The Cheapest, Nicest Valentine’s Day Gifts From the Most Expensive Brands

By,a senior writer at the Strategist covering kids’ toys and men’s style.She joined the Strategist in 2019. She is a former writer for GQ and an accomplished illustrator.
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Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of the retailers

The bestValentine’s Day giftsare rich in spirit. But that doesn’t mean they have to cost you thousands of dollars. Small luxuries like a designer butter knife, a pair of high-end boxers, or candy-colored guest soaps can make a big impact on a (relatively small) budget. To that end, we found the cheapest, nicest things from the most expensive designer brands. Each of the 36 gifts below will make your valentine feel pampered and cherished, whether they’re apen snob, a statustote bagcollector, or avery fancy baby.

Ralph’s Coffee Mug
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Polo Bear sweatersare nice, but have you ever sipped a cortado out of a Ralph Lauren coffee mug?

La Bonne Brosse The Chignon Hairpin
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French brand La Bonne Brosse makes some of the mostaesthetically pleasing and effective hairbrushes. These hairpins are a cheaper but just as nice-looking alternative.

Popcorn Bow Elastic
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While you’re saving up for one of Misha & Puffs’ iconic popcorn sweaters, these popcorn bow hair ties are a sweet gift for kids or adults.

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bean Design Baby Brush
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Elsa Peretti’s designs for Tiffany & Co. can run into the thousands, but this sterling-silver and boar-bristle baby brush is under $300 — a steal considering the rising cost of silver.

Prada Stainless-Steel Butter Knife
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Got a crush who is into butter and fashion? This small splurge will make them feel seen.

Loewe Tomato Leaves Incense Sticks
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Loewe’s tomato-scented incense sticks are affordable-ish and will brighten any house or apartment’snatural“middle of winter” scent.

Sandy Liang Princess Socks
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Sandy Liang’s nostalgic princess socks will make an impact on any outfit and might even empower your giftee to live more like a royal.

Clare V. Lips Cashmere Crew Socks
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If the jewelry or leather handbags from L.A.-based Clare V. are too expensive, these bright-red cashmere “lips’ socks are an excellent next best thing.

Luke Edward Hall Fox Thicket Folly Trinket Box
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It may be just 2.48 inches tall, but this porcelain trinket box from Italian luxury brand Ginori 1735 is no small gift. The lid features an illustration by artist Luke Edward Hall inspired by the Cotswolds, the Hamptons of England.

Smythson Panama Pencil
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A fancy pencil — like this one from British luxury stationer Smythson — livens up boring tasks like making grocery lists and taking notes.

DesignerJohn Deriansells a wide range of accessories, décor, and home goods, many of which cost hundreds of dollars and up. But these decoupaged portable mirrors — you can choose from 200 designs — are very affordable and would make an excellent Valentine’s Day gift.

John Derian Diamond Ring Mirror
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John Derian Clouds & Crescent Moon
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John Derian Double Tulip Mirror
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Kapital Fastcolor Printed Selvedge Cotton-Voile Bandana
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Japanese brand Kapital is a known for its cheeky screen-printed bandanas, which are often over a hundred dollars depending on the design. But this stark spiderweb one will cost you less than $50.

Arc’teryx Venta Mittens
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Arc’teryx’s investment-worthy winter coats are some of the warmest you’ll find, and the brand’s shoes, clothing, and gear are beloved by fashion people and celebrities. These mittens are much cheaper by comparison, without skimping on quality.

Coach Essential Slim Card Case
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This cherry-red card case from Coach is surprisingly roomy inside.

A.P.C. Stefan Cardholder
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According to Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao, this elegant cardholder isa splurge that’s worth it— but still cheaper thana polo shirtat APC.

Les Main Hermès Nail Polish
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This charming bottle of Hermès nail polish comes in a signature orange box and over a dozen different colors. So whether you pick bumblebee yellow or a more muted shell pink, it’s a fun designer gift that your valentine can wear every day.

Sunspel Cotton Boxer Shorts
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Sunspel is known for its luxury basics that last, making these the holy grail of cotton boxers. They are also among the most affordable products you can get from the brand.

Corridor Embroidered Cotton-Canvas Baseball Cap
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Corridor’s clothing exemplifies actually stylish quiet luxury, with much of the brand’s wares designed and manufactured in New York. I love this cotton hat emblazoned with a double callout to the city.

Marimekko Smartbag Mini Unikko
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An eye-catching reusable bag featuring Marimekko’s iconic Unikko print, for much less than the brand’s iconic dresses or even one of its T-shirts.

Noah Mini Core Logo Tote
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Buy this Noah mini-tote if your valentine is more into menswear than Marimekko.

Buck Mason Slub Muscle Tank
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Buck Mason makes some of the softest and nicest-looking T-shirts for both men and women. This tank isn’t that much cheaper than the brand’s other tees, but it is the one I have gotten the most wear out of over the last five years. It’s also about half the price of the brand’s long-sleeves.

Nikki Chasin Florida Woman Appliqué Tee - White / Meadow
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Instead of skimpy lingerie, how about a trompe l’oeil bra tee from designer Nikki Chasin?

Mini Rodini Besesaka Adult Socks
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Kids’ brand Mini Rodini is a status symbol among well-to-do creative-leaning parents. It also makes a small selection of adult products, like this under-$20 pair of striped socks.

Iris Guest Soap Box
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This delightful rainbow of guest soaps from Portuguese brand Claus Porto features 15 disc-shaped soaps in seven different fragrances.

Alessi Nut Splitter
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A sleek heart-shaped gadget from Italian home-and-kitchen design giant Alessi, for especially elegant nut splitting.

Diptyque Gold Candle Snuffer
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If they always have a candle burning at home, gift them this gold-tone candle snuffer from French perfumer Diptyque.

Susan Alexandra Amiga Bracelet
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An affordable, eye-catching, under-$50 gift for fans of New York–based designer Susan Alexandra.

Rachel Comey Baby Keel Hoops
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An upgrade for their everyday hoops, from cool-girl-favorite designer Rachel Comey.

Ruth Asawa Desert Plant Silk Scarf
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This silk scarf will be a special treat for the person who won’t stop talking about theRuth Asawa retrospective.

Birkenstock Foot Care Essentials - Softening Ritual
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Foot care from Birkenstock to prep their feet for Birkenstock season.

Flamingo Estate Exfoliating Peppermint Soap Brick
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This big block of minty soap from Flamingo Estate is half the price of the brand’sspicy dehydrated strawberry snacks.

Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven Tote Bag
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A useful addition to any Le Creuset collection, especially if your valentine’s love language involves home-cooked meals.

Comme des Garçons Kids’ Signature Heart Striped Long-Sleeve T-shirt
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This kids’ shirt is a splurge, but a comparatively small one for superfans of Comme des Garçons.

Saint Laurent Travel Mug
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This shiny Saint Laurent travel mug will add some glam to their morning coffee run — though if gold is too ostentatious, it also comes in black and silver.

Black+Blum Insulated Travel Cup
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Or you could get them aPrada-esque insulated travel mugfor even less, from London-based Black+Blum.

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