Forget boring boxes of chocolates and predictable presents. Quirky gifts are having a moment – and honestly, we’re here for it.
Gifting is becoming much more about personality, inside jokes and finding something that makes the recipient think, “That is SO us.” Whether it’s a funny gift for your other half, a cheeky Valentine's Day present, a Galentine's Day treat for your best mate or just a little something to make someone laugh, the best gifts are often the ones that feel like they were picked with that person in mind.
And the research backs up the idea that shoppers are looking for gifts that feel more distinctive and personal. Mintel's latest UK gifting research highlights growing demand for original, differentiated and personalised gifts, with consumers increasingly looking for products that feel meaningful rather than simply buying another generic present (Mintel, 2026). So, perhaps it’s time to make room for something a little more fun.
Why are quirky gifts becoming so popular?
There’s a reason a funny gift can feel more memorable than a traditional one. A 2025 study published in Psychology & Marketing specifically explored the role of humour in gift giving. Schindler, Albinsson and Burman (2025) found that humour can enhance the affection communicated through a gift, help people express feelings in a way that suits their relationship and make the gifting experience more memorable. The researchers looked at what they describe as “gag gifting” – gifts where humour or a joke is an important part of the present. Their research found these gifts being exchanged between all sorts of relationships, including romantic partners, friends and family members (Schindler, Albinsson and Burman, 2025). In other words, a gift doesn't always have to be serious to say something meaningful. Sometimes, “I love you” is better delivered with a terrible joke and a bottle of sweets.
The rise of the funny gift
Traditional gifts will always have their place. Flowers, chocolates and candles aren't going anywhere. But there’s something different about a funny gift, novelty gift or cheeky gift. It gives you an opportunity to show that you know the person you're buying for. Maybe your best friend has the cheekiest sense of humour. Maybe your partner is permanently making inappropriate jokes. Maybe your sister is the person you share all your gossip with.
A generic gift might be nice. A gift that makes them immediately laugh because it reminds them of your relationship? Much better. This is particularly interesting as shoppers increasingly look for unique gifts and products they wouldn't necessarily find everywhere else. Mintel's 2026 gifting research identifies demand for unique and differentiated gift ranges as an important opportunity for retailers (Mintel, 2026). And that is exactly where quirky gifting comes in.
Cheeky gifts for couples – because romance doesn't have to be serious
Valentine's Day has traditionally been associated with roses, romantic dinners and beautifully packaged chocolates. But modern Valentine's gifting doesn't have to follow the rulebook. Research from M&S found that spending time with loved ones was the most popular way Brits celebrated Valentine's Day, with 41% of those surveyed choosing quality time over other celebrations (M&S, 2025).
So why not make the gift part of the experience? Enter our Nice Pair Message Bottle. It says what it says. And that's exactly why we love it. Filled with delicious sweets and wrapped up in a cheeky message, it's a fun Valentine's gift for couples who would rather have a laugh than take the whole roses and violins thing too seriously. And even better? Nice Pair is now on sale.
It's the perfect little addition to a date night, whether you're heading out for dinner, staying in for a film or ordering your favourite takeaway and calling that romance. Because let's be honest, sometimes the best date nights involve pyjamas, snacks and absolutely no intention of leaving the sofa.
Meet Sweet Cheeks – the cheekiest way to show some sweet love
And because we clearly didn't think Nice Pair was cheeky enough, we've gone and made another one. Say hello to Sweet Cheeks – our brand new Message Bottle filled with fizzy peach hearts. It's sweet. It's fruity. It's a little bit cheeky. And it's made for anyone who deserves some sweet love.
Looking for a funny Valentine's gift for your girlfriend? Sweet Cheeks. Need a cheeky gift for your boyfriend? Sweet Cheeks. Shopping for a Galentine's Day gift for your best friend? Also Sweet Cheeks. Want a little something for your other half just because? You get the idea. It's the sort of gift that doesn't need a huge occasion. It just needs the right person.
Valentine's Day gifts don't have to be all about couples
One of the best things about modern gifting is that Valentine's Day isn't just about romantic partners. Galentine's Day has become another opportunity to celebrate friendship, and Mintel's 2026 gifting research identifies alternative gifting occasions such as Galentine's Day as an area of opportunity for retailers (Mintel, 2026).
Because why should your best friend miss out on the sweets? A quirky Galentine's Day gift is a brilliant way to celebrate the people you love without making the whole thing overly sentimental. Send your best mate a bottle of Sweet Cheeks. Give your favourite single friend something that says “you're still a catch.” Or get a group of your girlfriends together for dinner, drinks and an unnecessarily large amount of sweets. Romance isn't the only reason to celebrate love.
Date night, but make it sweet
If you're looking for a date night gift idea, you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to make an evening feel special. In fact, research into Valentine's Day gifting suggests that experiences and spending quality time together are increasingly important parts of how people celebrate (M&S, 2025).
So why not create your own? Grab your favourite takeaway, choose a film, put together some snacks and add a Nice Pair Message Bottle to the mix. Or pick up a bottle of Sweet Cheeks and make it part of a games night, movie night or sofa-based date. The gift becomes part of the occasion rather than simply something that gets handed over and forgotten. And, obviously, there are sweets involved. So it's already a winner.
The “I saw this and thought of you” gift
Perhaps this is the biggest reason we're seeing more personality-led and quirky gifts. People don't necessarily want to give someone more stuff. They want to give them something that feels relevant to them. Something that makes them laugh. Something that reminds them of an inside joke. Something they can share. Something that says, “I know you well enough to know you'd love this.” That's what makes a quirky gift different. It's not necessarily about how much you spend. It's about whether you've found something that feels right for them. And as gifting becomes increasingly focused on personalisation, originality and memorable experiences, that feeling is becoming more important (Mintel, 2026).
Quirky gifts aren't just for Valentine's Day
Of course, Valentine's Day is a pretty good excuse to get cheeky. But funny and unusual gifts work all year round. Birthday gifts? Absolutely. Galentine's Day gifts? Obviously. Date night gifts? Definitely. Anniversary gifts? Why not? Just-because gifts? Probably our favourite. You don't need to wait for February 14th to tell someone you like them, love them, appreciate them or simply think they're a bit of a legend. Sometimes sending someone a bottle of sweets with a cheeky message on it is all the occasion you need.
So, are quirky gifts the new gifting trend?
We think they might be. The gifting landscape is moving towards products that feel unique, personal, memorable and different, while research into humorous gifting shows that a good joke can actually add meaning to the gift itself (Mintel, 2026; Schindler, Albinsson and Burman, 2025). And really, it makes sense. A present doesn't have to be serious to be thoughtful. It doesn't have to be expensive to be memorable. And it definitely doesn't have to be boring.
So whether you're shopping for quirky gifts, funny gifts, cheeky gifts, Valentine's Day gifts, Galentine's Day gifts, gifts for couples or date night gifts, why not pick something with a little more personality? Grab our Nice Pair Message Bottle while it's on sale, or meet our brand new Sweet Cheeks Message Bottle, filled with fizzy peach hearts. Because life's too short for boring presents!!
NICE PAIR : Click Here
SWEET CHEEKS: Click Here
