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NYC's 8 Best Valentine's Day 2013 Gifts

Shower your loved one with the ultimate in New York City romance this Valentine's Day. From sweets to spa treatments, plan to treat your other half with one of these special NYC gifts to celebrate the day of love. Find the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your foodie fiance, your gluten-free roommate or your wannabe-chef girlfriend with our picks for the best gifts in the city.  By Sarah Shaker.

Waldorf Astoria treatment room
(credit: Guerlain Spa)

More: NYC's 6 Best 'Staycations'

The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf Astoria New York is the perfect Park Avenue locale for Valentine's Day pampering. Treat yourself and your loved one to a couple's experience in the spa's private suite. This package features two side-by-side 80 minute massages and reserved time in the exclusive spa treatment suite with dual rain showerheads and private steam room, champagne and decadent truffles for $495. Want to gift your best girlfriend on this day of love? The Just for the Girls package comes with choice of luxury manicure and pedicure, 50m massage or 50m facial and two Kir Royale cocktails while getting glammed-up at $175 per person.

Qui Tequila

More: NYC's 5 Best Tequila Bars

Valentine's Day romance isn't only chocolate induced. Tequila is said to increase happy endorphins, be heart healthy and even reduce anxiety – so open up a bottle of Qui Tequila, exclusively available in New York City, with your Valentine and let things heat up! The world's first platinum extra añejo tequila has already been enjoyed by the likes of Usher and Swizz Beatz and was poured at Alicia Key's album release at The Box this past winter. Qui can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail so it can be the perfect gift for him, her or to enjoy together. Cheers!

Saint Valentine's Sweets Collection, Épicerie Boulud

Daniel Boulud's Upper West Side eat-in and take-out market will be offering beautiful gift boxes with handmade sweets starting February 1. The Saint Valentine's Sweets Collection includes Passion-Honey Marshmallows, Cherry Beignets, Praline Rosé Almonds and an edible heart-shaped bittersweet chocolate box filled with Pink Champagne Chocolate Truffles. Daniel Boulud's sweets are as refined and delicious as they are playful and seductive. The store also affords the option to create a customized gift for a foodie Valentine – mix and match jams, cookies, candies, cookbooks and other French delicacies.

Gluten-Free Treats for your Sweet
(credit: Tate's Bake Shop)

More: NYC's Best Bake Shops For Gluten-Free Desserts

Tate's Bake Shop, your favorite Hampton's bakery, is offering a variety of deliciously sweet sets to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, including "Gluten-Free Treats for Your Sweet", featuring delicious gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and brownies for your loved one on a special diet. Want to sleep in this holiday? Make sure to order Tate's "Breakfast in Bed" gift basket with sour cream coffee cake, coffee, organic tea and homemade granola to linger under the sheets a few hours longer on this day of love.

Test kitchen
(credit: Bouley Test Kitchen)

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There is nothing more romantic – or stressful – than cooking for your loved one on Valentine's Day. Luckily, chef Bouley is organizing two exclusive cooking classes in his Test Kitchen on February 14, so you can put your culinary woes behind you! The Valentine's Day Cooking Class ($275) will help you wow your lover, as you'll learn how to prepare a four-course meal - and leave with recipes, ingredients and the culinary confidence of a chef! For those who wish to share this unique experience with that special someone, Bouley will be conducting a Cooking Class & Dinner for Two ($650; wine pairing $125 per person) starting at 7:30pm, where couples will learn how to prepare a six-course meal with healthy, local and all-natural ingredients.

Carmine's holiday cookbook

Food is love in so many families. Why not show just how big your love is this Valentine's Day by cooking a beautiful Italian meal with your significant other or little ones. Turn your apartment into your Nonna's kitchen with Carmine's Family-Style Cookbook ($29.95). Whip up a delicious Italian meal for two or make a family-style feast for your whole gang with dishes like a creamy penne a la vodka or herb-crusted salmon arrabiata that you've come to love inside this popular NYC restaurant.

Nunu Chocolates
(credit: Nunu Chocolates)

Chocolate and sea salt is more than just a trend – it's a best seller. Nunu Chocolates in Brooklyn offers an incredibly addictive caramel individually hand dipped in chocolate and topped off with a sprinkle of Fleur de Sel, for the ultimate Valentine's Day indulgence. Want even more chocolate? Get close with their Cozy Hot Chocolate or treat a snack lover to Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, make with locally sourced North Fork Potato Chips dipped in dark chocolate.

Love Note Box
(credit: Magnolia Bakery)

Sweep someone off their feet with six charming classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream that spell out your L-O-V-E from Magnolia Bakery. These sweet treats are wrapped in pale pink tulle and sweetly tied with bakery twine and a vintage tag for $32. Available in stores only and for advanced orders only, so hurry and order these cupcakes to arrive in time for the day of love.

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Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
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