Sweets are at the heart of Valentine's Day. But for those of us on a medically necessary gluten-free diet, our breakup with gluten does not take a holiday.
Thankfully, there are wonderful gluten-free gifts that will delight your sweetheart this Valentine's Day.
Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for a Valentine, friend, coworker, or family member, every suggestion on this list is a gift I personally recommend for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
In fact, I shamelessly asked my husband to proofread this post. (hint, hint)
Jump to:
See's Candies
See's Candies is the clear winner when it comes to gluten-free chocolate. It is my go-to for every holiday that deserves special chocolates… from chocolate coins to Santas and Easter bunnies. And, of course, Valentine's Day.
For Valentine's Day, See's Candies sells traditional and heart-shaped boxes of quality chocolate, as well as other Valentine's sweets, like bags of heart-shaped chocolates, sour heart gummies, cinnamon lollipops, and red licorice medallions… all gluten-free!
Everything made in the See's Candies factory is gluten-free! Please note See's disclosure regarding a few items that are made in other factories and may be cross-contaminated:
Candies produced in See's Candies facilities do not contain gluten, and these products are the vast majority of those we sell. We sell a small amount of specialty candies that we purchase from other partner confectioners. Although these don't contain gluten, they are manufactured in shared facilities or in shared equipment with gluten-containing products. These products are candy canes, peanut butter bites, lemon drops, apple pie bites, Hanukkah hard candy, hot cocoa, chocolate-covered coffee beans sold in our retail shops and online at Sees.com.
See's Candies can be purchased in-store or ordered online. Either way, I recommend buying seasonal treats early, as some items historically sell out.
Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries in a heart-shaped box, made with love... what could be sweeter? My easy recipe for Valentine's Day chocolate strawberries is made with gluten-free Nestle chocolate morsels that you simply melt in your microwave.
Your kindergarten paint-mixing skills come into play here. A little red food coloring mixed into melted white chocolate gives you the perfect pink chocolate.
Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Gift Basket: Baking Theme
Put together a thoughtful baking gift basket for your gluten-free Valentine.
This is an especially meaningful gift for someone who has been recently diagnosed with celiac disease. A Valentine's care package with baking supplies is also the perfect gift for a gluten-free young adult just starting out.
Include any combination of the following:
- Hand mixer - This gift is useful for the extra mixing required to get good results with gluten-free baking.
- Gluten-free flour - My favorite baking flour for sweets is King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour.
- Gluten-free Valentine's sprinkles - Most Betty Crocker Sprinkles are gluten-free. Always check the label to verify the variety you are purchasing is gluten-free.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutter set
- Gluten-free magazine, plus a subscription
- Gluten-free cookbook, like the justifiably popular "How to Make Anything Gluten-Free" by Becky Excell
- Hershey's Kisses - Try Hershey's Valentine's Hugs & Kisses (milk chocolate kisses and "milk chocolates hugged by white chocolate") in Valentine's packaging. As always, read the label for the most up-to-date information. Hershey's will put "gluten-free" right on the package when the product is gluten-free.
For more gluten-free candy ideas to include in your Valentine's Day Gift Basket, get my free printable Valentine's Day Candy List.
Gluten-Free, Romantic Dinner Out
Getting sick from a gluten exposure is not a romantic way to spend Valentine's Day. Show you care by selecting a restaurant that's safe for your gluten-free Valentine.
The most comprehensive source of gluten-free dining information is currently found in the Find Me Gluten Free app. Search for restaurants near you, and read helpful reviews from other gluten-free guests.
The free version has tons of information, including the option to search for only "dedicated gluten-free restaurants".
The premium version's best feature is being able to search by "most celiac safe" (based on reviews from people who have eaten there). Use the code GOGLUTENFREELY for $5 off the premium version of Find Me Gluten-Free.
You can also gift this membership to your sweetheart. An app may not sound like a romantic Valentine's gift. As a celiac myself, I assure you it is!
Chocolate Lover's Gift Set (from a dedicated gluten-free bakery)
Your Valentine will love these sweet treats from the Mariposa Baking Co, a dedicated gluten-free bakery with shops in Oakland and San Francisco.
Mariposa ships within the United States and allows you to include a gift note of up to 300 characters when placing your online order.
The Chocolate Lover's Gift Set includes gluten-free chocolate cookies, chocolate brownies, and pain au chocolat. Mariposa has perfected the gluten-free croissant and, by extension, the gluten-free pain au chocolat. This gift set will absolutely be a hit!
Other Valentine's Day hits from Mariposa include Valentine's Butter Cookies and heart-stamped Shortbread.
I highly recommend signing up for Mariposa's newsletter, to take advantage of frequent special offers.
Valentine's Day Picnic
Date idea! Fill this heart-shaped picnic basket and enjoy a picnic together:
- Wine
- Cheese
- Simple Meals Gluten-Free Almond Flour Crackers: Rosemary & Sea Salt
- Goodie Girls Mint Slims - These gluten-free cookies are available at Target for about $5 and taste just like Girl Scouts Thin Mints, without the gluten!
- Fresh fruit
If the weather is not cooperating, have the picnic in your living room!
Heart-Shaped Box of Treats
I love this heart shaped-box! (It also comes in the shape of any number or letter, so you can celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or your gluten-free friend for any reason at all.)
Fill the heart with flowers, store-bought or homemade, delicious gluten-free treats.
Here are some great options:
- Red roses or the recipient's favorite flowers - Remove the stem of five flowers, and add the flowers to the heart box as a colorful decoration.
- Homemade Gluten-Free Heart Cookies.
- Goodie Girls Mint Slims - Place stacks of three cookies each in Valentine cupcake liners.
- Glutino Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
- Homemade Gluten-Free Salted Caramel & Dark Chocolate Cookie Bars. Cut into bite-sized pieces or use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make mini-hearts.
- Trader Joe's mini gluten-free cupcakes - Dress them up with Betty Crocker pink or red sprinkles or pearl cupcake gems. Betty Crocker sprinkles will state gluten-free on the label, if they are gluten-free.
- Fresh berries - Place in foil cupcake liners to avoid staining the white box.
- Hershey's Valentine's Hugs & Kisses - Use hugs and kisses as filler.
More gluten-free Valentine's Day ideas:
- Gluten-Free Valentine's Candy
- Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Guide: Ideas, Recipes & Crafts
- Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Dessert Charcuterie
- Gluten-Free Heart-Shaped Pizzas
I'd love to hear what your Valentine thinks of your thoughtful gift or if you have a great idea you'd like to share with Go Gluten Freely readers. Please reach out and let me know.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Leave a Reply