5 Trending Valentine’s Day Gifts That are Different From Chocolates
By Rachel Joy
When February hits, it feels impossible to avoid the huge displays of chocolates at countless stores. And it’s no wonder, a box of chocolates is often the standard gift choice for Valentine’s Day. Chocolate has an allure that feels romantic and provides a simple declaration of love. While a box of chocolates can look and taste luscious, there are other fun and thoughtful ways that you can treat your loved ones. Try making your own non-candy Valentine’s traditions this year!
Why Chocolate on Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is the candy industry’s third-biggest holiday for the billion-dollar sector. But there’s more to the chocolate-giving tradition than clever marketing.
Traditionally, the Mayans believed that chocolate was a gift from the gods. They were the first culture to connect chocolate and love with some Mayan weddings using chocolate for ceremonial purposes. Fast forward a few thousand years, and Hershey introduced its romantically-named Hershey’s kisses in 1907. Over the years, Valentine’s Day chocolates have continued to reign supreme across the country, with millions in sales every February.
5 Valentine’s Day Gifts Other Than Chocolates
This year, you can leave the box of chocolates in the store and opt for a unique gift that keeps giving. From a sleeping aid to pain relief, you can find a present that your nearest and dearest will love and feel more personal than the tired box of chocolate.
Recoup Fitness Cryosphere Cold Massage Roller
The Recoup Cryosphere Cold Massage Roller is a pain relief and mobility tool to target pain and injury. It works by providing myofascial release, so it’s great for recovery. You simply put the massage roller in the freezer for two hours with the ice cup provided. The free-rolling removable ball will stay cold for up to six hours. That means that you can take it with you on a run or to the gym, and it will remain cold after your workout. The ball itself is slightly bigger than a baseball to target larger muscle groups.
A myofascial release is a hands-on approach to managing pain and discomfort. It targets the myofascial tissues, which are tough membranes that wrap and connect your muscles. Myofascial release offers several benefits like:
- Improving range of motion
- Reducing muscle soreness
- Releasing tension and knots
- Aiding recovery
You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from the Recoup roller. While you can use it before and after a workout, you can use it for knee and elbow pain as well as shoulder and neck. You can target joint pain, tendinitis and support post-op recovery.
DoSensePro Acupressure Mat and Pillow Massage Set
The DoSensePro Acupressure Mat and Pillow Massage Set feature thousands of spikes to apply pressure to specific points of the body gently. The spikes or stimulation points use non-toxic, high-quality plastic that won’t cause an allergic reaction. The mat is long enough to fit a range of heights.
Lying on the mat for ten to twenty minutes per day helps relieve tension in your muscles and support the body. The mat targets pain in the neck, shoulder, back, hips, joints and relieves sciatic pain, headaches, and aches at pressure points. The benefit of the mat and pillow set is that there are no special instructions to use it. You can place it either on the floor or on the bed to start and lie down. The first few minutes can feel a little strange, but after that, your body tends to sink into it, and your muscles start to relax.
The acupressure set includes a hot and cold pack to boost relaxation and target muscular pain. As a natural sleeping aid, it can form part of your nighttime routine to ease the stresses of the day. Research shows that acupressure mats can help to relieve pain and improve function and quality of life.
HidrateSpark STEEL Smart Water Bottle
Give the gift of hydration this Valentine’s Day with the Hidrate Spark STEEL Smart Water Bottle. This is ideal for the person in your life who loves to track their health. The water bottle tracks your water intake and glows to remind you to stay hydrated.
Available in five different colors, the stainless steel bottle is BPA-free and will keep drinks cold for up to twenty-four hours. Simply download the free HidrateSpark app, connect your bottle, and start tracking your water intake.
Like most people, you probably know how important staying hydrated is for your health. But it can be tough to get your daily recommended intake. Water benefits so many parts of your overall wellness, like carrying nutrients to your cells or flushing out toxins from the body. An added bonus is that the bottle comes with a rechargeable battery, so no need to replace the batteries.
Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
If you’re trying to target neck and back pain, then the Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager is the ideal Valentine’s Day gift. The powerful shiatsu massage features deep-kneading massage nodes to relax tight muscles. With a heat function, it’s perfect for easing sore muscles. Although it’s a back and neck massager, the shape is versatile so you can place it in other areas like the lower and upper back and thighs.
One con is that you need to plug the massager into a wall outlet so it’s not battery-powered or cordless. However, the results are worth it. The powerful massage mimics a deep tissue massage, and you can easily place it on any chair. The FDA-listed massager is ideal for those who sit all day at a desk or after a serious gym session. If you want to tackle tight muscles, this is an ideal present.
1AND1 Life Health and Fitness
The 1AND1 Life Shop has a range of premium supplements and athleisure for a unique treat for health and fitness-obsessed loved ones. If you’re looking for something to strengthen the immune system, 1AND1 Shield offers elite immune support. The formula features fifteen carefully selected natural ingredients that work with your body. Every bottle is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and sourced from a GMP-certified facility. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s important to maintain a robust immune system.
When it comes to health, fitness, and wellness, it can be a challenging world to navigate. If you’re unsure what to buy this Valentine’s Day, check out the 1AND1 Picks. It’s a curated store where 1AND1 Life’s experts have vetted health and wellness products across the web. These are tried and tested products that the 1AND1 Life team love, so you don’t have to spend time scouring the web for the best gifts.
Check out the 1AND1 Life Shop.
Wellness Gift Ideas: Pain Relief and Relaxation
While Valentine’s Day brings forward images of chocolates, flowers, and other heart-shaped candy, you can opt for unique gifts that break away from the tradition. By choosing a wellness gift that aids pain relief, supports relaxation, and encourages hydration, you can support your loved one’s health journey.
Add a little zen to life with an acupressure mat, or help your gym fanatic partner recover faster with a myofascial release massage ball. Plus, you don’t need to be a health guru to enjoy these gifts. Those who sit at a desk or suffer from chronic pain can benefit from these products. Encourage more self-care and support well-being this Valentine’s Day.
*This post may contain affiliate links to the products and services that we talk about.