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Gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, according to the FJ editors

image via @doralarsenlingerie/instagram

Love, love, love.

Valentine’s Day can be tricky. For those not in relationships, it can feel like a constant reminder of the world’s expectation for you to fall madly in love, wed and procreate before you’re 35. Those in new or struggling relationships might feel pressured to perform grand gestures when it doesn’t seem quite right.

As a person who’s experienced 23 single Valentine’s Days and one in a new relationship, I can tell you neither are particularly fun. But you know what I’ve recently figured out? It doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve realised that V-Day is about all kinds of love.


Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section. 


Platonic love, romantic love, self-love – it’s about celebrating the people who bring joy to your life. Valentine’s Day can be a reservation for two with your best friend or a beautiful piece of jewellery for your mum. It’s a scented candle for your favourite coworker or a spa day for the sibling you always tease (sorry sis). Like any holiday, it can be a huge ordeal or nothing at all, but who doesn’t love presents?

Here at Fashion Journal, we love love. This year, to show our favourites just how much we j’adore them, we’ve put together a curated list of our best Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Nothing defrosts a cold heart quite like online shopping.

Sans Beast Reader Satchel*

Picked by: Ella, Fashion Journal’s Account Manager

I’m not proud of it, but the state of my current bucket bag is enough to send Mary Poppins into a spiral. I’m not talking practical things either. Lip balm? Unlikely. Band-Aids? Far too adult. But a pair of goggles and a loose sock? I’m your girl. With that said, I’ve now realised my chaotic personality and persistent tardiness does not mesh well with a bucket bag. I’ve been on the hunt for a versatile yet compact everyday black bag that has enough compartments for only the essentials.

I’ve been a fan of Sans Beast vegan bags for a while now, and have my eye on the classic Reader Satchel in the faux alligator finish. The interior comes with two gussets, three credit card sliders and lots of zips in-between, perfect for everyday use, and at $199 it doesn’t break the bank. An alternative to flowers, wine and chocolate, I think this is a gift my boyfriend will definitely get behind.

Get it here.

D.S & Durga Big Sur After Rain Candle

Picked by: Cait, Fashion Journal’s Digital Editor

 

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Valentine’s Day can be a shitty/disappointing/triggering day for many of us, for a wide variety of reasons. If you’re single like me, you’ll be all too familiar with how being alone on this day of the year can make you feel. But as I’ve entered my late twenties, I’ve realised that the love and affection you show yourself is much more important than receiving external validation from a romantic interest.

With this in mind, I’ll be gifting myself this D.S & Durga Big Sur After Rain Candle from Mecca. I’ve been eyeing it off for the last few months – it’s got a woody and leafy aroma, with a hint of fresh rain. Candles are also a great way to inject some romance into your V-day, whether you’re alone or partnered.

Get it here.

Pandora Padlock and Key Dangle Charm*

Picked by: Ella, Fashion Journal’s Account Manager

 

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Simply because I did French exchange when I was 17 and use Duolingo once a year, I like to think of myself as a bit of a Francophile. So when learning that Pandora’s new Padlock and Key Dangle Charm was inspired by locks placed on bridges by lovers all around the world (think Pont Des Arts), I was instantly drawn in.

Featuring two parts, the key is also a charm in itself. Place it next to the padlock and style the two together on your jewellery, or gift it to a loved one, so only they have the power to unlock your padlock. Compatible with both bracelets and necklaces and available in three gorgeous colourways, it’s bound to impress a loved one in your life.

Get it here.

Dora Larsen Dolly Clean Tulle Underwire Bra

Picked by: Cait, Fashion Journal’s Digital Editor

 

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A post shared by Dora Larsen (@doralarsenlingerie)

When I was younger, I would only spend money on (and wear) nice lingerie when I was in a relationship or consistently dating someone. To my undeveloped pea brain, it felt like a waste to wear something expensive and lacey if it wasn’t being appreciated by a man. But wearing lingerie is as much for yourself as it is for anyone else.

And as it’s obscured by your clothes, good lingerie can make you feel like you have a secret no one else knows about (and we all know that having a secret is the key to cultivating an air of mystery). I’ve been obsessing over this Dolly Clean Tulle Underwire Bra from Dora Larsen for almost a year now, so Valentine’s Day feels like the most suitable time to gift myself something like this; something that I would otherwise wait for a partner to give me.

Get it here.

Black Finch Jewellery Hold My Heart Pendant*

Picked by: Izzy, Fashion Journal’s Editorial Assistant

I’m a big believer in celebrating all kinds of love on Valentine’s Day. While the romantic variety is great, sometimes it’s your platonic loves who need a thoughtful reminder the most. My mum, an absolute queen, is one of those people. Like a lot of families, we were separated for the better half of the last two years. It was tough.

To show how much we appreciate her, my sister and I are going halves in the Hold My Heart Pendant by Melbourne-based jewellery label, Black Finch. Handcrafted using 100 per cent recycled gold and an ethically-sourced, heart-shaped garnet, this is the kind of piece she’ll never take off. And for an added bonus, Black Finch plants one tree for every piece of jewellery sold.

Get it here.

LBDO Essensual Vibe and Lube*

Picked by: Cait, Fashion Journal’s Digital Editor

 

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Anyone that knows me (and probably anyone who reads Fashion Journal) knows that I have a fondness for sexual wellness brands. And luckily, we have the cream of the crop here in Australia. One such brand is LBDO, a local sexual wellness startup “creating elevated bedroom essentials that are designed to celebrate whole-body wellness”.

In non-traditional V-day fashion (who says you have to be in a romantic relationship to show someone you love them?), I’ll be gifting LBDO’s Essensual Vibe and Lube to a close friend who’s just gone through a rough breakup. There’s nothing like some self-care in the form of masturbation, especially post-breakup.

Get it here.

Nagnata Colour Block Crop

Picked by: Ella, Fashion Journal’s Account Manager

 

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I first discovered the Australian label Nagnata back in 2020 while watching the National Designer Awards presented by David Jones. Initially drawn to the brand’s harmonious colour palette and innovative approach to lounge and activewear, my loyalty was cemented upon learning of its social sensibilities and slow approach to fashion.

Don’t get me wrong, the pieces come with a bit of a hefty price tag, but I find the quality and feel of the garments make the cost justifiable. I have the black Saska Rib Crop which I wear as much as I can when it’s not being donned by my housemate, so this V-Day I’m going to spoil her with this fun Prism top in jade. Although on the pricey side, I definitely plan on stealing it from her wardrobe to make up for the cost per wear.

Get it here.

Hoddle Skateboards Knit Vest

Picked by: Izzy, Fashion Journal’s Editorial Assistant

 

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From the two years of being with my boyfriend, I’ve learnt the best gifts for him are usually food, music or tech-related. But those aren’t my areas of expertise. This Valentine’s Day, I’ve decided to exercise my skills and buy him a new item of clothing for his sparse wardrobe. This Long Ranger Rib Knit Vest from Hoddle Skateboards, made in collaboration with Naarm artist Shannon Rush, is the piece he didn’t know he needed. The boxy fit is ideal over his baggy tees and I can steal it too!

Get it here.

Vush Rose 2 Vibrator*

Picked by: Ella, Fashion Journal’s Account Manager

 

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One of my cousins recently got out of a long-term relationship, so I’m making an extra effort to make her feel spoiled and loved this Valentine’s Day. She’s a big Abbie Chatfield fan so I know she’ll be extra impressed with the Vush Rose 2 bullet vibrator. As seen in Cardi B’s music video ‘Up’ (big flex), the Rose 2 is small, compact and gently flexible coming in a very V-Day appropriate blush pink shade.

I love that all Vush products are made from medical grade silicone and are designed for all bodies, making them a great option for a loved one come Feb 14! Better yet, the team is offering 40 per cent off this pink little number until Valentine’s Day using the code ROSESAREPINK.

Get it here.

Modibodi Mindful Gifting Pack*

Picked by: Izzy, Fashion Journal’s Editorial Assistant

 

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There are days when I feel cute and days where I feel like a hideous ogre – on my period, it’s usually the latter. Something about the combination of bloating, cramping and sporadically crying makes me feel truly unattractive. And at a frequency of once a month, that’s just not fair! To make those days a little less hideous, I’ll be gifting myself Modibodi’s limited edition Valentine’s Day Mindful Gifting Pack.

Including three of its most popular absorbent styles in a fun ‘Carnival Red’, this is period underwear at its sexiest. I’ve decided it’s time to stop punishing myself with stained, ratty, elastic-less pairs of designated ‘that time of the month’ undies – and this is a true upgrade. These styles fit and wear like regular underwear, but with an amazing build-in lining to absorb periods, bladder leaks, odour and discharge. The Sensual Full Brief is my fave with its adorably sheer side panels. Is it a traditional Valentine’s Day gift? No, but it does go perfectly with heart-shaped chocolate.

Get it here.

*Products marked with an asterisk are produced in partnership with each listed retailer. For more V-Day gift ideas, head here.

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