18 of the best couple gifts that we'd actually buy ourselves

Gifts for couples that have passed the ultimate test: we’ve used them, loved them, or had them recommended by people with great taste

A collage of items featured in our guide to the best gifts for couples
(Image credit: Future)

Finding the perfect gift for a couple isn’t always straightforward. It’s even trickier when you know one half really well - but the other, not so much.

To save you from the last-minute panic buys, I’ve pulled together some of the best Christmas gift ideas for couples this year. Yes, it’s only October, but now is actually the perfect time to start - there’s plenty of choice, no festive rush, and a few of the shops on this list already have early offers and sales on.

After 26 years of marriage (and plenty of gift-giving hits and misses), plus brilliant suggestions from friends and family, I’ve put together a mix of thoughtful keepsakes, practical gifts, and shared experience ideas that are made to create memories. Almost everything here is something I or someone on the team has bought, tested, or comes highly recommended by people we trust - so if it’s made the list, you can be sure that it's worth buying.

Best gifts for couples 2025

In a hurry? Jump straight to these retailers who stock some of the best gifts for couples all year round:

How to buy the best gifts for couples

Kate Salmon, head of home and gift Buying at Oliver Bonas, told woman&home: “Shopping for one person is challenging enough, but shopping for a couple can be significantly trickier - especially if it's a new relationship, or a couple you don’t know very well. Whether it's for an engagement, anniversary, wedding, housewarming, or even a thank-you gift, homeware is always a brililant choice. It's practical, thoughtful, and often becomes a treasured keepsake that both partners can enjoy."

"Why not enhance their everyday routine with a beautifully designed ceramic cafetière or set of two mugs to make every brew feel special? It's a great way to encourage them to take some well-deserved 'them-time'. Or, for a foolproof option, opt for a stylish plant pot to help them grow their indoor garden - after all, their plant babies deserve to thrive too!"

Holly Harper, head of inspiration at Not on the High Street explained to womanandhome.com that practicality is key when choosing gifts for couples: "The trick is to go for something useful rather than something that might not suit their personal taste. Look for items that fall into the 'want, not need' category - little luxuries they might not buy for themselves."

"I love the idea of starting a tradition by gifting couples variations of the same type of present year after year. You can't go wrong with gifts that reflect their personality or represent a shared memory - they're always especially well-received."

What to get a couple who has everything

With over 20 years of experience, wedding industry expert Kelly Mortimer shares her advice for gifting a couple who "has everything": prioritise experience over material items. "Think about what the couple enjoys doing in their spare time or on date nights - this will give you plenty of clues," Mortimer suggests. For those set on gifting something tangible, she recommends choosing items they might not realise they need. "If they love travelling, for example, personalised passport holders or luggage tags can be both thoughtful and practical."

Francesca Pittaway, a curator at Not on the High Street, advises finding a gift with a unique story. "A meaningful gift often comes from its origins - products made from unusual materials, crafted with interesting techniques, or designed with environmental consciousness in mind," Pittaway explains. "When a gifts has a story to tell, whether it's about how it was made or its sustainable journey, it becomes even more special to the recipient."

Gifting a couple an experience rather than a product offers them quality time together and ensures your gift will be enjoyed and appreciated. Unlike physical items that might not suit their taste or duplicate something they already own, an experience creates lasting memories they'll truly cherish.

Heidi Scrimgeour
Ecommerce Editor

Heidi is a highly experienced lifestyle journalist with nearly 20 years in the industry. Before joining Future in 2021, she built a successful freelance career spanning over 15 years, earning bylines in many of the UK’s leading national newspapers, including The Guardian, The Times, and The Telegraph. Her work has also featured in a wide range of print and digital magazines such as Psychologies, Red, Glamour, and Mother & Baby, where she spent six years as Shopping Editor. Heidi now specialises in consumer content, creating expert buying guides, product reviews, and gift round-ups that take the guesswork out of “what to buy for...” any occasion.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.