Roses are red, violets are blue, we love a present, and bet you do too!
It’s difficult to escape the hype surrounding Valentine’s Day and with so much choice when it comes to cards and gifts, it’s hard to know where to begin. Chocolates and flowers may be considered traditional, but we’ve also rounded up some jewellery, skincare and even bedroom attire to inspire you (whether you’re treating yourself or just want to drop some heavy hints to your significant other). Gentlemen take note – here are ten ways to say “I love you” that won’t result in your better half asking if you kept the receipt!
Read more: Your 2019 Valentine’s Day Dining Guide For Every Budget And Palate
John Masters has come up with this gorgeous kit specially for the occasion. It contains four products from the heavenly-scented rose range (including a limited edition lip balm, hydrating toning mist, hydrating face serum and rose and apricot day cream). As a sweet bonus, it also includes a rose-shaped meringue pop from Hong Kong favourite The Cakery. It’s sure to be a hit with your significant other!
John Masters Organics Valentine’s Day Rose Kit, $990, available online from 1 to 14 February
Yves Saint Laurent certainly knows how to make a seriously good-looking lipstick. Not only does the packaging of its Volupté Plump-In-Colour ooze class, but the lipstick also contains a heart-shaped lip balm core (to help add shine and plump up the lips), making it the perfect Valentine’s day gift. It’s packed with natural coconut oil and pomegranate extract and there are several colours to choose from. We love the look of the mad nude for everyday wear, or lunatic red for date night.
YSL Beauté Volupté Plump-In-Colour, $310, available at Lane Crawford
No Valentine’s day gift guide would be complete without some flowers. But for something a bit different we love the fresh-from-the-fields style of the hand tied bouquets from FLORISTRY at M&L. There’s something to suit all budgets with gorgeous flower jars and bud vases starting from just $120 (Lover’s Isle is our pick). While larger bouquets begin at $650 (the Gypsy Heart has our solid seal of approval). As an added bonus the bouquets come in a reusable canvas tote bag!
FLORISTRY at M&L Gypsy Heart Flower Bouquet, from $650, available online
If you’re looking for just a small token, Sugarfina’s Champagne Bears® could fit the bill. The luxurious sweets are made with Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne (flavoured with classic Brut and Rose) and have become a firm favourite for any special occasion in our office. They come in two sizes so you can choose between a 100g or 300g box. Why not go the extra mile and get a bottle of bubbles as an accompaniment?
Sugarfina Champagne Bears®, $88 for 100g or $198 for 300g, available in store
Another good option for those with a sweet tooth is this cute Hot Chocolate Treat from BYDEAU. It’s got everything your other half could want for a cosy night in once the kids have gone to bed, including drinking chocolate from Grounded Pleasures, a mug and a Formulary 55 Rosehip & Clay Face Mask. It’s also presented beautifully in a gift box with a red bow!
BYDEAU The Hot Chocolate Treat, $450, available online
This bracelet from Hong Kong Oapes is sure to please. The Chinese character for love in Cantonese has been crafted out of silver, and studded with some white crystals for a bit of bling. It’s the perfect gift to always remind the recipient of HK, wherever they are in the world. Plus you’ll be supporting a local brand, so what’s not to love (pun fully intended)!
Hong Kong Oapes Silver Love Rope Bracelet, $698, available online or at Shop H310, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
If your significant other loves a bit of sparkle and owns an Apple watch, this limited edition glitter band from Casetify will certainly make an impression. It’s made from scratch resistant material and lined with smooth leather, so comfort is guaranteed. The pink caught our eye, but the gold is equally pretty. Did we mention there’s free shipping to Hong Kong?
Casetify Glitter Apple Watch Band, around $430, available online
Setting the mood is a key part of romance. This is where The Lion Rock Press comes in with its limited edition Hong Kong Skyline Candle. Encased in glass jars and adorned with faux rose gold cut-outs of the city’s gorgeous skyline, the candles are hand-poured locally with natural soy wax and lead-free cotton wicks. It’s sure to help create the right ambience.
The Lion Rock Press Hong Kong Skyline Candle, $250, available online
We love this Eberjey PJ set, which is made from super soft jersey. It manages to look good, without compromising on comfort. It comes in several colours but we think the black and pink sets the perfect tone for Valentine’s Day (although we’re also tempted by the dolphin grey and lemonade).
Eberjey Gisele Short PJ Set, currently reduced from $835 to $584.50, available online from Avec Amour
We love the designs from this Hong Kong-based brand and this tote bag is a great gift. We like the “You are the egg to my egg tart” design, but the “I’ve got fillings for you” and “I will never let you gyoza” are equally cute! It’s a great shopping bag replacement and the versatile size means it can hold all your Mum paraphernalia with ease.
Cha Siu Egg Tart Tote Bag, $80, available online from Cha Siu Papers
Featured image Miroslava courtesy of Unsplash, image #1 courtesy of John Masters Organics, image #2 courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent via Instagram, image #3 courtesy of FLORISTRY by M&L, image #4 courtesy of Sugarfina, image number 5 courtesy of BYDEAU, image #6 courtesy of Hong Kong Oapes, image #7 courtesy of Casetify, image #8 courtesy of The Lion Rock Press, image #9 courtesy of Eberjey, image #10 courtesy of Cha Siu Papers