Not all Valentine’s gifts need to be enveloped in a red bow or doused in eau de cliche.
Sometimes, romance is in the little things: a perfectly weighted pocketknife, a buttery soft tee, or a bottle of gin infused with Tasmanian honey – it’s really just about giving something that slips into the rhythms of daily life.
Here are 25 thoughtful, design-forward Valentine’s Day gifts for husbands, boyfriends or someone a little more ambiguous.
25 Valentine’s Day gift ideas for men
Sauna and cold plunge gift voucher
From $45
Nordic cycling (or hot and cold therapy) is having a moment right now. Melbourne’s Inner Studio is a serene inner-city warehouse with hot and cold magnesium plunge pools – and the southern hemisphere’s largest sauna. Push your limits together – or apart – with a gift voucher to the Collingwood studio, but there’s also Capybara in Sydney, The Bath House in Brisbane, Ember in Perth and Mineral in Adelaide (coming soon), as well as Kuuma in Hobart for a more natural approach to plunging.Baina Franklin bath towel
$90
Speaking of cold dips, how about a beautifully crafted towel to dry off with? The caper and chalk colourway is sold out via Baina’s website, but you can get your hands on it at Aussie design house Lee Mathews.Technics AZ100 noise-cancelling headphones
$499
Technics is the audio label for DJs who play vinyl. And in the brand’s latest release, there’s quality sound to be enjoyed on the move, in a sleek earbud format. There’s also noise cancellation for uninterrupted listening.Radart – Blips and Bleeps LP vinyl record
$30
If at-home listening is more their vibe, the latest release from Melbourne label Paper Cuts compiles the works of local artist Radart for blissful beats and sun-kissed synths. Expect Balearic-inspired breaks and trip-hop nostalgia – in other words, an alluring ambient formula.Vinyl record display rack
$250
Perhaps there is too much vinyl (never!), and some organisation is needed. This mid-century design is made from a single aluminium plate that has been sculpted into a curvaceous silhouette that holds up to 30 vinyl records or magazines.Maison Balzac The Pill cooler
$279
Sunny park hangs call for ice-cold thirst-quenchers – and Maison Balzac’s newest addition is here to deliver just that. The Pill cooler has a double wall for five hours of chill time, a detachable silicone strap for easy transport, and a storage compartment for wine openers or snacks. Plus, it doubles as an ice bucket, ahoy!Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro
$295
Our Place is a Broadsheet favourite for thoughtful, design-led cookware. The Titanium Always Pan Pro ranked in Time magazine’s best inventions of 2024 for its chemical-free non-stick technology – and its elegant style means you’ll want to keep it out on display.Pallares Solsona Carbon Steel pocketknife
$55
Life's really just about the simple pleasures. Like watering your favourite houseplant or preparing your breakfast with a beautiful utensil. Pallares Solsona is a family-led Spanish label handmaking knives that uphold artisanal techniques. And you can shop the overseas brand locally at Florian Home, a follow-up project by the owners of Melbourne cafe Florian.Carl Friedrik Compact Weekender bag
$835
From the office to the gym and then weekends away, lugging stuff around never looked so chic. Carl Friedrik is the London label founded by two Swedish brothers – and its collection of pared-back styles is designed to be carried for many years to come.Eva Solo spinning colander
$170
Soggy salad? No thanks. Eva Solo is the Danish lifestyle label crafting contemporary kitchen tools that replace neon-hued plastics with elegant structural styles. This design features a press-to-start axle that spins moisture out of freshly washed lettuce. Remove the insert and it doubles as a colander, ideal for draining pasta.Sunnup woven outdoor mat
$249
For park days, beach lays and other outdoor pursuits, a mat to kick back on is a must. And this woven earthy-toned style by Kiwi label Sunnup is an eco-conscious choice. Each mat helps save around 100 recycled plastic bottles going to landfill. Plus, the artful designs fold up into a neat little parcel that’s easy to carry.APC Danny mules
$420
Is it time to dash the worn-out Birks? Made from 100 per cent Italian leather, this style is an elevated and contemporary update to slip-on footwear as we know it. It’s comfort that can be dressed up with tailored pants or pared down with loose linen.Taylor & Smith x Analiese Gregory Honey gin
$89
How’s a tipple of sweet nectar to kick the tastebuds into gear? In collaboration with Hobart-based distillers Taylor & Smith, forager-chef Analiese Gregory puts her honey bees to work. Made with local botanicals, the result is distinctly Tasmanian, but with an added tenderness from Gregory’s hives. You can also buy it in a bundle with her book How Wild Things Are: Cooking, Fishing and Hunting at the Bottom of the World.Tronque natural deodorant
$50
We all care about what we put on (and in) our bodies – it’s what keeps us healthy and feeling our best. And aluminium-free deodorants are one switch we can make to feel good about the products we’re using. Tronque’s deodorant delivers a soft, milky emulsion through a stainless-steel roller ball. Plus, its scarlet red packaging feels Valentine’s-aligned.Najo Quadris signet ring
$229
Equal parts pared-back and style-forward, the Quadris design by Sydney label Najo is the quintessential signet ring. It’s hand-crafted with sterling silver and features an accentuated ridge detail that makes for an elevated everyday staple.Tsu Lange Yor Luca fragrance
$170
Scent sets the first impression. That’s why personal fragrance is a weighted choice. Tsu Lange Yor is the Aussie label co-founded by singer and actor Troye Sivan – and its Luca eau de parfum blends bergamot, cedarwood and Ambroxan for an ambrosial allure that sets the right tone.Book a stay in Tassie – Ogee’s guesthouse
From $350 per night
Linger a little (or lot) longer at a sleek wine bar in North Hobart and plan a stay at Ogee’s recently opened guesthouse in Tasmania. There’s a listening lounge with 50 vinyl records and Pitt & Giblin speakers, plus a pantry packed with artisanal Tasmanian products. Or sip on wines next door, of course.Dinosaur Designs large leaf bowl
$350
“Dressed leaves” goes beyond the elixir of olive oil, lemon juice and white wine vinegar – it’s about the presentation too. And the artful styles by Sydney label Dinosaur Designs are crafted to zhoosh up the humble salad. There are 31 hues of marble-like swirls to choose from.Blunt Classic umbrella
$149
What says “I love you” more than saving your partner from getting soggy? For Melburnians, Tasmanians – or anyone in tropical downpours further north, it always pays to have a sturdy umbrella. And Blunt makes it a stylish choice too.Kindle Paperwhite ebook reader
$289
Stacked shelves with an appetite for more books? Take them digital with a Kindle – and get access to 15 million titles. The battery lasts up to 12 weeks and the anti-glare settings mean that reading in the sun is a go. It’s ultra-thin for easy schlepping and it’s waterproof for worry-free bath reads.Acne Studios leather card holder
$320
A little organisation never goes amiss. Especially when it’s inscribed by the Swedish designer Acne Studios. While this style is made from supple Italian leather, it promises the minimalism and functionality we’ve come to expect from Scandinavian design.Cushla Whiting onyx signet ring
$550
For the fashion-forward recipient, Melbourne-based jeweller Cushla Whiting is a Broadsheet favourite for bold gemstones and timeless designs. This elevated piece sets an onyx stone centrestage for a sophisticated style that goes with everything.Paire oversized T-shirt
$59
Paire is the Melbourne label known for its buttery soft basics – and its latest release is a selection of boxy, oversized T-shirts made from 100 per cent organic cotton. There are five muted, earthy-toned hues to choose from: black, white, cocoa, shadow and sage.Hommey quilt cover
$169
Small updates like fresh linen can go a long way to revitalising a space. There are 18 solid and striped styles to choose from at Aussie homewares label Hommey – each made from 100 per cent organic cotton that’s stonewashed and incredibly soft to touch.Zorali Camp coffee dripper
$23 (was $45)
Coffee is a serious topic. And it deserves a (camp) seat at the table wherever you go. Zorali’s stainless steel coffee dripper is designed for mornings in the bush and around the campfire.When is Valentine’s Day?
February 14 – a day of grand gestures, quiet rituals and an excuse to book that dinner reservation you’ve been putting off. The origins? A mix of Roman feasts, martyred saints and a dash of medieval poetry.
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