Valentine's Day gift guide for the best person you know
Why wait around for someone to buy you a gift, when you can DIY?
Valentine’s Day, much like politics, can be divisive. There’s the fanatical camp that single-handedly keeps the heart-shaped balloon industry afloat. Then there’s the ‘this is a commercial holiday, created as a marketing gimmick, I can’t believe you need a day to celebrate love’ camp.
But there’s enough angst in the world. Forest fires are raging. Jen and Brad aren’t getting back together. So instead of letting Valentine’s Day divide us, let’s use it as an excuse to treat the exhausted, sleepless, hardworking women in our lives — US.
God helps those who help themselves, so we suggest retail therapy.
Our Valentine’s Day gift guide is handily divided into personality types and each offers you a bouquet of options from a personally curated wish list.
The Tweak team’s Valentine’s Day gift guide
THE SKINCARE DEVOTEE
Our ideal Valentine’s Day (but really, every day) involves indulging in a long, soothing, multi-step skincare routine. Different serums, under-eye gel patches, face mask et all.
Not because we’re prepping to go anywhere or see anyone. This is our self-care staple.
“Build Your Own Box” with Forest Essentials
This BYOB is not the liver-damaging kind.
Pick the exact products you want – I’d go for the Iced Pomegranate and Kerala Lime body lotion, and the Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir – the cover design and add a personalised message.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a jasmine-scented goddess?
The price varies depending on the products you chose and how many items you want in the box. Forest Essentials, varies from ₹1,850 – ₹11,445
Shangpree Gold Black Pearl Eye Mask
These eye masks make you feel like you’re at a spa (and the jelly can be fun to play with once you’re done). Its essence is rich in amino acid and proteins.
The gold and black pearl extracts are supposed to be great for anti-ageing. More than anything, they’re soothing after a long day at work. Nykaa, ₹3,950
Innisfree Orchid Hand Cream SPF15 PA+
Our hands are one of the most stressed and exposed parts of our body, and slathering on cream is an easy way to feel taken care off.
I like the Innisfree hand creams for their scents and easy portability. This one, in particular, has SPF 15 (which is better than no SPF) so you get the sun protection factor as well. Nykaa, ₹600
—Sara Hussain, features editor
THE LAZY FOODIE
We like food, naps and staying home. The only thing that makes us step out (apart from the job that helps pay rent and buy nibbles for the cat) is the promise of better food.
We like eating it, cooking it, and stalking people who post about it, which fuels most of our procrastination marathons.
Lindt Exotic Milk Truffles Chocolate Gift Box
From experience, there’s absolutely nothing that Lindt milk chocolate truffles cannot fix – a bad break-up, Shahrukh Khan being killed off in Kal Ho Na Ho, PMS…
Also, who needs a prickly stubbled boyfriend when you have tiny balls of gooey chocolate that don’t fight you for the remote. Amazon.in, ₹493
Limited edition Panama Geisha coffee
Coffee keeps me from having a hormone-induced breakdown in the middle of work, and from yelling when my mother calls to ask how the money plant is doing.
The Panama Geisha coffee, also known as the ‘Bordeaux of the coffee world’, is sourced from “the volcanic soils of Panama”, which has to count for something. KC Roasters, ₹2,000.
Maladvipa Katoris
The best thing about owning bowls that look like works of art is that it makes midnight Maggi seem like fine dining. Goodearth.in, ₹3,780
A Galentine’s Day cooking workshop
Flipping fluffy pancakes, concocting DIY berry bowls, and decorating cupcakes while digging into truffle tagliatelle and sipping on wine. What’s not to love?
Foodhall, ₹5,900
—Nikhita Arora, senior digital writer
THE TYPE A CONTROL FREAK
We micro-manage every minute of our day, thrive on lists (like a Valentine’s Day gift guide) and have designated breakfasts for each day of the week. Not surprisingly, our anxiety gives us sleepless nights and the inside of our brain looks like a colour-coded organiser on acid.
If you think we need a chill pill (or 3, you’re right).
Forest Essentials Tranquil Sleep spray
The last time I slept through the night was probably in utero.
Sleeplessness is a growing epidemic, and if good old haldi ka doodh doesn’t do it for you, try the lavender, geranium, sandalwood and nutmeg infused spray from the homegrown brand that promises to help you relax and induce sleep.
If nothing else, it’ll make your room smell sweeter than your nervous sweats. Forestessentialsindia.com, ₹925
Stress ball
I last used one when I was getting my laser hair removal, and while it didn’t reduce the pain, it gave me the chance to inflict some of my own.
A stress ball may seem simplistic, but it’s a lifesaver when you’re looking for a neck to wring (at work, at home with your kids) but don’t fancy being sent to jail.
Some versions of the humble squeezie also claim to relieve arthritic and carpal tunnel pain. Go crazy finding your match on Amazon.in
Buddha Doodles Gratitude journal
This adorably illustrated journal features tranquil quotes and space for you to list all the things you’re grateful for.
Perfect for when you’re overwhelmed and need a moment to revaluate. A daily gratitude practises leads to feeling happier, and deviates from negative emotions to positive ones. Amazon.in, ₹1,400 onwards
A yearly subscription to the Calm app
This app includes a range of problem-solution techniques (i.e for anxiety, for sleep), guided meditation sessions and expert-led masterclasses along with a number of sleep and relaxation aids.
Just imagine Stephen Fry narrating a tale set in the Lavender fields of Provence. Calm.com; (₹5,000 approx)
— Chandni Sehgal, copy chief
THE FASHION FIEND
Our search history is a map to finding the best online stores and we’ve never successfully window-shopped unless we were shopping for actual windows.
We cleanse our closets every six months and donate the unused pieces because our mothers taught us to (but really, to make room for new clothes).
Marks & Spencer no VPL knickers
As someone who has been personally victimised by lace thongs, the invention of the no VPL microfibre panty is a landmark victory.
This is everyday vagina activism, so do your vulva a favour this V-day and free it from the trappings of panty lines and friction. Marks & Spencer, ₹699
H&M white trainers
In my eternal quest to properly adult, I’ve realised that the true marker of a brave, responsible, mentally stable individual is the ability to keep white stuff, white.
If you’ve decided to tempt fate, might I suggest keeping the stakes low with these snow white trainers before graduating to the Stan Smiths and Cortezs of the world. H&M, ₹1,499
Olio Stories Chunky Link necklace
You’ve been telling yourself that you need to find that one accessory that goes with everything so you don’t need to keep buying more. Assuming you’re telling the truth, this multitasking necklace on our Valentine’s Day gift guide could be it.
Wear it choker-high, layered with former loves or slung low for a casual T-shirt+ jeans vibe, its versatility makes it the aloo of gold chains. Olio Stories, ₹13,200
— Rochelle Pinto, editor
THE STATIONERY HOARDER
We window shop at William Penn stores, never run out of pens and own ink in all shades of the rainbow. Yes, even a Pelikan Orange. There’s always a reason to buy books, although there are some 20 unread titles collecting dust on our desks.
PS: Just because we’re not reading them doesn’t mean we’ll lend them to you. We don’t share books. Sorry.
Wreck This Journal Everywhere by Keri Smith
Journaling will never be the same. Imagine an empty book with prompts to help you kill time while you’re waiting for another meeting to finish.
Here’s a sneak peek: A page to stick edible fruit stickers, a page to fill using things you find outdoors, a page to fill with stamps. Amazon.in, ₹428
The Rolling Stone interviews
It’s the GOAT of compilations — 40 best interviews from their four-decade history to mark their 40th anniversary. This is an edition you want to own; not lend or borrow.
Bill Clinton, Eminem, Kurt Cobain, Truman Capote and John Lennon are just some interviewees who drop their guards. Amazon.in, ₹899
Moleskine’s Coca-Cola Limited Edition Notebook
Planners make you feel in control. Make those to-do lists, add birthdays, and if you’re feeling extra adventurous, start bullet journaling. It’s the first step towards an organised life.
Moleskine has an option for everybody, including fans of Mario and Pokemon. Williampenn.net,₹1,900
Montblanc StarWalker Platinum Resin Fountain Pen
It will take me multiple rounds of Valentine’s Day to actually gift this to myself, but I’ll assume I’ve hit the double jackpot on my imaginary trip to Vegas. Luxury.tatacliq.com, ₹39,200
—Arundhati Chatterjee, lifestyle editor