Valentine's Week in India: A Gift for Each Day

Valentine's Week runs from Rose Day on 7 February to Valentine's Day on 14 February, and the easiest way to do it well is to keep the first seven days small and save your real budget for the last. A rose, a note and a box of chocolates are enough for the early days; the 14th is for a keepsake. Here is a gift for each day.

Plan the week before it starts

Decide your total budget first, then spend roughly a third across the first seven days and two thirds on the 14th. Make a list, order anything that needs delivery by the end of January, and keep small items hidden somewhere easy to reach. The charm of the week is the daily surprise, which falls apart if you are rushing to a shop every evening.

7 February: Rose Day

A single rose is classic, but you can do better than the cellophane bunch from the traffic signal.

One long-stem rose with a handwritten tag
A small rose plant in a pot for a balcony, which keeps flowering
A rose-scented candle or rose water and facial mist set
Dried or preserved roses in a glass jar

8 February: Propose Day

Not necessarily a proposal. Use it to say something you have been meaning to say.

A handwritten letter about why you chose them, or still choose them
A small framed print of the place you first met
A "proposal" for a trip or a day out, written as a formal invitation

9 February: Chocolate Day

A box from a local chocolatier or an Indian craft-chocolate brand
A hot chocolate kit for two
A homemade dessert, if you cook

10 February: Teddy Day

Teddy Day divides couples. If a soft toy is not their thing, swap it for something cuddly in a grown-up way.

A small, well-made plush toy (only if they genuinely like them)
A soft blanket or throw for the sofa
A pair of matching cosy socks or a hooded sweatshirt

11 February: Promise Day

The cheapest day of the week, and often the most remembered.

A small jar of handwritten promises, one to open each month
A promise card for something specific you will do this year: cook on Sundays, plan a trip, learn their language
A couple's journal with prompts to fill in together

12 February: Hug Day

A big hug, obviously
A heated or weighted throw for winter evenings
A body-pillow or a soft cushion with a short message embroidered on it

13 February: Kiss Day

Keep it light and personal.

A good tinted lip balm or a lipstick in a shade they already wear
A Polaroid or instant print of the two of you
A playful card that suits your relationship

14 February: Valentine's Day

This is where the keepsake goes. Choose something they will still own in ten years.

A pendant, bracelet or ring with an initial or date engraved
A leather wallet or card holder, monogrammed
A custom illustration or star map of a date that matters to you
A photo book of your year together, printed and bound
A watch, if you know their style well

For more, browse our Valentine's Day gifts, gifts for girlfriend and gifts for boyfriend collections.

If you are married

Valentine's Week is often pitched at young couples, but it works beautifully for married people too, especially with small children at home. Swap the evening dinners for small rituals: tea together before the house wakes up, a note in the lunch box, an early night with the phones in another room. The keepsake on the 14th can be something for your home together, like a framed photograph or a print for the wall. Our gifts for couples collection has ideas.

Presentation across the week

Make the week feel like a set. Use the same wrapping paper, ribbon colour or card style for every day, and number the tags one to eight. Hide each gift somewhere different: under a pillow, in a bag, beside the kettle. For the 14th, use a proper box with tissue paper and a longer letter. Our gift packaging guide has easy ways to make even small gifts look considered.