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Valentine’s Day gift guide 2015

Banish the baby’s breath, red satin and heart-shaped chocolate boxes this Valentine’s Day with gifts bound to bring out the romantic in even the most cynical of hearts.

Banish the baby’s breath, red satin and heart-shaped chocolate boxes this Valentine’s Day with gifts bound to bring out the romantic in even the most cynical of hearts.

Love Tea by Storm & India

Love Tea by Storm & India

Share a cup of this Storm & India organic tea with the one you love – a blend of white and green tea with raspberry, ginger and jasmine blossoms. Guaranteed warm and fuzzies. $42.82

Dish cufflinks by Élodie from Sorry Thanks I Love You

Dish cufflinks by Élodie from Sorry Thanks I Love You

These sterling silver cufflinks from Melbourne designer Élodie Darwish are the perfect excuse to get dishy this Valentine’s. Hand-made and shaped with a tiny rounded hammer, this set is a true labour of love. $185

Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé NV

Champagne Pommery Brut Rosé NV

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without bubbles, right? This Brut Rosé NV from the house of Pommery is sure to up the romance at apéritif hour. Matching flowers optional. $89.99

Lark Limited-Release Single-Malt Whisky

Lark Limited-Release Single-Malt Whisky

For something with even more spice, Tasmania’s Lark Distillery has produced just 60 bottles of this special-release single-malt whisky, aged for five years and finished in French oak Sherry casks. The drop comes packaged in a wooden gift box and is only available by calling the cellar door direct. Nightcap sorted. $297 for 500ml. For all orders call (03) 6231 9088.

Georg Jensen Barbry breakfast tray

Georg Jensen Barbry breakfast tray

If you’re lucky this Valentine’s Day, breakfast in bed will be served on this Nordic-inspired oak-wood tray, designed by Aurelien Barbry for Georg Jensen. $160

Lotus Belle tents

Lotus Belle tents

It doesn’t get more romantic than a night under the stars. Until there’s a Lotus Belle tent involved, that is. This lavish tent comes in the shape of a lotus blossom with four metres of width and three metres of height to keep the lions, tigers and bears at bay. From $1,950.

Jenny Kee Waratah scarf

Jenny Kee Waratah scarf

This individually printed, crêpe de chine scarf from Australian design goddess Jenny Kee provides just the right measure of Valentine’s spirit with its vibrant red hues. The red waratah is a symbol for passion, too. $165

Triumph & Disaster Stash Box

Triumph & Disaster Stash Box

The Stash Box from New Zealand’s Triumph & Disaster comes replete with shaving cream, face scrub, a shaving brush and Gameface moisturiser. Reminiscent of an old-school apothecary set, it’s also the perfect-sized box for stashing love letters and the like. $165

James Turrell & Hotel Hotel stay

James Turrell & Hotel Hotel stay

US artist James Turrell’s current retrospective at the National Gallery only adds to a growing list of reasons to visit the nation’s capital sooner rather than later. To celebrate the Turrell show, Hotel Hotel is taking 10 per cent off your room booking and will also offer free room upgrades when available. It’s a Valentine’s win-win. _Hotel Hotel room rates start at $245 per night; tickets to James Turrell via NGA (deal subject to availability)._

Grafa gardening trowel

Grafa gardening trowel

For the Valentine with a green thumb, this beautifully crafted gardening trowel from Melbourne-based makers Grafa is handmade using timber, bronze and copper. $70

Lilian silk pyjamas by Equipment

Lilian silk pyjamas by Equipment

Why not try these washed-silk Lilian pyjamas from French favourite Equipment? We love them for their classic navy and white stripes, and we think your Valentine will, too. $678.24

Pop & Scott “Thinking Swing”

Pop & Scott “Thinking Swing”

Feeling uninspired? Take five on this swing from Pop & Scott. Fashioned using recycled Australian hardwood timbers, swings can also be made to order in your Valentine’s favourite colour. $320

Check-dyed Cottesloe beach towel by Jac and Jack

Check-dyed Cottesloe beach towel by Jac and Jack

This hand-dyed, 100 per cent organic cotton beach towel from masters of laid-back cool Jac and Jack is the perfect accessory on your next beach or picnic date. $180

Basil Bangs Wonderland sun umbrella

Basil Bangs Wonderland sun umbrella

Hold onto the sun, sand and backyard barbecue vibe a little bit longer with the help of this striking Wonderland umbrella from Basil Bangs. $249

Kartell in Tavola Jellies Family tableware by Patricia Urquiola

Kartell in Tavola Jellies Family tableware by Patricia Urquiola

Back in the ’70s, Kartell in Tavola tableware turned heads for its imaginative and colourful design style. Flash-forward to 2015 and this Jellies Family collection by designer Patricia Urquiola is well-suited to the Valentine who likes to entertain. From $25 at Space Furniture.

Jerome Dreyfuss Arnaud L bag

Jerome Dreyfuss Arnaud L bag

Whether it’s a quick getaway or a business trip overseas, this teal weekender bag by Jerome Dreyfuss packs some serious style punch for the  man on the move. $1,890

Kate Spade notebook

Kate Spade notebook

Bring back the handwritten love notes with this diary from New York designer Kate Spade. Sophisticated, practical and just a little bit cheeky. $45

Lorraine’s Pâtisserie strawberry mascarpone cake

Lorraine’s Pâtisserie strawberry mascarpone cake

We’re always down for saying it with cake. Particularly if it’s Sydney pâtissière Lorraine Godsmark’s mascarpone number made with strawberries and coconut dacquoise. Romantic? We think so. From $48.

Les Exclusifs de Chanel Eau de Cologne

Les Exclusifs de Chanel Eau de Cologne

One can never have enough Chanel, and this classic eau de cologne combining neroli and citrus fruits is an alluring choice. $350 for 200ml.

L’Obscurité candle by Lyn & Tony for Maison Balzac

L’Obscurité candle by Lyn & Tony for Maison Balzac

Sydney-based artists Lyn & Tony took their cues from the Australian landscape when designing this limited-edition candle for Maison Balzac. Red cedar, volcanic rock and birch tar mingle in a scent that’s dark, smoky and very Valentine’s appropriate. $65

The Cat’s Tongue Chocolatiers gift box

The Cat’s Tongue Chocolatiers gift box

Step away from the After Eights. Chocolatier Andy Abramowich from Hobart’s The Cat’s Tongue has your post-dinner chocolate treat sorted with this perfectly wrapped box of handcrafted pralines. $85 for 32 pieces; 0428 411 455

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine

Don’t let its shiny red exterior fool you. The Artisan Espresso Machine from KitchenAid, which features two separate boilers for streamlined brewing and frothing, is a serious piece of coffee kit. $1,999

Victorinox “I Love You” Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox “I Love You” Swiss Army Knife

Your more adventurous other half will be chuffed with a Swiss Army Knife – not least one that’s printed with those three little words. $39.95

Nicolai Kiss Me Tender perfume

Nicolai Kiss Me Tender perfume

This aptly named fragrance from French boutique perfumery Nicolai puts the spotlight on orange-flower and almond, with undertones of jasmine and ylang-ylang. You’ll find it exclusively at Napoleon Perdis Life.Style. $75

Dinosaur Designs Limited-Edition Atelier resin puzzle

Dinosaur Designs Limited-Edition Atelier resin puzzle

Dinosaur Designs’ new collection of bright resin puzzles are just the ticket for the creative beau. $595

The American Lover by Rose Tremain

The American Lover by Rose Tremain

In this collection of short stories, Rose Tremain presents a crisp portrait of love in all its beauty and complication. Random House Australia, $29.99, pbk

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