Little Treat: Treats for Your Valentine!

The best of CVS, heart jewelry that isn’t ugly, and two brands with the name bon bon (neither of which are the Swedish one).

Buying something sweet for your Valentine? Groundbreaking. But hey, there’s a reason it works. Here’s a list of items I look forward to every season-and ones I’m still hoping to one day receive.

Best drugstore candies: Pro tip-always buy the seasonal candy! It's guaranteed to be fresh. Gummies are plump, the sour sugar hasn’t been absorbed, and the chocolate hasn’t dried out. Plus, the seasonal packaging is always adorable.

Sour Patch Hearts: I say this every year: she is the one. A perfect blend of cherry and strawberry flavors, with the ideal sour coating and chewy texture. Bonus: not feeling festive this season? You're in luck! SPK also makes a black raspberry heart that’s equally to die for.

Haribou Sour Gummy Hearts: These are an absolute delight – truly the best of both worlds. A bouncy strawberry gummy, sour but without the sugar coating, which means you can eat more without fucking up the inside of your mouth. A dentist's dream!

Hershey Strawberry Kisses: Not a gummy fan? Give your taste buds the perfect kiss with milk chocolate with a flavorful strawberry filling. Plus, the wrapping is adorable, featuring the tiniest little strawberries.

Looking to spend a little more?
Bon Bon Bon: My favorite chocolates in the world. And yes, I’ve had European chocolate before, so I know what I’m talking about. This Detroit-based chocolatier creates the most memorable bonbons, blending unique flavors together like strawberry with balsamic reduction and olive oil, alongside inventive takes on classics like PB&J and birthday cake. They ship nationwide in fantastic packaging that’s just as exciting to look at as the bonbons themselves.

See’s Candies: Leave the Russell Stover at CVS. For $41, you can get a rich box of chocolates with flavors that are both approachable and addictive. *Note: I find See’s tends to lean sweeter, so I highly recommend focusing on the dark chocolate options rather than the milk chocolate. Pro-tip: You can head to the store and grab them today-they’ll taste perfect, so there's no need to wait in that giant line looking like a forgetful amateur.

Thierry Atlan: Not to cause drama, but I’d skip Ladurée if these are an option. These are the best in New York, and during the sacred season, they offer exclusive Valentine’s designs and shapes. You can pick them up in Soho or have them delivered! Prices range from $28 to $170.

Bon Bon Whims: Okay, believe it or not, this is a different brand than the chocolate. This accessories brand has created some of my favorite pieces. Hot take, but I need to say it: heart jewelry is deeply misunderstood. I know multiple women who love it, but it’s been ruined by Kay and Jared. A brand like Bon Bon uses hearts in a really playful way. A personal favorite is the Heart to Heart Tennis Bracelet-I have it in red, and I can’t believe how expensive it looks in person.

Too fancy? Get them a box of donuts from Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme. (I’m Dunkin’ biased!) But KK does have an elite Valentine’s collection, including a chocolate cream-filled donut topped with an elegant iced bouquet of roses. However, those Dunkin’ heart-shaped donuts? Girl. Absolutely stunning. They come in both cream and brownie fillings. PS: Chelsea has the BEST Dunkin’, including locations at 6th and 23rd, 8th and 24th, and a few blocks down on 8th and 15th. Coincidence? I think not!

Into heart shaped food but want to spend a little more? Get them a heart-shaped cake instead! These are usually best when locally sourced such as Brooklyn based Saint Street Cakes. Red and pink too basic for you? Claude Bakery offers a solid black heart cake!

Enough treats-my girlfriend’s on Ozempic! Yeesh, okay, fine. Go pick up a candle from Frederic Malle! Perfect for Valentine’s, since the candle comes in a rich candy apple red. Might I suggest the Jurassic Flower scent? Candles are $110.

Fan of flowers?
That’s always appreciated! But what if you surprised them with a bouquet of heart balloons from Balloon Saloon (ask for Sharon or Tiffany)? Or, for something even more unique, a flower bouquet made entirely of balloons from my favorite local balloon artist, Big Head Balloons.