For some, Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday from hell. Fair enough. But for others, it’s a sweet excuse to buy their significant other a supercute present. Here, then, are some of our favourite “I heart you” gift ideas this year:

For her

Charitable Charms
If you want a gift that gives back, all profits from Vancouver’s Love Love Project by Sancha Jewelry Design’s latest collection—available at local boutiques, including Body Politic (208 East 12th Avenue) and Tenth & Proper (4483 West 10th Avenue)—are going to Oxfam Canada in aid of drought-hit East Africa. Pieces come in tarnished or rose-gold copper and boast raindrop-shaped pendants with “LOVE LOVE” inscribed on them. Choose an interwoven trio of bangles ($114), a single 18-inch necklace ($94), or a deluxe with multiple love tags ($130).

Illuminating Lingerie
Now here’s a bright idea: lingerie that glows in the dark by La Vie en Rose (various locations). It’s not tacky neon raver ginch, either. Each piece from this “Illusion” series, including garter ($29.95), bra ($44.95), and thong ($19.95), has a black-mesh base with a really pretty phosphorescent pale-pink and cream-floral pattern embroidered on it. Charge these sweet nothings under a light for 20 minutes or so, et voilà, twinkle tits!

For him

Rock Around the Clock
If your guy likes dirty rock ’n’ roll, chances are he’d appreciate a Vestal timepiece. And the red Plastic Destroyer style ($130), which you can get at WATCH IT! (various locations), really screams Valentine’s Day. Plus, it’s such a show-stopper in this colour, other chicks are bound to ask where he got it, and when he says, “My old lady gave it to me for Valentine’s Day,” they’ll simply move on to the next available skater dude. So don’t just think of this watch as a way of expressing your undying love; think of it as a way to mark your territory.

Natural Selection
You want your man to smell good, but do your really want to douse him in chemicals? With that in mind, all-natural, Vancouver-made Ayala Moriel Parfums have several rugged artisan scents at Ayala Moriel or in store at House of Jewels (953 Nicola Street), Dream Apparel (311 West Cordova Street), and Adhesif Clothing (2202 Main Street). With a fresh, oceanic, woodsy aroma, Orcas ($120 for a 15-millilitre bottle) is probably the most quintessentially West Coast of the lot.

Sancha Jewelry Design’s Love Love Project pieces double the affection.

For him and her

Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down
Buying something for him and you just makes good financial sense. That’s why the unisex Knot Theory neckties are a great option. They look just as cute on guys as they do on gals. Each designed-in-Vancouver tie ($99 to $169)—at Fine Finds (1014 Mainland Street), Masc (433 Davie Street), or at Knot Theory —comes with your choice of a black or white detachable knot. Or pimp it up with an eye-popping, custom-embroidered knot ($25 to 30). Think fuchsia pink for Valentine’s Day.