Even if you’re waiting until closer to the 14th, that doesn’t mean you can’t wow them with the best last minute Valentine’s Day gifts!
It happens: between Valentine’s Day classroom parties, work potlucks, and the general busyness (and maybe a bit of stress) of the day-to-day, you can’t always spend a ton of time searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day present. Shopping for anything other than groceries these days can feel next to impossible. We’re right there with you. Of course, your loved ones already know you love them! We just never miss an opportunity to show them; even if it means we have to wait until the eleventh hour. The good news is that we’ve rounded up the best last minute Valentine’s Day gifts out there.
Last minute doesn’t mean “boring” or “thoughtless”—not in our book. We have something for everyone, so they’ll never even know you weren’t able to make it to the store (though we’re pretty sure they wouldn’t be mad). Unique gift cards, amazing flowers, and everything in between is all right here. We recommend serving these with a side of a heartfelt card and a really big hug, or a super sweet text message with lots of emojis if you’re sending long-distance. But no matter how you present your present, you can be sure with this list of the best last minute Valentine’s Day gifts, love will most definitely be in the air!
Keepsake Red Rose Heart Wreath
These red roses make it next to impossible to tell that they're faux. 1-800 Flowers Real Touch roses are stunning and stay fresh forever, so this pretty rose wreath can stay hanging up all year!
Homesick's Love Letters candle is a blend of custom fragrance oils with top notes of rose petals and jasmine; mid notes of sandalwood and peony; and base notes of lemon and red plum. It's the perfect romantic blend! Add this sweet lightweight pink scarf and the cute gift box and you're all set!
Valentine's doesn't have to only last one day! With these love notes, a whole month of sweet sentiments are each individually enclosed in a linen cardstock envelope featuring artwork exclusive to 1-800-Flowers.com. The classic red fabric heart box holds 14 assorted Godiva Chocolates (those probably won't last a whole month, though).
Roses, ranunculus, and dianthus blend together to create a unique color combination that feels like a modern take on the always-loved classic red rose bouquet!
A new take on the BFF heart necklace, these cute succulents come in a potted set in pink and black. Keep one and give the other to your love, best friend, or favorite coworker, or display both of them as a symbol of a full heart!
This is the ultimate in self-care! Use the rose quartz facial roller to de-puff and improve circulation, then light the Brooklyn Candle Studio candle, indulge in the Mast mini chocolates, and find a place for the charming air plant.
We're just gonna say it: the gift of travel has to be one of the most romantic out there, and since it's digitally delivered, it takes less than 5 minutes to grant your love's adventurous wish!
Giving the busy parent in your life the gift of an extra pair of hands thanks to Yohana! From meal-planning, birthday party coordination, grocery shopping, and more, Yohana helps you get done everything you need to get done in a snap.
BabyQuip is the baby gear rental service that meets you where you're at—hotel, Airbnb, private residence—so you don't have to lug a bunch of clunky baby gear when you travel!
If you're not sure what their favorite cocktail is, or if you know they prefer to peruse cabernets or margarita mixes themselves, a gift card to Total Wine is the way to go!
This is the romantic dinner of the year—better make it special! Blue Apron makes it easy (as they do with everything!) with premium seared scallops, a rich tomato sauce, asparagus, and a side of crispy garlic bread. You can even add a beautiful charcuterie board or decadent caramel macchiato pie! Pop the cork on a bottle of Blue Apron's bubbly and you have a memorable at-home date night!
Available for delivery the week of February 13. Order by February 8 to receive in time for Valentine’s Day.
Candles are a great gift, and Scent Lab takes picking one out to a whole new level! Take their 60-second discovery quiz and their proprietary algorithm leads you to create the perfect scent for you. It's so much fun and you'll be blown away by how amazing your personalized candle smells!
Get that glow before spring! The PMD Personal Microdermabrasion Kit is a fab gift for all skin types. It's also available on Amazon Prime, so it'll come in time for the big day!
This book contains fill-in-the-blank lines for you to customize and tell your sweetheart why you love them! It's on Prime, but make sure to give yourself some time to fill in the blanks. With over 61K reviews on Amazon, this gift is a sure thing!
Clevr Blends was listed as one of Oprah's Favorite Things 2022, and for good reason! Creamy, barista-style lattes infused with superfoods, adaptogens and probiotics—just add hot water and sip anywhere, and a clean oat milk creamer (a blend of oat milk and coconut cream for coffee-shop texture. Gently sweetened with monk fruit, no refined sugar, no aftertaste.). This kit includes a Clevr Blends Chai Tea Latte (spicy and energizing) and Golden Tumeric (a caffeine-free mood booster!). It also includes a hand-held frother and scoop!
The original faux fur blanket is now bigger and better than ever. Ultra-soft, extra large, and weighted for cozy therapeutic benefits, UnHide is the ultimate snuggle buddy. Available in 9 colors! Too big? Don't forget to check out the UnHide Lil' Marsh! Both available on Amazon Prime.
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Order up some self-care with a few sides from these meal delivery services in NYC!
Some days, the prospect of putting dinner on the table feels a bit…daunting. One solution is to head out and enjoy some glorious outdoor dining happening in NYC right now, or you could try a meal kit delivery service. Another is to order in a full family meal created by one of the city’s local restaurants, or sign up for meal delivery services in NYC to have dinner handled on the reg. We had the “hard” job of sampling several—here are our top picks for getting (delicious) dinner on the table with ease.
For a Yummy & Healthy Chicken Dinner: Fields Good Chicken
Fields Good Chicken
With their Meals to Share menu, families can order a meal from this mini-chain, with five locations around Manhattan, that includes a choice of never-fried chicken (crispy-skinned whole bird, boneless herb breasts, or mojo thigh) and three house made sides. Prices for these meals (a whole bird with sides) start at $26.
For Flavorful Meals That Won't Weigh You Down: Marquet
Marquet
Another meal delivery service started by an NYC culinary industry vet, Marquet aims to provide delicious ready-to-heat meals that are also nutritionally-dense. (Founder and Chef Annamarie Marquet is a meal kit service startup alum, and ironically, found she didn't have time to eat well while working around the clock.)
Marquet's meals cut all the bad stuff like refined sugar and oils, process grains, and low-fat dairy. The result is meals that aim to fill you up faster, keep you full longer, and generally leave you feeling better, not sluggish. We're not experts in nutrition, but we do love to eat, and Marquet's entrees burst with fresh flavor, and the salad and sides were fresh and delicious. (For a preview of Marquet's meals, check out its Instagram feed.)
Marquet is available as an individual ($24/meal), family or subscription plan throughout NYC.
For a Pizza Party-plus: Public Display of Affection (PDA)
PDA
At Brooklyn’s Public Display of Affection (PDA), from Roberta's alum Chef Robert Guimond, the PDA Picnic Pack offers a great option for busy school nights and football-watching alike. Their food will keep the whole family happy.
Orders can be placed via text or phone at 718-635-1678 or through Caviar.
If you love barbecue, the family meals served at Dickson’s Farmstand in Chelsea Market are sure to delight. You can also order from Dickson’s menu that’s replete with other steak options as well as expanded burger, dogs and sandwich offerings. “Everything is super family-friendly,” says Jacob Dickson, owner. “There’s nothing spicy or challenging—just super delicious and made to order.”
Family dinner is available for in-store pickup, curbside dining, and also delivery via Doordash/Caviar, Postmates, and Uber platforms.
Get your sip on this summer with thirst-quenching mocktails that are anything but boring. From slushies and fancy lemonades to Italian sodas, these delicious drinks are easy to whip up and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.
For a big dose of nostalgia, go for the classic Shirley Temple! The kids will love this cherry treat—especially if you use mason jars as glasses. You can even add lime for an extra kick! Get the recipe from Kitchen Happiness.
Nix the sugary soda and instead opt for a natural fruit drink from The View from Great Island. It's fresh squeezed, updated with a vivid berry puree, and the perfect pitcher for a party! Score the colorful recipe by clicking here.
This one goes out to all those strawberry fans! Thanks to Lola's Cocina, you'll have a new fave summer drink. It's a 3-ingredient cinch, kid-friendly, and great for a summer day. Get the recipe here.
Psst! This super delicious slush from Damn Delicious is a must for any summer to-do list. It couldn't be any easier to make (only 3 ingredients!) or more refreshing. Get your watermelon on and grab the recipe here.
Ready to punch it up? This punch, courtesy of Dinner at the Zoo, only has 5 ingredients and a boatload of fresh flavor. It's great for a summer day...or, you know, a Tuesday. Click on over here for the recipe.
When the temperature drops, there's nothing like a batch of these sweet refreshments--sans bourbon. And here's a quick tip if you think the kiddos won’t go for the “muddled” leaves of mint, just use a batch of mint tea (iced) instead and use the mint as garnish. Get the recipe here.
Make use of fresh clementines with this fab recipe from How Sweet It Is. The homemade soda base becomes extra special when you top it off with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. To find out how it’s made, click here.
Make use of the best fruit summer has to offer by whipping up this quick slushie from Paleo Running Momma. With no refined sugar, it’s a drink you can feel good about serving up to your whole fam. To get the recipe, click here.
We can’t get enough watermelon all summer long, and this recipe from Build Your Bite is the perfect way to get more of the good stuff into our diet. Kiddos will love the fizziness provided by the sparkling water, too. To see the recipe, click here.
Get inspired by Green Healthy Cooking and make a yummy batch of horchata. This variation uses a mixture of milk, rice, cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla to create an instant family fave. To grab the recipe, click here.
Transport yourself to the tropics by making this super refreshing drink from How Sweet It Is. The whole family will love the vibrant color and thirst-quenching flavor. To get the recipe, click here.
Take a cue from the Italians and whip up a refreshing drink inspired by the Wright Family Table. They’re pretty easy to pull off using a citrusy simple syrup topped off with soda water and half & half. To get the full recipe, click here.
Take your lemonade stand (or your backyard barbecue) to the next level with this amazing recipe from Kiwi & Carrot. The bright mix of flavors is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. To get the recipe, click here.
Get a little fancy with this yummy sparkling mix from The Pretty Life Girls. The recipe uses premade lemonade as a starting point, so you don’t have to worry about juicing bunches of lemons. Get the full recipe by clicking here.
The heat wave won’t seem so daunting once you’ve got a cup of Build Your Bite’s watermelon lime cooler in your hand. Fresh watermelon is blended with a splash of lime juice to top it all off. Grab the full recipe by clicking here.
Handheld is in. You’ve got your Kindle and your iPhone and your keyless remote, juggling to grab your little one out of her car seat while texting to confirm weekend plans. But what about lunch? That’s where newcomer Kye’s comes in, with the newest healthy alternative to give the sandwich standby a run for its money. Stroll into their sunlit shop in Santa Monica and unwrap an unexpected (and healthy) handheld treat for your toddler’s tastebuds.
With KyeRitos, Super Foods Get Super Convenient
Think of it as a healthy push-up. Start with a crisp sheet of shiny nori, already a fave with your little ones. (Other wrappers are available, too.) Now add kid-friendly fillings that double as healthy nutrition. KyeRitos are the brainchild of owner and local mom (to Kye) Jeanne Cheng (with degrees is traditional and holistic medicine, so you can really trust that this stuff has the goods) who conceived of the taste treat.
Dr. Seuss himself would be intrigued by the Nori N’ Lox resplendent with green eggs, smoked salmon arugula and tomatoes, all neatly wrapped in crisp seaweed. Fans of old-school ‘wrappers’ can partake of the deli turkey, which reminds you of the classic wrap with a smear of tasty giji aioli for that super-food punch. The secret to the ‘slip wrap’ as they call it is Kye’s patent-pending packaging with a sheath of cellophane to keep the ingredients in and the mess off. And most choices are dairy and gluten-free for sensitive tummies. In fact, Kye’s accommodates every dietary need, from vegan toddlers to Paleo parents to macrobiotic mommies. Whatever healthy eating plan you’ve committed to for this New Year, Kye’s will help you stick to it. Happily.
A Super-Food Side With That
Kye’s happy fare continues with kiddo-pleasing beverages like their signature caramelized banana shake: like candy in a cup with no refined sugar (dehydrated cane juice, aka sucanat, does the trick) but a dose of Chinese yam for extra vitamins and coconut milk for enough added energy to chase those ducks at nearby Douglas Park. The avocolada smoothie is a guilt-free mocktail that begs for a mini umbrella. And what LA kids don’t prefer to drink their veggies, especially in a yummy shake?
Healthy Sweets For Picky Petites
No matter how healthy you’re eating, there’s always room for dessert. The brownies of black bean and rich cacao are as moist and rich as any you’ve had, while the chocolate avocado pudding pulls double-duty with omega3s and bioflavinoids in one delectable dish they’ll ask for over and over. Because dessert is only dessert if it feels like an indulgence, and these do.
You Can Get There From Here
Kye’s in conveniently situated in the center of Montana’s main shopping strip, on the same block the recently-opened NYC fave Pink Chicken. And there’s free parking behind the restaurant.
Tasty, healthy, kid pleasing and free, easy parking? Now you have no excuses to start the New Year on a healthy note!