If you’ve failed to score a table for two at Greggs, don’t fret: there's still time to snap up a cool gift ahead of Valentine's Day. And you don't need to spend a fortune to show that you care. We’ve highlighted our pick of the internet’s best gifts for under £50, from edible treats to affordable tech. All presents are available via Amazon Prime or a next day delivery service so shipment should be speedy but get in there quick to nab the best buys for your better half.
1. Make your own neon sign
Spell out your love with this neon-sign kit that allows you to create words (and shapes) out of bendy neon-effect flex. The kit comes with three metres of blue neon flex, three metres of shaping wire and one metre of fixing wire. Get creative and twist the wires into letters to get your message up in lights.
2. Amazon Echo Dot
Create a cosy love nest at home by enlisting the services of Alexa. Set up the Echo Dot in a discreet corner of your living room and get the device to recite romantic poetry and play classic love songs through a Bluetooth speaker. Add a couple of Alexa Skills and you can get a curry for two delivered to your door (Just Eat) and create some mood lighting at the flick of voice-controlled switch (Philips Hue). And just in time for Valentine's Day, Amazon has knocked £10 off the price, bringing it down to a wallet-pleasing £39.99.
3. Organic cheddar heart
Make a powerful declaration of love with a pungent lump of cheese. This heart-shaped cheddar is made in Somerset using traditional techniques that honour a 70-year-old recipe, and it’s encased in wax to retain its creaminess. There's no better way to round off a romantic meal for two than by splitting half a kilo of cheese.
4. Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva rum
If in doubt, buy booze. And this sophisticated bottle of Venezuelan dark rum is a real winner (it's scooped no fewer than 25 top-level awards and accolades). Distilled in a copper pot and aged over 12 years, it's packed full of seductive flavours like chocolate, cinnamon and ginger and is the perfect winter drink for cosy fireside sipping.
5. Nespresso by Krups Inissia Coffee Machine
Kitchen gadget gifts are often pushed to the back of cupboards to gather dust, but this compact coffee machine is a joy to use and to look at. Treat your coffee-loving companion to a steamy brew each morning using the simple one-touch design that heats water to the ideal temperature in 25 seconds and creates 20+ different varieties of coffee using Nespresso capsules.
6. Statement stud earrings
A thoughtful present always goes down well and this set of earrings from Sourced by Oxfam is an especially considerate gift: 100% of the profits go to funding the charity's global fight against poverty. Made by a Fair Trade group of craftspeople in Peru, these brass studs are handmade and polished using traditional techniques.
7. Heart-shaped waffle maker
For an impressive Valentine's Day breakfast, serve a stack of heart-shaped waffles using this nifty stainless steel machine. Whip up a sweet or savoury batter, pour onto the non-stick plates and in less than five minutes you'll have two Belgian-style waffles that can be served whole or torn into heart-shaped mini-waffles.
8. Pantone stainless steel drinking bottle
While Pantone's colour of 2018 is Ultra Violet, the colour of love has to be this fetching shade of aubergine (insert emoji here). This stylish stainless-steel bottle will keep your loved one hydrated and refreshed on all the romantic strolls, scenic cycle rides and picnics for two you have scheduled for later this year.
9. Anorak kissing squirrels picnic blanket
Share a Scotch egg with someone special on this pretty picnic blanket from fun British brand Anorak. The teal blue design features a kissing squirrels motif and has a water-resistant underside. Made from 100% cotton, it's super lightweight and comes with a handy carry strap so you can cart it round to find the perfect spot for dining a deux.
10. Aperitivo: Drinks and Snacks for the Dolce Vita cookbook
If you're not whisking your loved one away on a romantic escape to Italy, create la dolce vita at home by knocking up some Italian drinks and nibbles from this authentic cookbook. It features recipes for cocktails including negroni and Aperol spritz that are designed to be paired with dishes like antipasti and savoury biscuits.
11. Colourful Tropical Cactus Set
Bypass the bouquet this year and brighten up a little corner of your nest with this cute set of four cacti. Made from soft fabric, this evergreen gift is the ultimate low-maintenance plant.
12. Atari Flashback classic games console
Avid gamers will enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with this retro Atari console. It's loaded with 101 games, including cult classics like Frogger, Space Invaders and Pong, and comes with two wireless joystick controllers modelled on the original Atari 2600. Settle in for an evening of two-player fun.
Buy now for £50 from Urban Outfitters
13. Thanks for putting up with my sh*t chocolate
Tell it like it is with this chunky bar of chocolate that acknowledges your imperfections with a sweet and sweary message. Within the gold wrapper you’ll find a slab of pink shimmery chocolate that tastes like strawberries and cream.
Buy for £7.99 now from Firebox
14. Vivienne Westwood black heart keyring
For a designer gift on a budget, this Vivienne Westwood heart-shaped keyring is just the ticket – and far cooler than choosing something sparkly from a high-street jewellers. The black heart pendant is decorated with the maverick designer's signature orb logo, and there's a branded leather tab on the ring for an added luxury touch.
Buy now for £50 from Urban Outfitters
15. The Lambshank Redemption Cookbook
Stuck for what to buy a food-loving film fan? This pun-tastic recipe book is the perfect solution. It's stuffed full of dishes inspired by blockbuster movies like The Gnocchi Horror Show, Weekend at Béarnaise and The Texas Chainsaw Moussaka.
16. Polaroid Play 3D Pen
If your budget doesn't extend to a 3D printer, this affordable piece of kit is a great buy for a tech-loving creative. The portable pen lets you build freehand 3D models using environmentally friendly plastic filament, and you can use the Polaroid Play Trace App to stencil photographs and bring them to life. The set comes with four filaments so you can get started straight away.
17. Creative Muvo 2c Bluetooth speaker
Blast out your favourite love songs on the go with this neat palm-sized speaker. It may be small but it packs a serious punch on the sound front and comes in a range of bright colours. It's water- and dust-resistant and can be paired with another Muvo 2c to create a stereo sound.
Creative MUVO 2c Palm Sized Water Resistant Bluetooth Speaker with Built-In MP3 Player - Orange
Creative MUVO 2c Palm-sized Mini Water-resistant Bluetooth Speaker with Built-in MP3 Player (Blue)
18. Maki sushi socks
It wouldn't be a comprehensive gift guide without a pair of novelty socks, and this quirky pair comes rolled up in a presentation box to look just like maki sushi rolls. Made from cotton and polyester, they're held together with a seaweed-style ribbon and unravel into a fun pair of socks that fit feet of all sizes.
19. Gin & Tonic scented candle
If your significant other is a gin fan, it's likely the drinks cupboard is already well stocked with the good stuff, so consider this juniper-scented candle instead. The holder is made from a repurposed wine bottle, and the natural soya wax candle is infused with both juniper berries and Tuscan lemons. It burns for a total of 80 hours and comes in a pretty presentation box.
20. Pork crackling gift jar
These gourmet pork scratchings from the Snaffling Pig Company will go down a treat with snack fans. Double cooked for a satisfying crunch, they come in a retro-style 1.5l glass jar and are flavoured with maple syrup for a sweet and salty kick.
21. Leather cord tacos
This practical present is a great choice for neat freaks. Keep wires and cables ordered and tidy with these taco-shaped cord organisers. Made from 100% Italian leather, they're small and portable and will keep mess at bay whether you’re at home or on the go.
22. The Little Book of Brunch cookbook
Brunch like champions by taking it in turns to try out dishes from this tasty cookbook, which celebrates the art of brunching. The recipes are inspired by global cuisines, from Vietnamese bun cha to Middle Eastern Shakshuka. There are plenty of simple egg dishes, too, that can be knocked up in no time.
23. Philips Hue lighting accessory
Dim the lights and create a soft glow at home with the Philips Hue smart lighting accessory, which lets you control bulbs in different rooms via a motion sensor or through an Alexa-enabled device. Set the scene for a romantic meal for two by adjusting the strength of your compatible smart bulbs.
