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Valentine's Day gift ideas for your lovers and friends (and you)

Valentine's Day gift ideas for your lovers and friends (and you)

Estimated:  reading

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so for those dangerous last-minute planners out there, we got you.

We've rounded up a bunch of fun things you and your partner (or you and your friends) can do during the holiday of hearts. From getaway destinations, sweet treats, to music merch recommendations, you can't go wrong with what we've got on this list.

Check out Bandwagon's Valentine's Day gift guide below.


Getaway Destinations

If you're fully vaxxed and want to go all-out this Valentine's season, you might want to consider booking a quick getaway.

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Dalum, La Union

Consider Dalum in La Union for your quiet Valentine's destination. It's a gorgeous two-storey modern bahay kubo tucked away in the heart of nature with a stunning view of the West Philippine Sea. You and your partner (plus, your family and friends if you want) can take a dip in the pool, cook your meals in the kitchen or grill, enjoy your coffee and drinks. Dalum also offers various physical activities you can get into like biking, yoga, badminton, and more.

There are four rooms available for booking, but guests also have the option to book the entire kubo. Up to a maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated (19 guests if you request extra beds).

Bandwagon readers can score a special discount with the exclusive code BW@DALUM, valid until 28 February 2022 (Monday) to book their stay at Dalum, which can be dated any day from today until the end of 2022. Alternatively, readers can book here.

Check out the mechanics below.

1. Readers have until 28 February 2022 to book.
2. Promo code is valid for stay dated today until the end of the year.
3. Holidays and weekends are included. Standard cancellation and no-show policies apply.
4. Not applicable to the entire kubo booking.

Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library

Take a stroll through the halls of Ayala Museum and Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City and surround yourself with culture and art. They just recently re-opened to the fully vaccinated public, allowing up to 30 people inside the museum and eight people in the library for a limited period.

While the museum is closed on Mondays (err...Valentine's Day) and Tuesdays, you can always set your date before or after the hearts holiday. Just don't forget to bring your vaxx cards!


Sweet Treats for Sweethearts

If your sweetheart has an even sweeter tooth, make sure to have the best spread you could on the table. Instead of the usual charcuterie, why not prepare your own cookie and ice cream board?

Carmencici's

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Carmencici’s (@carmencicisph)

We'll be honest—Carmencici's is our go-to cookie place in Metro Manila. They've got the best chocolate chip cookies topped with sea salt and these scrumptious Ted Lasso shortbread biscuits.

You better be quick if you want to place an order though! They're all sold out for Valentine's Day, but there are still other days in February when you can enjoy a tub (or two) of cookies.

Pre-order your Carmencici's here.

The Kind Cookie

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by The Kind Cookie (@thekindcookie.ph)

Another cookie go-to is The Kind Cookie, where your cravings serve a greater purpose. That's because a portion of their earnings go to a chosen charity. This month, they're offering their support to nonprofit organization AKO to help rebuild Dinagat, following the devastation brought on by Typhoon Odette.

The wonderful thing about The Kind Cookie is that there are so many different kinds of flavours to choose from. They have classics like chocolate chip, sugar cookies, and crinkles, and also offer fun and creative flavours like Cookie Monster (a personal favourite!), Red Velvet Cheesecake, Ube & Cheese, Biscoff, Birthday Bomb, White Matcha, and so many more. Looking beyond cookies? Give their Reese's & Coffee Fudge Brownies, Original Fudge, and White Butterscotch (!!!) a try.

For 13-14 February, you can get 14% off on your whole order. Place your orders here

Kurimu

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kurīmu クリーム (@kurimu.ph)

If you're looking for something sweet, you can't go wrong with ice cream made with love. Created by husband-and-wife team Bryan and Maxine Kong (perhaps you've heard of Bryan's band Taken By Cars), Kurimu has 12 incredible out-of-the-box flavours to choose from. 

If your sweetie pie is a wellness nut, Kurimu's collaborative flavour with Shiseido, Strawberry Glow, is certainly a must-try. It's the country's first collagen ice cream. It's fragrant, sweet, and balanced with a tart edge.

For those of you who get their buzz from coffee, Kurimu also teamed up with Yardstick for their Kohi Cream flavour. It's infused with Yardstick's Golden Ticket Blend with notes of milk chocolate, almonds, caramel, and pure bliss.

Vegans also won't feel left out. Together with Lagrima, Kurimu developed their own 100% plant-based, 100% gluten-free offering called Guacamiso. 

Place your orders here.


Live Music

Here are some live shows you might want to check out - from Munimuni's virtual show to Ultracombo's open-air gig at 19 East.


Intimate Dates (in quarantine) and Cute Gifts

In today's climate, it wouldn't be a surprise to choose the option to simply stay home over Valentine's season. It makes sense. It's practical. But of course, you'd still want to make you and your besties 〜feel special〜 (세상이 아무리 날 주저앉혀도!).

Here are some little things you can pick up for them:

Flowers By Namu

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Flowers by NAMU (@flowersbynamu)

With Flowers by NAMU, you'll be able to show someone how much they mean to you. They have pre-made arrangements of beautiful dried flowers and you can also request your own customized arrangements. Plus, each bouquet is safely packaged.

Check out Flowers by NAMU's collection here.

Curated Concepts

Treat yourself (or your lover or friends) to a special Valentine's Day box by Curated Concepts. This box has everything you'll need to celebrate as you spend a fun night in with your partner or friends (or your K-pop bias) — snacks, drinks, activities, music.

Curated Concepts' VDate package includes crunchy and chewy French macarons, Hot Cocoa Bombs by Meredith and/or Custom-designed vDate wine bottle by LabelWhore, a love letter, spin the wheel, a custom photocard with a DIY toploader set, a custom candle by Weeknd Crafter (is your bias sweet or dangerous?), dried blooms, and a curated VDay playlist.

Packages start at PHP 1,050. You can place your orders here and also get a special discount with this code: BWVDATE.

Bandwagon is also hosting a special giveaway where you stand a chance to receive one Fancy VDate package, check out our Instagram to find out how to join!

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Bandwagon Philippines (@bandwagon.ph)

Genshin Impact-inspired Trinkets

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by ╰(✿ ்꒳்) ╯ (@nami.trinkets)

Are you and your Valentine's date all about that Genshin Impact life? If so, then you'll want to score some of these fun little trinkets by Nami.

Chibi Cravings

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Scher Padilla 🐱 (@chibicravings)

Let Scher Padilla make your Valentine's Day a little special with some literally little things you'd love to love in your collection. Have you been on the lookout for a PlayStation 5? Well, she's got one—a 1:12 scale box of it. Don't know how to cook? Then play bahay-bahayan with tiny versions of your favourite Filipino snacks. Your partner should surely appreciate the gesture.


Music Merch

Of course, we shouldn't forget the kinds of music merch you can get for yourself (or for your date).

Zild's Huminga on CD

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Balcony Entertainment (@balconyentph)

Zild's sophomore album Huminga is now available on CD – the first physical album release from Balcony Enterainment. It comes with a 26-page booklet with photography by Shaira Luna, illustrations by Sean Eloid Dominguez, and layout design by Daniel Aguilar, and is extremely limited.

Vinyl Records

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by the grey market records (@thegreymarketrecords)

A couple that fills their crates together, stays together. For the vinyl junkies out there looking to score rare finds like that out-of-print Sheila and The Insects record, you'll definitely find that and more over at The Grey Market Records.

Reese Lansangan's Hymn of the Heart

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by cloe 🪁 (@h2osign)

Reese Lansangan teamed up with graphic designer Cloe Sison for this special deck called Hymn of the Heart Prompt Cards. Playing with these cards will give couples and besties a chance to get to know each other better as they challenge how you perceive your identity, history, and the people around you.

Get your very own Hymn of the Heart Prompt Cards here.

ena mori Merch

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by ena mori (@enamorimusic)

ena mori has the cutest merch, and you can't go wrong with buying items from her collab with Miel Maker of Things. Grab a strawberry pillow and share it with your sweetie. Maybe you could even score a handmade strawberry pin, so you can wear your heart on your sleeve. 

Check out the collection here.


Drinks

For those of you who want to kick back and enjoy a cup of joe or a fruity cocktail, here are some picks you should check out:

A Slow Life Coffee

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by A Slow Life Coffee (@aslowlifecoffee.ph)

Grab a bag of beans from A Slow Life Coffee. The premium quality beans, created by music photographer Iya Forbes, are responsibly sourced, around the Philippines and all over the world, and freshly roasted with lots of care for you to enjoy at home. Plus, each bag comes with A Slow Life Coffee postcard illustrated by giostrina.

Order your beans here and get a special discount with the code BWLOVESCOFFEE.

SOME • YOUNG

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by SOME • YOUNG (@someyoung.ph)

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be loud. You can simply sit down and binge-watch your favourite zombie series with your favourite person and a bottle of SOME • YOUNG's cocktails.

Order here.