For the next post in our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide, we decided to do things a little differently this year, and find some of the coolest Valentine’s Day gifts for her — your wife, your girlfriend, your relationship that defies mere titles — all under $50. Because the truth is, there are so many fantastic Valentine’s Day gift ideas that can show your love without maxing out your credit cards whether it’s a great deal on some gorgeous jewelry, or something so thoughtful, she can’t resist.
We’re so happy that our Valentine’s Day gift guide is sponsored by Kindle Love Stories, a vibrant Amazon community that chats about the best recommendations and deals for fun romance reads. Visit their Facebook page and you can’t help but smile right away like we did. In fact, you might find a little literary escape for yourself this Valentine’s Day.
All gift ideas have been determined by our editorial staff. There is no compensation for recommendations.
Cool Mom Picks is an Amazon and Reward Style affiliate.
Vintage Secret Letter Lockets ($25 and up, Dearest Mine)
We first discovered this cool Etsy artist last year, and fell in love with her vintage lockets that she customizes with a little personalized, accordion-style note. Just keep it short and sweet. Or short and sassy. That’s up to you.
Also cool are her new chalkboard initial lockets ($45) made in collaboration with Valerie McKeehan of Lil and Val. You pick the alphabet initial of your choice, and she’ll ship in 3-5 days so hurry!
Foil print from Le Papier Studios ($24, Cool Mom Picks Indie Shop)
Update: Regretfully, the great.ly shop is no longer in operation. We hope you’ll find other cool stuff you love throughout our site.
The perfect sentiment, framed perfectly–sometimes that’s all a gal needs. The work from artist Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studios has been a hit with us since we discovered it, and her foil print makes us a little teary. Isn’t that the very thing you’d want to hear from your one-and-only?
A gift card for a pedicure (varies, find a local spa near you)
Whether we have kids or not, women don’t make time for ourselves nearly enough. A little nudge to spend an hour or more in a pedicure chair being pampered, rubbed and tended to is a joy. And unless you’re choosing the fanciest spa, it’s rarely more than $50. (Nail lacquers by Butter London in shades like Snog and Come to Bed Red)
Sweetheart honey jelly beans ($14 oz cube/18, Sugarfina)
For a thoughtful sweet treat without the steep Valentine’s Day chocolate price tag, there are so many really fun ideas at Sugarfina. But one of our favorites are these honey jellybeans, shaped like hearts. Good barometer of your relationship: whether or not she shares them with you.
An original vinyl record (Varies, Amazon)
Whether she has a thing for Neil Diamond, The Talking Heads, Ella Fitzgerald, or Jessica Simpson (no judgments), tracking down one of her favorites on original vinyl is a very cool gesture. You can frame it–or just go ahead and play it. Bonus points if it’s not an album you necessarily love yourself.
Mini Heart Art Box ($18, John W Golden)
As longtime fans of John W Golden, it’s so nice to see his extensive new wooden art block collection including graphic hearts with heartfelt sentiments. Take a look around for so many great options that would be even nice hung as a group.
Coach HALO stud earrings ($48, Coach)
Good designer jewelry can be a fortune, so we were thrilled–and a bit surprised–to find these lovely stud earrings from Coach for under $50. They come in three different metals and we’re sure that any of them would be a hit whatever her style.
Valentines Day themed gift card (varies, Amazon)
It’s always sweet to give a gift card themed just for the occasion, and Amazon has quite a few for Valentine’s Day that are really fun. Just make sure she’s not using it to buy laundry detergent! Steer her toward the jewelry, the accessories, the bath products, or favorite romantic e-books for her Kindle. For suggestions, visit the Facebook Page of our sponsor Kindle Love Stories; grab a classic like Erich Segal’s Love Story; or hey–this is the perfect time to get lost in the Fifty Shades of Grey e-book if she hasn’t already. Because we all know the rule: You must read the book before you see the movie, right?
Tease me Lip Set at Sephora ($32/on sale, Sephora)
Speaking of Fifty Shades of Grey, we found an actual Fifty Shades of Grey Lipstick set from Makeup Forever. Don’t worry though; they’re not actually shades of grey. That would not be sexy. Except in certain goth circles.
Plan a night of back-to-back chick flicks
Wait, did we say chick flicks? Terrible. We mean “the romantic movie genre” of course–the kinds that men with excellent taste also appreciate and not because they were coerced. For inspiration, check out our own editor’s list of favorite romantic movies ready for streaming, fire up the Roku or Amazon Fire TV and get cozy. Need even more ideas? We have those too.
24-piece heart shaped chocolate gift box ($50, Norman Love Chocolates)
You know why a box of chocolates is a Valentines cliche? Because it’s freaking awesome. So can it, naysayers! Just be sure to make it something she probably wouldn’t buy herself. There are so many great gourmet chocolatiers around the US, but we have a heart (ha) for the artistry of Norman Love whose artisan flavors taste even better than they look, and that’s saying something.
Nursing nightie ($47, Belabumbum; $47.20 with discount)
Hey, even pregnant mamas need to feel sexy too, and we love Belabumbum for making gorgeous, affordable lingerie and lacy things just for them. But they have plenty of fun Valentine’s gift ideas for any lady in your life, pregnant or not, with styles that run the gamut. (Use discount code LOVE2015 for 20% off through 2/14/15)
Leather ring box ($48, Bendels)
Of course if you’re really awesome, you’ll put a ring in it.
Breakfast in Bed. Even if it’s for dinner. (Free Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed printables via Design is Yay)
Whether you have a morning to yourselves, or the kids are scampering about and you promise to keep an eye on them in another room we hardly know a woman who doesn’t appreciate the romantic gesture of a lovingly prepared breakfast in bed. For inspiration, check out these awesome Valentine’s Day breakfast ideas or our picks for 5 delicious Valentine’s Day pancake recipes, including the spectacular ombre pancakes above, from This Mama Cooks. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to use the cheeky printable door hanger after the last crumb is gone. Fingers crossed.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Kindle Love Stories for helping women feel romantic the rest of the year too. Visit their Facebook page for lots of romantic suggestions
