Valentine’s Day always brings the usual gift guides—flowers, jewelry, lots of pink and red. But the objects I find myself most drawn to aren’t necessarily romantic in the traditional sense. They’re the ones that feel good in hand—small luxuries that invite touch, that carry weight, that make even the most ordinary moments feel special.
Some are meant to be used, others admired, but the best ones—the ones you actually reach for—are both. A perfectly smooth ceramic mug. A brass paperweight that patinas over time. A leather-wrapped lighter that makes lighting a candle feel like a ritual.
Whether you’re looking for a gift (for yourself, for someone else, or for no reason at all), here’s a list of beautiful, tactile things to love—not just today, but every day.
Carl Auböck Hand Paperweight
A perfectly flat brass hand, cast in Austria in the 1950s, that feels as good to hold as it does to look at. Minimal but expressive, it’s the kind of object that anchors a desk, holds down a stack of papers, or just sits there looking effortlessly cool. Over time, the brass develops a rich patina, making it feel even more like something worth keeping.
Christopher Spitzmiller Gourd Trinket Box
A tiny, hand-sculpted ceramic gourd that strikes the perfect balance between organic and refined. Matte white and delicately formed, it feels both abstracted and unmistakably natural—like something unearthed rather than made. At just 3 inches in diameter, it’s petite but purposeful, ideal for tucking away small treasures. I keep mine on my nightstand, where it quietly holds my jewelry at the end of each day.
Métier Leather Notebook
The kind of notebook that makes even the most mundane notes feel intentional. Lined in leather and designed with subtle, thoughtful details—a slim pen loop, discreet card slots... At the top of my personal wishlist, this would be my dream companion for morning pages as I make my way through The Artist’s Way—because the right notebook makes the habit all the more satisfying.
Il Buco Bevagna Mug
The kind of mug that makes your morning coffee feel like a ritual. Hand-thrown in small batches in Perugia, it has a generous shape with an unexpected taper—just enough to feel distinct, but still perfectly balanced in hand. Terracotta peeks through the glossy white glaze, and a hand-painted green rim adds a final, almost calligraphic flourish.
Merit Beauty x Completed Works Compact
A rare beauty product that doubles as an object worth keeping. Weighty, sculptural, and reminiscent of a polished river stone, it’s part of Merit’s collaboration with Completed Works—a brand known for its organic, sculptural jewelry. More heirloom than ephemera, it’s the kind of piece that feels designed to be held onto.
Hunting Season Leather-Wrapped Lighter
A lighter so good, you don’t need to be a smoker to want one. Wrapped in soft nappa leather and handcrafted in Colombia, it’s the kind of object that just feels right in your hand—small, weighty, and quietly cool. Refillable and made to last, it’s as practical as it is good-looking, whether it’s sitting on a coffee table, next to a candle, or just waiting to be flicked open and closed.
Foundrae Strong Hearts Brass Candlesticks
Candlelight makes everything feel more intentional. Foundrae’s solid brass candlesticks bring quiet romance to the table, with a subtle heart-link design that feels more sculptural than sentimental. Like all good brass, they’ll develop a patina over time—aging beautifully, just as they were meant to.
Smythson Leather Card Case
Understated, impeccably made, and designed to get better with age—exactly what a card case should be. Smythson’s version is crafted from their signature leather, giving it just the right amount of structure while still feeling soft in hand. Slim enough to slip into a pocket but substantial enough to feel like something worth carrying, it’s the kind of everyday essential that quietly elevates even the smallest interactions.
Régime des Fleurs Perfume Bottle
Part fragrance, part sculpture, Régime des Fleurs’ bottles turn perfume into an art object. With their sculptural caps—somewhere between a blooming flower and a surrealist relic—they bring a sense of ceremony to the everyday. Founded by artist and filmmaker Alia Raza, the brand approaches scent with a poetic sensibility, drawing from nature, history, and art to create something both modern and timeless.
La Bonne Brosse Hairbrush
A hairbrush that feels as good in hand as it does in your hair. Hand-assembled in France, it pairs smoothing boar bristles with soft nylon fibers that gently massage the scalp. The twisted handle detail makes it as beautiful as it is functional, a small design flourish that sets it apart…
Hermès Leather AirPods Case
I’m embarrassed to admit how much I want this—because, really, who needs a Hermès AirPods case? But need isn’t the point. Crafted from buttery Hermès leather with a sleek lanyard and the house’s signature Clou de Selle detail, it’s equal parts elegance and practicality. The leather is thin enough for wireless charging, and even the pairing button gets the Hermès treatment. I’d pull the trigger if I weren’t worried about Apple’s relentless upgrade cycle—but still, it’s dangerously tempting.
Caran d’Ache Pen
Proof that even a ballpoint pen can be beautifully designed. Sleek, perfectly weighted, and smooth to write with, it’s the kind of everyday tool that feels just a little more special than it needs to be. I went to Goods for the Study the other day and hand-tested every pen in the shop—this is where I landed. A small upgrade to the mundane that you’ll reach for again and again.
A Different Kind of Love Letter
So this is my own love letter, to the things we hold, touch, and that spark joy. In an era of fast everything, these kinds of objects stand out for me. They aren’t things to be cycled through, replaced, or tossed aside.
So whether you're celebrating love, treating yourself, or just looking for an object that makes the everyday feel a little better, these are just a few things I personally think are worth holding onto.
Happy V-Day!
