- LDR Valentine's gift
- A romantic gift designed for long distance couples that emphasizes anticipation, surprise, and emotional connection across miles—often combining physical items shipped to their door with shared virtual experiences that bridge the distance.
Valentine's Day in a long distance relationship can feel like the universe is mocking you. Everyone's posting couple photos while you're refreshing flight prices and counting days until your next visit.
Here's the thing: LDR Valentine's Days can actually be special in ways local couples can't replicate. The anticipation of a package arriving, the surprise of a doorstep delivery, the creativity required when you can't default to "dinner reservation."
These 18 gifts lean into what makes LDR Valentine's Day unique.
Romantic Valentine's Gifts
1. Preserved Rose Box — Best for Classic Romance
Real roses treated to last an entire year—until next Valentine's Day. Available in various colors (classic red, soft pink, dramatic black) and box styles (single rose, heart-shaped box, full dozen). The preservation process keeps them looking fresh without water or maintenance. A single forever rose says as much as a dozen regular ones.
$50-100
2. Custom Star Map
The night sky exactly as it appeared on a date that matters—your first date, first kiss, or when you became official. Printed on quality paper with customizable text and colors. Frame it for proper presentation. Scientifically accurate and genuinely beautiful.
$40-60
3. Love Letter Stationery Set
Beautiful stationery with prompts for writing meaningful love letters. Some sets include 12 monthly prompts, others provide open-ended formats. The physical act of handwriting slows you down and forces deeper expression. Mail one for Valentine's Day, keep the rest for throughout the year.
$20-40
4. Lovebox
A small wooden box with a heart on top. When you send a message through the app, the heart spins—alerting your partner that a love note is waiting. Open the lid to read it. It's old-fashioned charm meets modern connection. The spinning heart is surprisingly emotional.
$100-120
5. Time-Released Valentine's Postcard
A physical postcard with a code that unlocks digital content over days. Day 1: your video message. Day 3: a playlist of love songs. Day 5: photos from your relationship. Day 7: the final surprise. One gift becomes a week of Valentine's moments.
$35-60
Practical-Romantic Gifts
6. Touch Lamps
Touch your lamp, theirs lights up anywhere in the world. Multiple colors let you create your own language—red for "I love you," pink for "thinking of you," purple for "goodnight." Valentine's Day is a perfect occasion to invest in something you'll use daily. No subscription fees, just WiFi.
$85-170
Complete touch lamp comparison →
7. Quality Webcam Upgrade
Better video calls, better connection. If your partner is still using a laptop's built-in camera, a quality external webcam transforms the video call experience. Better lighting, better focus, better everything. A practical gift that improves every future call.
$80-150
8. Flight Credits
Toward your next visit, because nothing beats being together. Put money toward closing the distance, even temporarily. Some couples find this more meaningful than any physical gift—it directly reduces the time until you're together again.
Variable
9. Touch Bracelets
The wearable version of touch lamps. Tap your bracelet, theirs vibrates. Feel their "touch" on your wrist throughout the day. More intimate than lamps because you actually feel something. Subtle enough to wear anywhere.
$70-150
Experience Gifts
10. Virtual Wine or Chocolate Tasting Kit
Identical tasting kits delivered to both of you. Small bottles of wine (or chocolate samples) with tasting notes. Video call together, taste together, discuss what you're experiencing. Creates a shared sensory experience across the distance.
$50-100
11. Couples Cooking Class
Book the same online cooking class at the same time. Cook the same recipe in your separate kitchens, video calling throughout. Eat the results together. Some services specifically design experiences for long distance couples.
$50-80
12. Virtual Spa Kit for Two
Matching face masks, candles, bath products. Schedule a "virtual spa date" where you both pamper yourselves while on video call. Light the same candles, apply the same masks, decompress together even when apart.
$40-80
Valentine's Day Delivery Ideas
Can't be there? Send something that shows up for you:
13. Flower Delivery
Classic for a reason. Time it for February 14th morning so they wake up to flowers (or have them delivered at work for public romance). Book early—florists sell out. Choose a local florist in their city for better quality than national chains.
$50-100+
14. Surprise Breakfast Delivery
Use DoorDash, Uber Eats, or a local breakfast spot to deliver breakfast in bed on Valentine's morning. Order their favorites. Include a note with the order if the app allows. The surprise of unexpected food at their door is romantic in its own way.
$20-40
15. Care Package with Instructions
Ship a care package early with "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FEB 14" labels. Fill it with their favorites: snacks, a new book, a cozy item, love letters, photos. The anticipation of the unopened package builds excitement.
$30-75
Virtual Valentine's Date Ideas
The gift isn't the only part. Plan something to do together:
- Synchronized dinner. Order from the same restaurant chain (or similar cuisine from local spots in each city). Set up video call with candles, dress up, eat "together." Some couples even send each other the same flowers to have on the table.
- Movie night with meaning. Pick a movie that's significant to your relationship—something you watched on your first date, or something about long distance love. Use a watch-together service to synchronize playback.
- Open gifts live. Ship gifts early, but wait to open them together on video. The anticipation of watching them unwrap is half the fun. Their genuine reaction is the gift you get in return.
- Virtual game night. Play couples trivia (questions about each other), online board games, or video games together. Something interactive keeps the energy up.
- Memory lane session. Go through photos and videos from your relationship. Reminisce about each moment. It's cheesy and also deeply connecting.
Budget Valentine's Options
Valentine's doesn't have to break the bank:
16. Handwritten Love Letter
Actually handwritten, actually mailed. Take time to write something real—specific memories, what you love about them, what you're looking forward to. Quality stationery helps, but the words matter more. Free to write, under $5 to mail internationally.
Free-$5
17. Custom Playlist
Songs that tell your story, in chronological order. From songs that remind you of when you met, through songs that define your relationship now. Include notes about why each song matters. The playlist is free; the curation takes thought.
Free
18. Digital Coupon Book
"Good for one video call whenever you want." "Good for one surprise delivery." "Good for one 'you pick the movie' night." "Good for one 'I stay up late your time' call." Create redeemable promises for future connection moments.
Free
Valentine's Day Shipping Tips
Don't let logistics ruin the romance:
- Order by February 1st for standard shipping within the same country. Earlier for international.
- Valentine's Day is high-volume. Carriers are overwhelmed—expect potential delays. Track obsessively.
- Have a backup plan. A digital gift (playlist, video message, e-gift card) ready in case the physical gift is delayed.
- Flowers should be ordered a week early at minimum. Florists sell out, especially local shops with quality arrangements.
- Consider delivery timing. Morning delivery for flowers or breakfast creates a better start to the day than evening delivery.
- Local delivery services in their city often work better than shipping from yours. Less time in transit, more reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I order Valentine's Day gifts for long distance?
- Order by February 1st for standard shipping. Valentine's Day is high-volume for deliveries, so expect potential delays. For flowers specifically, order at least a week early as they sell out. Always have a digital backup gift ready (playlist, video message) in case physical gifts are delayed.
- What's a romantic long distance Valentine's gift?
- Preserved rose boxes ($50-100) that last a full year, custom star maps showing the sky from a meaningful date ($40-60), and Loveboxes ($100-120) that let you send love notes with a spinning heart are among the most romantic options. For something more experiential, time-released postcards that unfold over days create extended romance.
- How do you make Valentine's Day special in a long distance relationship?
- Combine a thoughtful physical gift with a planned virtual experience. Order matching food to eat together on video call, open gifts simultaneously, or plan a virtual game night. The combination of anticipation (waiting for a package), surprise (what's inside), and shared experience (video call date) makes LDR Valentine's Day special.
- What are good budget Valentine's gifts for long distance?
- Handwritten love letters ($0-5), custom playlists telling your relationship story (free), video compilations of photos and clips ($0), and digital coupon books for future experiences are all meaningful options under $20. The key is personalization and effort rather than price.
- Can I have something delivered on Valentine's Day for LDR?
- Yes—flowers, breakfast/lunch via delivery apps, and singing telegrams are all delivery options. For flowers, book early as they sell out. Delivery apps let you send meals any time of day. Care packages should ship early with "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FEB 14" labels for the big reveal.
More occasion ideas: Anniversary gifts · Christmas gifts · Birthday gifts. See all options in our complete gift guide.