Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean red satin or teddy bears holding love hearts. Romance should be creative, after all. Here are 23 alternatives across food, travel, design and fashion that are bound to make your Valentine smile.
Yayoi Kusama Love Forever tea-towel set
Yayoi Kusama Love Forever tea-towel set
No-one sees the world quite like Yayoi Kusama, so let this graphic tea-towel set from the artist be a constant reminder to stay present and positive, with or without a Valentine in tow. $60
Jerome Dreyfuss Florent backpack
Jerome Dreyfuss Florent backpack
Camouflage: it’s a trend we can’t seem to quit. And if you had this Jerome Dreyfuss backpack slung over your shoulder, why would you? $954
Julie White Straya Nights silk scarf
Julie White Straya Nights silk scarf
Adelaide designer Julie White wants to cover the world in print. But not just any stripes or spots. White’s textiles feature everything from native flora and tropical fruits to Australiana-themed prawns and “Lizards of Oz” in shades of pink, sky blue and royal red. From $75
My Island Home copper clam shell
My Island Home copper clam shell
Imagine this oversized copper clam filled with bright green limes, and then tell us you’re not in love. $295
Beerenberg Ligurian honey
Beerenberg Ligurian honey
There were only 2000 jars of Beerenberg’s organic and unfiltered Ligurian honey produced on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. The island is home to a bee sanctuary with the world’s purest strain of Ligurian bees. Something sweet for your sweet. 350g, $99
Takeawei paperweight
Takeawei paperweight
One of a kind. Size and shape will vary. Ain’t nothing wrong with being cheeky – and, boy, are these handcrafted and glazed paperweights from Melbourne’s Takeawei just that. $65
St Ali espresso cup and timber saucer set
St Ali espresso cup and timber saucer set
Our favourite Sydney ceramics collective The Fortynine Studio has collaborated with designer SarahK on this beautifully simple (yet incredibly striking) porcelain espresso cup and smoked-ash timber saucer. Set hearts aflutter in more ways than one. Limited edition of 20, $75
Henry Wilson vide poche
Henry Wilson vide poche
“Vide poche” means “empty pockets” in French, and if this gunmetal bronze tray from Australian artist Henry Wilson ends up taking pride of place at the front door, you’ll be looking for more than a few excuses to head back to your place. $330
Hunting for George jerry-can hip flask
Hunting for George jerry-can hip flask
A picnic lunch and a hip flask filled with your Valentine’s favourite poison: happy days. $35
Hartland cards
Hartland cards
Gifts are one thing, but nailing the card game is another story entirely. Personalised? You’d best hope so. Dated? Ten points. Printed on felted paper in Brooklyn? All the points. $6, hartlandbrooklyn.com
Retro Print Revival Electra Lamp
Retro Print Revival Electra Lamp
Frida Kahlo wrote love letters to her husband, Diego Rivera, for 27 long years. Pay tribute to that passion (and her art) with this mid-century-inspired Kahlo-covered lamp from Retro Print Revival. $475
Cochinillo Confitado
Cochinillo Confitado
The spag bol scene from Lady and the Tramp has nothing on splitting a suckling piglet from Segovia with your next Tinder date. The Cochinillo Confitado was raised solely on its mother’s milk and comes in a full litre of duck fat. Priced from $125
Living Edge elevated vase
Living Edge elevated vase
All those Valentine’s flowers will need somewhere to live – and our vote is for this rose-hued Elevated vase from Living Edge. $175
Par Avion paddle ball set
Par Avion paddle ball set
For the competitive Valentine: it’s time to get playful with light balls and wooden bats. Who’s up for a game of paddle ball? $48
Source Sodastream
Source Sodastream
The latest Source Sodastream was designed by Swiss-born industrial designer Yves Behar and features three levels of fizz. Now’s your chance to shake things up. $199
Pana Chocolate doughnuts
Pana Chocolate doughnuts
Take doughnuts. Add lemon. Plus chocolate glaze. Multiply by six, and you’ve got love at first bite. Six per pack, $18.90
Champagne Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque
Champagne Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque
If you share a love for the finer things in life, Champagne is always a good place for meeting of minds. This Perrier-Jouët 2007 release bears the fruit of a mild winter and exceptional spring, making it a landmark year for the cuvée. $299
Marimekko flute
Marimekko flute
When you’re going for the good stuff, make sure the glassware comes to the party. This flute by Helsinki designer Anu Penttinen is hand-blown with a flat base, making it as practical as it is fashion-forward. $52
Geranium Leaf Hydrating Body Treatment
Geranium Leaf Hydrating Body Treatment
This intensely hydrating massage oil, enriched with geranium leaf, bergamot and mandarin essential oils, is a gift both you and your Valentine can enjoy. Plus it’s Aesop. Need we say more? 100ml, $35
Pop and Scott pot
Pop and Scott pot
Enshrine your budding romance with a “love fern” housed in one of Pop and Scott’s fibreglass pots. The hand-painted modernist designs always look great, even if your fern needs pruning. Priced from $125
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Colour Lipshine
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Hydrating Colour Lipshine
The hydrating formula of Chanel’s latest lipstick not only deeply moisturises lips it also gives you a fuller pout with vibrant colour and shine. Our pick of the Los Angeles-inspired range is “Energy”, for obvious reasons. Now pucker up. $37
Tiffany & Co Soleste earrings
Tiffany & Co Soleste earrings
From Bold and Fearless to Dazzling, Enchanting and Generous – for this Valentine’s Day Tiffany & Co has grouped its jewellery online into love’s various guises. You’ll find these Soleste earrings under Romantic. $8,850
Lanvin “Love” gold-tone keychain
Lanvin “Love” gold-tone keychain
One for the fashion-loving Valentine, Lanvin’s “Love” keychain will make a luxe statement hanging from your lady’s leather tote. $243