Gifts They’ll Love this Valentine’s Day

Love, hearts, and everything nice - Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to spoil the one you love and show them how much you care. But in 2026, Valentine’s Day has become so much more than a romantic holiday. It’s a celebration of all kinds of love - whether that’s between best friends, family, or even a little self-love. Galentine’s get-togethers, gifts for siblings, and treating yourself to something special are all part of the festivities. No matter your relationship status, it’s a day everyone can enjoy.

In this article, we’re sharing the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift guide, including a range of bags to spoil every special person in your life this year.

While the Valentine’s Day we know and love in 2026 is all about wrapped gifts and red hearts, its origins go much further back. Saint Valentine’s Day began in the 8th century as the Feast of Saint Valentine, honouring an early Christian martyr. By the 14th and 15th centuries, the day had transformed into a celebration of courtly and romantic love - marked by poetry, tokens of affection, and secret admirers.

In the 18th century, exchanging gifts of confectionery, flowers, and handmade cards - or “valentines” - became a cherished tradition. The red rose emerged as the iconic symbol of love, later joined by chocolates and plush teddy bears, adding a playful, personal touch to the celebration.

What makes Valentine’s Day truly special is how it has blossomed over time. Today, it’s not just about romantic relationships. The celebration has grown to include friends, family, and even colleagues. Traditions like Galentine’s Day get-togethers highlight the beauty of platonic love, while small gifts of chocolate or flowers extend warm wishes beyond romantic boundaries.

With this spirit of inclusive love in mind, we’re excited to share our curated list of Valentine’s Day gifts - perfect for partners, friends, or anyone you want to spoil.

Women are thoughtful, and the gifts we choose for them should reflect that. Just as a card and flowers alone can feel incomplete, a present without a sentimental touch often falls short - which is why we’ve included complementary ideas for each pick.

We wanted a gift to match the most iconic Valentine’s present - a bunch of red roses. What better way than a gorgeous red bag like the Laura Jones Scarf Top Handle Bag or the Laura Jones Small Tote Bag with Scarf. We love these options - the rich, bright red screams Valentine’s Day, and the scarf detail adds that extra thoughtful touch we know she’ll love.

The beauty of Valentine’s Day is that thought counts more than size. A handwritten card - even better if you make it yourself - is a simple but meaningful gesture. To add something small and valuable, the Aya RFID Card Holder is perfect. The cherry lacquer colour fits the Valentine’s theme beautifully, and you can even tuck a Polaroid of you both inside for an extra personal touch.

Chocolate is a classic, but we like to put a twist on it. The Evity Margo Leather Slim Woven Wallet looks a little bit like a chocolate bar - in the best way possible - pair it with her favourite chocolate in a bow for a fun, thoughtful gift. For something smaller, the Evity Dominic Leather Slim Card Holder is ideal for someone who already has a main wallet.

If she likes the chocolate-inspired idea but doesn’t want a wallet, the Evity Serena Leather Sunglasses Charm is a stylish alternative. And if she prefers the sunglasses idea without the chocolate theme, there’s another colour option here that works perfectly with the Valentine’s colour palette and makes a thoughtful extra gift.

For presentation or to add a little something extra, you can pair a teddy with one of these gifts:

• Bigger teddy? Add the Evity Noosa Cosmetic Bag and fill it with makeup, treats, or snacks.

• Smaller teddy? Pair it with the Laura Jones Callista Coin Purse with a crystal, pin, or small token of affection tucked inside.

Thank us later - she’ll love these.

We love the shape of the Colorado Zack Leather Tote - perfect for work, shopping, or everyday use. And yes - men deserve flowers too! A small bouquet peeking out of the bag is thoughtful and elegant.

For adventurous guys, the Antler Discovery Expandable Backpack is perfect. The lacing adds a subtle Valentine’s touch, and you can even slip a card through the lacing so it’s wrapped by his new adventure backpack - ready for all the adventures you’ll go on together.

We also love the Pierre Cardin Wallet & Belt Gift Set. Wrap the belt around a teddy and place the wallet in the teddy’s arms with your photo inside - he’ll really love this one.

The best gifts for Valentine’s Day can be ones you get for yourself and your person to match - especially when you both have something to look forward to together. These are a couple of suggestions if you want to buy something matching for your adventures together (or maybe just need an excuse to treat yourself - Valentine’s Day can also be about self-love, remember!)

We love the Nere Slim Luggage Tags as a slight nod to any upcoming travel plans. You can choose your favourite colour and theirs - this is especially cute if you’re newly living together or married. Names and addresses can even be updated to match (bonus points if you fill these out for an extra thoughtful touch!)

The same concept applies to the Nere Stori Carry-On Suitcase. We love the idea of getting matching colours with your bestie, or complementary ones with your partner, for an upcoming trip - and for all the ones to come in the future, this suitcase will last you a long while.

And finally, for your partner in crime, a little playful matching is fun without being too “matchy-matchy.” The Heart Luggage Tag are perfect for the sweet-and-spicy duo in your life. Pair them with a fun getaway or weekend trip, and you’ve got a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and perfectly personalised.

Discover the Best Valentine’s Day Gifts at Strand

No matter who you’re shopping for this year, you’ll find the perfect gift online or in-store at Strand. Shop today and let your gifts say it all this Valentine’s Day!

The best gift is both sweet and thoughtful! Small handbags, vanity cases filled with their favourite makeup, skincare or snacks, or a practical gift like a sunglasses case or card holder, combine classic romance with a unique twist.

Something practical, but still special. Men love feeling appreciated, too - think backpacks for work or adventure, a wallet and belt gift set, or a leather tote for day-to-day errands or ducking to the gym. Pair these with his favourite chocolates or beverage, and you’ve got the perfect Valentine’s Day present for that special man in your life.

Valentine’s Day is on the 14th of February - it falls on a Saturday in 2026, so start planning the perfect celebration!

Personalisation is key for Valentine’s Day presents - choose their favourite colours, tie the gift to shared adventures, or add a monogram or handwritten note for meaning.

Absolutely - it’s practical, personal, and pairs perfectly with flowers or chocolate. Strand has a wide range of bags that make the perfect Valentine's Day present for him or her.