Finding the best gifts for couples can be daunting task but these editor-approved options are sure to please both halves of a happy duo.
Unlike shopping for gifts for friends, picking a present that will please both partners in a couple is something of a minefield. How do you avoid choosing something that one partner loves but the other isn't keen on? And what if, as is often the case, you know one partner much better than the other? Tricksy, indeed.
To help you get it right, I’ve curated this selection of the best gifts for couples based on my own first-hand gift experiences as well as wholehearted recommendations from friends and family members. Having been married for 26 years, I've learned a thing or two about great and not-so-great gifts for couples. So, whether you’re shopping for a gift for newly coupled-up friends or searching for a pressie for a pair of lovebirds who have been together for years, you’ll find something on this list that will fit the bill.
From keepsake items to cherish and down-to-earth practical presents, to foodie gifts and fun experiences, all of the gifts for couples in this guide celebrate coupledom in some way whilst also appealing to diverse tastes and lifestyles. All you have to do is narrow down the options.
24 of the best gifts for couples 2024
In a hurry? Jump straight to these retailers who stock, in my view, some of the best gifts for couples all year round:
- Anthropologie: Quirky, original gifts for couples who have everything
- Marks & Spencer: Everything from pretty homewares to practical presents
- Nordstrom: The coolest gifts they never knew they needed
For homebodies
Known for some of the best sheets and top-quality linen bedding, Piglet in Bed offers comfort and style that matches any bedroom trend. Made from 100% natural stonewashed French flax, the fabric softens over time, with a crumpled texture that looks great right out of the dryer – no ironing needed.
Warm up chilly mornings with this compact Electric Towel Warmer. Perfect for couples, it heats towels, robes, and blankets in 15, 30, 45, or 60-minute cycles. Safety features include an easy-open lid, secure grip handle, and stabilising feet. Fits one large 40" x 70" towel.
Top quality towels make a great gift, as they make all the difference in your bathroom but aren't necessarily something you'd invest in for your home. I fell for the classic style of these modern stripe towels in M&S last weekend and when I picked one up and discovered how delightfully soft they are, I had to have them.
For practically-minded couples
This personalised hand-crafted oak clock is a thoughtful but practical gift for couples, so it's the ideal pressis to mark an engagement, weddings, or a first Christmas together. You can include the names, message and dates you wish for the personal touch so it’s a timeless - pun intended - addition to any couple's home.
This pack of prompt cards from Intelligent Choice is designed to spark meaningful conversation and deepen intimacy for couples at any stage of life. Couples can pick cards to match a level of intimacy they're comfortable with, and the questions cover love, life, and values, encouraging couples to put down their devices and re-connect.
A vase is my go-to gift for couples. Fill it with their favourite florals - bonus points if you know their wedding flowers - but it's also a sweet way of encouraging them to keep buying each other blooms. This hand-blown vase gives a nod to the beauty of imperfection and every piece - like every couple - is one-of-a-kind.
For romantics
In my view, a couple can never have too many champagne coupes with which to toast their happiness and these ones - made from sparkling crystalline glass and hand-painted with red lovehearts - will make a lovely addition to your favourite couple's glasses cabinet.
Treat the happy couple to a personalised version of their very own love story from award-winning book company, Wonderbly. The pages are filled with elegant illustrations and heartfelt messages which you tweak and tailor until the story matches their own happy-ever-after.
If music be the food of love, this is the perfect gift for couples. Crafted from sustainable materials like bamboo and recycled plastics, this stylish turntable with speakers has easy Bluetooth® connectivity for a warm, rich sound. Simple to set up, it's eco-friendly and elegant - ideal for couples who sharea love of music.
For mixologists
We all have those couple friends who've had to curtail their love of tequila - usually because they've become parents. Pimentae’s ready-to-drink chilli margarita is the perfect gift to rekindle memories of their cocktail-drinking days. The chilli kick is real - be warned - but utterly delicious.
Engrave the stopper on this beautiful carafe with a date, name or message that will mean something special to the happy couple. A thoughtful yet practical gift, this is sure to win earn you some serious brownie points in the gift-giving stakes.
Ideal for those who love carbonated drinks, this retro gadget has made a major comeback in recent years. Create sparkling drinks at the touch of a button and set the level of fizz to suit personal preference. A reusable bottle is included so it's a good choice for those keen to reduce single-use plastics and live more sustainably.
For coffee fanatics
A classy alternative to 'his and hers' mugs, these glazed speckled beauties are perfect for morning coffee and have a robust but sophisticated feel. They look stunning on display and you could start a tradition by adding to their collection over the years.
This espresso martini set from Grind comes with a silver Grind coffee tin, mini cocktail shaker, pouch of coffee beans and four double measures of vodka, making it the perfect gift for coffee lovers and cocktail lovers alike. Also included is a sturdy illustrated tote bag which they can argue over.
The ultimate gift for couples who love a hot drink, this stylish machine makes everything from tea and coffee to indulgent hot chocolates - with no capsules required. LED touch controls and a sleek dark metal finish give it luxury café vibes while the non-stick, easy-clean jug means less fuss over your morning cuppa.
For memory makers
You can't go wrong with a gift that creates a fun, unique experience for a couple to try out. There are vouchers here for chocolate-making classes at lots of different locations around the country so they can pick one to suit them, and many are valid for 12 months after gifting.
The Time Together Box presents thousands of activities that’ll delight even the pickiest of giftees. Once they receive their voucher, the lucky couple can choose from 995 experiences, and the gift can be redeemed up to two years after it was received.
A pasta-making kit is a fun gift that's sure to help the happy couple make meaningful memories together. Aspiring pasta makers love these pasta making kits because they include the finest flour, beautiful beech wood tools and step-by-step guidance so you can't go wrong.
For the couple who has everything
Homeware makes a great gift for couples who have their own place, or are soon to be moving into one. This white velvet cushion cover adds a pop of colour and charm and features patchwork text in vibrant, feel-good hues while the top-stitching creates a quilted texture that’s both stylish and cosy.
They say the couple that games together stays together, so seal the deal with a massive vault of gaming options, rather than just one. Introduced by Microsoft, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a subscription gaming service offering over 100 top-rated games, with new ones regularly added.
Signing them up for Gousto is the perfect treat for couples who love trying new recipes together. With a choice of fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered to their door, they can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without the hassle of meal planning.
For foodies
With a Ninja Creami ice cream maker, couples can whip up everything from indulgent ice cream to healthy smoothie bowls together - and everything in between, including low sugar, dairy free or vegan options. It’s a pricy pressie but there's currently £50 off in this Black Friday deal.
If you're thinking of clubbing together to treat a lucky duo to something really special, this won't disappoint. Designed to mimic traditional wood-fired heat for perfectly even cooking, the Arc lets you create restaurant-quality 14” pizzas in just 60 seconds. We use ours most weekends and haven't ordered pizza since we got it.
For couples who love snuggling on the sofa, Cartwright & Butler’s Cosy Night In Treat Box is the perfect gift. Inside, they’ll find everything they need for a relaxing, indulgent evening - just add a cosy blanket and a good film. Plus, the Triple Chocolate Chunk Biscuits are some of the best biccies I've ever tasted.
How to buy the best gifts for couples
Kate Salmon, Head of Home and Gift Buying at Oliver Bonas, told woman&home: “Shopping for one person is challenging enough, but shopping for a couple is significantly trickier - especially if it's a new relationship, or a couple you don’t know very well. When selecting a gift to mark an engagement, anniversary, wedding, housewarming or even just a thank you present, homeware is always a brilliant option, sure to become a treasured keepsake and keep both partners happy."
"Boost their everyday routine with a unique cafetière or mug to make every brew feel special and encourage them to take some much deserved ‘them-time’. Or, for another fail-safe option, help your friends grow their indoor garden with a new plant pot- their plant babies deserve to thrive in style!”
Holly Harper, Head of Inspiration at Not on the High Street explained to womanandhome.com that the key to getting gifting for couples right for every occasion is to lean into practicality rather get something that might not be to their personal taste: "When gifting for couples, think of items that can come in handy, for example noticing items that aren’t always a need but a want."
"I love the idea that you can create your own tradition by gifting couples a variation of the same gift - something you can't go wrong with, so to speak. Gifts which reflect the personality of the couple or represent a shared memory always tend to be received well too."
What to get a couple who has everything
With more than 20 years of experience, wedding industry expert Kelly Mortimer shares the key to getting a good gift for a couple who "has everything" is to give them an experience over a material item. "What does the couple do in their spare time or on their date nights? This will give you plenty of clues as to what they enjoy together," Mortimer suggests. If you do want to buy them an item, Mortimer recommends sticking to something they might not know they need. "If they like traveling, for instance, you could get them personalised passport holders or luggage tags."
Francesca Pittaway, a curator at Not on the High Street, suggests finding a gift with a story behind it. "A great way to give a meaningful gift is to look for something that has a story to tell such as products made from unusual materials, gifts that have been made using interesting crafting techniques, or items that are environmentally conscious," says Pittaway. "If the product has meaningful beginnings or a meaningful journey it will feel even more special to the recipient."
What are the most popular gift experiences for couples?
Gifting a couple an experience rather than a product not only buys the pair some quality time together, but it also has a much greater chance of being used and enjoyed, rather than an item which might not be to their taste or that might double up on something they already own.
