Decorate your own box of chocolates with a DIY kit from Sweet Spot Studios.
Courtesy of Sweet Spot Studio
Valentine’s Day is just a couple of weeks away, but there is still time to pick up a gift for your special someone.
Whether your Valentine is a traditionalist whose heart flutters from receiving a bouquet of red roses and a glittering diamond, an adventurer who prefers experiences over gifts or a sweetie with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of ways to celebrate your love in Charlotte.
We’ve rounded up a variety of gifts for your partner as well as unforgettable experiences for you both (helicopter tour, anyone?) that you can find around town and online.
Check out our ultimate Valentine’s Day gift guide to suit different personalities, interests, budgets and relationships.
What to know: If your Valentine loves a colorful floral arrangement but yawns at a red rose, Iris Blossom, with its gorgeous unconventional bouquets, is the florist for you.
Price: Starts at $85 for a designer’s choice bouquet.
What to know: Looking for something classic your partner will cherish for years to come? Diamonds Direct offers much more than diamonds — with jewelry at a variety of price points.
What to know: Local candlemaker Roma Singh sells non-toxic, soy candles and recently launched a Valentine’s Day collection that caters to all relationships with messages such as “my favorite Valentine calls me mama” in fresh, fruity scents such as strawberry, musk and plum or jasmine, peach and tonka.
Price: Starts at $22 for Valentine’s Day collection candles
What to know: Locally owned Worthy + Badass sells a plethora of products ranging from home accessories to jewelry and kitschy keychains so you can find something for all your sweethearts, whether you’re looking for a Galentine’s Day Box to celebrate with your best gal pals, heart napkin rings for a dinner with friends or a minimalist hand-stamped initial necklace for your love. Find Worthy + Badass at both Charlotte Collective locations and online.
Price: Starts at $21 for heart napkin rings.
How to buy: Order online or shop in-store at Charlotte Collective.
What to know: Surprise your love with a present from White Rabbit such as a silk PJ set or go on a shopping date to find a romantic gift you can enjoy together.
What to know: Give your Valentine the gift of sustainable shades from locally owned Johnny Fly or a leather bag made from modern technology with old-world charm that will last a lifetime.
Price: Vary; consider glasses for $109, or a rolltop backpack for $280.
What to know: Blackhawk Hardware, a family-owned, independent housewares and hardware store, has gifts for all the special someones in your life — from tools and grill items to candy, toys and cards.
What to know: For a Valentine that loves classic, high-quality goods, shop ColsenKeane for handmade leather items such as a minimalist leather satchel, wallet or watchband.
What to know: A boudoir photoshoot with photographer Lauren Sykes, owner of Enchanted Hills Photography, is a sensual gift that’s fun for you and for your partner.
Location: Midtown Park or Romare Bearden Park (contact directly for another location)
Neighborhood: Charlotte
What to know: A Valentine’s Day picnic from CLT Luxury Picnics is the perfect Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day surprise that includes everything you need for an elevated date night from the Bluetooth speaker to the food, drinks and even the hand sanitizer.
What to know: Intentionally designed to support local, minority and small business artisans, this curated cocktail experience not only provides you with the ingredients you need for a handcrafted drink but also tools to deepen your relationship through intimate conversations. You select your preferred cocktail and relationship level, and Live Love Party Store does the rest.
What to know: If you or your Valentine are thrill-seekers, a helicopter tour of Uptown Charlotte, Lake Wylie or Lake Norman is an aerial experience neither you nor your love will ever forget.
Price: Starts at $290 for a 20-minute Uptown Charlotte helicopter tour.
What to know: Lace up your skates and take your date for a spin on the Whitewater Center’s 24,000 sq. ft. ice rink followed by a hot or cold beverage from an on-ice Airstream.
Price: Starts at $25 for a single activity pass.
How to buy: In-person or purchase a single activity pass online.
What to know: Get the Palm Springs spa experience without leaving Charlotte with a massage followed by couples’ infrared sauna at Mood House, or give your partner the gift of relaxation with a three-month Mood House membership.
Price: Starts at $60 for a 30-minute private sauna session for two.
What to know: Celebrate local art and your love on a Lovers Art Trail featuring love-themed art in South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood. Start at the “Confetti Hearts Wall” by Evelyn Hanson in South End and follow the stops listed here. At each stop, you’ll learn a fun fact about love or Valentine’s Day, as well as discover new local artists.
Price: Free
How to buy: Plan your visit around a meal and just start walking.
What to know: Chef Alexus Duncan, aka Chef Milan, of Milan EmPower is offering a “Special Hearts Day” menu featuring berries and bouquets, cookie decorating kits, conversation cakes or “Love Baskets” full of sweet treats for the whole family. Chef Milan herself will also be hosting a virtual happy hour so you and your partner can learn to make cocktails together from the comfort of your own home.
What to know: BW Sweets is now accepting pre-orders for their love day goodies including heart-shaped cakes and cookies, dipped berries, truffles and more.
Price: Single cookies start at $2.75, while signature cakes top out at $70.
What to know: Sweet Spot Studio is offering a full lineup of Valentine’s Day goodies this year including mini cookie grams, “You’re My Everything Cookie” Set, DIY boxes of chocolates and more.
Price: Start at $8 for a “You’re My Everything Cookie” set
What to know: If you miss your pre-order dessert window, don’t fret. Milk Glass Pie is hosting a Valentine’s Day pop-up at Free Range Brewing on Valentine’s Day from 4-7 p.m. with mini pies and other goodies to take home to your sweetheart.
Price: $6-$15 for smaller items including pies by the slice, mini pies and a few other goodies.
How to buy: Option to pre-order full pies for pickup orpick up treats in-person at Free Range Brewing.
What to know: Surprise your sweet with a customizable cake from Suarez Bakery. You can choose from mouthwatering cakes such as chocolate raspberry, red velvet, strawberry chiffon or vanilla fudge as well as a variety of other housemade baked goods.
Price: Starts at $39 for a 6-inch made-to-order cake.
Molly Ruggere is a freelance writer, certified life coach and founder of Counterculture Club, an alcohol-free social community that offers events, membership and coaching. In her free time, Molly enjoys seeing live music, practicing yoga or boxing, and hanging out with her teacup poodle, Ziggy. Find her on Instagram or Twitter @mollyruggere.
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