Valentine’s Day is often dubbed a “Hallmark holiday,” and while celebrating love is always a vibe, the cheesiness that tends to come with it? Not so much. Sure, giant teddy bears and heart-shaped everything have their fans, but if you—or the guy in your life—prefer to keep things low-key, there are tons of non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him that still let you say “I love you” without being overly saccharine.
Think thoughtful, not corny. Whether it’s a personalized keepsake, a practical upgrade (because his slippers are begging for retirement), or a fun gift you can enjoy together, there are plenty of options that strike the perfect balance. And yes, I’ve included some of the classics like chocolate and jewelry—but with a modern twist that makes them feel fresh, not cliché.
Ahead are 20 Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are thoughtful but not mushy. Whether you’re a long-established couple or in brand-spankin’-new relationship, you’re sure to find a non-cheesy Valentine’s gift for him—or, perhaps, them—that go beyond the clichés.
For travelers: Away The Weekender, $245
For cinephiles: A24 Movie Chocolate Gift Set, $33
For home cooks: Le Creuset Braiser + Lid, $320
For couples: Dedcool "Taunt" Massage Candle, $55
For adventurers: Yeti Sidekick Dry 1L Gear Case, $40
Non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him
Upgrade the boxed chocolate to this set from A24 that’s fit for a cinephile. Movie Chocolate is a trio of milk chocolate candy bars inspired by various concessions. There’s “Fizzy Fountain Soda” that pairs root beer and popping candies; “Popcorn & Candy; ” and “Salty Peanut Crunch”—a combination of milk chocolate, peanuts, and caramel.
If you’re shopping for a frequent traveler, Away’s The Weekender is a great gift. It’s made of a water-resistant nylon and sturdy leather straps. I can attest that it’s large enough to hold a weekend’s worth of clothes, and the internal organization system keeps items from jostling around in the bag. For $35, you can also personalize it.
Give the gift of comfort to your valentine. The Zermatt Slippers are shearling-lined and feature a contoured footbed that cradles the feet in all the right places. Perfect for schlepping from the couch to the kitchen and back again, the shoe is easy to slip on and its rubber outsole makes it suitable for outdoor wear, too.
Treat him to the ultimate grooming upgrade with Dr. Squatch’s Expanded Pack. This set includes natural shampoo, conditioner, and five skin-nourishing soap bars in rugged scents like Pine Tar and Bay Rum. Packed with natural ingredients, it’s perfect for guys who want to keep clean without sacrificing their cool-factor or skincare.
The Boarderie Classic Cheese and Charcuterie offers a varied spread of fresh meats, delicious cheeses, and fun accouterments such as nuts and olives. It arrives on an acacia wood platter and is ready to eat. Plus, it ships overnight—or just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Do you and your valentine have a signature song? Commemorate it with a custom keychain with a QR code that leads to a song or playlist. Simply send a URL or any audio file (including voice messages), and the company will engrave a scannable QR code onto the keychain.
If his sanctuary is the couch, the CouchConsole Drink and Snack Tray can make it all the more comfortable. It has a cup holder, snack container, and a padded armrest, with space for items he wants to keep within easy reach. Plus, it has a phone stand and USB-C charging plug. What more could he want?
Nothing will your favorite coffee lover happier than fresh coffee delivered straight to their door. My partner and I are partial to Devoción, a New York-based Colombian coffee roaster. It makes fresh, delicious coffee, and the service offers it in whole or ground beans for a variety of brewing methods.
The Gemini moka pot pours out two single servings of espresso for you and your valentine—or a doppio. Not only is it compact, it’s also aesthetically pleasing so it can sit on a stovetop between uses. Shop it in fun primary colors, including a Valentine’s Day-appropriate red (pictured above).
DedCool’s massage candle will literally heat things up between you and your valentine. It melts into an oil that you can pour onto one other’s skin. The oil is moisturizing (it’s made with shea butter and jojoba oil), and it smells great (like amber, bergamot, and vanilla). Plus, it comes in two other scents to suit a variety of preferences.
Fans of Hot Ones can bring the heat to their home with a three-pack of hot sauces from the popular YouTube show. Included in the set is the mild Classic, the medium-hot Los Calientes, and the Last Dab, with a fiery 2,693,000 Scoville heat units.
Le Creuset’s versatile braiser will be his kitchen’s new MVP. It’s ideal for slow-cooking protein, veggies, as well as tofu and tempeh. The lid also functions as a grill pan that is safe for the stovetop and oven. Plus, it’s handsome enough to serve straight from the pan. Triple win!
Lelo’s Hugo puts the pleasure of people with penises first. It features two separate motors (one on the tip and the other on the base) for double the fun. It uses a remote control that allows you to select from six intensity settings, ranging from a gentle buzz to a satisfying pulse. Plus, it’s waterproof so you can get it wet.
A golfer will love Mark & Graham’s custom golf set. The set includes monogrammed golf balls with matching towels, plus a bag tag and golf tees. Everything comes packaged in a wooden gift box that you can personalize with a message, making it a thoughtful gift for the link lover in your life.
Your favorite man deserves nice jewelry, and signet rings have the added benefit of being a classic. This one from Mejuri is made from sterling silver, and it comes with the (free!) option of engraving the ring’s face with a single character in a cursive font.
Shaker & Spoon’s cocktail-making kits area fun idea for a date night. The Slow Rush Kit (pictured above) comes with step-by-step instructions, mixers, and ingredients to make a coffee old-fashioned—a cocktail (or mocktail, your choice) crafted by award-winning bartender Chelsea Santos.
If his self-care routine involves a daily shave, the Wahl Vanish will offer the closest shave possible—and, so long as it’s used correctly, without irritation, redness, and bumps. More impressively, it operates cordlessly and offers over 100 minutes of between charges.
If your valentine loves to cook, a chef’s knife is one tool no kitchen should be without. According to Chris Scott, a chef at the Institute of Culinary Education, in a previous Well+Good interview, Wüsthof is an “excellent” choice for most people. You can also personalize it with up to three characters to make it extra special.
Yeti’s water- and leak-proof cooler holds about 36 cans and keeps contents ice-cold for hours. It securely carries drinks and snacks as you travel hands-free to and from the park or beach. If he’s a college football fan that loves to tailgate, this portable cooler would also be perfect for him.
A perfect, ahem, sidekick to the above pick, Yeti’s Dry Gear Case keeps valuables—like his phone and wallet—safe and dry in dicey weather, all without sacrificing accessibility. It’s compatible with the aforementioned Hopper as well as the Camino and Panga models. It comes in matching colors, too.
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