Tuesday is Valentine's Day and if you're looking for present ideas, the supermarkets can be a good place to start, especially if you're on a budget.
Let's face it, you really don't need to spend a fortune to show your loved one what they mean to you, and nor should you when there's a cost of living crisis. There are so many beautifully designed gifts you can get on a budget now, meaning you can save the splurge for when we're all feeling the pinch a little bit less.
This week, we headed out to supermarkets including Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's and M&S to see what their Valentine's Day collections had to offer. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of items available. Here's our top picks:
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Sainsbury's Valentine's Day gifts
I couldn't believe how many Valentine's Day items there were in my local Sainsbury's. An entire aisle was dedicated to the day of love, with chocolates, booze, and soft toys amongst the collection. The cheapest items I could find included a £1 chocolate lolly, £2.50 chocolate frogs, a £2 Valentine's cupcake kit and a £5 'Date Night' kit with paper garland, balloons, confetti, napkins, straws and menu cards to create the perfect scene.
If you've got a bit more to spend, there was a trendy £12 heart light, pretty £15 dried flower bouquet and £20 dried flower heart wreath. Pink £10 Yankee Candles, and £7.50 bottles of 'I heart Prosecco' continued the theme and there was a cute collection of Valentine's mugs and glass wear.
Sainsbury's also had products to support to the LGBTQ+ community and promote a more inclusive Valentine's Day, including a rainbow coloured 'Love is Love' Candle £6, and 'Love is Love' glass mug for £5. There were even items for pets, including a £3 Valentine's Rose Rope Dog Toy and a box of Love-Bix Dog Biscuits for £4.50. There was definitely something for all tastes and budgets, including lots of fancy champagne if you really want to spend more. Impressive effort from Sainsbury's this year.
Rating: 5/5
Price: From £1 upwards
Where to buy: Sainsbury's store and online
M&S Valentine's Day gifts
I visited an M&S Food Hall to check out the Valentine's Day range, so it's worth popping into a larger branch or shopping online if you want to look at the retailer's larger gift selection, but if it's a foodie treat you're after, M&S has some great bargains this year.
The cheapest items I spotted included the 65p Chocolate Love Bubble, £1.15 'You're the sweetest thing' muffins, £2 Gooey Love Bugs and £2 Strawberry Kiss Whips. If you've got a bit more to spend, the M&S Collection Chocolates With Love come in a luxurious looking red heart shaped box for £10 and then there's the cute £5 Ewe and Me chocolate truffle filled sheep and salted caramel hearts.
M&S has even given Colin and Connie a Valentine's makeover with heart shaped eyes. The 'Love Is In The Air' cakes are available for £6 each. Or if you really want to splash the cash, you can check out the drinks section, which includes a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose NV Champagne for £63.
Highlights I spotted online include a £10 heart Light Up Candle, Pink Pepper Eau De Toilette, £12 (on sale) and £10 Brown Heart Drop Earrings. Shop the full collection here.
Rating: 4/5
Price: From 65p upwards
Where to buy: M&S Food Halls, stores and online
Asda's Valentine's Day gift range
I'm not too fussed about Valentine's Day but any excuse to go for a date night and indulge in copious amounts of chocolate is fine by me.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter if you're celebrating this annual slushiness fest with a partner, or friends, or family, and a day like February 14 only has as much power as you give it. Even if you're spending it solo, it doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to all manner of obnoxiously romantic-themed products and gifts.
I ventured to my local Asda and was pleasantly surprised by the vast range of items available. There were plush cuddly toys for £6 each; a variety of mugs to appeal to Disney lovers, gamers, Harry Potter fans and more; lingerie priced from £6; chocolates; alcohol; decorations, and a whole host of other products.
Despite being with my boyfriend for 11 years, it was the pet supplies that really caught my attention. There were heart shaped dog bowls, chew toys designed to look like roses, knitted jumpers adorned with love hearts and even neckerchiefs. It was completely adorable.
Asda seems to be catering for all budgets, with paper confetti and faux flowers starting at £1, while an adorable 'movie night set', complete with popcorn boxes, drinking cups with red and white stripes, and mock cinema tickets costs just £5. Sentimental types will enjoy the retailer's 'our story' board; a display board to fill in with significant moments and memories. Priced at £3, it comes with prompts and stickers.
There was a decent selection of alcohol for those fancying a tipple, with Smirnoff's aptly named Raspberry Crush priced at £15 for a 70cl bottle. There was also a range of wine and Prosecco, while the traditional boxes of chocolate on offer were vast and varied.
Did I buy my boyfriend anything? No, but I did get our dog an adorable bone-shaped chew toy covered in love hearts. His fluffy tail didn't stop wagging after I gave it to him - it may be the best £2.50 I've ever spent.
I was really impressed with the variety of Valentine's products available at Asda and there seemed to be something for everyone - no matter who you choose to celebrate with.
Rating: 5/5
Price: From 80p
Where to buy: Asda stores and online
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