54 Valentine's Day BFF Gifts That Say "ILYSM" Without Actually Saying It
With the unprecedented changes we’ve gone through over the past year, something as minuscule as finding the best Valentine’s Day gift for friends may seem unimportant, but in all actuality, it’s not. For many, friendships have been the anchor during this tidal shift of change. Needless to say, it’s been arduous for many people not to see friends during this time regularly.
But just because you may be unable to hug your partner in crime IRL this Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you can’t show them how much they’ve meant to you this past year. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the 54 best Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your BFF that aren’t cheesy. Whether it's supporting Black-owned businesses or spoiling them with a pretty necklace, there’s something in here for every type of friend.
Valentines’s Day Gifts Under $50
Your BFF that’s basically a beauty influencer on the DL? Send her Rare Beauty’s lip and cheek duo.
Give your best friend the gift of great hair with this discovery set for all textures.
Do you want to deepen the conversations via Facetime? Try this card game from the Black-owned brand Actually Curious.
Have a bubble bath fanatic in your life? Send them this bath salt with Himalayan pink salt.
Your friend that’s always looking for the next big brand? Introduce her to Boys Lie by gifting this chic beanie.
Everyone has a friend that claims they’re going to stop spending money on coffee. Help them get there with this latte blend from Golde.
Candles can be a cute gift. We especially love this cheeky candle from the small brand Here for the Burn.
Miss your spa days together? Give her the gift of an at-home spa-like experience bottled up in Nanor x Rose’s body scrub.
Keep your girlfriends in check with their New Year’s resolution of being healthier by gifting Sakara’s wellness travel kit.
Whether your favorite gal is a micro-influencer or just needs a new phone case, this witty iPhone cover from the rising brand Urban Sophistication makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
Nothing says "I love you” quite like gifting three months of beauty products from Birchbox.
Know that friend that's always got a new handbag? They’ll love this crocodile shoulder bag with a gradient chain.
Who needs heart-shaped candy when you can send bougie bubbly bears? Satisfying their sweet tooth has never been chicer.
Feel like you’re struggling to make new memories? Send them one half of a Kodak’s polaroid camera set and document your quarantine life for each other.
Skincare pros or newbies will love testing out Versed’s three-step skincare routine (we pinky promise).
Any avid jewelry collector can confirm that their love language includes finding new indie jewelry brands to support. Love them the way they want to be loved by gifting them these resin statement earrings from the Black-Owned brand, Statement by Nadia.
Depending on how close you are, another thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift would be to send them a pair of cute PJs. You could even get matching pairs and schedule a virtual movie night.
Valentines’s Day Gifts Under $100
Give the gift of great skin and a healthy gut by gifting The Beauty Chef’s glowing & gutsy kit.
Whether they’re avid runners or love to dance in their apartments, you can’t go wrong with gifting these wireless headphones.
Meet the best gift you could ever give a tea lover: Linne’s limited-edition collaboration with Welly Bottle for a skin tea set that will warm their heart (quite literally).
If you’re looking for affordable, customizable jewelry to send to your pal this Valentine’s day, look no further than jewelry brand Sparklane.
For the friend that’s having severe facial-appointment withdrawals, give the gift of skincare brushes they can use for at-home treatments.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it again: One of the best bag brands to support at the moment is the Black-owned label Brandon Blackwood. For the trendiest friend or the social advocate, it doesn’t get better than this bag.
We all have that one friend that’s managed to lose their wallet a few times (I may be that friend), so give them a gift that reminds them you love their messy selves through and through.
It’s not a Valentine’s Day gift guide if you don’t include some heart-shaped things. Luckily, this alpaca cardigan is stylish, so there’s no reason to doubt that they won’t love it.
I can confidently say that your sneaker-obsessed best friend will love these high-top staple converse.
Homebodies will live for and live in these cozy knit pants that are Kim Kardashian West–approved.
For your friend that has chronic muscle pain, you’ll want to put them onto wellness and skincare brand, Terra/Form’s CBD gel.
A satin robe is never a bad idea, especially if you’re giving it to your fanciest friend.
Let’s be real here: The best gifts are essentials you use every day. Rest assured that Grown Alchemist’s handcare set will be used on the daily by your friend.
For that friend who’s always searching for the next big streetwear brand, you’ll want to introduce them to Coal N Terry.
As someone that’s personally been gifted these earrings from a best friend, I can say that this gift says "ILY” without words.
If the love language for an interior design fanatic were distilled into one singular gift idea, it would be glassware. This stylish decanter and geometric glasses set are perfect for the friend that keeps a well-curated home.
Friends of all ages can benefit from injecting a few anti-aging skin care products into their routine. This No7's collection that includes a day and night creme along with serum is a great place to start.
Valentines’s Day Gifts Under $250
Any fashion-forward friend or décor lover would be ecstatic to add this set of books cataloging Naomi Campbell’s modeling career to their coffee table collection.
Honestly, it doesn’t get more thoughtful than this ceramic aromatherapy diffuser.
Has your best friend made her New Year’s resolution to run more this year? Give them a gift that will go the distance.
Valentine date or not, your bestie will look bomb rocking these Cult Gaia stone earrings.
My friends and I regularly DM about this Jacquemus bucket hat, so yes, it’s a good gift idea.
Look familiar? Anissa Kermiche makes stunning ceramic vases that every fashion girl you probably follow has posted about.
Pale yellow will be a huge color this spring, making this bag a prime Valentine’s Day gift for trend-forward friends.
They say it’s the thought that counts, and it doesn’t get more thoughtful than this luxe wool scarf.
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but after you give her these unique 24k gold-plated hoops, that friendship will be demoted to second place.
If you know your best friend’s clothing size, why not spoil her with a knit shrug set from The Frankie Shop? They’ll think of you every time they wear it.
The best thing about this bag as a Valentine’s Day gift idea is that it comes in more hues, so you and your friends can match.
Any gift that can keep your favorite human warm is a good Valentine’s Day gift idea, especially if it’s a puffer coat that’s this cute.
You can’t serenade your best friend IRL this year, but you can send a record player so they can listen to their favorite albums.
Give your OG best friend the gift of nostalgia this Valentine’s Day and send them this iconic 2000s Juicy Couture velour hoodie.
For that friend that refuses to splurge on sunglasses for herself, give the gift of good frames this Valentine’s Day.
Give your bestie the gift of beauty sleep with this silk slip set.
You’ve made it this far, and you’re still unsure of what to get your best friend? When all else fails, you turn to Chanel. Trust us: this is the treat they deserve.
Next: 33 Valentine’s Day Gifts That Make Sense in 2021
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, and Who What Wear) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked on Who What Wear's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.
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