The fateful date of 14 February is fast approaching, and you still don’t know what to get your Valentine? Every year, Valentine’s Day brings the same dilemma: you need to find an original gift, make him happy and show him how unique and special he is. No small task. And another pair of matching mugs or some kirsch chocolates won’t help you show the love of your life how you feel. But that’s the whole point!

Luckily, we’ve put together an (almost) exhaustive guide to finding the perfect gift for your man and making Valentine’s Day an unforgettable occasion together. Forget Gillette shaving kits, garish kitchen aprons and personalised socks: you’re about to become a gift-giving expert.

How? Simply follow our guide based on the passions of your boyfriend, husband, partner or whoever he may be. You’ll be just the woman for the job!

Of course, everyone is unique, even if they share hobbies with other people. The main thing is to find original ideas connected to what your man loves doing.

And remember the proverb I’ve just made up: sometimes the best gift is letting someone choose. After all, no one knows what he likes better than he does. The key to the perfect gift is knowing him inside out, and no article, however long or detailed, can do that better than you!

Ready for our big selection? Let’s go!

What should you give a food-loving man on 14 February?

Whether he’s a gourmet or simply enjoys the good life, that describes most men, really. We’re not complicated creatures: give your Valentine a beer and a steak, and he’ll be the happiest man alive.

The foodie: fine dining or bistro dining?

Does the object of your affection love food? Invite him to celebrate at a restaurant fit for a king. Go upmarket, but remember: if he’s a culinary connoisseur, choose a fine-dining restaurant — even a Michelin-starred one — to make Valentine’s Day an occasion he’ll remember forever!

On the other hand, if your man loves good food, find a bistro serving delicious food in generous portions. Never confuse a foodie with someone who appreciates fine dining, or you could end up with a three-figure bill and a grumpy man complaining that he’s still hungry.

The sommelier: wine gift boxes, a wine Advent calendar and tastings

If your partner loves wine, it’s time to surprise him with a truly original tasting experience. Whether he’s a curious beginner or a wine expert, Flakon gift boxes offer a variety of tasting journeys to suit every taste, letting him discover exceptional wines he wouldn’t get to try every day.

The Flakon tasting gift boxes are specially designed to help you enjoy an unforgettable evening of discovery together on Valentine’s Day. You have to admit, that’s pretty romantic!

Gift boxes for discovering — or rediscovering — the wines of France

If your man loves the classics, take him on a wine tour of France with the 12 Wines of France gift box. It’s a chance to discover — or rediscover — the incredible diversity of French wine regions, from Bordeaux to Burgundy and the Loire to Provence, not forgetting the great wines of the Rhône.

For smaller budgets, there’s also a four-wine version. And if you’d rather focus on a particular type of wine, the Great Red Wines of France and Great White Wines of France gift boxes are made for you!

The gift box for a tour of legendary wine estates

If your man collects exceptional bottles and expects a wine tasting to showcase the very best of France’s wine regions, treat him to the Legendary Wines gift box to make his Valentine’s Day truly special. More than a tasting journey, it’s a chance to experience French winemaking excellence through four exceptional fine wines from four legendary French estates.

The gift box for a journey around the world

Is your man a wine adventurer who loves a change of scene and discovering new horizons? The Great Wines of the World gift box will be the perfect companion for a tasting odyssey through vineyards across the globe. Discover the unexpected aromas of wines from further afield together: New Zealand, South Africa, Chile… take him on a world tour with a difference!

The Advent calendar extends the experience with 12 great wines from around the world! Perfect if you want to continue your tour of the world’s vineyards…

The gift box for an unusual getaway

If you want to give your Valentine a selection of some of the world’s rarest wines, made using unusual winemaking methods, then the Rare Wines gift box should take centre stage on 14 February. Treat him to a journey beneath the sea, through the ice or under a sabbath moon. Intrigued? He’ll be delighted!

The chef: treat him to a master craftsman’s knife

If your Valentine loves cooking and is a born chef (lucky you), skip the recipe books and go for professional equipment he might be missing, such as a beautiful set of knives. This is no small Valentine’s Day gift: a chef has one favourite knife and doesn’t lend it to anyone. If that knife comes from you, it’ll touch his heart. You could even have it personalised with an engraving to make your gift more unique.

What gift should you give a sports fan?

You know the type: he’s passionate about one particular sport, whether he’s played it devotedly since he was six or follows every event connected with it, even the most obscure ones broadcast live in the middle of the night. And it’s not ‘just sport’, so don’t downplay his passion: it probably matters to him as much as you do.

That was the bad news. The excellent news is that this obsession gives you an endless source of gifts that will hit the mark every Valentine’s Day, provided you choose carefully.

The athlete: sports gear, activities and trips

Is your partner never at home because he spends five days a week playing sport? And does he spend the other two talking to you about it because he misses it? He’s mad about cycling, board sports, marathons, hiking, hang-gliding, diving, rugby, swimming, squash (?) — the list goes on. We’re not trying to encourage his obsession, of course, but showing him — or pretending — that you love his hobby as much as he does is bound to make him happy. No question about it.

A cycling bag for his rides on the road

Like this one from Le Vélotafeur, made entirely in France: a pannier that converts into a backpack. Ideal both for cycling to work and for 150km weekend rides, this gift is sure to make your man’s Valentine’s Day if his bike is his second love (you’re his first, of course).

Running shoes for your dedicated marathon runner

If your Valentine loves pushing himself over 42, 90 or 180 km, and the mere mention of the UTMB makes him tremble with excitement, treat him to suitable running shoes. He’ll be eternally grateful!

The sports devotee: matches, meet-and-greets and sporting events

If your other half is devoted to anything even remotely connected to his favourite sport, whether he plays it or not, make his eyes light up this Valentine’s Day with two tickets to a match he’s been looking forward to like a child waiting for Christmas presents. The Rugby World Cup is over, and the disappointment will stick with us for a long time, but don’t despair: there are plenty of unmissable events coming up…

Two tickets to a clash of the titans

Here’s something your man is sure to love: two tickets to the Champions League final (he won’t mind that it’s more than four months after Valentine’s Day), to his favourite sport at the 2024 Olympics (tickets are still available, but we hope you planned ahead), or to an NBA game in the US (if you book well in advance). Here are some tips for getting cheaper tickets, too. A way to make lasting memories without spending a fortune!

A meeting with a sportsperson he admires

No, you’re not dreaming: it’s possible, provided he plays the sport in question. You really can arrange for your man to meet his sporting idol. If he doesn’t marry you after that — again, if necessary — I don’t know what will convince him.

The esports fan: unmissable events

Some will argue that esports aren’t sport, but if your man is a die-hard fan, don’t say that to him unless you want to give him a heart attack. If he avidly follows every League of Legends or Valorant competition going, treat him to a ticket for one of the many competitions taking place in 2024 and make his day. (There might even be esports at the Olympics, so keep that in mind!)

How do you treat a man who takes pride in his style?

If your man likes to look his best and has an almost compulsive passion for clothes or collecting shoes, tread carefully. Giving clothes is common enough, but your Valentine’s Day gift shouldn’t be ordinary, should it? It should leave a lasting impression (metaphorically speaking). This isn’t just any gift: it’s from you.

The sharp dresser: fashion, clothing and accessories

The idea is to find your Valentine a piece of clothing that’s a little out of the ordinary: a limited edition, a short-lived collection or something beautifully made, for example (best avoid mass-produced fashion, of course). To help you, here’s a fairly comprehensive guide to men’s fashion. Does he love luxury? Then it’s Armani, Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss all the way. You can’t put a price on love, can you?

You could also try a personalised gift, but be careful: it can be a slippery slope. There’s a fine line between kitsch and cute. Printing your name on a sock might not be the best idea; sometimes a sweet little note is enough. Choose wisely — we trust you (and so does he)!

The shoe lover: shoes, trainers and kicks

If your man has an entire wardrobe in the hallway for his 50 pairs of trainers, don’t spend too long wondering what to get him for Valentine’s Day: the signs couldn’t be clearer. Just watch out for the biggest trap of all: no, they don’t all look the same, and every pair has its own story and meaning. Find tips here for tracking down THE perfect pair of kicks.

And if you manage to unearth a treasure — a limited edition or a collector’s item he’s been hunting for for months — he’ll be over the moon!

The grooming enthusiast: beard, hair and skincare

If your man takes care of himself, you wouldn’t want to discourage him. You could go for a classic fragrance (just make sure it suits his natural scent). A lovely Valentine’s Day gift could also be a skincare kit, with products for his beard and body that are safe for his health too (what more could you ask for?). Soap, day and night creams, beard creams, gels, bath salts, exfoliators — take your pick. Chances are you know more about them than he does. Just avoid a beard-grooming kit if he doesn’t have a beard: he might take it the wrong way. We don’t all share the same sense of humour, after all.

What should you give a Valentine who loves to travel?

Does your man love travelling? Can’t he sit still, always needing to explore new horizons, discover new cultures or enjoy unforgettable experiences? Lucky you: you’ll get to enjoy it with him. So grab your phone — it’s time to look for an Airbnb in Greece! And don’t forget your camera.

The adventurer: trips abroad and cultural visits

If your partner is interested in discovering new cultures, visiting new countries and exploring the world’s rich history, take him on a trip! Whether you choose a romantic classic like Italy or dare to spend a week in a yurt on the Mongolian plains (that would certainly surprise him), it’ll be a Valentine’s Day you’ll both remember for a lifetime.

The epicurean: luxury, festivals and wine trails

If spa treatments, massages and champagne from the minibar are more his style than riding a donkey up Machu Picchu, but you can’t afford a five-star hotel every other day, Staycation could be the answer. Take your Valentine to a luxury hotel close to home at an unbeatable price and enjoy the millionaire getaway of your dreams! It doesn’t get much more romantic than that on Valentine’s Day.

Your partner might be a different kind of traveller: one who seeks out sensory experiences. Does he love thrills and partying? Then it’s off to Burning Man, Amsterdam (if he hasn’t been already — otherwise it’s overrated) or Berlin if he’s into techno. For a man who loves new sensations, give him an unforgettable trip to a legendary festival! It’s a bumper year for them, too, so make the most of it.

For something different, a wine-themed trip gives wine lovers a chance to combine their love of adventure with tasting. Treat your man to the Burgundy wine route if he’s keen on an exceptional culinary journey!

And don’t forget to prepare your palate with the Great Wines of France gift box!

How can you delight a cultured man?

Is your man an intellectual without even realising it? Does he love art in all its forms and spend his time absorbed in books, music or museums? Finding a Valentine’s Day gift should be easy, but we have a few ideas to help you make an impression he won’t forget in a hurry.

The bookworm: Pléiade editions and limited editions

If your partner is always devouring books, whether he loves novels, poetry or mind-numbing biographies of 18th-century generals (each to their own), find out who his favourite author is and, if possible, track down a rare edition. Perhaps even a manuscript, if money is no object when you’re in love, or a classic from the Pléiade collection with gold lettering and pretty little flourishes (though that might be a bit over the top).

The film buff: a trip to Cannes or the Oscars

Does your Valentine hesitate between Yorgos Lanthimos and Andrei Tarkovsky when asked to name his favourite director? Is watching a film with him exhausting because he can’t simply say whether he liked it or not? Look no further! For Valentine’s Day, whisk him away to one of the major film festivals — Cannes, Berlin or Venice — and he’ll be thrilled!

The art critic: a tour of the museums

If your man loves painting and sculpture and finds peace in museums, treat him to a temporary exhibition by an artist he particularly likes, a trip to an iconic museum he’s never visited, or a visit to a famous city if he’s an architecture fan (some men really do think about the Roman Empire more than three times a week).

The music lover: concerts and festivals galore

If your partner spends most of his time listening to music, whatever he’s doing, and can talk for three hours straight about David Gilmour if you make the mistake of saying you quite like Pink Floyd (you know the type), treat him to a concert ticket so you can see his favourite artist together. If that artist is no longer with us, look for a live-edition vinyl record of one of his favourite albums. It’s always a hit (unless he already owns three copies, of course).

The gamer: games, accessories and equipment

If your man loves gaming, you’re in luck: making him happy on Valentine’s Day won’t be too difficult. Just give him the game he’s been looking forward to most. It’s easiest if he plays FIFA: you can simply buy him FIFA 24 — or EA Sports FC 24, as it’s called now.

If you want to give him a more original Valentine’s Day gift, think about equipment he might need for his PC, or even a new console (don’t hold back). There are plenty of ideas to choose from!

 

That’s it for our Valentine’s Day gift ideas! If your partner can’t find something he likes here, he’s a tough man to please. If he has a very particular interest, such as collecting stamps or beer bottle caps, you might want to focus on that — though you’ll understand why we haven’t included it in our guide.

Likewise, we’ve left out DIY and anything you make yourself, but if he’s really into that sort of thing, there are plenty of workshops for two that would make for a lovely day together. After all, who hasn’t wanted to distil their own whisky or brew their own beer?

If you’re looking for more gift box ideas or ideas involving a bottle of wine, take a look at our other articles for inspiration!