Forget silky slips, teddy bears, and heart-shaped chocolates, these five Valentine's Day gift ideas break from clichés.
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Published Feb 02, 2024 • Last updated 2days ago • 3 minute read
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Valentine’s Day gifts that ditch the gender labels? Yes — and it’s about time.
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5 Valentine’s Day gifts that transcend gender norms Back to video
No matter who you’re celebrating, love is love is love, and Feb. 14 calls for gifts that break free from clichés — forget silky slips, teddy bears, and heart-shaped chocolates. We’re still into pink and red, as long as people who identify as he, him, they and them can wear these colours, too. From chic accessories to playful trinkets, Rebecca Tay discovers five Valentine’s Day gifts that transcend gender norms.
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GOOD INSTRUMENTS
South Korean fashion brand Andersson Bell —founded by Choi Boko and Park Cheol-young — celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and this red guitar bag is an excellent example of its modern, streetwear-meets-contemporary designs. Made from structured, brick-hued leather, it features an adjustable shoulder strap and edgy, silver hardware that looks cool with bare shoulders and chunky sweaters alike.
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A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
Floral and spicy? Sharp and pristine? Tom Ford’s Rose Prick eau de parfum is a scent that’s so lovely it hurts — which is precisely what one could say about love, too. Alluring, enticing, and unisex, its Bulgarian rose, Rose de Mai, and Turkish rose notes are punctuated by Indonesian patchouli and Sichuan pepper, while the matte pink bottle is sleek and simply iconic. Gift as large a bottle as you can afford — it comes in everything from 10ml to 250ml.
Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com | $330
BUILDING SITE
Those that build together, stay together? Perhaps. And as anyone that’s ever used a Lego set before will know, it is, truly, make-or-break stuff. We’re big fans of their adult kits, such as this Tiny Plants set: not only is it a great way to connect over something other than a screen, but the resulting nine potted plants are cute décor items that can be dotted around your house as an everyday reminder of your relationship.
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ADORN YOURSELVES
Sleek bracelets, simple rings, chain necklaces: anyone that thinks jewelry has to be a his-or-hers thing is stuck in the last century. Indeed, pendant necklaces easily transcend genders and are a thoughtful, personal expression of love — and are therefore a wonderful Valentine’s gift. Case in point: this ‘Valkyria’ duo with a pattern inspired by Nordic mythology. Designed by Danish brand Pilgrim and made in Canada with 14-karat gold plating, there’s a round pendant and a rectangular one. Take turns wearing both at once, or split the set so you always have a little, physical memento of them literally close to your heart.
GET SHIRTY
Just as love is love to infinity, a good shirt is a good shirt … is a good shirt, and this ‘Andy’ style by Reformation is currently at the top of our list. Oversized and made from 98% organic cotton and 2% spandex for just a touch of added comfort and movement, it comes in a plethora of cool, but smart colours — think baby blue stripe, midnight stripe, and our favourite, baby pink stripe. Finish with pleated high-waisted trousers and leave a few buttons undone for extra sass.
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Reformation, thereformation.com | $188
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As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or beliefs, but I can provide you with information on the concepts discussed in this article. Let's dive into the Valentine's Day gift ideas that break from clichés.
Transcending Gender Norms: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
This article discusses five Valentine's Day gift ideas that challenge traditional gender norms. These gift ideas aim to be inclusive and celebrate love in a way that goes beyond stereotypes. Let's explore each gift idea in more detail:
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Good Instruments: The first gift idea mentioned is a red guitar bag from South Korean fashion brand Andersson Bell. This bag showcases their modern, streetwear-meets-contemporary designs. Made from structured, brick-hued leather, it features an adjustable shoulder strap and edgy silver hardware. This versatile accessory can be paired with various outfits, from bare shoulders to chunky sweaters.
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A Rose By Any Other Name: The second gift idea is Tom Ford's Rose Prick eau de parfum. This unisex fragrance combines floral and spicy notes, such as Bulgarian rose, Rose de Mai, Turkish rose, Indonesian patchouli, and Sichuan pepper. The fragrance comes in a matte pink bottle, which adds a sleek and iconic touch. It is recommended to gift a larger bottle size, available from 10ml to 250ml.
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Building Site: The third gift idea focuses on Lego sets, specifically the adult kits. The article mentions the Tiny Plants set, which allows couples to build together and create nine potted plants. Not only does this activity provide an opportunity to connect beyond screens, but the resulting plants can also serve as cute decor items, reminding you of your relationship.
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Adorn Yourselves: The fourth gift idea suggests that jewelry doesn't have to be limited to specific genders. Pendant necklaces, in particular, are mentioned as a thoughtful and personal expression of love. The article highlights the 'Valkyria' duo, designed by Danish brand Pilgrim and made in Canada with 14-karat gold plating. This set includes a round pendant and a rectangular one, which can be worn together or split between partners.
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Get Shirty: The final gift idea revolves around a versatile shirt called the 'Andy' style by Reformation. Made from 98% organic cotton and 2% spandex, this oversized shirt offers comfort and movement. It comes in various colors, including baby blue stripe, midnight stripe, and baby pink stripe. This shirt can be paired with pleated high-waisted trousers for a stylish and gender-neutral look.
These gift ideas aim to provide alternatives to traditional Valentine's Day presents, embracing inclusivity and challenging gender norms. By breaking free from clichés, these gifts offer unique ways to express love and celebrate relationships.
