroes collection, available at Fun.com. These vinyl figures, which stand 3.75 inches tall, are molded and painted to look like your favorite comic book heroes (and villains), like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, among other favorites. The full collection features a wider array of characters from other pop-culture mainstays, including The Wizard of Oz, Elf, Game of Thrones, Big Bang Theory, Goonies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, Adventure Time, Masters of the Universe, and Disney.
Cost: $9.99
16. Credit Card Survival Tool
Maybe I've watched too much Walking Dead or perhaps I'm just keenly aware of what's really happening in the world, but either way I'm taking precautions to prepare for a catastrophe that will render me self-sufficient. Given the world in which we live nowadays, you probably have a similar person in your life — and they'll totally appreciate the thoughtful and functional Credit Card Survival Tool from Gifts for Men. This compact, stainless-steel lifesaver (it's no bigger than a credit card) features 11 useful applications, including a saw, box opener, bottle opener, can opener, wrench, ruler, and more. Perfect for camping, backpacking, or bugging out when the ish hits the fan.
Cost: $5
17. Homemade Treats
Effortless Girl's Julie Loven provides a few ideas on how to bring the heat — and the sweet — in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Valentine's Cookie Sandwiches
Bake chocolate cookies in the shape of hearts and use strawberry ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato in the center so you have Valentine colors of chocolate and pink.
Valentine's Marshmallow Pops
Purchase pink marshmallows from the supermarket. Place them on lollipop stick and dip half of the marshmallow in melted chocolate. Allow to harden and serve pops for stirring in hot chocolate. Very delicious.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
An old standby. Easy to make. Dip each berry into melted chocolate and allow to harden.
Optional Add-On: Breyer's Gelato Indulgences
If you happen to have money left in your budget, spring for a container of Breyer's Gelato Indulgences — which just introduced its mint chocolate chip flavor — to pair with any of your homemade treats for a little extra indulgence.
Cost: $4.49-$5.99
18. Love With Food Box
For the health-conscious humanitarian in your life, send a Love With Food box, an organic or all-natural snack box that helps fight hunger in America. The Tasting Box includes eight or more surprise snacks that are either organic or all-natural, GMO-free, gluten-free, or free of artificial junk. Each box donates one meal to hungry children in America. Long-term subscriptions are available, but you also can purchase a one-time box.
Cost: $10
19. Konectidy Bracelets
Empower your children to be the best they can be with a surprise from Konectidy, color-coded bracelets that you design, name, and own with a specific positive meaning for the recipient. Konectidy was built on "the spirit of 'paying it forward' for both individuals and charities… in whatever colorful way you choose." Pre-made bracelets also are available to support various causes like Legacy of Hope, Domestic Violence Ended, and R.I.S.E. & Stand.
Cost: $9.95
20. Yiftee eGifts
You know I love a good discount, and Yiftee is a great way to deliver almost effortless but thoughtful savings to someone special with just a few clicks. Just choose a merchant (like a cool neighborhood bar, cafe, shop, or spa), select a gift value, write a personal message — "Hey Sallie, meet me at Mike's Bar at 8 p.m. tonight; here's something for your first glass of wine in case you get there early" — and send instantly via e-mail or text. Sallie then receives the eGift on her smartphone with the ability to instantly thank the sender, and she can redeem the eGift by presenting the mobile voucher to the service provider. Sounds like the beginning of an awesome date, if I do say so myself.
Do you have any other Valentine's gift ideas for under $10? Let me know in the comments below.
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