Ah, Valentine's Day is just around the bend, and love is in the air!

Pink, red, and white cover each store aisle, sparkly ads on social media beg you to click here, and cheesy rom-coms become more prominent on streaming services. It’s hard to get away from it all!

Whether you're a romantic at heart or prefer to shrug off the annual holiday as just another day, there's no denying that it is an excellent opportunity to show your love and appreciation for those who matter most in life. For many couples and appreciators of Native American culture alike, gift-giving on this special day takes center stage. But feeling overwhelmed by choices regarding meaningful gifts can often be a challenge – but don't worry! 

We've come up with the ultimate guide for those looking for unique presents for their partner, family member, or friend inspired by Native American heritage and guaranteed to put smiles on loved ones' faces this Valentine's Day!

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For those who want a sweet treat

One way to the heart is through the stomach, and who doesn’t like chocolate? 

The ultimate sign of appreciation is a gift made with thought and care. Bedré Fine Chocolates, a Native-owned company from the Chickasaw Nation, offers an indulgent selection of handmade chocolates crafted in Oklahoma. Whether you're shopping for your significant other or want to give yourself a sweet treat on Valentine's Day, Bedré chocolate is the way. 

The wonderful people at Bedré will tell you why their chocolates are the ones you want to buy.

“Our recipes are tried and true and reflect the time-honored tradition of the Native American peoples who first cultivated this divine delicacy. Now, as the only Native American tribe to create its brand of fine chocolate, we take great pride in our products and instill our cultural passion into every delicious morsel. Given our strong ties to our culture and community, we make an effort to give back to the land and people who support us.”

They sell chocolate and other types of candy, coffee, sauce, merchandise, and gift boxes. 

Coffee goes great with chocolate!

Drinking something cozy will warm the heart, and that’s your goal this Valentine’s Day. Why grab another boring bag of coffee or box of tea at the grocery store when you can order from an Indigenous company and support their business and mission? Native Ground Coffee is a Native American-owned coffee company from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community in Arizona. They bring the rich history and culture of the O'odham to the mainstream coffee world. 

Native Ground Coffee offers multiple roasts and flavors with unique and inspiring Native-related names such as “Morning Warrior” and “Not Invisible,” where a portion of the proceeds go to the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center (NIWRC). They even offer a monthly coffee subscription – you can choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day every month of the year! 

Buy a premium coffee or tea, or multiple, with a heart-warming and uplifting story behind it.

If you need a yummy, Native VDay card

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you don’t have a card yet, this is the perfect one! This Native Etsy store offers many off-the-beaten-path card options. 

“Budweisers are red, Bud Lights are blue, be my Valentine…and I’ll make frybread for you!” 

This is a fun yet meaningful way to show your special someone how much you care…as long as they have a sense of humor! Their Indigenous-inspired spin on traditional Valentine’s cards is sure to bring lighthearted moments of joy. Plus, purchasing one will also support Native American-owned businesses – what could be sweeter than that?

Check out Jiron Designs’ Etsy store for more Native-related fun.

For the skincare addict

There are two unique Native-owned skincare lines you should check out if you or your sweetie-pie love everything bath, body, and beauty. 

The first is Skwalwen Botanicals. Leigh, the owner of the luxury skincare company, gives prospective customers an idea of why the botanical brand is so unique. “Honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, we incorporate sustainably harvested and sourced plants and organic, high-quality ingredients. Each product has a Squamish name to honor the place where this plant knowledge comes from.”

Next, Ah-Shí Beauty, founded by Indigenous woman Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere, has been featured in numerous magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Vogue, Allure, and more. Her line offers skincare and cosmetics, and her goal is to indigenize the beauty industry by authentically and correctly representing the Native culture. And a bonus for being part of a company owned and operated by Indigenous women!

By shopping for Native skincare, you are gifting something that is both luxurious and practical and supporting Indigenous businesses with delicious products. Skincare can be a wonderful indulgence and an experience to share with someone important this love season. You may find delightful products that create an enjoyable beauty ritual for their recipient!

Something to keep you and your love cozy 

The Indigenous, Latino, and Black-owned Etsy shop out of Colorado, Violet and Alchemy, are star sellers of their beautiful alpaca wool blankets. Their variety of blankets isn't typical. They have unique, trendy, and interesting patterns you can’t find elsewhere and are made with love and care.

They share with customers on their site: 

“We choose all of the items you see here. Each item is unique as you are and made with love.

We work directly with indigenous artisans here in the Andes, and so your purchase contributes directly to the Indigenous communities we work with.”

Cuddle up with your love under one of these queen-sized, cozy blankets, and enjoy your Valentine’s Day evening. 

For the jewelry wearer

Some say buying jewelry on Valentine's Day is cheesy, and some think they should get jewelry any time of the year, not just on the day of love. 

So it’s okay if you or your loved ones have these opinions. You don’t have to get boring, typical, or gaudy Valentine’s Day jewelry. But you can get gorgeous, unique, Native-inspired bracelet, necklace, earrings, or pendants from a completely Indigenous-owned company.

The Etsy store, HeyBelleBoutique, is owned by a woman from the Navajo Nation out of Arizona. She has over 1,600 options for customers, ranging from earrings to hair barrettes and rings to watchbands. Speaking of watchbands, this sterling silver, sleeping beauty turquoise watchband would look fantastic on your wrist!

One other Etsy shop filled with jewelry, also owned by a jeweler from the Navajo Nation, is called JRJewelryOV. An example of a Valentine’s Day gift idea is their beautiful handcrafted Spiny Oyster Sterling Silver Pendant.

Check out both of these online Indigenous shops and find the perfect piece for your love.

Something for those who want to stay in

Why not try something different for Valentine’s evening and support amazing Native-owned businesses while doing it? Ditch the fancy dinner out and stay in with dinner and a movie in your onesies. 

These simple and delicious Native dish ideas on the Sage and Oats Etsy shop will add flavor to your Valentine’s dinner. 

Purchase their Native Taco Night Gift Set with blue corn meal and hot sauce. And add on their authentic fry-bread mix with Montana-made Blackfeet honey. 

To accompany these yummy bites, why not kick up the cozy vibes at home with matching Native-created and inspired onesies so you can snuggle up on the couch together in style?

The Sage and Oats store on Etsy has all of these things and more. Their Sage & Oats Trading Post is a Native-owned, brick-and-mortar boutique retail shop in downtown Helena, Montana offering Intertribal gifts which celebrate our diversity. You can either swing by or shop online. 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Native way!

This Valentine’s Day, forget the flowers and cliché supermarket candy. Go above and beyond for your loved one by shopping Native. You'll find the perfect, unique gift that honors the Indigenous culture and makes you both happy. 

Have a LOVEly day!