Lifestyle
Koktail Konversations Ep. 6: Toby Lu on River City Bangkok’s Next Chapter
Toby Lu reflects on River City Bangkok’s evolution and how art experiences ...
Koktail’s picks for Valentine’s Day 2026, featuring thoughtful, practical gifts designed to be kept, used and loved long after the day has passed.
Valentine’s Day does not need grand gestures or dramatic plans. Sometimes, a simple gift says everything on your behalf. In this Koktail Korner, we bring you a Valentine’s gift guide for a little soul pampering. Gifts that show care through detail rather than excess. Whether it’s for a partner, a close friend or someone who simply deserves a little extra love this February, these gifts carry a message beyond the box.
We’ve bundled pieces that speak to upcoming trends alongside a few timeless classics, with all certain to feel sincere and well-chosen. So yes, let the cliché roses or sweet delights fade into the background this time and allow the focus to shift to something that lasts. Scroll on for ideas.
Journaling: Pages for Good Memories and Creative Craft
Not the first chapter of the year, but February lingers with a sense of renewal. Journaling encourages personal reflection and time with oneself, while also showing care and appreciation for another.
Journaling continues to rise as a trend, driven by a growing love for personalisation. Western brands such as Papier, Louise Carmen and Paper Republic lead this shift with customisable designs that feel personal. As interest in tactile art techniques grows shaped by Western lifestyle culture, foil embossing, stitching and textured details move into journal design. Shared widely on social media, these elements give journals a keepsake quality and push the trend further.
Around Bangkok, DIY journal workshops continue to appear, with creative ways to personalise pages and covers with stitching and string beading. As a Valentine’s gift, journaling works best with a simple plan. A casual crafting date, a workshop booking or an afternoon spent creating together is a way to give that goes beyond the gift.
For those who prefer a more open approach for the recipient, a plain notebook from a favourite stationery shop leaves space for personal expression. Options include Moleskine, Traveler’s Notebook, available at Kinokuniya and Zequenz.
Comfortable Wear and Studio Essentials: Gifts for Everyday Wellness
On the same wave of self-love and self-care, pilates and studio workouts now shape daily lifestyles. Modern luxury feels less about showing off and more about comfort, a routine that moves with you from class to coffee.
As a Valentine’s gift, pilates outfits or gym accessories feel thoughtful and practical in the best way. Think of items that slip easily into everyday habits: a good water bottle, a headband or a well-cut apparel made for easy movement and flexibility. For something more functional, yoga mats or workout gloves also make sense and last far beyond one season. These workout essentials show care through comfort and support. For brands lululemon, Alo and the newly opened Ori are worth checking out.
Read more detail about the active wear trend here: https://www.koktailmagazine.com/2025/06/18/cult-of-the-legging-how-lululemon-sculpted-a-culture-on-active-wear/
The Ritual Set: Matcha for Two
With a journal in hand and a pilates mat rolled up, the last piece of this new-energy lifestyle comes in a cup. Matcha has become one of the most talked-about rituals of the moment, valued for its calm focus and everyday sense of balance.
A ceramic bowl, whether one of a kind, whimsical or classic, plus a bamboo whisk turns a daily drink into a small ritual. Local ceramic brands offer plenty of chawan styles to browse, from playful to understated, which makes it easy to support local makers and choose something personal. These pieces add character, perfect for gentle mornings, slow afternoons and quiet breaks between plans.
Read more about our take on the matcha trend: https://www.koktailmagazine.com/2025/08/19/the-world-is-running-out-of-matcha-the-latest-chic-currency/
Perfumes and Diffusers: Scents Meant to Share
Perfume remains a classic gift choice, as a scent stays close, settles into memory and becomes part of everyday life. Thai brands continue to gain attention through creative packaging and strong concepts. Brands such as Copenn. are a good example. Their standout product is the diffuser with scents that centre on woods and musk softened by notes of chamomile, white floral and tea leaf. The compositions avoid overt sweetness and sit outside traditional masculine or feminine categories.
What also draws attention is the storytelling carried through each scent’s name. Burning Cabinet suggests warmth and a quiet intensity. Hibernate Place speaks to rest, comfort and ease, while The Fog House evokes softness and calm atmosphere. These names set an emotional tone, aligning with Valentine’s mood of intimacy and closeness.
International brands remain a reliable gifting choice, with Le Labo presenting their latest launch, Violette 30. Inspired by the duality of the violet, the scent uses rare white violet with verdant florals, opening light and airy with white tea before deepening into cedarwood and a touch of guaiacwood. Just in time for Valentine’s, the violet carries its own symbolism long associated with love and faithfulness, like a small hidden love letter within the bottle.
All of these fragrances are unisex, which make them ideal for couples who enjoy sharing or swapping scents, as well as for anyone drawn to depth and nuance in a perfume.
Jewellery and Accessories: The Subtle Art of Matching
Sticking to the classics never feels boring when jewellery and everyday accessories come with personality. These are pieces made for the kind of love that enjoys simple pleasures: a necklace that never leaves your neck, a keyring that tags along everywhere or matching phone cases that say ‘we’re a thing’ without saying a word. These gifts slip into pockets, bags and routines, and become small reminders of someone special throughout the day.
Jewellery and accessory brands, from local names to international labels, lean into Valentine’s season with playful, love-led collections. Thai brands lead the way with Valentine-focused pieces, from Valichain’s necklaces to Pattaraphan’s latest ring drop, each interpreting love through its own design language. Apart from the Valentine collection, Boyy’s cap works for an easy, gender-neutral look.
International names are part of the mix. Pandora joins the matching trend with shared charms, from keys to heart motifs. Gadget matching adds a playful twist, with Casetify offering designs that move from phone cases and grip accessories.
Keyrings have become a small form of self-expression, often mixed and matched to personalise a bag. When chosen by someone else, it hits a different note. Now they carry extra meaning. Pop Mart keeps things fun with collectible designs across multiple series, many sold as blind boxes for a little surprise factor. Longchamp takes a more whimsical route with mini accessories, from miniature versions of its bags to hats.
