Valentine's gift guide 2020

Christmas is over but Valentine's is creeping up on us and what better way to celebrate the occasion than by swapping small but thoughtful gifts over a candle-lit dinner. And then you wake up. I'm a mum and I work full time and while the idea sounds fabulous, it is more geared towards my pre-kids days. So while having a candle-lit dinner OUTSIDE the house seems too much for me to organise, a nice dinner for the three of us will do. But I will still drop a gift under his cushion, and hopefully, he will too.

If you are big on organising this day for you and your loved one, and you want to drop a hint - just drop him this post's URL instead! This Gift Guide contains Affiliate Links.

The Gift of a Candle

Always welcome in my household, candles are an easy go to gift and look as good as they smell.

I was recently sent a Jaipur Jewel by Matthew Williamson to try and, ladies, this is the one for those who love warm scents that envelop you in a cocoon. Burns beautifully and contains birch, cinnamon, cypress, aldehyde, incense, leather, suede, juniper, styrax, cedarwood, vanilla and sandalwood.

New launch for Sweetpea & Willow, are the Cereria Molla candles (£21.25-£51); Bulgarian Rose and Bergamotto di Calabria are made of vegetable wax and come with a cotton wick.

For a beautifully packed gift, JO MALONE and The White Company will go all the way (carrier bags and beautiful bows). If you are looking for a future classic, L' Objet's 28 Mamounia candle (available on Amara.com) will not disappoint. New to Amara is also Alexia Peck (try London) which I had the chance to try in Top Drawer London a couple years back.

Flowers subscriptions (from £21 per delivery)

If you are going to get them flowers, why not up your game and go for a flower subscription. So not only will they receive flowers on Valentine's week, but every week (if you are feeling particularly generous). Here are my favourite flower subscription brands.

• Freddies Flowers - www.freddiesflowers.com

• Bloom and Wild - www.bloomandwild.com - For a one-off try the Classic Romance (£39), includes 25 stems including la belle roses, pink snapdragons, alstroemerias and delicate waxflower and Prestat chocolates.

• Flowerbx - www.flowerbx.com

• Appleyard Flowers - www.appleyardflowers.com - £90 for 3 luxury bouquets delivered over 3 months.

A brand that does not do subscriptions but has an iconic product that you will love, is of course Jane Packer and her original rose hatboxes (from £60).

The gift of jewellery

While candles will burn and flowers will fade, a piece of jewellery will stay with you forever.

Tiffany boxes are a girl's best friend and their latest innovation (Diamonds by the Yard) make their sterling silver collection more affordable than ever. Elsa Peretti® Diamonds by the Yard® pendant in sterling silver are £300.

Here are some suggestions - some will no doubt be more expensive depending on whether you go for sterling silver, gold or gold plated/ gold vermeil. My favourites:

• The Smile pendant , Tiffanys

• The Infinity Bracelet in Gold, Tiffanys

• Bracelets from Kiki McDonough - www.kiki.co.uk

• Cocktail rings from Anoushka - www.annoushka.com

• Riva Circle Diamond Ring, Gold vermeil, Monica Vinader - www.monicavinader.com

• Celestial Compass Locket Necklace - Astley Clarke - www.astleyclarke.com

• Rings - Carrie Elizabeth - carrieelizabeth.co.uk

• Pendants - Missoma London - www.missoma.com

Gold and amethyst ring

Clockwise: yellow gold and citrine ring; rose gold and amethyst ring; mother of pear, cymophane and yellow gold pendant; yellow gold butterfly pendant Very Gavello. Below: Tiffany's Smile Pendant in 18k yellow gold.

So you know what to do. Just start dropping hints. Happy Valentine's Day!