Going the classic route for Valentine’s Day doesn’t just mean a nice dinner out anymore. You’re going to have to get that special someone (assuming that’s how you’re spending the day) a gift for tradition’s sake, and you’re going to be flooded with ideas left, right and centre in the lead-up to one of the most commercialised celebrations of the year.
To help keep you calm and not overwhelmed with choices, we’ve put together five ideas for you to muse over if you’re still stumped in gift shopping, from the kitchen to the great outdoors. Nothing says “I love you” than making your partner’s day-to-day easier.
1. Senzo Black VG10 Damascus Bunka
A one-and-done purchase is the perfect gift on any occasion. And for that, you need to think about the artisans, offering compelling products that are precisely designed to make life flow that much easier.
If your loved one spends a decent amount of time and care perfecting the craft of the kitchen, take a look at Chef’s Edge. The business was founded by friends Ben and Sam over five years ago with the distinct and ambitious goal of offering a new style of fine handcrafted goods.
If you want to dial in something specific, check out the Senzo Black VG10 Damascus Bunka, a deftly reliable 165mm double bevel kitchen knife designed in the Japanese Bunka style. It’s been designed to serve multiple purposes, perfectly balancing aesthetic and function.
$319.00
https://www.chefs-edge.com.au/products/senzo-black-vg10-damascus-bunka-165mm
2. Ninja Foodi Power Nutri Duo
When you start to build up a healthier morning routine, you begin to realise the importance of having a good, reliable and speedy blender. Smoothies are undeniably a trend in the wellness and health space now, so this is a great Valentine’s Day gift.
Given Ninja has been on an absolute roll with all types of appliances this year, their putting out the blender of the year is no surprise. This one has a 20% boost in power over the previous model, powering through thick spoonables so you can add as much peanut butter to your smoothie as you like, or crush even the toughest seeds.
$179.99
ninjakitchen.com.au
3. Ecovacs Deebot X5 Omni
Air fryers may still be some of the more popular items for gifting, but the real winner over the past few years has been the not-so-humble, kind-of-cute robot vacuum cleaner.
But as it appears, there are too many on the market these days, so it’s quite hard to choose the best one for you. That’s why it’s worth reaching for the top shelf with this valuable home tech. Much like a good coffee machine, a well-chosen robot vacuum can save you money in the long term, not to mention that abstract thing we call time (and hence, sanity).
Ecovcas has been leading the charge for years so its Deebot X5 Omni is a no-brainer. The slick, black robot vacuum is a sturdy all-in-one that goes even further when cleaning every inch of your house. This is due to the new TruEdge mopping technology that works like a breeze, lifting the mopping pad 15mm in the air when it comes time to clean the carpet, addressing a pain point for many older models and ensuring an efficient clean that’s perfectly suited to homes with various floor types.
The 12,800Pa suction power is great for even the finest pet hairs and debris, while the ZeroTangle brush and TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance prevent any issues with efficiency. If you want true automation that you won’t have to babysit or correct now and then, this is one of Ecovac’s most advanced flagships to date.
$2,399
evocavs.com
4. Xgimi Mogo 2 Pro
Those days of big, chunky projectors that take up too much space and can’t really be moved around are gone. Portable projectors that actually pack in a decent amount of power have taken the niche category and made it even more alluring for anyone who doesn’t necessarily want to be stuck with a giant TV. The product line is especially popular for renters and anyone who moves around a lot but wants to be able to set up a movie night anywhere.
This puts a lot of eyes on Xgimi’s class-leading projectors, the top of which is currently the MoGo 2 Pro.
The tower-shaped portable projector has a charging stand (or can be charged using USB-C) and supports native 1080p with 4K input. With Android TV 11 built-in and remarkable colour accuracy, the device weighs barely over 1KG yet puts a lot of the projectors I’ve tested in the past to shame. The portability certainly helps, with the projector easily adjusted with a simple recalibration system that means you can watch The Sopranos on your ceiling any damn time you want.
$995
jbhifi.com.au
5. Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google’s knocked it out of the park with its latest high-end smartphone, blending powerful performance with a sleek design, making it the perfect gift for either tech enthusiasts or casual users. Powered by the latest Google Tensor G4 chip, it ensures lightning-fast performance and seamless multitasking. Its stunning 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display offers vibrant colours and smooth 120Hz refresh rates, perfect for gaming, streaming, or browsing.
The Pixel 9 Pro’s standout feature is its advanced camera system, with a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens. Equipped with AI-driven features like Magic Eraser and Real Tone, it delivers breathtaking photos in any lighting. Its robust battery life and 30W wireless charging ensure all-day use without compromise. It truly feels like the smartphone of the future, with incredible utility.
I’ve been using it primarily as a content phone on my travels this lately due to its superior camera and video modes. But of course, there are plenty of ways to use this impressive device so if you know someone who’s looking for a new Android, this is the only smart choice right now.
$1,449
store.google.com
All prices in AUD and were correct at the time of publishing.
