For Valentine's Day, we asked 18 women for the best gifts they ever got

Hotel Lobby

Holiday Soy Wax Candle

$58

Photograph: Courtesy of Hotel Lobby

Get her space smelling like a boutique hotel with a festive and display-worthy candle from Hotel Lobby. The site offers a variety of scents, including Fifth Avenue (dark amber, caramelized pralines, oud and cherry blossoms) and Needlepoint (blush peony, antique rose, vintage lipstick and silk musk). “This candle is a holiday must for me, and I like it so much I’ve gifted it to friends. It’ll make your house smell divine,” says Ayana Lage, a writer, discussing the Holiday scented candle she received. “I burn it year-round.”

Hotel Lobby

Holiday Soy Wax Candle

$58

Photograph: Courtesy of Piecework

Working triple-duty as artwork, a conversation piece and a family-friendly activity for a cozy night or two indoors, this vibrant, 1,000-piece puzzle is a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone who needs a little less screen time. “My sister-in-law got me a gorgeous puzzle one year for Christmas, and I love that this puzzle company is so aesthetic and fun,” says Melanie Weinstein, a senior UX strategist. Check out our roundup of the best jigsaw puzzles for other options, including gorgeous wood models.

L’Apéro

puzzle

from $40

Candle Lume

Espresso Martini Glass Candle

from $26

Photograph: Courtesy of Candle Lume

“My sister gifts me candles every year for Christmas and my birthday,” says Sydney Davloor, a marketing specialist. “I use them all year almost every night.” This espresso candle from Anthropologie is her favorite because it “just makes me feel so at home, and it’s nice and cozy with the fresh smell of coffee constantly”.

Candle Lume

Espresso Martini Glass Candle

from $26

Lovely Lavender

Medley with Strawberries

$74.99

Photograph: Courtesy of 1-800-Flowers

 Are you aiming for romance, whether it’s Valentine’s, a birthday or just because? It doesn’t get better than the classics like chocolate-covered strawberries and roses. “It was very cute,” says Haleigh Brody, an elementary school teacher. “It was out of character, for sure. I was definitely in shock and caught off-guard, but it made me feel very special.” Complete with a dozen chocolate-dipped strawberries and a bouquet in a lovely lilac shade, it’s a gift she won’t see coming that she will appreciate with all her senses.

Lovely Lavender

Medley with Strawberries

$74.99

Black & Decker

Cordless Kettle

from $30.62

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

If a cup of piping hot tea is a staple in her morning or night ritual, don’t skip this thoughtful, affordable gift idea. “He got me this really nice kettle when we first got together,” says Sonia Bazar, an arts administrator. “It sounds dumb, but it lasted forever. At the time, we were really broke and I was using a second-hand stovetop one. We still have it. Now we’re thinking about getting a fancy gooseneck [kettle] with a temperature setting, but I feel so bad parting with it because it was the first gift he ever got me and I use it every day.”

Black & Decker

Cordless Kettle

from $30.62

How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England

from $18.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

 If the woman in your life would rather curl up with a good book than hit the town, don’t miss this nonfiction read. Bazar’s husband gifted her this book because “he supports my weird special interests”. Why this historical piece in particular? “Ruth Goodman has a really strong narrative voice,” says Bazar.

“[The book] is a really interesting way to question historical norms and how we understand people of the past, as well as things like bisexuality or even how the language of insults has changed.” She adds: “Ruth has a podcast, which is so dope, called The Curious History of Your Home. She makes forks sound interesting.”

How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England

from $18.99

MaoGoLan

Giant Teddy Bear

from $35.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart

 A mini teddy bear might not bode well with her current bedroom aesthetic, but a dramatically huge one might just put the perfect finishing touch on her main living space. “Teddy bears hold a significance in my life and they’re comforting,” says Aqsa Mohammad, an account coordinator. “I feel like I had to grow up so quickly that I missed a bit of my childhood, and life moves so fast for me, so when I see my teddy bear in the corner of my house, I feel like a little girl again. I’ve always wanted a gigantic one so now I keep him in my living room. It speaks to me and it’s a bit of my personality. So now you can tell ‘this is Aqsa’s house’ because it’s really my vibe.”

MaoGoLan

Giant Teddy Bear

from $35.99

Delsey Paris

Helium DLX Softside Expandable Luggage

from $130

Photograph: Courtesy of Voyage Luggage

Does she have flights to catch? Make the journey a little easier with this reliable carry-on luggage that fits more than you’d think. “It’s been with me all over the world,” says Thalia Dabda, an executive coach and speaker. “I’ve packed it for two weeks in the south of France including a bridesmaid dress. It’s high quality, reliable and serves the purpose for short and longer trips.”

Delsey Paris

Helium DLX Softside Expandable Luggage

from $130

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

Jennifer P’s sister gifted her this adjustable sleep mask because her sleep quality improves in dark settings. “It’s great,” says the pediatric psychiatrist. “It doesn’t put pressure on your eyes.” Its luxurious (and highly giftable) silk eye cups are also designed to be gentle on your hair and skin, and feel like a dream no matter your sleep position. Our sleep mask tester tried 24 models and loved the Manta for its customizable design, which lets you reposition the eye cups for a perfect fit.

Manta

Sleep Mask

from $75

Yeti

Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap

from $32

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

If her water bottle has seen better days, this heavy-duty Yeti will become an instant favorite in her rotation. “My brother gifted me a Yeti water bottle on my birthday a few years ago and it has basically become one of my organs,” says Katelyn Thomas, a reporter. “I have actual separation anxiety when we’re apart. I love that it keeps my water cold for hours, and the fact that I can swap out the chug cap for the commuter cap if I want to use it for a hot beverage instead.”

Yeti

Rambler Vacuum Bottle with Chug Cap

from $32

Aritzia

Best-Ever Crew Sock, five-pack

$35

Photograph: Courtesy of Aritzia

She doesn’t need more kitschy socks with bizarre festive patterns she’ll wear one week out of the year. Trust Chantal Stafford-Abbott, a model, when she says these athletic Aritizia crew socks “fit well, they stay up and they are the best of the best. They’re worth the buy because you wear them every day. I got them from a girlfriend, and then I’ve just kept buying them myself because I’m addicted”.

Aritzia

Best-Ever Crew Sock, five-pack

$35

Sézane

Emile Cardigan

$175

Photograph: Courtesy of Sezane

Cardigans are in. Not only do they add visual texture to her outfit, but they allow her to customize her coverage no matter the season. “He got me a cardigan from Sézane I had been eyeing for our anniversary when we were in New York,” says Ashley Joseph, a content strategy consultant. “I have the mottled camel. It’s a really beautiful color and one of the coziest sweaters I own.”

Sézane

Emile Cardigan

$175

Lululemon

3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag

$168

Photograph: Courtesy of Lululemon

Trudging all that gear from work to the studio and back again can pose a serious barrier to entry for the most devoted gymgoer. Ensure she’s always well-stocked and organized with this gym buff-approved Lululemon bag featuring several smart compartments. It has a removable shoulder strap to support your yoga mat that also works double-duty as a stretching strap. “I like it for when I need to shower at the gym and I also use it for overnights,” says Haley Zylberberg, a footwear buyer.

Lululemon

3-in-1 Gym Duffle Bag

$168

Tiffany & Co

Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Pendant in Yellow Gold

$1,800

Photograph: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co

This is not a gift for an ordinary occasion, but you can’t go wrong with a special piece of heirloom-worthy jewelry that transcends trends. Complete with a luxurious 18-karat gold material and a dainty charm, it’s a goes-with-any-outfit piece of jewelry she wears on repeat. “This one was special to me since it was my first piece of real jewelry,” says Chelsea Solmundson, a marketing and partnerships manager. “It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a classic. It’s timeless, classy and it’s not a trend piece. The Tiffany heart has been around for so long. One day I’ll pass it along to my daughter.”

Tiffany & Co

Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Pendant in Yellow Gold

$1,800

Ugg

Adirondack XXV Chalet Waterproof Boot

from $249.95

Photograph: Courtesy of Ugg

Ensure she stays warm wherever she goes with these Canadian-approved boots featuring unmatched traction and plenty of insulation for long strolls on icy streets. Not only are they on trend, but they comfortably mold to your feet like running shoes. “They’re the best dog walking boots and the best quality,” says Bazar. “My feet actually stay dry and warm.”

Ugg

Adirondack XXV Chalet Waterproof Boot

from $249.95

Dolce & Gabbana

Light Blue Eau De Toilette Spray

from $95

Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora

 Scent is profoundly linked to memory, so take her back to her youth with this universally beloved fruity and floral fragrance. “I just got the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume,” says Weinstein. “I used to wear it in high school. It was one of the first perfumes I ever got and I fell in love with it again.”

Dolce & Gabbana

Light Blue Eau De Toilette Spray

from $95

Bathorium

The Crush Eight-Pack Bath Soak Gift Set

from $59.95

Photograph: Courtesy of The Detox Market

A thoughtful gift doesn’t need to be expensive, nor a pain to wrap. These pre-packaged bath soaks bring the spa to her bathroom with soothing scents such as vanilla cream and rosemary citrus emulsion. “My husband stuffs these in my Christmas stocking knowing I love taking baths,” says Jaclyn Hoffman, an engagement manager. “You can get a pack of them, and they’re single-use bath salts in all different flavors.”

Bathorium

The Crush Eight-Pack Bath Soak Gift Set

from $59.95

Caudalie

Prep & Glow Bestsellers Trio

from $49

Photograph: Courtesy of Macy’s

For self-care in a bottle, consider the way Caudalie’s top skincare products, such as a detoxifying mask and glow-inducing mist, aim to bring her back to life. “My girlfriend gifted me this trio of Caudalie products in the days after my C-section,” says Thomas. “In the postpartum madness – when something as simple as washing your face in the morning isn’t necessarily possible – it was really nice to be able to just spray on the beauty elixir and feel semi-human again.”

Caudalie

Prep & Glow Bestsellers Trio

from $49

Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora

“I got a Sephora gift card for $150 from the girls,” says Mohammad. “When the girls gave me the gift card it was really nice because there’s a lot of makeup I like but can’t afford because of different priorities right now, so it was really good for me to be able to get what I can’t buy with my own money. I can’t justify $30 on a Summer Fridays lip balm, but if I get a gift card, it’s girl math. The thing about Sephora is that they raise their prices quite a bit, so with the gift card I could finally get my favorite contour stick, liquid blushes, face powder and color corrector.”

Sephora

gift card

from $10

Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

Whether she’s a self-professed book nerd or an aspiring reader meaning to make a dent in her list of recommended titles, a Kindle can be a gateway to a prolonged reading habit. “[My husband] Nick got me a Kindle in 2018 and I read [on it] every single day, so it’s truly the gift that keeps on giving,” says Weinstein. “Seven years later, I still use it every day. It’s probably the best gift I’ve ever gotten in terms of usage.” The Kindle’s glare-free screen, incredibly long battery life (weeks on end) and light weight make it easy to take everywhere.

Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite

$159.99

Google

Nest Audio Smart Speaker

from $79.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Walmart

If she hasn’t yet experienced how useful a smart speaker can be for some basic tasks, like playing music and setting kitchen timers, this model is a great introduction. “My brother got me a Google Nest smart speaker for moving into my apartment,” says Stacy Pollack, a change management consultant. “I love that it’s easy to use, looks cute, is perfect for my office desk and has lasted me a few years.”

Google

Nest Audio Smart Speaker

from $79.99

Oura

Oura Ring 4 Ceramic Smart Ring

from $499

Photograph: Courtesy of Oura

The Oura smart ring hardly needs any introduction given its devoted following of celebrities and athletes. If you can swing the price tag, it’s an ideal gift for someone who has her finger on the pulse on all things wellness.

“The Oura ring has been amazing for me,” says Hoffman. “I got it two years ago and I’ve worn it every day since. It tracks your everyday health, stress, sleep and activity. Even if you’re sick with a cold, it’ll pick up on it.” Hoffman also keeps tabs on her Rem sleep and calories burned during workouts. Importantly, it passes the test all jewelry must pass: “Aesthetically, it also looks good on your hand.”

Oura

Oura Ring 4 Ceramic Smart Ring

from $499

Fujifilm

Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer

from $149.95

Photograph: Courtesy of Amazon

 “Last year, my husband got me the most perfect gift,” says Jacqueline Hopmeyer, a marketing director. “I love printing pictures and Polaroids, but this connects to your phone so you can take any picture from your phone and turn it into a Polaroid.” This value pack comes with 20 sheets and a protective case for the sentimental person in your life.

Fujifilm

Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer

from $149.95

Dyson

Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

from $399.99

Photograph: Courtesy of Sephora

When Maria Rivero’s partner gifted her the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer – widely considered one of the most luxe grooming products – she knew she was in for a treat. “I love it because it dries my hair really quickly,” says the civil engineer. “The different attachments make it super easy to switch depending on what I need, it’s pretty quiet and my hair honestly appreciates that the heat isn’t so aggressive.”

Dyson

Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

from $399.99

Ninja

Creami Ice Cream Maker

from $199.95

Photograph: Courtesy of Best Buy

“I love kitchen appliances and use the shit out of this thing,” says Sandrine Cassis, a personal trainer and nutritionist. What she appreciates most about the viral countertop staple is: “How perfect and creamy my ice cream comes out every single time, and that I get to have healthy ice cream at home. The other day, I was craving a McFlurry and I made a frozen yogurt version with Oreo thins, and that hit the spot. It’s actually a great appliance for ice cream lovers.”

Ninja

Creami Ice Cream Maker

from $199.95

Photograph: Courtesy of Apple

“My husband randomly got me a new iPhone when mine got beat up,” says Hoffman. “It’s not something you’d think to get for yourself, especially if you’re not a techie person like me. I just got the newest one and the picture-taking is incredible.” Beyond its next-level camera, the iPhone 17 has a clean design, faster processing, and a host of other small new features hers may lack. 

Apple

iPhone 17

from $799