Overview
Valentine's Day doesn't have to announce itself loudly. Sometimes, the most memorable gestures are the ones that unfold slowly — a shared scent lingering on skin, a ritual you return to, a moment that turns into a habit. This edit leans into that quieter kind of intimacy, bringing together gifts that are better when they're experienced together.
From objects designed to be split, shared or worn for someone else, to experiences that ask you to show up and participate, these are Valentine's Day picks from independent, thoughtful brands doing things differently. Think of them as ways to ignite a spark — or gently fan a flame that's already there.
After something made with love instead? Explore our edit of beautiful, design-led things worth gifting.
Hugs + Kisses Candle and Room Spray Pack, Two Good Co.
A gift that sets the mood — and does genuine good. This candle and room spray duo is hand-poured and packed by women in Two Good Co.'s Work Work program, which provides paid employment pathways for women with lived experience of homelessness and trauma. Developed with perfumer Ainslie Walker, the scents are designed to evoke comfort, calm and self-worth — making this a gift that carries meaning well beyond the room it fills.
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Apartamento Cookbook #10: APHRODISIACS, Pan After
Published by cult independent magazine Apartamento, this anniversary cookbook explores desire through food — not as spectacle, but as something deeply personal. Featuring recipes and reflections from artists, writers and cooks around the world, it's less about following instructions and more about cooking together, lingering over pages and letting curiosity lead the way.
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Bloody Cello, Departed Spirits
Made by Melbourne-based disruptors Departed Spirits, this blood orange and ancho chilli vodka is bold, smoky and unapologetically expressive. Infused using Australian ingredients and a distinctly irreverent approach, it's designed to be mixed, shared and argued over — a drink that invites conversation as much as it does another round.
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Like Love (Saffron Colour Vinyl), Ball Park Music
Pressed on limited-edition saffron vinyl, this intimate release from Brisbane's Ball Park Music is built for close listening. Warm, reflective and best enjoyed from the couch rather than the crowd, it's the kind of album that quietly soundtracks late nights and unspoken moments.
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Cerise Black Two-Piece Camisole Set, Cloud Blvd
Designed and made by an independent Australian lingerie label, this sheer lace set is sensual without being performative. It's meant to be worn for someone else — gifted with intention, not spectacle. The present isn't the fabric itself, but the moment it creates.
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Private Valentine's Day SKYWALK, Sydney Tower Eye
For couples who'd rather share an experience than unwrap a box, this private SKYWALK offers uninterrupted time together — 268 metres above the city. With limited sessions, panoramic views and sunset slots, it's a reminder that sometimes the most romantic thing is simply being alone, somewhere extraordinary.
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Cloudknit Jersey Blake Shorts, Sheet Society
From Melbourne-based bedding Sheet Society comes a thoughtful new loungewear apparel label — Resting. The brand's Cloudknit shorts are designed with versatility and inclusivity in mind. Soft, draped and genuinely comfortable on all bodies, they're the kind of shared wardrobe piece that quietly becomes a favourite (and rarely finds its way back to the original owner).
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You n Me Pendant, Millie Savage
A playful, contemporary take on the classic split-heart necklace, designed by independent Australian jeweller Millie Savage. Sold as a magnetic pair, it's jewellery made to be worn together — or kept close when you're apart. Sentimental, but never saccharine.
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Body Oil of Summer, BRUXA
Hand-poured in Australia and made with a plant-based, non-comedogenic formula, this jasmine-scented body oil is designed as a ritual rather than a routine. Silky, fast-absorbing and made for touch, it works as daily hydration — or something slower, depending on the mood.
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Geo Urn Vase, FAZEEK
Hand-blown in Melbourne using borosilicate glass, this sculptural urn is equal parts art object and vessel. Fill it with their favourite flowers — or yours — and let it live in shared space as a quiet reminder that beauty doesn't always need an occasion.
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100 Couples Challenge Cards, VUSH
Created by Australian sexual wellness brand VUSH, this deck is designed to spark connection — emotional, playful or physical — on your own terms. With different levels of spice and a strong emphasis on consent, it's about opening conversations as much as igniting chemistry.
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HIS | HER Fragrance, Who Is Elijah
A cult favourite from an independent Australian fragrance house, this genderless scent is designed to be shared — or stolen. Clean, musky and quietly addictive, it smells different on everyone, which is exactly why it works as a couple's fragrance.
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Astoria Necklace, Cameron Studio
Designed by Melbourne-based Cameron Studio and made in Italy from solid 925 sterling silver, this Figaro chain is understated, durable and designed to age well. Wear it daily, layer it, or subtly match — it's jewellery that favours longevity over trend cycles.
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Cooking Classes for Two, RedBalloon
Because doing something together is often better than owning something together. From pasta-making to cocktail workshops, these hands-on classes turn Valentine's Day into a shared memory — and a skill you'll actually use again.
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ONE35 V2 Camera, Flashback
Created by an independent Australian startup, this digital camera reintroduces the thoughtfulness of film photography — without the waste. Limited to 27 shots at a time, it encourages presence, anticipation and shared moments, with the option to wait 24 hours before viewing images. A modern keepsake-maker for trips, nights out and memories worth sitting with.
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