Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

The gurus from online gift store Tidy & Co. share some ‘what to get your sweetheart for lover’s day’ ideas

Last Update: May 8, 2018

If you’re thinking of doing the old chocolate hearts, fluffy white ‘I Love You’ teddy and red roses routine for this year’s Valentine’s Day, you need to put down the pink crinkle paper and login to Tidy & Co., a handy online gift site for the giving impaired. Founders Nicole Chowles and Georgia Goedhals launched their web portal on Tuesday, 4 February 2014, just in time to rescue those lost on lover’s day ideas.  

Tidy & Co. features a wide range of unique, handpicked products for all kinds of people operating under all kinds of budgets. Clueless shoppers can fill out the gift finder questionnaire, which uses information, like gender, hobbies and personality traits, to narrow down a selection of great, thoughtful gifts. The e-store delivers all over South Africa, and buyers can choose to have presents brought to their own house or straight to the recipient’s doorstep; plus, Tidy & Co. offers a gift wrapping service for those who want a completely hassle-free experience.

In light of a fast-approaching Valentine’s Day, we asked gift gurus Nicole and Georgia for a little heads up on awesome gifts for him and her this year, so you don’t have to worry about throwing elbows with fellow panicked last-minute shoppers in a crowded Cardies the day before.

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

One-of-a-kind handcrafted fynbos rings
Planning to pop the question? Or do you just need an exquisite gift? Nothing says “you’re one of a kind” quite like an engagement ring inspired by the unique Cape Fynbos, indigenous to the Western Cape. Cape Diamonds’ Cape Fynbos Range is a unique collection of exquisite diamond and platinum engagement rings that celebrate the beauty of this floral kingdom and its ability to last the test of time, just like any good relationship. As an artisanal studio that specialise in creating bespoke, handcrafted jewellery in Green Point, a definite first stop on the road to buying the perfect Valentine’s Day engagement ring or special gift is stopping in at Cape Diamonds.

Unit 6, Victoria Junction | 57 Prestwich St | Green Point | +27 (0)21 421 5364

Shimansky
Spoil your woman with an exquisite Shimansky, their pendants are classy and timeless. These are the kind of gifts women never forget, it will be so easy for her to still rock ten Valentines later. Shimansky will take on a love journey with their wide range of pendants, it won’t hard getting that one piece that will be perfect for your woman.

Quazi One of a Kind Pendant
No woman can resist a pretty piece of jewellery, and Quazi Design makes bits and baubles that are both breathtakingly beautiful and environmentally friendly – a combination sure to put you in her good books.  The company is based in Swaziland, and it handcrafts unique pieces from old magazines, newspapers and recycled crushed glass. The accessories, like the One of a Kind pendants, that come out of the process are simply stunning, indefinitely interesting and definitely special. What’s more, Quazi promotes social responsibility and is committed to empowering the local female artisans who make the products, and proceeds go toward school fees funds and a saving scheme for the workers’ sustainable incomes, so you know when choosing this gift that you’re making more than one lovely lady smile.

Cost: R325 per pendant

Consol Solar Jar
For the homemaker, the camper, the environmentalist or the lover of pretty things, the Consol Solar Jar is a wonderfully practical and good-looking gift. Made by housing solar-powered LED lights in a 1-L preserve jar, these charming little lanterns are much safer than and just as romantic as candles. And since they make for great outdoor lighting for parties and braais, campers going on a romantic getaway for Cupid’s unofficial holiday can take them along instead of a big torch and spare batteries. Best of all, there’s no need to worry about your carbon footprint. Personalise your Consol Solar Jar with a love note written with permanent marker to really light up your lover’s Valentine’s Day.

Cost: R170 per jar

MIES Pamper Hamper
These good-enough-to-eat locally made pamper products are conjured up with all-natural ingredients, like brown sugar, extra virgin olive oil and rose and lavender flowers. They’re super good for the body and guaranteed to leave your amour feeling fresher than a daisy. Not only that, but the Mies goodies come in cute packaging, so just like their users, they’re as sweet on the outside as they are on the inside. The Valentine’s Day pamper hamper comes with a body scrub, hand oil, hand lotion and body wash, and, just for being a CapeTownMagazine reader, Tidy & Co. is offering this package up at a special discounted price of just R425. If you want to take it up a few notches, why not pair the products with a voucher for a couple’s massage at one of the spas mentioned a bit farther down in this article.  

Cost: R475 for the hamper

Romantic Picnic for Two
For a spin on the classic dinner-and-a-movie date, get Tidy & Co. to hook you and your love up with a tailor-made goodie hamper full of delicious treats then get yourself two tickets to the magical Galileo Open-Air Theatre (they’re available via Webtickets). Though there aren’t screenings on actual Valentine’s Day, you can catch Titanic at the Hillcrest Quarry on Tuesday, 11 February; Romeo + Juliet on Thursday, 13 February at the V&A Waterfront or, the ultimate romance movie, The Notebook at Kirstenbosch Garden on Wednesday, February 12. Just tell the Tidy & Co. ladies what you’d desire in your picnic basket; they’ll deliver it, and you’ll be set for a night of hand-holding and secret smooches at the movies under the stars.

Cost: R300 – R500 per couple

Professional Photo Shoot with Hayley Takes Photos
According to photographer Hayley  De Vantier’s website, the most important thing in her world is love, which makes her just the perfect person to capture those special sparks between you and your honey on a romantic couple’s shoot. You can choose a spot that best tells your Romeo and Juliet story, like the beach, a beautiful tree-filled forest or the street where you first met, and Hayley will snap away. In no time, you’ll end up with beautiful, timeless mementos to keep until you’re old and grey.

Cost: R3750 for the shoot

Molecular Gastronomy Kit

Does your boo boast about how they could be the next MasterChef? Are they a whiz at whipping up fancy foods? Then surprise them and help them take their kitchen skills to the next level with an über cool molecular gastronomy kit. The starter pack comes with ingredients, like agar-agar to make jellies and soy lecithin for frothy foams, plus the essential tools your partner will need to throw a spectacular dinner party. The added bonus of this gift is that you’ll likely be the guinea pig for all the delicious experiments, so really, everybody wins.

Cost: R550 for the kit

Urban Africa Leather Wallet
Give your man a stylish, elegantly handcrafted leather wallet from Urban Africa, and he’ll think of you every time he has to whip it out (and not because he always has to pay for everything). Founded by Belgian Vincent Urbain, the Woodstock-based company creates unique pieces, including bags, belts and even dog collars, which are all made individually by hand, so no two items are alike. The wallet is made from cow leather, comes in brown or black with beautiful stitching around the edges and takes the form of a simple compact shape inspired by Japanese minimalistic designs. Just add a naughty picture of yourself on the inside, and you’ve got a great guy gift.

Cost: R425 per wallet

Something Naughty
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little spicy something to gift your special someone, and it doesn’t matter who’s giving it to whom, because when it comes to adult toys, everybody scores a good time. Tidy & Co. features a range of sexy playthings for bedroom antics, but the Screaming Octopus, a mini vibrator with eight tingling tentacles, comes highly recommended since it’s not only great for tantalising, teasing foreplay, but for steamy sensual massages as well. Forget going out for Valentine’s Day, there’ll be a lot more entertainment to be had right in your boudoir.

Cost: R150 to R350 per toy

MORE VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEAS

Spa Vouchers
A little bit of pampering goes a long way, and whether you book your love a solo spa treatment or go for a couple’s combo, you’ll both benefit from the floating-on-air-feeling that comes after a good, relaxing session.

•  Ways of Wellness, Cape Town’s 100% organic spa, has a luxurious couple’s package bound to leave you feeling good in more ways than one. The romantic treatment deal for two includes a Garra Rufa fish foot spa pedicure, an hour-long full-body massage and a complimentary glass of bubbly. The couple’s Valentine’s Day deal costs R690 per couple and is valid from Monday, 10 to Saturday, 15 February 2014.
• For Valentine’s Day, the incredibly luxurious Yemaya Spa is offering a combo full-body exfoliation and massage treatment for R1200 (you save R400), or if you’d like to get spruced up for a romantic night on the town, there’s a blow wave and highlights (half head) special going for R550.

A Handmade Shirt from MORE

Get the stylish guy in your life a sharp, sophisticated tailored shirt from Cape Town menswear king, MORE. Specialising in made-to-measure, hand-stitched garments, the company crafts exquisite shirts to the proportions of the owner (find a way to do some sneaky measuring or just gift the initial consultation). The shirts come in a plethora of patterns and fabrics, and you can choose the one that best suits your boo. If you feel like going all out, MORE offers a special deal for CapeTownMagazine.com readers – get a free shirt with the purchase of one of the company’s high-end, hand-stitched suits.

Cost: Between R2000 and R2500 per shirt.

Jewellery from Linde Collection
If you’re hoping to make this Valentine’s Day an extra special one, the only place you need to visit is Linde Collection, a city centre boutique jewellery store run by husband and wife team Philip and Annemarie van der Linde. The pair specialises in conceptualising and handcrafting once-off pieces. So, whether you’re looking for simple earrings, bracelets or cuff links, or planning to pop the big question with a diamond studded ring, the dynamic duo will spend all the time it takes to help you end up with the perfect personalised piece for your darling. That said, if you’re just on the hunt for something last-minute, they also have stunning readymade accessories adorned with rare stones on offer. Maybe it’s your millionth Valentine’s Day together or your first as husband and wife, either way, nothing will make it more meaningful than a sparkling something straight from the heart. 

Cost: Items start at around R2000

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Looking for something to do after the gift exchange? We’ve got your handy guide to things to do in Cape Town for Valentine’s Day.

There are also loads of cool and romantic things to do as a couple.

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