The Best Food Gifts for Every Type of Valentine

Two pounds of chocolate Kisses is a lot of chocolate Kisses (about 200 pieces, if you’re wondering) — but drama is fun, and this way they’ll be reminded of how much you love them for months and months to come.

Another classic pick is a bag of Sweethearts, because it’s never not a pleasurable time to sift through and read all the messages.

All of Fine & Raw’s truffles are vegan and made by hand in Brooklyn with sustainably sourced cacao. Not to mention, they come in the cutest gift box. There’s a smaller four-piece set and larger 24-piece set available, too.

[Editor’s note: You may have to pay for two-day shipping to ensure these truffles arrive before Valentine’s Day.]

Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid once described this non-fusty assortment of miniature fruits as a “stylish alternative to the old Valentine’s Day box of chocolates.”

These orangettes — orange peels that are cooked in sugar until they’re tender, balanced, and translucent, then covered in dark chocolate — hail from La Maison du Chocolat in Paris. They’re a perfect midday pick-me-up or after-dinner bite.

The fact that Valentine’s Day falls during the coldest part of the year makes it the perfect time to gift a decadent tin of hot chocolate. This one is made from Guittard cocoa and infused with cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and nutmeg.

Several Strategist staffers are big fans of BonBon, which sells naturally colored candies imported from Sweden. They look like kid’s stuff —but are delicious on a whole other level. You can DIY your own box with a mix of sweet and sour treats.

[Editor’s note: This won’t arrive by Valentine’s Day.]

If you want to to buy something truly fancy, it doesn’t get any better than Compartés (all of its Valentine’s Day–specific gift boxes are stunning).

[Editor’s note: This chocolates box only arrives by Valentine’s Day with expedited shipping.]

Macaron are always a hit, and Dandelion Chocolate makes lovely ones. This box comes with three varieties, each highlighting a different cocoa bean. Order by February 8 for arrival by Valentine’s Day.

[Editor’s note: This macaron box is currently sold out.]

Another offering from Dandelion Chocolate is this all-chocolate take on the traditional Basque country dessert, a crisp-tender pastry crust with a velvety chocolate filling. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang has received it as a gift and says she was “bowled over by how intensely rich and chocolaty it was,” calling it a “very special and sophisticated treat.”

[Editor’s note: This Basque desert only arrives by Valetnine’s Day with expedited shipping.]

Another gorgeous cookie option comes from Pâtisserie Fouet. “All their sweets are so refined and decadent,” says Zach Mangan, owner of the matcha company Kettl. “Eating a cookie from them is like your first glass of really nice wine — once you experience it, you can never go back.”

[Editor’s note: This cookie tin may not arrive by Valentine’s Day.]

Pantry staples aren’t as obvious of a Valentine’s Day gift as chocolate or candy, but for the right recipient, a bottle or jar of something special will go a long way. Flamingo Estate’s olive oil and balsamic vinegar are bottles they’ll treasure for drizzling over many meals to come.

[Editor’s note: This gift box is currently sold out, but you can still get the set without gift box wrapping for $85. You may have to choose expedited shipping to receive this by Valentine’s Day.]

Give them some nice honey to stir into their tea or coffee — especially appreciated if they currently use a grocery-store-bought honey bear. This one is recommended by recipe developer and cookbook author Julia Turshen, who loves how the company supports the local Detroit community.

[Editor’s note: This honey may not arrive by Valentine’s Day.]

“This chili vinegar tastes like Frank’s RedHot, but so much better,” say Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria, owners of New York City’s beloved design shop Coming Soon. “The chili they use is a bit sweeter, but the overall taste is more vinegar-y. It delivers more than just heat.” It can be used on eggs, in Bloody Marys — pretty much anywhere.

If tinned fish sounds like an unfitting gift for a romantic holiday, Big Night’s box makes all the difference in presentation, filled with a truly special collection. (I’ll also say: This store is a great place to shop if you want to put together your own little mix of fancy pantry items, curated to your recipient’s tastes.)

For the morning person, consider this curation of breakfast treats from one of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants, Botanica. It features seasonal preserves, its beloved granola, a bag of freshly roasted Canyon Coffee beans, a tin of tea, and a bag of Honey Hi x CAP Beauty gluten-free pancake mix.

[Editor’s note: This breakfast box only arrives by Valentine’s Day with expedited shipping.]

Kettl’s matcha is super high quality, sure to be appreciated by anyone in your life who likes to fix their own cup. This variety, which the company describes as light and sweet, is one of many to browse.

A subscription is the gift that keeps on giving. This one, our top pick, allows you to customize the kind of beans that will arrive based on the general category of coffee you like, whether light, dark, nutty, or fruity. We also have a roundup of great wine subscriptions if that’s more their thing.

Via Carota’s bottled cocktails come in vessels as elegant as any bottle of booze, and are as perfectly balanced as you find them in the famed New York City restaurant. I love its negroni, but there are others to choose from, too, like an old-fashioned or espresso martini. Just chill, pour, and drink.

If they like a nonalcoholic cocktail, St. Agrestis makes some great ones. You’ve probably heard of its Phony Negroni (the most common to see around, and a favorite of several Strategist staffers) — but this pack also includes mezcal negroni, amaro, and espresso negroni bottles.