Following my guide to lockdown Valentine’s Day menus, I also wanted to share a Valentine’s and Galentine’s gift guide featuring some fabulous love-themed gifts from independent businesses in Milton Keynes. I appreciate that not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day, but for some of us, it’s a lovely excuse to celebrate people who mean the most to you – including our girlfriends, many of whom we may have not seen for a year.
In this blog post, you’ll find some very sweet gift ideas for your other half or gal pals. Most of these gifts are available for national shipping, so it doesn’t matter where they’re based, you can still spread the love this Valentine’s!
Blossom Earrings
I LOVE Blossom Earrings. This little biz is run by Chloe from Newport Pagnell. Chloe is a recent graduate and channels all her creativity into this side hustle, making funky geometric earrings. Her seasonal drops are fab, and the Valentine’s collection is no different! These would be a great treat for yourself too (I’ve already got my eye on a pair!) I love that everything is zero waste – the offcuts are made into exclusive pieces that you can buy as a one-off.
Shop the Valentine’s Collection from Blossom Earring’s online shop, available from 6pm on 3rd February.
Branch Out MK
Branch Out MK is a Community Interest Company that helps adults with learning differences and autism through horticultural therapy. Their flowers are seasonal and as low waste as possible – the bouquets even come with compostable packets of flower food! You can support this amazing company and give the gift of flowers. Wreaths, bouquets, speciality teas and dried arrangements are available during winter. They also have a shop in York House (closed currently) which sells a lovely range of botanical products. Valentine’s Bouquets are now available to order. A lovely company to support this Valentine’s Day. Find out more about Branch Out MK on their website.
Cakes This Way
These fun Cakesicles from Cakes This Way are a great treat! Available in two colours – pink or chocolate – this beautiful set tastes as good as it looks. I would recommend the Oreo flavour – so good! The Valentine’s treat box is £20. Order via Instagram.
Jeeves & Co.
How sweet are these personalised Date Night cards from local stationery company, Jeeves & Co.!? I mean let’s face it, the staying in ones are going to get worn out at the moment, but when we can finally go out again, these are such a sweet idea for making sure you prioritise time with your partner. There are 52 cards, which include some ‘wild cards’ for you to add your own ideas, so there’s enough for one date a week for the whole year. I love that you can add your names to this too, it makes it all the more personal! Buy the Date Night cards from Jeeves & Co.’s website.
Little Things by Lucy
Little Things By Lucy creates beautiful personalised gifts. There are two products I LOVE for Valentine’s or Galentine’s. Firstly, the ‘Date Night Box,’ a personalised box that you can add your initials to to fill with goodies yourself for a DIY movie night, brunch or hamper. And secondly, the ‘Break Up Box,’ which I know seems a bit bleak to include in a Valentine’s guide, but if you’ve got a friend who’s been through a recent break up (I have been there – I broke up with my ex-boyfriend one Valentine’s Day, yeesh) then this box is the pick me up they need! You can personalise the with photographs and it also includes a ‘Totally F*cking awesome” bag and a hilarious card with the words all girls need to hear!
Shop all products on Little Things By Lucy’s website.
Oh My Cakery Postables
When Kirsty posted these brownies on her Instagram, I nearly choked with laughter. I absolutely LOVE Oh My Cakery and these postable brownies are great for every occasion and have really come into their own through lockdown. An edible message, on a chocolate brownie, topped with all the sweet stuff? Count me in. The best bit is that you can be as saucy as you like with the message – the only person that is going to see it is your lucky recipient (as well and Kirsty and her mum, who have to make it for you!) Oh, and there’s something coming for the single ladies too – Need I say more!?
Shop postables via Oh My Cakery’s online shop. National delivery available!
Outhouse by Hand ‘Swiped right’ sign
For the couples who met on a dating app, this one is for you! Dan and I met on Bumble and we love our Outhouse sign that hands proudly in our kitchen. You can get personalised signs to mark a special date, or choose from one of Outhouse’s brilliant selection. Shop signs via Outhouse’s website.
The Slow Down Collective
Lockdown has been tough for many of us and sometimes, you just need a little pick me up and a reminder to take it slow and focus on yourself. Slow Down Collective launched at the end of 2020 and I absolutely adore these curated moments of calm for busy, anxious minds. The boxes feature affirmation and resource cards and lovely brands like Spacemasks and Skin & Tonic, a Slow Down Collective box would be the perfect gift for someone who needs to take it easy.
Shop boxes via The Slow Down Collective’s website.
Serene Candles
This sweet gift set from new local biz, Serene Candles, would make a great treat for yourself or girl friend. You get a limited edition Peony & Blush Suede candle (which smells divine by the way!) and a packet of ‘My Sweet Valentine’ sweets from Sweetie Hut Co. I am loving all the pink vibes! Shop the gift set from Serene Candles Store on Etsy.
I hope you found this curated gift guide helpful! As I said, I know everyone doesn’t celebrate, but this year, it just feels good to have something in our empty diaries and an excuse to celebrate being here. I LOVE how many of you guys love supporting local businesses, so if you shop with any of these guys, let me know and share your finds in my Community Facebook Group, Eat & Explore MK and share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #EatandExporeMiltonKeynes.
Happy Valentine’s/Galentine’s! ❤️
Will you be treating yourself or someone else this Valentine’s or Galentine’s?
Other posts you might like:
- My guide to lockdown Valentine’s Day in Milton Keynes
- Best romantic date night destinations for foodies in Milton Keynes
- The Ultimate Independent Milton Keynes Christmas Gift Guide
