15 last minute Vancouver Valentine's Day gift ideas

Beyond being cliché, giving your significant other chocolate and flowers on Valentine’s Day can seem a bit, well, boring.

We’ve compiled a list of gift ideas for you to give to your loved one this Valentine’s Day.

Here are 15 Valentine’s Day gift ideas that go beyond the basic.

Valentine’s Day-inspired Drake-o-Gram

These Drake-themed Valentine’s Day cards and stickers are guaranteed to put a smile your partner’s dial. Designed by a pair of SFU students, these cheeky cards are based on the classic candygram you used to send to your crush on Valentine’s Day.

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Ski passes

Gift ski bunnies and snowboard junkies with the ultimate present, a ski pass. No matter which mountain’s ski pass you choose, this “golden ticket” to the slopes, will provide access to fluffy white powder for the rest of the snow season. Those obsessed with Whistler should check out the well-renowned ski resort’s ski pass rates here.

Couples massage

If you’re looking to pamper your plus one (and yourself at the same time) why not book a romantic couples massage. Forget the stresses of everyday life at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver’s Chi Spa. You and your partner can indulge in spa treatments, like the ever-relaxing West Coast Wave Massage. For more information be sure to check out the hotel/spa’s website.

A Chemex for coffee lovers

Said to pour the perfect cup of coffee, the Chemex Coffeemaker is taking over caffeine-junkies’ wish-lists. The simplistic design has even been inducted into Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. In this case, you’re not giving your loved one coffee; you’re also giving them art. There’s nothing more romantic than that. You can get your hands on a Chemex Coffeemaker at Gastown’s Old Faithful Shop.

Brewery tour

Beer aficionados will love Vancouver Brewery Tours’ For The Love Of The Craft — A Valentine’s Day Brewery Tour. The romantic, beer-fuelled excursion will stop at Big Rock Urban Brewery, Storm Brewing, and Strange Fellows Brewing. Transported around the city in a mini-van, participants will get to enjoy a range of beer samples (including a Valentine’s-themed beer made especially for the day), appetizers, and Thomas Haas chocolate. For further details, including pricing and times, please check Vancouver Brewery Tour’s website.

Couples’ trail ride

Looking for a sprightly way to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day? Surprise your loved one with a trail ride on horseback. There are multiple ranches in Metro Vancouver that offer horseback riding lessons and/or excursions, including Equu Trails, a group that runs trail rides in Golden Ears Provincial Park Equu Trails’ two hour Trail Ride is priced at $100 per person.

Candy from Karameller

If your significant other is a sweet-toothed bandit, indulge them with a specially-crafted, Valentine’s-inspired box of candy from Karameller Candy. With hearts, lips, and special pink and red confections, Karameller has put together the perfect Valentine’s Day sweet treat. As always, Karameller Candy is free from GMOs, trans fats, and high-fructose corn syrup. Limited quantities of special cubes tied with a black and white twine, themed jars, and bags full of hearts, lips, pink and red or chocolate sweets are available until February 14, 2016. Customize your own cube choosing from the over 100 varieties of candy.

Tea from Capilano Teahouse

Tea might seem like an odd Valentine’s Day gift. However, any avid tea drinker would be thrilled to receive one of Capilano Teahouse‘s fragrant loose leaf tea varieties, like the high-floral Juniper Roobiboos, which is composed of rooibos, rose petals, lavender, blue berries, and juniper berries.

LUSH Massage Bars

If you can’t afford a spa package but want to bless your partner with a relaxing treat, why not pick up one of Lush’s Massage Bars. Made with moisturizing butters and essential oils these bars, with names like Tender is Night, Yes Yes Yes, The Honeymooner, are ideal for relieving tension and easing those achy muscles. 

Beard oil

This gift is specific to men of the bearded variety. Usually packaged in palm-size bottles, this grooming oil softens and adds body to facial fuzz, enhances natural hair colour, and eliminates dry, itchy skin. Check out Nouvelle Nouvelle on Abbott Street, the store carries, Seattle-based, Blackbird’s Beard Oil.

Cooking class

This thoughtful gift is perfect for foodies and home cooks. Luckily, Vancouver is full of cooking classes to choose from. Hands on, these workshops are interactive and designed to sharpen cooking skills. For a more intimate vibe, be sure to check out The Uncommon Café’s cooking classes, which are led by the talented Valentine Kitamura, owner of Tartine & Maple and baker at the Powell Street eatery. These intimate classes have been crafted to enhance participant’s skills in the kitchen, while they learn new recipes, and discover the secrets of French cooking.

Booze Joulies

If your plus one is mad on crafting cocktails at home, be sure to gift them with some Booze Joulies – stainless steel ice cubes that keep alcohol at a cool temperature. Unlike ice, Booze Joulies don’t water down the drink and can even reach temperatures below the freezing point of water. They can be used in a shaker to cool a drink down, or poured over with your desired drink. Order online here.

A piece of jewellery from Foe and Dear

Impress the woman in your life with a beautiful piece of jewellery (chains, charms, rings, and bracelets inspired by all things minimal and classic) from locally-based designer Foe and Dear. Order online or peruse shops such as Woo To See You in Yaletown, who stock a selection of Foe and Dear products.

See a show at the Orpheum

Vancouver is home to one of the most stunning concert halls in Canada. The splendidly ornamented Orpheum hosts a range of performances throughout the year, and is the perfect venue for when you want to organize a romantic night out with your better half.

A bottle of locally-made liqueur

For the liqueur lover in your life, add a bottle of locally-based Long Table Distillery’s latest creation to their spirit-forward collection. Collaborating with The Apothecary Bitters Company, Long Table’s Amaro No.1 boasts notes of tobacco, vanilla, and citrus, with a long herbal and appealing bittersweet finish.