8 Affordable Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas From Local Stores To Surprise Your Jowa The Filipino Way

Valentine’s Day gift ideas for Filipinos

Couples who have given each other gifts over the years might think that surprising their jowa this Valentine’s Day would be redundant. But giving them something thoughtful this coming Hearts Day can still be possible, as after all, there are local stores that offer creative Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your significant other.

So to help you decide on a unique but affordable gift, we’ve listed below 8 Valentine’s Day gift ideas from local stores, from a limited-edition chocolate set to a watch made with a bamboo strap, for the SO who appreciates something different from the crowd.

1. Auro Chocolate’s Wanna Smash Valentine’s Day gift box – fun and sweet Valentine’s box

Image credit: @aurochocolate via Instagram

Instead of buying the usual brands of chocolates for your jowa this Valentine’s, you can get creative by giving them an Auro Chocolate Valentine exclusive instead. At only P550 (~USD9.84), the Wanna Smash Valentine’s Day Gift Box will not just put a smile on your beloved’s face but also support the award-winning, single-origin chocolates of Auro Chocolate, a local store that sources their sweets directly from the farmers of Mindanao. 

The heart-shaped shell is 64% dark chocolate filled with mini heart-shaped 55% dark chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut cookies. Each box consists of one Valentine’s heart chocolate,  sweet cookie hearts, and one wooden mallet.

Auro Chocolate’s website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Plants and Pots Manila’s Thai beauty pink caladium – for the ultimate kikay plantita

Image credit: @plantsandpotsmnl via Instagram

If your SO is the ultimate kikay plantita, a pink plant will make her happy this Valentine’s Day. Plants and Pots Manila, a local online store that sells everything pink, has plants with naturally pink leaves, such as syngoniums, big pink caladiums, pin-stripe calatheas, and pink anthuriums, so your girl can create a unique, pink-themed garden at home. Even their pots are in pink too. 

For instance, their Thai Beauty Pink Caladium (P1,500, ~USD26.85), with green leaves that slowly turn pink as they grow, is a beautiful plant placed inside a matching pink pot. 

Plants and Pots Manila’s Facebook | Instagram

3. Randolf’s rainbow satin boxers – from the designer house of RJ Santos

Image credit: via randolfclothing.com

For the bae who’s LGBTQIA+ and proud of it, they’d love what’s on offer at Randolf Clothing, such as the Rainbow Satin Boxers (P900, ~USD16.10). It’s an everyday piece the jowa can wear so they can do away with boring, plaid boxer shorts and proudly wear their pride even when at home. This pair also comes with another pair of plain white boxers that your jowa can customize with their designs.

Image credit: via randolfclothing.com

For any lover who enjoys being in the spotlight, Randolf – which by the way is a local clothing brand led by Filipino designer RJ Santos – is known for its forward, fun pop-culture prints, so you can also find items that have starred in fashion shows here. An example is the Dead End Suit (P25,000, ~USD447.44), a printed polyester suit with doodles all over. 

Randolf’s website | Facebook | Instagram

4. Bloomingails’ Bella Puppy Love bouquet – florals with balloons

Image credit: @bloomingailsph via Instagram

Sending a bouquet during Valentine’s Day can get clichéd, how about adding a twist and doing something different this year by giving your fur-loving SO Bloomingailes’ Bella Puppy Love Bouquet (P3,850, ~USD68.86)? The adorbs bouquet from their Valentine’s Day collection is a small round bouquet made with fresh flowers. Make them aww with dog-shaped flowers in the middle, their heart will surely melt with those puppy eyes.

Bloomingails’ website | Facebook | Instagram

5. Stage Chic’s Sunny Gold jewelry – gold jewelry set under P3,000

Image credit: @stage_chic via Instagram

Stage Chic’s Sunny Gold gift set (P2,495, ~USD44.62) consists of an affordable necklace and a pair of earrings with an 18k gold finish and 925 Sterling silver. Aside from the classy style, it’s hypoallergenic and non-tarnish too. Perfect for those with sensitive skin. They’re versatile pieces, so your partner can easily match them with their outfits on casual days or rock them on special events. 

Stage Chic’s website | Facebook | Instagram

6. The Gay Agenda’s pride bracelets – everyday wearables

Image credit: @thegayagendaph via Instagram

The Gay Agenda is the go-to store for LGBTQ+ accessories such as pins, flags, rainbow straps, and bracelets. Get matchy-matchy with your lover with a pair of rainbow bracelets and/or wristbands. The shop’s Pride Bracelet is an affordable magnetic bracelet at P150 (~USD2.68), while the Rainbow Wristband is stretchable and is only at P95 (~USD1.69).

Styled in rainbow colors, it’ll blend well with your jowa’s everyday, casual wear while also helping them express their pride.

The Gay Agenda’s Shopee | Instagram 

7. Tygie’s Zaela lady barong – barong she can wear even on semi-casual days

Image credit: via tygieph.com

Lady bosses who love to pull off androgynous fashion would love what’s in store at Tygie, a local store known for crafting modern Filipinana pieces. 

They have barongs for ladies, such as the Zaela Lady Barong (P2,499, ~USD44.69 – P2,999, ~USD53.63), a barong with a laid-back mandarin collar that your girl can wear not just during formal occasions but also on semi-casual days. 

Tygie’s website | Facebook | Instagram

8. Kawayan’s Savannah watch – sustainable watch with a bamboo strap

Image credit: via kawayan.com

Most watches are made of plastic and steel causing harm to our environment, but fortunately, there are watches such as those from Kawayan that can help us be more eco-friendly while staying in fashion.

Their watches are made up of bamboo or kawayan, an abundant plant in the Philippines known for producing flexible, strong, and organic wooden material. You can surprise your man with the Savannah watch (P3,249, ~USD58.11), made with a 5mm light brown kawayan frame. 

Kawayan’s website | Facebook | Instagram

Valentine’s Day gift ideas from the Philippines

Some of the best gift ideas can indeed come from local stores. Not only are they uniquely Filipino, but they also support the livelihoods of our communities.

And their products aren’t all expensive either, so you can always find something unique and affordable whenever you’re running out of gift ideas.

Happy Valentine’s shopping!

If you’re looking for restaurants to dine at on Valentine’s Day, here’s a list of fine-dining restaurants. Or celebrate love all month long and check out these February events you can go to.

Cover image adapted from: @aurochocolate via Instagram and @bloomingailsph via Instagram

Article originally published on 08 February 2021 by Addie Pobre. Last updated by Gly Parañal on 08 February 2024.