You could give your Valentine a dozen red roses or a Whitman’s sampler. Again. But why not really wow them this year? After all, the two of you have been through a lot together. And surely that’s worth celebrating.
We’re sharing some of our favorite Valentine’s product picks, from local makers and retailers, below.
And you can hear us share more about each of the items, on our special livestream broadcast, February 1 at noon. Tune in here, at milwaukeemag.com, or on our Facebook page.
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Skiinsider Membership Program
SKIIN | $119 PER MONTH
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Why this gift is extra sweet: If you mention this gift guide or the associated livestream when you make a reservation with Skiin, you can receive Botox at $9 per unit versus $14, or receive a Complimentary Collagen mask with an Oxygen infusion facial.
Whoopie Pies
BLOOMING LOTUS BAKERY | $3.75 EACH
Blooming Lotus Bakery’s raison d’etre is to craft gluten-free baked goods that are tender, rich, flavorful and satisfying. That used to be a rarity. But Blooming Lotus has cracked the code on texture, often the bane of gluten-free sweets (chewy cookies; cakes that are light and tender, not heavy and tough). And this bakery has an audience – so much so that it recently opened a second location in Shorewood to complement its original East Side spot. Call ahead to see what flavors are available – the assortment is always changing.
Bulb Dedication
LIGHT THE HOAN | $25
Show your Valentine that they’re the light of your life, by dedicating a bulb on the Hoan Bridge to them. For $25, you can draft a message of your choosing to be displayed on the organization’s website in perpetuity. And forever after, when the two of you drive past the Bridge at night you can point toward the steady glow of the lights illuminating the bridge’s exterior, and remind your loved one again how much they mean to you.
Candy Boxes
BURKE CANDY | $10-$26
A 92-year-old, family-run legend, Burke makes its confections in a factory/shop on North Fratney Street in Riverwest. It’s especially known for divine butter toffee and buttery chocolate-dipped caramels, but the mint meltaways and Flying Ts (aka turtles) are also outstanding. Put together a box of these treasures for your sweetie.
Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two
SANFORD | $120
Nothing says romance like an elegant dinner for two. And Sanford, one of dining critic Ann Christenson’s favorite Milwaukee restaurants, is offering a special carryout menu for the holiday. The four-course menu – which features seared scallops, a curried pumpkin bisque, a mushroom dusted beef striploin and a chocolate dried cherry espresso cake – looks heavenly on its own. But you could also choose to add a la carte menu items (or cocktails!) to it.
Diamond Earrings
KLOIBER JEWELERS | $750
You know the saying: diamonds are forever. So if you want to prove to your partner that you’re ready for a lifetime commitment, consider springing for a pair of diamond earrings. Kloiber Jewelers offers pairs in a variety of sizes and styles, but we’re partial to these simple studs in a basket setting. They’re half a carat, which means they’re more than large enough to catch the light, but small enough to wear comfortably every day.
The Ultimate Spa Gift Set
NOURISH NATURAL PRODUCTS | $175
Treat your partner to some self care, with this luxe spa set from local company Nourish Natural Products. It includes everything he or she will need for a relaxing night in: a hydrating skin serum, rose water toner and facial mist, a spray lotion, lash and brow serum, dark circle eraser, a nail and cuticle solution, grapefruit lip balm, and an essential oil bracelet made by MKE jewelry designer Bird’s Tail.
A Night at the Pfister Hotel
THE PFISTER HOTEL | RATES VARY
Everyone deserves to spend at least a night in one of Milwaukee’s luxest and most historic hotels. So if you’ve never stayed at the Pfister before, consider booking a room this month for you and your special someone. The hotel has a robust safety plan in place, and rates are unusually low right now. So maybe you should plan to treat yourself to some room service too!
Heart Pillow
EDIE | $50
The Third Ward boutique Edie is chock full of great Valentine’s Day gifts. But this adorable pillow has really captured our hearts (sorry, not sorry). It’s cute enough to keep around even after the holiday is over and would work well in both Boho or Mid Century-inspired spaces.
The North Face Salty Dog Etip Gloves
MODA3 | $20
Holding hands when you’re strolling around in February is a lot nicer when you and your partner are both wearing gloves. So buy a rugged, knit pair for the man in your life. He’ll love the fact that they’re touchscreen compatible, and that they’re as stylish as they are warm.
