February Birthday Gifts: 10 Ideas That Aren't Valentine's Day Gifts

February is the month of hearts and roses, which is lovely unless your birthday is in it. February birthdays often end up folded into Valentine's Day, or crowded out by it. The best gifts this month make it obvious you're celebrating the person, not the holiday.

February spans two signs. Anyone born February 1 through 18 is an Aquarius: inventive, independent, a little unpredictable. From February 19 it's Pisces: dreamy, intuitive and deeply sentimental.

The February birthday cheat sheet

Birthstone: amethyst, the purple stone long associated with calm and clarity.
Birth flowers: violet and primrose.
Zodiac signs: Aquarius (February 1 to 18) and Pisces (February 19 to 29).
The mood: late winter, quiet evenings, the first hints of spring.

10 February birthday gift ideas

1. A candle made for their exact birthday. Each February birthdate candle is written for one specific date, with that day's sign, ruling planet, element, tarot card, birthstones and a personality reading. Pisces especially love a gift with meaning built in. Try the February 5th, February 14th or February 22nd candle, or find theirs in the collection. There's even a February 29th candle for leap-day birthdays. Add their name to the label if you like.
2. Amethyst jewelry or a raw amethyst cluster. Their birthstone, and the purple stands apart from all the Valentine's red.
3. A potted violet. Their birth flower, small enough for a windowsill, and it blooms for months.
4. Art supplies or a creative class. Pisces is the most artistic sign of the zodiac. Watercolors, a pottery class or a good sketchbook all land well.
5. A tech gadget for an Aquarius. Something clever and new, ideally a little ahead of the curve.
6. A bath and relaxation set. Pisces is a water sign and loves anything that turns an evening into a ritual.
7. Tickets to a concert or film festival. Music and film are classic Pisces territory.
8. A book of poetry or a novel with a dreamy streak. For the reader who wants to be transported.
9. A volunteer day or charity gift for an Aquarius. Humanitarian causes matter to this sign.
10. A star map of their birth night. Romantic without being a Valentine.

Keep it clear of Valentine's Day

If their birthday is near February 14, give two separate gifts on two separate days. Use birthday wrapping rather than hearts and red, and skip the roses. A candle written for their birthdate, rather than for couples, makes the distinction for you.

Aquarius or Pisces?

For an Aquarius, pick something original and a little unexpected. See the Aquarius gift guide. For a Pisces, pick something meaningful, creative or soothing. The Pisces gift guide has more.

When to order

February is short and Valentine's Day slows shipping mid-month. Order personalized gifts about two weeks before the birthday.

If you're still stuck

Start with the date. Find their day in the February collection, read the profile written for it, and you'll have both a gift and something to say in the card. More ideas by stone are in our birthstone gift guide.