Calling all lovers, secret admirers, husbands, wives and friends with benefits – Valentine’s Day is around the corner and it’s time to get gushy, pucker up and turn your romanticism ‘on’.
Here’s our hand picked gift guide to spoil your Valentine this year.
For all the lovers
If your stars cross in Sydney: pull up a patch of grass and celebrate Picnic-style with a bespoke Sydney Picnic Co hamper and experience the ‘Amorous Asparagus of Aphrodite’ with the Valentine’s Day hamper ($210 to be shared between two) or indulge in a sparkling afternoon tea at the QVB Tea Rooms ( But if fine dining is more your style, indulge in a seven course degustation at Guillaume at Bennelong ($295pp) or soak up some live jazz and a three course set menu at The Pavilion in the Domain ($85pp). And to set the endorphins running wild, get all four of your hands dirty at the Sydney Chocolate School’schocolatier course ($150pp half day class / $290pp full day class includes lunch).
If you’re loved up in Melbourne: The Fitzrovia team can pack you both a fine foods picnic to enjoy in Albert Park ($75 each) or go all out with a five course set menu designed by Philippe Mouchel at PM24 ($150 five course set menu or a la carte including a glass of Champagne). Better still, hole yourselves up in inner-city hide-out The Prince via the boutique hotel specialists.
Everywhere else: let’s hope you end up here. Where else can you package up dinner and a movie, champagne (wait there’s more), a dolphin cruise, breakfast in bed (heart shaped pancakes included) and have a Star named after you in the Observatory?
From your secret admirer
Send your secret Valentine a handmade card spotted with ink from a Kiki.K My Valentine Wooden Stamp Kit ($24.95) and a box of ‘Aphrodisiac Collection’ chocolates from Coco Chocolate ($35 large / $19.50 small).
For the hubbys
Treat the hubby with a vintage pair of Blue Caravan Typewriter Cufflinks ($27.50) and for the man who appreciates grooming, a classic Taylor’s of Old Bond Street since 1854 Shaving Set ($365).
For the wifeys
One ring finger may be permanently taken, but that leaves nine others begging for some sparkle. Decorate your wife’s hand with a gorgeous Karen Walker Red Pansy Ring with garnet stone ($349 NZD). Or shoot an arrow her way with Vera Wang Lovestruck ($69 Eau de Parfum 50ml, available at David Jones).
Friends, with benefits
If “it’s complicated” best describes your friends with benefits relationship and a gushy Valentine’s gift doesn’t fit the brief, how about a set of hand made, hand blown Shotoku Usuhari glasses ($50 each) or pair of slim line Urbanears Tanto headphones ($80 in various colours).
