How to Spoil Someone This Valentine's Day: 5 Perfect Gifts Beyond the Flowers - Russell and Atwell

How to Spoil Someone This Valentine's Day: 5 Perfect Gifts Beyond the Flowers

Let's be honest: Valentine's Day gets a bit predictable, doesn't it? Red roses, a restaurant reservation you've had booked for three months, maybe some chocolates from the supermarket that taste like they've been sitting on a shelf since 2019.

But spoiling someone you love? That's a different thing entirely. It's not about spending the most money or buying the most flowers. It's about showing someone you actually know them, that you understand what makes them tick, what brings them joy, and what genuinely makes them feel special.

Here's the thing we've learned after 35+ years in the chocolate business: the best Valentine's gifts aren't the flashy ones. They're the ones that show you've thought about the person. The ones that make them feel seen.

Here are five ways to properly spoil someone this Valentine's Day, without clichés.

1. Start With Fresh Chocolate (Yes, Really)

Okay, we're obviously biased here. But hear us out.

Most people will receive chocolate on Valentine's Day, supermarket stuff that tastes like waxy sadness. The kind that's been sitting on a shelf for six months, made with vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter, full of preservatives that taste like chemicals.

That's not spoiling someone. That's just... obligation chocolate.

Real spoiling is fresh chocolate. The kind made with actual organic cream. Real cocoa butter. Wildflower honey is a natural preservative. No palm oil, no dodgy additives, just proper ingredients that taste like chocolate is supposed to taste.

Fresh chocolate tastes completely different. It's richer, creamier, more indulgent. There's a reason people say "once you've tried fresh chocolate, you can't go back," and they mean it.

How to spoil with fresh chocolate:

      Get them a variety pack so they can try different flavours (our Valentine's collections have something for everyone)

      Pair it with a nice wine or their favourite drink

      Present it properly, fresh chocolate deserves a nice presentation

      Add a handwritten note about why you chose these specific flavours for them

The message? "I know you. I picked these because they're exactly your style."

That's spoiling someone.

 

2. Create a Tasting Experience (At Home)

Forget waiting three hours at a restaurant for overpriced food and an aggressive waiter who keeps asking if everything is "to your satisfaction."

Spoil them with an at-home chocolate tasting experience.

Here's what you do:

The Setup:

      Get a selection of fresh chocolates (3-6 different flavours is perfect)

      Clear your evening of distractions

      Set the mood: candles, nice music, maybe some wine

      Grab some nice plates and sit down together

The Tasting:

      Start with the lighter chocolates, work toward the darker ones

      Taste slowly—this isn't about speed

      Talk about what you're tasting: "This one's creamy," "That's got a hint of salted caramel," "I'm getting hazelnut notes"

      Actually, notice what's happening in your mouth.

      Laugh when you describe chocolate flavours pretentiously (because it's fun and slightly ridiculous)

Why it works:
It's intimate, it's different, and it forces you actually to spend time together without your phones. Plus, there's something lovely about sharing something good with someone and just... being present.

That's properly spoiling someone.

 

3. Give Them a Chocolate Subscription (The Gift That Keeps Giving)

One chocolate box is nice. But you know what's better? Chocolate is arriving at their door every month for the next six months.

A subscription isn't just a gift, it's a monthly reminder that you're thinking of them. That you spoil them even when it's not Valentine's Day.

Bonus points if you:

      Include a handwritten card with each delivery explaining why you chose that month's flavours

      Arrange for a flavour they've been wanting to try in the first delivery

      Write little notes about memories you've shared with them as the deliveries arrive

A subscription says, "I love you enough to keep thinking about you all year."

 

NEW Saltmarsh Café Crème - Micro Batch Monty - Russell and Atwell

4. Pair Chocolate With Something Thoughtful (Not Generic)

Here's where most Valentine's gifts fall short: they're generic. A gift set with chocolate and candles that could be for anyone, really.

Spoil someone by pairing fresh chocolate with something specific to them:

Examples:

      Fresh chocolate + their favourite coffee (make a tasting morning together)

      Fresh chocolate + a book they've wanted to read (for cosy reading dates)

      Fresh chocolate + a lovely throw blanket (for proper comfort)

      Fresh chocolate + tickets to something they love (film, concert, show)

      Fresh chocolate + a handwritten collection of memories you share (genuinely moves people)

      Fresh chocolate + a day trip somewhere they've wanted to go

The point is: the chocolate isn't the whole gift. It's part of a thought-out experience that shows you know them.

That's spoiling someone.

 

Festive Dirty Blond 2 - Jar Box - Russell and Atwell

5. Do a "Chocolate and..." Date Night

Skip the expensive restaurant and do something creative instead:

Chocolate & Film Night:

      Get fresh chocolates, make popcorn, and put on your favourite feel-good film

      Pause it whenever you want, chat, just enjoy being together

      Way more intimate than sitting in a noisy restaurant

Chocolate & Cooking Together:

      Make chocolate desserts together (brownies, chocolate mousse, whatever)

      Use good chocolate, the kind that actually tastes nice

      Turn it into a fun experience where you're both laughing about your (probably messy) attempts

      Eat the results while you're actually relaxed, not rushed

Chocolate & Stargazing:

      Grab a blanket, some hot chocolate made with quality chocolate, and some fresh chocolates

      Sit somewhere you can see the sky.

      Talk about the universe and existence, and probably get a bit philosophical.

      It's free, it's romantic, and it's way more memorable than dinner #47 at the same fancy restaurant

Chocolate & Conversation:

      Seriously. Set aside an evening. No phones. Fresh chocolate. Good conversation.

      Ask each other questions you don't normally ask

      Actually listen to the answers

      Maybe cry a bit if it gets deep (that's the good kind of Valentine's Day)

 

The Real Secret to Spoiling Someone

Here's what we've learned: people don't want to be spoiled with things. They want to be spoiled with attention.

They want to feel like you've thought about them, that you know them. That you understand what makes them happy.

Fresh chocolate happens to be brilliant at communicating that because:

      It shows you cared enough to get the good stuff (not supermarket chocolate)

      It's something that tastes noticeably better than alternatives (they'll actually notice)

      It creates an experience (not just a transaction)

      It's personal (you chose these specific flavours for them)

But honestly? The chocolate is just the vehicle. The real gift is the time, attention, and thought you put into it.

So this Valentine's Day, forget the clichés. Don't just buy something expensive and call it spoiling. Instead:

Get them fresh chocolate that actually tastes amazing
Create an experience around it
Show them you've thought about what they love
Spend actual time with them
Make it personal

That's how you spoil someone. And that's what Valentine's Day should actually be about.

 

FAQ: Spoiling Someone on Valentine's Day

What's the best chocolate gift for someone who loves dark chocolate?

Our Dark & Romantic collection is precisely what you're after: three intense, sophisticated dark chocolate flavours. But honestly? Provide them with a mix so they can try different options. Even dark chocolate lovers often have favourite flavours they haven't discovered yet.

Is fresh chocolate more expensive than regular chocolate?

Yes, and there's a reason. Fresh chocolate is made with actual organic cream, proper cocoa butter, and natural preservatives. It costs more to make because we're not using cheap vegetable oils and shelf-stable additives. But it tastes completely different—most people say it's worth every penny.

Can I send fresh chocolate as a gift to someone else?

Absolutely! We ship across the UK. Just remember: fresh chocolate needs to stay in the fridge once it arrives, so make sure they'll have it delivered on a day they're home. Or, you know, arrange for it to arrive and be their fun surprise when they get home.

What if they've never tried fresh chocolate before?

That makes it even more special. They'll be amazed at the difference. Start them with a variety pack so they can try a few flavours and find their favourite.

Should I pair fresh chocolate with anything else?

Definitely. Fresh chocolate is amazing on its own, but it's also brilliant with:

      Coffee (serious chocolate-coffee moment)

      Wine (dark chocolate + red wine is chef's kiss)

      Nice tea (you'd be surprised)

      After a meal (instead of dessert)

How do I present fresh chocolate to make it feel extra special?

Put it in a nice box, maybe add some tissue paper, write a handwritten card explaining why you chose those specific flavours, and maybe include a note about what you're hoping to do together on Valentine's Day. The presentation matters because it says, "I cared enough to make this special."

What if they're vegan or have dietary requirements?

Good question. Our current range contains dairy (fresh organic cream is kind of the whole point), so they wouldn't work for vegans. But we do have other gift ideas! Reach out, and we can help you find something perfect for them.

Can I make this a tradition?

Yes! Get them a subscription so fresh chocolate arrives every month. That's properly spoiling someone, showing them you love them even when it's not a special occasion.

 

Ready to Spoil Someone?

Stop overthinking it. Get them fresh chocolate. Make it an experience. Show them you know what they love.

That's how you spoil someone on Valentine's Day.

 

 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.