He loves me … he loves me not … he loves — wait, what’s he got to do with anything anyway? I won’t turn this into a feminist manifesto here but you don’t need any specific person in your life to celebrate the people you love who are already in your life. Are you following me? In short, Valentine’s Day can be used to show anyone how much you love them — and, at the top of my list are my gal pals who make everyday life so much better.
This list has gifts for your Galentines, from cards for those ladies who are a positive presence to kitchen gadgets so she can do what she loves to more traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate. Again, you don’t need a man, people! Flowers and chocolates are always appropriate — for your Galentine, her birthday or just because.
Let Her Get Carded
Sometimes, a card will do and this two-pack is specifically designed for the special Galentines in your life. Each is printed on high-quality paper, comes with a matching envelope and conveys a message of thankfulness for your relationship. Great for friends across the street or across the world, pack it with a gift card for an extra shot of love.
Red Flag Alert
I’ve been on them, you’ve been on them, we’ve all been on them. Now, you can poke fun at terrible dates with this Reg Flags card game. The perfect addition to a girl’s night, this deck makes one person the “single” with other players working to sabotage the “date.” Pair it with a bottle of wine and your Saturday night is covered.
Wet Her Plants
Most of the women I know have green thumbs; however, both of mine must be black because I could (and have) killed both cacti and succulents. (Yes, multiple times. I may have black thumbs but I don’t give up easily.) If your gal pal loves greenery, gift her this heart-shaped pot set. She can add her own blooms or you can gift them already planted.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Most of the women in my life would never splurge on a $30 body lotion, which means I should totally buy it for someone. Made by L’Occitane, this lotion hydrates and moisturizes and has the delicate scent of roses, which lasts a long time. Toss it in a gift basket with some bath bombs or a favorite lip balm and it’s a complete gift.
Forget Glass Slippers
We’re not talking about buying gifts for Cinderella here; even your fancy female friends will appreciate a good-quality pair of slippers. These Tasman slippers by UGG are marketed toward men but work just as well for women. The dyed sheep fur and sheepskin lining feel indulgent. She’ll think of you every time she slips these on to wear indoors or out.
The Cup’s Half Full
If you want her to think about you every time she caffeinates, buy her this mug for her morning cup of joe. Emblazoned with the phrase, “I love you more. The end. I win,” it tells her, once and for all, that nothing can top your love for her. A generous 12 ounces in size, it has a delicate pink swirled background with reflective gold lettering.
Wine Not?
Does she usually have wine left over after cracking a bottle open? O.K., is it possible she might someday have wine left over after cracking a bottle open? Right, probably still no. Regardless, these wine bottle stoppers are uber convenient for those moments when she realizes her eyes were bigger than her stomach (or bladder?). These offer an airtight seal and have easy-grip tops for removal.
Brush Things Aside
Is she a beauty product connoisseur (or wishes she was)? She’ll love the Tangle Teezer, which bills itself as “the ultimate vented hairbrush for a fast and easy blowout.” I’ve never quite gotten the hang of a round brush and dryer at the same time and this one-handed option is an easy alternative for a fuss- and frizz-free style.
Love Lights
Decorate her space or give her a way to with these adorable heart string lights. Equipped with 40 lights over 10 feet of bendable wiring, you can make it in the shape of a heart, wrap it around the top of a gift basket or pull it long to span a fireplace mantel. These have eight light mode options and work with both batteries and USB charging.
You Glow, Girl
Are your girlfriends glowing? They will be if you gift them this vitamin C and turmeric face oil from Sunday Riley. This decadent oil delivers cold-pressed, nutrient-rich extracts into your skin for a brighter-looking, glowing complexion. Dubbed C.E.O. Glow, she’ll look like a million bucks whether she works a high-powered corporate job or manages her own home like a boss.
She’s One Tough Cookie
I’m going to let you in on a (poorly-kept) secret about most women: We love chocolate. Cookies, cupcakes, chocolate-scented candles, even biscotti like this 12-count variety pack from Barnett’s Fine Biscotti Stores. She’ll love grabbing one of these to pair with her morning coffee. This handmade set includes flavors from cranberries to coconuts to cookie crumbs. Just save this one in your cart for future purchases, too.
Imagine The Pastabilities
If your BFF is a foodie, she’ll love playing around with homemade pasta, made easier with this stainless steel pasta maker. Just like the ones you see on TV cooking shows, this one has adjustable thickness settings for everything from spaghetti to fettuccini. With its detachable handle and clamp, this gadget takes up minimal space when it’s time to store it away.
He Loves Me Knot
I saw a pillow similar to this knotted throw pillow that cost a whole lot more than this one, which sits just under $32. Available in 14 different colors, this pillow works just about anywhere — from the couch to the bed to the car. There are some secret benefits of a knot pillow, too, like stress relief and back support.
Palm Beach For The Weekend
Maybe you can’t afford to whisk her away to Palm Beach for the weekend. Or, maybe you’d like to relive a prior trip. Either way, this Palm Beach hardcover book is a great presence on a coffee table or tucked into a color-sorted bookshelf. It’s filled with high-quality photography throughout that’ll help her remember a girl’s trip or plan the next one.
She’s Heaven Scent
All essential oil diffusers look the sa- … wait, is this one different? Most of them look like fake wood tagines. This one has a sleek, handcrafted, ceramic design that will lend a touch of modern flair to any space in seven different colors. It uses upgraded ultrasonic technology to deliver mist and fragrance into any space. Gift her a favorite fragrance and she’ll be all set.
Catch Flights, Not Feelings
What’s better than one wine? How about four? If she loves her vino, she’ll love this tasting flight sampler set that includes four six-ounce decanter glasses, a wooden paddle and a chalkboard to differentiate a cab from a pinot. The best part? Whenever you’re over for a visit, you’ll get to use it, too! Think of it like a gift for yourself that you don’t have to store.
Cheese The One
Do you know what goes great with wine? Cheese! And, this four-piece cheese knife set is a great add-on to the wine flight above or a solo gift with a favorite gouda or goat (cheese, that is). Included is a semi-heart knife for spreading, two rectangular shapes for slicing and a prong fork for serving. Whether she prefers hard, soft or crumbly cheese, she’ll be a brie-liever.
You’re The Berries
If you’re on the hunt for the berry best gift, you’ll never go wrong with chocolate and fruit. This nine-piece (doesn’t seem like enough) set of chocolate-covered strawberries will delight anyone on your list (unless they have food allergies). This purchase includes three each milk, dark and white chocolate varieties. Even the hard-to-buy-for won’t find fault in this option, which has more than 1,600 favorable reviews.
Can You Say Gourmet?
I know there has to be someone on your list who would make a stink face over any of the prior options. Impress them with gourmet chocolates in varieties that include coconut, cacao and maple. Or, toggle over to the bestsellers pack and indulge in flavors incorporating bourbon, coconut milk and pink sea salt. There’s even a sugar-free option but you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.
Just Desserts
Listen, if you buy me sweets for Valentine’s Day, I will simultaneously love you and hate you because I’ll be wearing those extra pounds before I even take my first nibble. (Thanks, metabolism!) This coffee table book, titled “Delicious Metropolis,” brings together Wayne Thiebaud’s desserts and cityscapes into one elegant (and delicious-looking) book. And, she won’t even have to worry about counting calories.
Picture Perfect
We all have that one friend — you know the type. She’s constantly taking pictures, usually without warning, and then posting them on Snap or IG, catching you in awkward poses. Give her a throwback photo option with this Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 smartphone printer. This connects wirelessly to her phone via Bluetooth with a retro-style Polaroid print.
Go Up In Flames
When you miss someone, you miss them. But, when you really f***ing miss them, it’s a whole other level. This premium soy candle gives off notes of lemon, peach and orange in a reusable glass jar. But, it’s not what’s on the inside that counts here. It’s all about the label, which expresses exactly how you feel with only, ahem, a modicum of profanity.