Every year about 1000 love letters are sent to Juliet in Verona. I can only wonder why poor Romeo misses out on all the fun? Does he know his amorous partner is being wooed by all these other men?
The event is to honour the annual celebration when every heart hopes for someone to be their Valentine.
So who will your Valentine be this year?
Here are a few ideas to help you make your special someone feel totally loved.
Ethical Valentine's Ideas
1. Tea – This suggestion comes straight from our office where a certain colleague (not me) would love you for days if you brought her favourite cup of tea to her, perhaps with a piece of marzipan on the side… (it’s Mr Scruff’s Make Us A Brew by the way). But it’s those little things that count isn’t it.
2. Imagination – Whether it’s dancing together in public, carving your names in a tree, or meeting at a secret rendezvous, doing that one thing that shows you think about them speaks volumes. No last minute dashes to buy a box of chocolates (seriously below standard fellas). The first rule has to be plan the perfect day around the things they love.
3. Flowers – A bunch of roses on is still the traditional way to say ‘I love you’, tulips and orchids are popular too. If you can, buy ethically sourced flowers indicated by some a fair trade label (most supermarkets will stock some). You can buy from arenaflowers online. But, be careful, remember Valentine’s is on Sunday this year – don’t get caught out by the shops being closed.
4. Dinner – A candlelit dinner for two will delight your lover, especially if you use the time to tell them how you feel about them. If you’re cooking a special meal at home, a little knowledge about aphrodisiacs will make the evening more exciting. Many foods are believed to increase libido (eg. avocados, asparagus, bananas, truffles, figs, chilli, sweet basil) but most of these are selected for their suggestive shape rather than any love-inducing properties. Something more effective is likely to be the smell of vanilla or chocolate on your Valentine’s skin; a deep scent is profoundly sensual.
5. Gifts of indulgence – You could order a hamper filled with your loved one’s favourite foods, or how about a basket full of luxury bathing items so they can pamper themselves. Dead Sea Spa Magik have some amazingly soothing products to try.
6. Chocolates – Confections, such as sugar plums, marzipan and sweetmeats used to be sent on Valentine’s Day because sugar was a highly valued commodity. Fortunately a gift of chocolates are still guaranteed to bring your sweetheart pleasure. Among the many chocolatiers out there perhaps the name The Chocolate Heart lends itself most to a day like Valentine’s Day with it’s truffle bites and mini bars – and if your lover’s a vegan they will go down a treat.
7. Fun – One great way to spend time together might be to actually make some chocolate yourself. The Chocolution has brought out a Mayan Magic Chocolate-Making Kit, an imaginative gift which will lead to great times of experimentation, creativity and delight.
8. Make their day – Finally, it’s not only romance which counts on Valentine’s Day, everyone appreciates an affectionate message, even if it’s just from mum or dad. Sending a gift to a friend just because you love their friendship can be a very loving thought.
