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Luxury Picks & Sweet Surprises for Perfect Romantic Gift
With Valentine’s Day 2026 falling on a Saturday, expectations run high for thoughtful, indulgent gifts that capture romance and sweetness. Chocolate remains the timeless choice, blending luxury, nostalgia and pure pleasure. From heart-shaped boxes to innovative bonbons, 2026 offerings emphasize high-quality cacao, bold flavors and elegant packaging perfect for sharing or surprising a loved one.
Here are 10 standout chocolates to buy this Valentine’s season, drawn from expert recommendations, taste tests and trending collections as of mid-February 2026. These selections span budgets and tastes, ensuring something special whether you’re going classic, adventurous or ultra-premium.
- Recchiuti Confections Black Box Widely hailed as the top all-around boxed chocolate in 2026 reviews by Wirecutter and others, the 16-piece Black Box from San Francisco-based Recchiuti stands out for its sophisticated flavors, stunning shapes and textures. Tasters praise the perfectly executed ganaches, caramels and pralines, often calling it seductive and luxurious. Ideal for a romantic evening, the elegant black packaging adds a touch of mystery. Priced around $50–$60, it’s a step above everyday assortments and ships nationwide for last-minute orders.
- Godiva Gold Collection Heart Gift Box Godiva’s 2026 Valentine’s lineup features heart-shaped chocolates in classic flavors like dark ganache, milk praline and more. The Gold Collection box, with its signature red and gold ribbon, delivers reliable Belgian quality in an iconic heart design. At about $35 for 19 pieces, it’s accessible yet feels premium—perfect for partners who love traditional milk and dark mixes. Godiva’s widespread availability makes it easy to grab in stores or online.
- Compartés Truffle Collection or Heart Boxes Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés tops many 2026 lists for handmade luxury. Their truffle collections and heart-shaped boxes include champagne-infused varieties, exotic flavors and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Known for artistic presentation and rich, balanced cacao, Compartés offers gifts that feel personal and indulgent. Expect to spend $50+ for signature boxes—ideal for foodies seeking something beyond the ordinary.
- La Maison du Chocolat Heart Gift Boxes This Parisian brand brings French elegance to Valentine’s 2026 with heart-shaped boxes, strawberry-infused chocolates and truffle assortments. Their subtle, refined ganaches emphasize pure chocolate flavor with minimal sweetness. Luxury pricing (often $100+) suits those wanting sophisticated romance. The “From Faubourg with Love” theme ties into timeless Parisian charm.
- Dandelion Chocolate Origin Bonbon Collection For bean-to-bar enthusiasts, Dandelion’s 2026 delivery picks shine with single-origin bonbons highlighting terroir-driven flavors. WIRED named it best overall delivery chocolate, praising layered profiles and pure fun. Vegan-friendly and ethically sourced, it’s a thoughtful choice for sustainable sweet tooths, around $50–$80 for collections.
- Vosges Haut-Chocolat Exotic Collection Vosges continues to innovate with bold pairings like ginger-matcha, rose or exotic spices in 2026 assortments. Their Valentine’s boxes appeal to adventurous palates, blending global influences with high-end cacao. Featured in multiple guides, it’s great for couples who enjoy surprising each other with unique tastes.
- Knipschildt Salted Caramels or Signature Truffles Danish-American chocolatier Knipschildt earns praise for standout salted caramels and truffles. WIRED and Serious Eats highlight their layered flavors and pretty packaging. Affordable luxury (under $40 for some boxes), they offer creamy, addictive bites perfect for sharing.
- See’s Candies Valentine’s Day XOXO Box A nostalgic favorite, See’s 2026 XOXO box delivers classic American chocolates like buttercreams and nuts in festive wrapping. At around $32, it’s budget-friendly yet feels special—ideal for longtime sweethearts or family celebrations. Wide U.S. availability adds convenience.
- Richart Initiation Assortment French maison Richart’s Initiation box offers an array of ganaches and pralines in artistic designs. WIRED calls it best assorted gift box for its variety and subtlety. Great for introducing someone to gourmet chocolate without overwhelming sweetness.
- Stick With Me Sweets or Vesta Chocolate Truffles Artisanal standouts from Eater’s 2026 picks include Stick With Me’s creative bonbons and Vesta’s salted caramel truffles. These small-batch options feature innovative flavors like strawberry rosé or German chocolate cake. Perfect for trendsetters wanting Instagram-worthy, handcrafted treats.
Valentine’s Day 2026 trends lean toward personalized luxury: fruit-infused ganaches, vegan options, heart-themed packaging and ethical sourcing. Many brands offer limited-edition collections with champagne, rose or strawberry notes to heighten romance. For delivery, order early—popular sites like Godiva, Compartés and Recchiuti often sell out near February 14.
Whether opting for timeless Godiva hearts or bold Compartés truffles, these chocolates promise smiles and sweet memories. Pair with a card or flowers for the ultimate gesture. This Valentine’s, let chocolate speak the language of love.
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Americans who live alone are paying a five-figure “singles tax” amid rising rents around the nation, a new analysis finds.
Data from Zillow shows that the typical apartment rent is currently $1,745 and has risen 30% over the last five years, which represents a significant burden for renters who live alone and don’t have one or more roommates to split the bill with.
The premium paid by solo renters was dubbed the “singles tax” by Zillow, which found that the national average singles tax amounts to $10,470 per year.
“When you’re living alone, you’re covering the full rent on one income and that can add up fast,” said Emily Smith, Zillow rental trends expert. “Apartments often make living solo more attainable, while also offering shared spaces that help people feel connected.”
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New York City had the largest “singles tax” in Zillow’s data, which amounted to $23,400 per year. (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images / Getty Images)
New York City tops the list of areas with the highest singles tax, as the Big Apple’s typical apartment rent of $3,900 a month amounts to a singles tax of $23,400 for the year.
San Jose ranked second, with a typical rent of $3,248 a month and a singles tax of $19,488 per year. Boston was close behind in third, with the typical rent in the city amounting to $3,014 a month and resulting in a singles tax of $18,084.
A pair of California cities rounded out the top five, with San Francisco in fourth based on a typical rent of $2,857 and a singles tax of $17,142, while Los Angeles ranked fifth with a typical monthly rent of $2,648 and a singles tax of $15,888.
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San Francisco ranked fourth on Zillow’s list with a “singles tax” of $17,142 per year. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Renters who pair up their living arrangement with a partner derive what Zillow called a “couples’ discount” from being able to split up the rental bill as well as utilities and other costs.
“For renters who choose to live with a partner or roommate, splitting everyday costs like rent, utilities and groceries can go a long way in easing the pressure of today’s higher cost of living,” Smith said.
Based on the firm’s national data, the couples’ discount amounts to a combined $20,940 in annual rental savings from splitting the bill.
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Los Angeles ranked fifth on Zillow’s list of cities with the largest “singles tax.” (iStock / iStock)
For example, given the sizable singles tax in the cities with the highest rent, couples in New York City can get a discount of $46,800 instead of the singles tax of $23,400.
The report noted the couples discount can go a long way toward helping renters save for a down payment on a home, with the national average couples discount of $20,940 being more than halfway to a 10% down payment on a typical U.S. home, per Zillow’s data.
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