Why Valentine’s Isn’t Just About Roses

It can be easy to fall into the trap around Valentine’s Day to pay a fortune for some red roses or perhaps splash out on a big box of chocolates.  And there’s nothing wrong with either of these presents for the one you love but what about if they are on a diet and suffer with allergies?  Or if these traditional presents just don’t suit the person?  Then the good news is that Valentine’s Day is about more than just roses and chocolates.

Show your love

Modern Valentine’s Day is about showing your love for the one in your life and there are lots of ways to do this that will be with them for longer than traditional gifts such as flowers and chocolates.  Wall plaques are a popular way to show your love, with the ability to put a personalised message into them adding to the sentiment.  One example is the I Love You Valentine’s Teddy Bear Heart.  The recipient’s name can be added to the heart and the ceramic decoration hangs from the wall for a daily reminder of your love.

If the two of you live together, then the Love Tiles Personalised Cushion Cover is a great idea for your sofa or to sit on the bed.  Under the love tiles can be added up to 20 characters so both of your names is one idea or perhaps the date you moved in together or your anniversary.  Another reminder of your love that will last longer than a box of chocolates!

Fun presents

Valentine’s presents can also be the chance to give a fun present that tells someone you love them.  The I Love Personalised Sweet Jar is a great example.  With the I Love fixed text can be added two lines of up to 12 characters so you could add your name with the ‘& sweets’ for someone with a sweet tooth!

The Hearts and Buttons Mug is perfect for coffee fans and features a single area for a name then three lines on the reverse side of the mug with up to 25 characters per line to add a special message.  That way, every time the person has a mug of their favourite drink, they will remember your love.

Celebrating the day

If you want to do something special for Valentine’s Day, such as cook a meal or have an intimate cocktail party for two, then you can bring the present into the theme.  A bottle of prosecco with a personalised label may be an ideal way to celebrate the occasion and your love for each other.  Alternatively, if they are a fan of shot drinks, then a Be Mine Happy Valentine’s glass would be perfect to present to them on the night along with a bottle of their favourite spirit – Jägermeister or Tequila are two favourites for the short and sharp drink fan.

Whatever you choose to buy for your special person, being together is often the most important part of Valentine’s Day and whatever you get them, they are sure to love it like they do you.

Valentine Cocktail Ideas

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, there are plenty of ideas for meals to cook or luxurious venues to take your loved one.  But sometimes life doesn’t leave enough time for these time-consuming events.  If you are one of the people who never have time for a sumptuous meal together or to spend the night at the theatre, then why not create a special cocktail for the evening to drink and relax together at the end of the day?

The perfect sip

The great thing about cocktails is that they can be tailored to any taste, including those who don’t drink alcohol.  Serving the cocktail can even be the centre of a short but sweet Valentine’s Day event by picking up a pair of personalised glasses to share the drinks in.  So here are some recipe ideas to get you started on cocktails designed for two.

The Maxwell Cocktail

• ·         1.5 oz. Cucumber Vodka
• ·         .75 oz. cucumber juice
• ·         .25 oz. Cointreau
• ·         .5 oz. lemon juice
• ·         .25 oz. agave nectar

Mix the ingredients above in a large shaker with ice then shake for around 10 seconds.  Take two champagne glasses and split the content of the mixer between the two.  Fill to the top with champagne and keep the bottle chilled to add more as needed.

Tiki Bowl

• ·         2 oz. orange juice
• ·         1.5 oz. lemon juice
• ·         .5 oz. almond orgeat
• ·         1 oz. light rum
• ·         1 oz. dark rum
• ·         1 oz. brandy

Put all of the ingredients into a blender along with a scoop of shaved ice.  Blend until thoroughly mixed and service into a tiki bowl or a hurricane glass.  To garnish, add ice cubes and decorate with a gardenia.

Chocolate Strawberry Martini

• ·         3 strawberries, sliced
• ·         1 oz. milk
• ·         4 oz. vodka
• ·         2 oz. chocolate liqueur

Put the strawberries and milk into a shaker and mix then add the rest of the ingredients and fill with ice.  Shake again then add to an oversized martini glass that two can share.

The Rose

• ·         2 oz. dry vermouth (Martini)
• ·         1 oz. cherry brandy
• ·         1 tsp raspberry syrup

Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass and fill it with ice.  Give it a good stir then strain into a chilled cocktail glass for each and garnish with a brandied cherry.

Little touches

If your loved one isn’t a fan of cocktails, then why not get a bottle of their favourite wine but add something a little different?  Try a personalised plaque that says something from your heart that you can hang around the neck of the bottle and give them on Valentine’s Day when they are ready to relax at last.

Or for one of the simplest of all cocktails that is filled with glass, invest in a bottle of Chambord and a bottle of champagne.  Take those special champagne flutes you bought and add .25 oz. to each glass of Chambord before topping with the champagne.  This turns the drink a beautiful deep red colour and can be garnished with a twist of lemon for a simple drink that says ‘I love you’.

Unusual Valentines Gift Ideas

Valentine’s Day means different things to different people – it may be the chance to tell someone how you feel, to treat your partner or even to make up after a time of troubles.  Traditional Valentines gift have been chocolates, cuddly toys and roses and while these will still be a good fit for some people, unusual Valentines gifts can be a little more difficult.  So here are some ideas to get you started.

For Her

Jewellery is always a good bet for a lady but the best way is to make is relevant to them and show you know them.  For instance, look for a charm bracelet that features her favourite animal or a necklace in the colours of her birthstone.  All of these things show that you pay attention to her and know what she likes.  But don’t forget to have a peek at her jewellery box if you aren’t sure of her tastes – no point in buying a big chunky red necklace if she only wears delicate pendants or worse, already has one!

If the lady likes a glass of wine or a cocktail, why not get a personalised glass that speaks to her?  Shops offer services where etching onto a particular glass can be done with fun messages and her name to make something that suits her tastes and personality.

For Him

Men are often considered harder to buy for but this doesn’t have to be the case.  If the man you are buying for enjoys a pint, then the personalised pint glass or whiskey shot glass if you likes the stronger stuff is something that can be perfect.  If he’s a fan of something a little gentler, get a fun mug made that has a favourite saying on or something that reflects his personality.

For the House

Buying something that can be enjoyed by both of you around the house is a way of celebrating the occasion as a couple.  From scented candles to sets of glasses, there are plenty of ideas.  Another trendy idea are customised plaques that feature anything from your names and the dates you met to the date you moved into your home together.  Ceramics are a popular choice and one of the newer options that is perhaps more suitable to give to a man is the slate variations.

Alternatively, select something new for the house that has a romantic theme, such as a wall hanging featuring a pair of lovebirds or a canvas print of the place you went on honeymoon or a favourite vacation.  You could even have a picture of the two of you made – providing that you both enjoy having your picture on the wall!

While chocolates are always a good choice to enjoy together, many top chocolate makers now offer hampers that contain a range of gifts around a certain theme.  These can even be customised if your loved one has allergies or simply doesn’t like certain things.  Again, this shows you care and that you know them well enough to pick the perfect treats.