Valentine's Day 2018: The best presents for him including last-minute gift ideas
It's that time of year again. Shops are peddling bright red cards with cheesy slogans, heart decorations are popping up in restaurants, and their bookings are filling up quicker than you can say "Hamilton". Yes, Valentine's Day is here, and we've selected some of the best Valentine gifts for him.
The annual event is named after St Valentine, who is said to have fallen in love with a jailer's daughter while serving time for arranging secret marriages. He supposedly sent her a love letter signed 'from your Valentine', on February 14th. What a romantic.
St Valentine's day became officially enshrined in English calendars when Henry VII declared it Valentine's Day.
These days, as we all know, there's at least a modicum of pressure to come up with the goods on V Day. Some couples like to splash the cash, buying expensive jewellery or clothes, eating at top restaurants and drinking fine wines; others play it understated, perhaps cooking a special meal and gifting flowers and chocolates (yes, men like those too).
Whatever your preferred Valentine's Day style, if you're looking for present ideas for a special man in your life, from cologne to gift experiences, we've got you covered.
Last-minute Valentine's Day presents
1. Amazon Prime 30-day free trial
Amazon Prime usually costs £7.99 per month, but you can get a month's free trial when signing up today.
What separates Prime members from mere mortals? Well, unlimited one-day delivery on Amazon purchases, for starters. But, more excitingly for Valentine's Day, you'll be able to settle down with your partner and watch all Amazon Prime video content, including hits like Absentia and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Perfect for a Valentine's evening in with chocolates and Prosecco.
2. The classic beer hamper
With an Amazon Prime membership you'll be guaranteed next-day delivery on this classic beer hamper - sure to please beer-loving foodies this Valentine's Day. Included are three beers and an array of indulgent snacks: salted caramel popcorn, jalapeno dip, chilli rice crackers and more.
3. Gin and whisky tour with tasting at The Cotswolds Distillery
The good thing about a gift experience for Valentine's Day is you have plenty of time to use the coupon, so if you're both busy on the 14th, there's no problem.
At this tour in the idyllic Cotswolds Distillery in Warwickshire, you and your partner will try excellent English gin, whisky, sherry and more with guidance from an expert.
4. Flowers from Bloom & Wild
It might seem cliched, but flowers are a Valentine's Day classic for a reason - and many guys like receiving them too.
Bloom & Wild have a large selection of beautiful bouquets with delivery for Valentine's Day still possible.
Throw in chocolates, vases and Champagne truffles and you've got yourself a nice little hamper for the special day.
The best high-end presents for Valentine's Day
1. Ecco Vitrus 1
Tired of your husband/partner/boyfriend/date's tattered old shoes? Let us recommend these smart brogues from Ecco. Brogues have had an eventful history, with roots in Ireland and Scotland, they were traditionally worn by farmers. In the 20th century they became a favourite among golfers and rock'n'roll stars, most famously Elvis Presley's black and white pair.
Today, they represent a timeless, iconic shoe. Ecco's new line of brogues, the Vitrus I, continues the tradition. Not only do they look incredible, they're made with quality leather and are supremely comfortable and durable. A thoughtful Valentine's Day gift.
2. Skagen unisex hybrid smartwatch SKT1110
Smart watches are a great invention, allowing users to do much more than simply tell the time. Tracking activity, calories, steps, sleep and more can be a good way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The trouble is, smartwatches are rarely stylish.
Not so with the Skagen SKT1110. You get many of the features of a tech-y smartwatch, but with a stylish face and smart leather straps.
3. Bugatti Microma Velour water repellent jacket
A chic brown polyester jacket that's sure to impress your lover this Valentine's Day. With a stand-up collar, several pockets and a zip front under a button placket, it ticks all the functional but trendy boxes. Also available in black.
Health and grooming presents for Valentine's Day
1. Bulldog skincare kit
Bulldog have specialised in male skincare since 2005, earning rave reviews from men all over the world for giving us shiny soft faces. This set comes with moisturiser, face wash and face scrub, as well as a smart wash bag. Ideal as a standalone gift or part of a Valentine's Day hamper.
2. Harry's shaving kit
Of all the subscription service shaving kits that have emerged over the past couple of years, Harry's is up there with the best.
Shaving kits are best for regular shavers. It works thus: sign up, choose a plan that best suits your needs (observe your partner's shaving habits pre-Valentine's Day to garner this information), and Harry's will send you a handle that's his to keep, with replacement cartridges at regular intervals.
3. Hugo Boss's Boss in Motion eau de toilette
The perennially popular Hugo Boss produces some of the most alluring male perfumes. With cinnamon, cardamom and sandalwood notes, the Boss in Motion is a sure-fire winner on Valentine's Day. Because men like to be pampered too.
The best booze gifts
Fine drinks and indulgent chocolates are always welcome on Valentine's Day.
1. Maker's Mark Bourbon
We all love having a good bottle of whisky around the house – either to impress friends, make tasty cocktails or warm up on a cold winter night.
Maker's Mark produce some of the finest Bourbons from the heart of Kentucky. It's relatively sweet – many Bourbons can burn – and has warming notes of oak, caramel and vanilla.
2. Speyburn 10 year old
For something a little different, consider this fine single malt Scotch from Speyburn, founded in 1897 in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park.
The whisky is matured in carefully selected ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks, and its flavour notes are a unique blend of toffee, butterscotch, vanilla and citrus. Matches well with chocolate and fudge, making an ideal, indulgent Valentine's Day treat.
3. Home Brewing starter kit: India pale ale
One for the beer lovers. This home brewing starter kit simplifies the process and allows you to make excellent IPAs from the comfort of your kitchen.
A quick heads up though: it doesn't come with bottles, so it's worth adding some glass bottles to the Valentine's Day gift giving.
Romantic chocolate gifts for men
1. Hotel Chocolat Valentine chocolate box
Chocolates are an inherently romantic gift, and Hotel Chocolat do it better than anyone else. This box contains 27 chocolates, with indulgent, fruity and alcoholic flavours like champagne, raspberry daiquiri, passion fruit and salted caramel kiss. It's the ideal chocolate box for Valentine's Day.
2. Lindt Lindor heart chocolate box
Everybody loves Lindor, the irresistibly creamy, indulgent balls of chocolaty goodness that melt in the mouth. Package them in a cheesy red love heart and you've got the ideal Valentine's Day prezzie.
3. Medium heart chocolates box
On the other end of the price range is this chocolate love box from Fortnum & Mason. It's an alcohol-free assortment filled with classics like vanilla fudge, marzipan and pralines, alongside the (thankfully) now-mandatory salted caramel.
Valentines' Day experiences
1. Pizza class at Pizza Scuola
If your partner's a foodie or a pizza lover, the gift of a pizza masterclass is sure to go down well. For £40 per person, you'll be treated to an aperitif, taught to make top-quality pizza, have fine Italian ice cream for dessert and receive a Pizza Scuola apron.
The chefs may even teach you to spin pizza bases like an expert pizzaiolo, if you're lucky.
2. Michelin star seven course tasting menu for two at L'Ortolan
£155 (for two), Virgin Experience Days
Since 1984 L'Ortolan has been serving some fine food from just outside Reading in Berkshire. Holding one Michelin star, the restaurant is offering a seven-course tasting menu for two, for just £155. You can choose between lunch and dinner.
3. Relaxing spa day at Bannatyne Health Clubs
£75 (for two), Virgin Experience Days
There's nothing more romantic than a relaxing spa day with your partner. This voucher gets you a day of treatments at a Bannatyne Health Club, including full use of the club's facilities, a Swedish back massage, a full neck and shoulder massage and a scalp massage.
4. Two night Snowdonia glamping break for two
£100 for two, Virgin Experience Days
If you're after a cosy weekend break for two, this trip to the beautiful Snowdonia National Park in North Wales will make for an ideal romantic getaway.
Glamping is all the rage these days, and this site is located between the sea and the highest peaks of Snowdonia. The camping pods are well insulated and have underfloor heating, so you won't struggle with the cold.
Men's Valentine's gifts: Tech and gadgets
1. Bose SoundLink portable Bluetooth speaker
The Bose SoundLink is an incredibly powerful speaker for such a small device. It can fit in the palm of your hand, but boasts a full sound. It's ideal for connecting to phones or laptops for lazy Netflix sessions, or for use during dinner parties.
As an added bonus, it's waterproof, so you can now play music during long, romantic bubble baths.
2. Cuisinart DGB1U bean-to-cup coffee machine
Ensure he starts the right way with the excellent Cuisinart bean-to-cup coffee machine. With coffee pods having a detrimental effect on the environment, not to mention the taste of the drink, switching to a bean-grinding option doesn't need to break the bank.
It's also much easier to personalise coffees with a bean-to-cup machine, as you can control the temperature and strength of your coffee.
3. Lakeland slow cooker
Slow cookers are all the rage these days, thanks to their ability to turn the cheapest cuts of meats into tasty stews. Slow cooking can also help bring out all the youth-maintaining properties of collagen.
This Lakeland option is big enough to feed a family or batch cook for the week, and there are three settings depending on how quickly you need it ready. Additionally, slow cookers use relatively little power for a long, slow cook.