Valentine’s Day is all about showing love—whether it’s with a spouse, family members, a friend, or treating yourself to something special. A meaningful gift doesn’t have to be extravagant or cost anything at all. Often, the small thoughtful gestures truly mean the most.
If you’re looking for easy, thoughtful ways to show love this year, you’re in the right place. This guide is packed with simple yet meaningful gift ideas—things you can make, plan, or put together without a ton of stress. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a cozy night in, or a creative little surprise, these ideas are all about making connections and showing your significant other that you are thinking about them this Valentine’s Day.
*Some of the links shared in this post may be affiliate links meaning I make a small commission off of your purchase (with no extra cost to you). This allows me to continue to create free content for my readers. Thank you for your continued support!
Outdoorsy Date night IDeas:
Cold Plunge Adventure
Gift: Microfiber Towels
Get outside your comfort zone—literally—and plan an adventurous cold plunge! Many spas and gyms now offer indoor cold plunge experiences, so check your local area for options. If you’re feeling extra bold, seek out a lake, river, or outdoor pool for a true immersion experience. Microfiber towels are perfect for local adventures because they’re lightweight, quick-drying, and super absorbent—making them easy to take with you anywhere. Pack some hot chocolate for after your excursion!
Rock Climbing or Bouldering
Gift: Chalk Bags
Enjoy a climbing session at the gym together, or if you are lucky enough to be at an outdoor crag this time of year enjoy the warm weather with your favorite belay partner! Climbing together is such a great way to bond, encourage each other, and celebrate each other’s progress—both on and off the wall. You could also gift a set of locking carabiners or new chalk to someone who loves to climb.
Attend a Sporting Event
Gift: Matching T-Shirts or Hats
Going to a sporting event game is such a fun and energetic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Cheer together for your local team and enjoy some stadium food. If you’re in Utah, then you’ve likely heard the buzz about Utah’s new hockey club. Tickets are pretty affordable, and I hear the games are super fun. Snag a cute matching shirt or beanie for you and your date and enjoy the game!
Stargazing & S’mores
Gift: Conversation Cards
There’s something so grounding and relaxing about a night under the stars, especially when you have a cozy fire and good company. Find a quiet spot away from city lights—maybe a campsite, a scenic overlook, or even your own backyard. Bring some warm blankets, s’more supplies, and enjoy each others company. Amazon has some great conversation card decks that have sparked so many fun and memorable conversations with family and friends. Simple, cozy, and full of good vibes—just how Valentine’s Day should be.
Winter Camping or Cabin Getaway
Gift: Double Sleeping Bag
Don’t feel overly intimidated by winter camping. With the right gear, you can still have plenty of fun cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking, and staying warm. If camping doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, check your area for local area for accommodations or Airbnbs. A secluded cabin with a fireplace or a hot tub could be the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Ice Skating
Gift: Matching Beanies or Mugs
When the olympics came to Utah in 2002, Salt Lake City built an amazing indoor ice rink for curling and speed skating. It’s now open to the public, and because it’s so big, it’s really fun for kids-but adults too. There are also a few cute outdoor ice rinks located in Park City and downtown SLC, and a cozy après-skate experience with hot cocoa and fire pits. Whether indoors or outdoors, ice skating is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Movie Night In
Gift: Lola Minky Blanket
Create a romantic night with your favorite classic, or save something new to watch together. You could splurge on gourmet popcorn, cute indoor lights, or a luxury blanket to curate the right vibe. I am personally obsessed with my Lola blanket. It’s incredibly soft, stretchy, and it’s warm. I have the medium size which is perfect for me (I’m 5’3).
(Lola Blanket Discount Code: Haileyoutside for 35% off).
National Park Adventure
Gift: National Parks Pass
There’s never a bad time to buy a National Parks Pass since it’s valid for an entire year from the date of purchase. Plan a Valentine’s Day adventure or a future getaway to explore one of America’s 63 National Parks with your partner. If you’re visiting just for the day, you can also purchase a single-entry pass at the park entrance—just keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the park. Pack a disposable camera or Polaroid camera to commemorate your adventure!
Now onto just gift ideas to surprise your Valentine with!
Gifts for her | Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
Silk Pillowcase: Silk pillowcases help your hair retain moisture and keeps it shiny and healthy. I think everyone should have one, but especially women with curly hair. I adore mine.
Osprey Daylite Shoulder Sling Bag: A great versatile outdoor bag or everyday pack. This bag is just the right size and comes is a bunch of cute colors. Perfect for a gal who is always on the go! Great to carry snacks or extra layers on a day hike.
DIME Beauty Perfume Sampler: Perfume can sometimes be tricky to pick out for someone, so snag this perfume sampler pack so they can try them all! These portable sizes are perfect to take on vacation, or on-the-go when you need a little refresher. Trust me on this one, DIME is worth the hype it gets.
Smartwool Hiking Socks: These are one of my favorite gifts for outdoorsy women. They aren’t too bulky and they are so warm for hiking. Thriving on a hike mainly comes down to being prepared, and I know I don’t have to worry about my feet staying protected from the elements when I have these.
Lola Minky Blanket: Give the gift of luxury. I am obsessed with my Lola blanket. It’s incredibly soft, stretchy, and it’s warm. I snuggle up under this every day. I have the medium size which is perfect for me (I’m 5’3). (Lola Blanket Discount Code: Haileyoutside for 35% off)
Kahtoola Microspikes: I have had my microspikes for 7 years now and they are still in great condition. I have hiked hundreds of hikes with them and have never replaced them. I have never found another brand that is as high quality as Kahtoola. These are great for packed down or icy trails.
Badger Rose Beauty Balm: This balm makes my skin so soft and smooth. It’s made for your face, neck, and even hands and blends Beeswax balm and Rose oil. I love the clean and natural ingredients and how even my skin tone is when I use it.
FP Quilted Carryall: There is a reason this bag has been so popular lately. It is a perfect catch-all bag, it’s so comfortable to wear around, and it comes in so many cute colors
Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles: These hiking poles are perfect for long hikes, especially if you have a heavier backpack on. They are made of Aluminum and are collapsable and tuck nicely on most packs when not in use. You can get less expensive ones on Amazon, but I would splurge on these because they are such high quality. Plus, Black Diamond has awesome warranties on their gear.
Rechargeable Book Light: Inexpensive and does the trick. I love that it is rechargeable and has different brightness setting.
Gifts for him | Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
JBL Bluetooth Speaker: I love my JBL speaker, they are small enough to take anywhere, and have amazing sound quality. This one has a strap as well so you can hang it on a bag. This speaker is also waterproof, so you can have it with you at the pool or the hot tub with no worries.
Head Scratcher: This is the easiest way to get a head massage! A great gift to give and you get some bonus points because it comes in a pack of two so you can enjoy it too. It’s so relaxing and pretty inexpensive.
Arcade Belt: This is my husband’s favorite belt. It’s not rigid like your typical belt but has some stretch to it making it extremely comfortable while still doing it’s job of keeping his pants up. This is the perfect “you don’t know you need it until you have it” gift.
Leather Bifold Wallet: I love all things Andar. This is the perfect minimalistic wallet for men, and the leather looks so nice. Nothing flashy, but perfect for what my husband uses every day.
Darn Tough Wools Socks: Wool socks are the best for outdoor activities and Darn Tough offers the best warranty. If you get a hole in them, they will either repair them or send you a new pair for free!
Carhartt Beanie: A warm, classic, stylish beanie. What more could you ask for?
Slackline: If you’ve never tried a slackline, basically it’s a piece of webbing you tie between two trees and tightrope walk across. It’s extremely fun and addictive. My husband and I can be out in the park for hours walking the line!
REI Trail 25 Hiking Pack: You can never have too many hiking packs. This REI pack is perfect for a day hike and price friendly. This lightweight pack has a 25L capacity which is perfect for a day hike.
Arc’teryx Atom LT Jacket: This jacket is pricey for sure, but it’s extremely versatile. The Atom LT is designed to be breathable so perfect to hike in in the winter. It’s also synthetic instead of down so if it gets wet, it will still help keep you warm. It’s not heavy and perfect to mid layer under a shell for skiing!
Casio Watch: These watches are so classic and pretty much indestructible. They have a great battery life, and are perfect for those who aren’t into the smart watch scene. Water resistant, durable, sleek and great go-to gift.
Hopefully, this guide sparked some fun and easy gift ideas for you. However you spend Valentine’s Day this year, I hope it’s a day full of love. At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day isn’t about how much you spend—it’s about making the people in your life feel loved. Whether you go big with a grand gesture or keep it simple with a heartfelt note, it truly the thought that counts. Let me know in the comments—what’s your favorite Valentine’s gift you’ve ever given or received?
Interested in more gift guides? Check out these related posts:
