Friday, October 4, 2024
Weird Stuff

7 surprising, funny and unusual Valentine's Day 2023 gifts – CBS News

Watch CBS News
By Carolin Lehmann
/ Essentials
CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
If something you love about your relationship is a shared sense of humor, consider a surprising, funny or even unusual Valentine’s Day gift for your partner this year. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift picks for Valentine’s Day 2023 below.
Top products in this article
Couple’s split blanket and sheet set, $85 and up
Secret Island Atlantic seafood bundle, $80
Drunk In Love: A Couples Drinking Game, $25
Now be warned: You may want to gift more than just these humorous finds to avoid any disappointment on Valentine’s Day. We have plenty of recommendations for more serious gifts too. Check them out here.
But we also suggest adding some humor into the mix. So ahead, seven surprising, funny or unusual Valentine’s Day 2023 gifts. Find these gifts for men and women at AlwaysFits, Uncommon Goods and more.
From funny cards to gag gifts, check out our Valentine’s Day 2023 gift picks ahead.
No more stealing the covers. It’s time to sleep European style with two separate covers. These split sheets and blankets come for queen and king beds and in two colors.
Couple’s split blanket and sheet set, $85 and up
If your significant other loves seafood, give their freezer a restock with some high-quality Atlantic salmon. This bundle comes with 12 salmons that are flash-frozen within hours of harvest. They may be surprised to receive a box of fish at their doorstep, but it’s a gift they’ll be sure to appreciate for weeks to come.
Secret Island Atlantic bundle, $80
This gift doubles as a fun Valentine’s Day activity. Learn more about your partner by asking them the burning questions on these cards. If they don’t want to answer, or if the card is about them, they must drink.
Drunk In Love: A Couples Drinking Game, $25
It’s always a humbling experience to receive extra utensils for your takeout order. Bond over the experience with this card that’s blank inside.
I Love When We Order Takeout card, $7
Gift the plant mom or dad in your life this rude plants mug. On it, nippleworts, sausage trees and stiffcocks get their time to shine.
Ridiculously Rude Plants mug, $15
Forget the shower beer. Upgrade to the shower wine. This holder gives their wine glass a star spot in the shower. It’s accented with hand-picked beach stones. Very chic.
Bathtime Essentials wine holder, $38
If you first hit it off in the DMs, don’t pass up this card from AlwaysFits. It’s blank inside so you can add a personal touch this Valentine’s Day.
Me Sliding into Your DMs Like card, $7
Add something more serious to your Valentine’s Day present with the options below.
Great for Greek Mythology and astrology lovers, this small pendant necklace features a portrait for Selene, Greek Goddess of the moon. This romantic necklace is available in five metals and two lengths.
Awe Inspired Mini Selene necklace, $94 and up (reduced from $180)
This pearl ring from Awe Inspired is great for stacking or wearing solo. Pearls make for a classic and chic alternative to a traditional gemstone. This ring is available in sterling silver or gold vermeil.
Awe Inspired Pearl ring, $66 and up (reduced from $85)
Shopping for your minimalist Valentine? This 14 karat gold-plated initial heart necklace makes a simple but romantic gift.  
Fettero tiny gold initial heart necklace, $14
This jewelry box from Rose Box features a single large rose specially preserved to last a whole year. The floral box has a functional drawer — great for potentially storing another gift! Plus, you can customize your gift with an initial or message.
Rose Box NYC, $89 and up (reduced from $109)
Upon opening an arrangement from Rosepops, the flowers “pop” out of the box for an extra special unboxing experience. This trio of roses comes packaged in a mock-crocodile, pink heart-shaped box. The Sweet as a Kiss arrangement comes with a custom made kiss charm and the roses are fragranced with a vanilla scent.
Sweet as a Kiss Rosepop arrangement, $95 (regularly $100)
Fresh Sends focuses on the sentiment of gift-giving. It offers a fresh, photo-worthy bouquet that changes daily to include the freshest, in-season floral arrangement for your loved one. Most sends are able to be sent with next-day delivery.
If you’re looking to preview your Valentine’s arrangement, Fresh Sends recommends checking out previous arrangements on its website to get an idea of what your bouquet will look like. 
Looking to go above and beyond just V-Day? You can save 10% when you subscribe to a monthly Fresh Sends bouquet. 
Fresh Sends bouquet, $58 and up 
Want to give the gift of a yummy Starbucks drink — or even grab one for yourself? Grab a Starbucks gift card on Amazon, available in $25 and $50 amounts.
Starbucks gift card (physical), $25 and up
These cozy slippers from Ugg make an excellent gift. They feature a plush genuine shearling trim for extra comfort.
Ugg cozy slippers, $100
Skims’ cozy knit lineup is a fan favorite — and this pullover is an excellent gift. It comes in six chic color options and features a mock neck. This pullover will keep the recipient nice and cozy through spring. But hurry, due to Skims’ sale, these sweaters are going fast!
Skims cozy knit pullover, $64 (reduced from $78)
The Welly Traveler features triple-walled vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for up 24 hours or hot for up to 14 hours. It’s made with with premium-grade stainless steel, natural bamboo, silicone and BPA-free plastic. It also comes with a removable infuser, making it an excellent choice for athletes that prefer naturally flavored infused water.
Welly Traveler 28 oz water bottle, $40
As seen on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” this bestselling ultra plush wearable blanket is perfect for staying cozy around the house. The Comfy original oversized microfiber and sherpa wearable blanket comes in plenty of fun patterns and colors, making it easy to personalize your present to the recipient. 
The Comfy original oversized microfiber and sherpa wearable blanket, $42 (reduced from $55)
The long-haired friends and family in your life will appreciate these revolutionary double-scrunchies. “Not only are they adorable-looking, but Sleepy Tie helps set and protect my freshly blown-out and curled hair styles,” explained CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose. 
“These hair accessories are more gentle than your regular hair elastic and don’t rip out or snag my strands.”
Sleepy Tie, $30
This cozy Bearpaw Alyssa boot is perfect for anyone looking to hop on the short boot in 2023 trend this year. The ankle boot features a sheepskin and wool blend lining to keep your feet warm all winter.
Bearpaw Alyssa winter boot, $80 
The skincare fan who learns all their tricks from TikTok will thank you for this skin cycling set from Fig.1. The brand is offering a bundle of everything you need for your perfect skin cycling rotation, including a Glycolic Glow Treatment for exfoliating night, Retinol Night Cream No. 1 for retinol night, and the Fig.1 ceramide moisturizer for recovery night. 
Senior writer Lily Rose loves that the brand’s airless packaging system both protects the potency of the skincare actives and is refillable. Once you use up the product, order a refillable cartridge. Keep the original glass bottle, pump and cap and then pop the new cartridge inside. “I love not having to order a whole new bottle of product,” said Rose. “Keeping the original container helps reduce waste. Plus, I love having the option of traveling with my skincare without worrying about damaging any glass packaging.” 
Fig.1 skin cycling set, $99 ($118 value)
This highly rated Stratia skincare kit has everything you need to create healthy, happy skin.
This set of minis includes Stratia’s Velvet Cleansing Milk, a moisturizing, non-foaming cleanser; Soft Touch AHA, a hyper-gentle, highly effective exfoliant; and Liquid Gold, a lightweight but powerful moisturizer.  
Stratia The Essentials Kit, $29
This 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is soft on hair, skin and the eyes, too. It comes in three aesthetically pleasing neutral colors and with a matching silk sleep mask. Right now, you can score this silk pillowcase and sleep mask set for half-off. 
Casper Sleep silk pillowcase and sleep mask set, $70 (reduced from $139)
CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose loves this on-sale hair duo. “I have wavy, dehydrated and damaged hair,” she said. “The Coco & Eve Silky Hair set turned my strands from straw to silk. Both the mask and hair serum are made with coconut and fig — a good source of fatty acids that help strengthen and repair hair. I really like that the mask is made with argan oil. I have found that the ingredient is helpful for adding shine.
The real M.V.P. of the haircare set is the Miracle Hair Elixir. I apply a lot of heat to my hair, and usually my ends look and feel fried. This lightweight serum not only made my hair feel incredibly soft, it erased the look of my frazzled ends. Even my friends agree. A pal recently brushed against my ponytail and commented on how soft it felt and healthy it looked.”
Coco & Eve Silky Hair set, $60 (regularly $68)
This $40 sheet mask kit (a $100 value) includes Rodial’s Dragon’s Blood jelly eye patches, Vit C Energizing sheet mask, Pink Diamond Instant Lift sheet mask and Snake Oxygenating and a Cleansing Bubble sheet mask. This kit makes a luxurious and easy-to-store present.
Rodial ‘Love Your Skin’ sheet mask kit, $40 ($100 value)
These 4.4-star-rated Beats earbuds, available in five colors, offer a total of 24 hours of listening time with the included charging case (eight hours per charge). They feature active noise cancelation and IPX4 sweat- and water-resistance. 
Beats Studio Buds, $100 (reduced from $150)
Just about anyone will love these budget-minded Apple AirPods. They’re not the latest model, but they’re still one of the most sought-after earbud models on the market.  
Typically retailing for $159 at Apple, they’re currently on sale at Walmart for $100. These AirPods boast more than 24 hours total listening time (with the wireless charging case), a foolproof, one-tap setup for Apple device owners and a low-latency wireless connection (for full immersion when consuming movies and music). 
Apple AirPods (2nd generation), $100 (reduced from $120)
For the coffee-fan who is looking to transition to a more involved coffee-making process, the French press is an easy, hands-on way to get more familiar with your morning brew.
Bodum Chambord French press coffee maker, $35
If you want the convenience of air frying but don’t have the counter space for another kitchen appliance, check out the Dash Tasti-Crisp 2.6-quart air fryer
It’s the perfect size for a one or two-person household. 
Dash Tasti-Crisp mini air fryer, $42 (reduced from $50)
If you’ve never had sous vide cooked meat and vegetables, well — you’re missing out. The 12.8-inch Anova Nano sous vide precision cooker circulates heated water at exact temperatures to cook foods to perfection. Rated 4.7 stars on Amazon.
Anova Nano sous vide precision cooker, $99 (reduced from $149)
This mini coffee device is a great option for small spaces. The 5-inch-wide Keurig coffee makers lets you brew up to 12-ounces of coffee, hot chocolate, tea and more. It offers an energy efficient feature that automatically turns the coffee maker off 90 seconds after you’ve brewed your cup. 
Keurig K-Mini coffee maker, $69 (regularly $100)
Backed by a lifetime warranty, this stainless steel, dishwasher-safe, double-walled, vacuum-insulated cocktail shaker promises to be “the last shaker you will ever buy.” It’s one of the best gifts for a budding bartender.
“This is the absolute perfect cocktail shaker,” a five-star reviewer says. “First, it is insulated so your hands don’t freeze. Second, there is a measurer in the cap. Third, the cap twists off to expose the strainer that is built in. 
“This is the fourth one I have bought. I gave two as gifts and now have two of them for myself. The gift recipients loved them as well.”
Elevated Craft Hybrid cocktail shaker, $70 (reduced from $75)
Elevated Craft Hybrid cocktail shaker, $72
Carolin Lehmann is an expert in health, fitness, furniture, apparel, gift guides and books for CBS Essentials. She’s always testing new products to recommend. Some of her current favorites include Stanley cups, Alo Yoga workout sets and the Cuzen matcha maker.
First published on January 23, 2023 / 11:22 AM
The moves made First Republic the third financial institution brought under government control this year and came almost a week after the bank said customers withdrew more than $100 billion.
A driver swerved off a roadway near the Volkswagen plant, striking three pedestrians “for unknown reasons,” police said.
Barrett’s youngest child, Arrayah, fell into a pool at the family’s home. She was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead.
Authorities are hoping that an $80,000 reward will help locate a Texas man who allegedly shot his neighbors after they asked him to stop firing his gun.
Adidas investors say company executives knew about the problematic behavior of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, for years before the company ended its relationship with the artist.
The moves made First Republic the third financial institution brought under government control this year and came almost a week after the bank said customers withdrew more than $100 billion.
Cruise lines are giving millennials what they want, including Wi-Fi and no dress codes, to hook a new demographic.
Hefty debt and caring for loved ones are weighing on the nation’s largest population group, according to a new poll.
Feds say companies colluded to submit multiple applications for favored foreign candidates to up their odds of receiving coveted visa.
A little-known surcharge set to change on May 1 could impact consumers in different ways.
On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, Republican Reps. Nancy Mace and Tony Gonzales and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna join Margaret Brennan.
The CBS News Streaming Network introduces “America Decides,” a daily political news program that goes deeper into the political headlines and delivers news-making interviews with the most influential names across the political aisle.
Abortion is expected to be a major focus of the 2024 election and the GOP presidential primary.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Gary Cohn, the former top economic adviser in the Trump White House and now vice chairman of IBM, that aired on “Face the Nation” on April 30, 2023.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas, that aired on “Face the Nation” on April 30, 2023.
The author of “Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World” discusses the power of the nurse-patient relationship, and how poor nurse-to-patient ratios can be a matter of life or death.
The author of “Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World” discusses the power of the nurse-patient relationship, and how poor nurse-to-patient ratios can be a matter of life or death.
The bill would also require children ages 13 to 17 to receive parental consent to create a social media account.
The CDC estimates that XBB.1.16 is now more than 1 in 10 infections.
Health authorities in southern Nevada saw a record 17 cases during 2022.
Turkish President Erdogan said Turkey’s MIT intelligence agency has killed Abu Hussein al-Qurashi, who became the leader of ISIS in November 2022.
The U.S. government has now facilitated the evacuation of nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens, the State Department confirmed.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Gary Cohn, the former top economic adviser in the Trump White House and now vice chairman of IBM, that aired on “Face the Nation” on April 30, 2023.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Tony Gonzales, Republican of Texas, that aired on “Face the Nation” on April 30, 2023.
The following is the transcript of an interview with Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, that aired on “Face the Nation” on April 30, 2023.
Elbow lead singer Guy Garvey has performed at the Olympics and for Queen Elizabeth’s platinum jubilee. But the band may have never gotten their first break if not for Charles III’s Prince’s Trust. Charlie D’Agata has the story.
An album of dark songs recorded in a bedroom at his rented farmhouse in 1982, reflecting the upheaval in his life in-between “The River” and “Born in the U.S.A.,” helped solidify Springsteen’s status as one of music’s most soulful voices.
In-between his chart-topping album “The River” and his classic “Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen recorded a collection of songs on a 4-track cassette recorder in a bedroom at his rented farmhouse – dark, mournful, and rough-hewn songs that reflected the upheaval in his life at a time of rising success. The resulting album, 1982’s “Nebraska,” would be one of his most personal, and helped solidify his status as one of music’s most soulful voices. Springsteen talks with correspondent Jim Axelrod about how “Nebraska” spoke to his evolution as a songwriter. Axelrod also talks with Warren Zanes, author of the new book, “Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’.”
The “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” actor who’s become just as famous for his very public fight against Parkinson’s looks back on superstardom; the recently-announced advance in Parkinson’s research; and the new documentary about his life, “Still.”
One of the most famous actors to burst onto the scene in the 1980s, Michael J. Fox has become almost as famous for his very public fight against Parkinson’s disease. With “Sunday Morning” anchor Jane Pauley, the “Family Ties” and “Back to the Future” star looks back on superstardom, raising $1.5 billion for Parkinson’s research, and a new documentary tracing his life, called “Still.”
The third-generation satellite is the first of three designed to provide high-speed internet to customers anywhere in the world.
A bipartisan Senate bill proposed this week would ban children under the age of 13 from using social media. Nikole Killion has more on what the two senators who co-sponsored it hope it would accomplish.
Retailer launched the devices just three years ago but faced stiff competition from players including Apple and Google-owned Fitbit.
Application to collect part of Meta’s $725 million settlement is simple, requiring only a few minutes to fill out.
“ChatGPT users can now turn off chat history, allowing you to choose which conversations can be used to train our models,” announced OpenAI.
The third-generation satellite is the first of three designed to provide high-speed internet to customers anywhere in the world.
Forecasters say large hail, strong wind and even tornadoes are possible for parts of the southeast this weekend. Omar Villafranca reports from Dallas.
With warm weather returning in parts of the U.S., officials are warning that rising temperatures could help lanternfly eggs hatch earlier. You should kill them if you see them.
The spotted lanternfly is expected to hatch earlier this year due to warmer weather. Officials are warning that the invasive insect, which is native to China, could even spread farther West. Brian Eshenaur, a senior extension associate of invasive species at Cornell University, joins CBS News to discuss.
Scientists sequenced the genome of the sled dog, who led a team of dogs carrying a life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, in 1925.
Officials are warning about a drug combination of fentanyl and the animal sedative xylazine. Known as “tranq,” the combination has been found in 48 states, and xylazine-related deaths have jumped from 15 in 2020 to 183 last year. Jericka Duncan reports.
The man accused of killing five people in a Texas home was still on the loose Sunday night. Authorities say Francisco Oropesa shot his neighbors after he was asked to stop firing his gun in his yard. Janet Shamlian has the latest.
Authorities are hoping that an $80,000 reward will help locate a Texas man who allegedly shot his neighbors after they asked him to stop firing his gun.
A Texas man went next door with an AR-style rifle and began shooting his neighbors after they asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep, authorities said.
Missouri man spent almost three decades in prison for a murder he didn’t commit before he was finally released.
The third-generation satellite is the first of three designed to provide high-speed internet to customers anywhere in the world.
A Falcon Heavy flight was delayed, but another SpaceX launch went well as two SES satellites were successfully deployed.
A spacecraft owned by Japanese company ispace was set to be the first from a private company to land on the moon, but ispace says it lost communication with the spacecraft. CBS News senior space analyst Bill Harwood joins Anne-Marie Green to explains what the failure means for future attempts to reach the lunar surface, plus updates on China’s Mars rover and more.
Contact was lost during the spacecraft’s final descent, presumably the result of a crippling malfunction.
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, were distinctly visible, appearing in skies over a vast section of the country.
Lamar Johnson was convicted of Markus Boyd’s murder in 1995. He always insisted he was innocent, but it would take almost three decades for a court to agree.
Evidence photos depict the Florida mother’s ordeal after her estranged husband snuck into her home and proceeded to hold her against her will.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who’ve left us this year, who’d touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers’ investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
Days after a young woman vanishes, a man in a distinctive hat is seen walking away from her car. Who is the man in the hat?
As journalists, politicians and celebrities mingled at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, President Biden took a few jabs at his age and his political rivals. But he struck a somber tone as he hailed the free press as a “pillar of a free society” and called for the release of imprisoned journalists Austin Tice and Evan Gerskovich.
Saturday is King Charles’ coronation. In 2005, he told 60 Minutes about his responsibilities as a British royal: “I’m determined to make the most of it.”
A Texas man had an engineering job lined up, but then an opportunity came knocking from across the globe. Mason Cox tells Jon Wertheim how he became an unlikely Australian rules football star.
Carbon dioxide is captured from the air and buried underground as part of groundbreaking new technology to slow climate change. Bill Whitaker met with teams making it happen in Iceland.
The South holds the sad distinction of having some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Sharyn Alfonsi spoke to some of the women trying to improve maternal health care.
Copyright ©2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.

source

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *