Checklist · 10 picks · 5 categories
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The best gifts for couples are things they'll use together, so these picks turn a night in into a date.
For dinner, the Cuisinart is America's Test Kitchen's winning fondue set, the Nostalgia is a retro pot from Reviewed's favorite fondue sets, and the Tovolo is America's Test Kitchen's easiest shaker for a beginner bartender. For games, Sky Team is GamesRadar+'s top pick for two players, and Codenames: Duet is the two-player, co-op version of Codenames. For the mood, the Nest candle is PureWow's best spa candle, the Lafco is its editor's pick, and the Brookstone is NBC Select's most stylish heated blanket, a bit bigger than a regular throw. For movie night, the Xgimi Vibe One is What Hi-Fi?'s best cheap portable projector, and the splurge, the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air, is its best portable projector overall. Every pick is on my date night in list.
Who this is not for. Skip this if the gift is for just one of you; the Valentine's Day gifts page has picks for her, for him and for both.
Best two-player gamebudget pick · 2 players
Best for couples and roommates
GamesRadar+'s top pick for two players: you co-pilot a plane with limited talking, and new scenarios keep it fresh.
Heads up. Limited communication can be stressful, and bad rolls hurt
1 outlet. GamesRadar+ best for 2 players.
$25-50
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budget pick · 2 players
Best for couples who like word games
The two-player, co-op version of Codenames: you trade one-word clues to find all your agents on a shared board.
Heads up. No outlet has reviewed this one yet, so it carries no badge
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Set | mid | $50-100 | cheese, chocolate or both in one night | 1 outlet |
| Nostalgia FPS200 6-Cup Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Set | budget | $25-50 | a first fondue night for two | Limited evidence |
| Tovolo Stainless Steel 4-in-1 Cocktail Shaker | mid | $25-50 | first-time cocktail and mocktail makers | 1 outlet |
Top pickmid pick · 3 qt
Best for cheese, chocolate or both in one night
America's Test Kitchen's winning fondue set: once the dial is set correctly, the heat flows steadily.
Heads up. The magnetic power cord sometimes knocked off during dipping, and the nonstick got lightly scratched after a few washes
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning fondue set.
$50-100
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budget pick · 6 cups
Best for a first fondue night for two
Reviewed lists it among its favorite fondue sets: a retro electric pot that's perfect for a fun fondue night.
Heads up. Reviewed says the edges might be sharp and the cord may be short
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
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mid pick · Compact
Best for first-time cocktail and mocktail makers
America's Test Kitchen's easiest shaker for a beginner bartender.
Heads up. Not the best-looking, and the silicone top faded a little after 10 washes
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen easiest-to-use cocktail shaker.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Himalayan Salt & Rosewater Candle | budget | $25-50 | a soft, calm scent for the whole apartment | 1 outlet |
| Lafco Feu de Bois Ski House Candle | mid | $50-100 | fall and winter nights in | 1 outlet |
| Brookstone Coziest Oversized Throw | mid | $50-100 | sharing one heated blanket on the couch | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · Jar candle
Best for a soft, calm scent for the whole apartment
PureWow's best spa candle: a serene, sweet scent that burns evenly and can fill a large room.
Heads up. Expensive for a smaller-sized vessel
1 outlet. PureWow best spa candle.
$25-50
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mid pick · 6.5 oz
Best for fall and winter nights in
PureWow's editor's pick candle: a warm, cozy scent in a 6.5-ounce glass jar with a 50-hour burn.
Heads up. Expensive, and better in colder months
1 outlet. PureWow editor's pick candle.
$50-100
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mid pick · Oversized
Best for sharing one heated blanket on the couch
NBC Select's most stylish heated blanket: a bit bigger than a regular throw, machine washable, with a 4-hour auto shutoff.
Heads up. NBC Select gives no drawback detail for this one
1 outlet. NBC Select most stylish heated blanket.
$50-100
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Best projectorbudget pick · Portable
Best for bedroom-wall movie nights
What Hi-Fi?'s best cheap portable projector: a detailed, natural-looking picture for the money in a compact body.
Heads up. Tinny sound and short battery life
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best cheap portable projector.
$300-500
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Best projectorsplurge pick · Portable
Best for a brighter picture and fuller sound
What Hi-Fi?'s best portable projector overall: well built, with good picture and sound, and easy to set up.
Heads up. Inconsistent streaming app support and HDR that lacks punch
1 outlet. What Hi-Fi? best portable projector overall.
$500+
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Something they'll use together on a night in, like a fondue set, a two-player game or a projector. The Cuisinart CFO-3SS is America's Test Kitchen's winning fondue set, and Sky Team is GamesRadar+'s top pick for two players.
Two-player games. In Sky Team you co-pilot a plane with limited talking, and new scenarios keep it fresh; it's GamesRadar+'s top pick for two players. Codenames: Duet is the two-player, co-op version of Codenames, where you trade one-word clues to find all your agents.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.