AD – Features items gifted for review
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and after spending most of 2020 cooped up at home, our plans for Valentine’s Day 2021 in Lockdown 3.0 are somewhat limited. Whilst in the years gone by we would have headed out for a child-free semi-romantic meal (although lets be honest here about the reality of date night as parents!), this year those evenings out and candle-lit dinners where we talk about the kids just aren’t even going to be an option!
That said, we could all do with a bit of a treat at the moment and so why shouldn’t you celebrate Valentine’s Day with your partner? Here are some fun ideas and inspiration on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day during Lockdown 3.0.
Cocktail Making
Dry January may have been declared a failure (let’s face it, it was an IMPOSSIBLE mission to try and achieve in Covid times) but with the addition of school ‘closures’ and home schooling, most of us could do with a stiff drink when the kids have finally gone to bed!
Whilst a date night at a bar or restaurant is off the cards this Valentine’s Day, why not mix it up a bit (see what I did there!) by having a cocktail making evening with your partner; taking it in turns to whip up your favourite cocktails? Think like Tom Cruise, dust off the cocktail shaker and stock the freezer full of freshly prepared ice and take it in turns to play the role of mixologist, teaching the other how to make their cocktail of choice. The more you drink, the more entertaining these ‘lessons’ may become.
To add a bit of sparkle to your cocktail, why not treat yourself to some Mermaid Pink Gin from Isle of Wight Distillery, available at M&S, Tesco and Waitrose. Not only does the scaled glass bottle make a beautiful gift for your other half to unwrap, but this vibrant strawberry infused gin has a warm spice and a hint of sea air!!
If you’re lacking in cocktail inspiration, you can also find some awesome cocktail recipes here.
Afternoon Tea at Home
Whilst it might not quite be the weather for a picnic (unless you fancy frost bitten fingers and chapped lips) why not have an indoor picnic instead? Lay out your favourite oversized blanket on the living room floor and bring out all your favourite treats to create an afternoon tea or romantic picnic with a difference. Think chocolate covered strawberries, posh cheese platters or even charcuterie boards!
Alternatively, why not look for companies that are delivering your favourite takeaways so you can enjoy your favourite meals together in the comfort of your own home?
This Afternoon Tea at Home with Piglets Pantry from Buyagift is a fantastic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or gift on Valentine’s so you can celebrate other special occasions at home. If lockdown restrictions ease before you have used it and you prefer to go out instead, you can even exchange your voucher for something else from the HUGE range on their site (most vouchers are valid till 2022!).
The Piglet’s Pantry Afternoon Tea at Home includes a selection of freshly made sweet and savoury treats from Piglet’s Pantry – an award-winning food producer. Tuck into delicious cheese and chive quiche, classic sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, sausage rolls filled with cheese and pickle, a selection of cakes and fruit scones topped with jam and cream, as well as Earl Grey tea bags, so you can make a pot of tea to go with your treats!
If you’re going to do afternoon tea right, you can’t serve your loved one’s brew in any old mug! We absolutely ADORE this oversized LOVE WINS mug from Gift Giving All Wrapped Up – perfect for snuggling up on the sofa stuffed full of cake (and bonus points if you get to drink it whilst it is still hot too!)
With LOVE WINS on the one side and a large glitter rainbow heart to the rear, this is a great reminder in 2021 that love indeed conquers all!
Romantic Meal for Two
If you prefer your meals a little more substantial – why not whip up a romantic meal for two at home, embracing your inner Jamie Oliver or nipping out for an M&S Dine in for Two?
For extra shits and giggles, why not serve your romantic dinner with these humorous Tarts and Nuts tea towels from Red Candy (there are also Tits and Shags if you’re feeling particularly adventurous!). We could all do with a laugh at the moment and the Tarts Tea Towel certainly raised a smile for me!
Interactive Treats
If you’re not a tea and coffee fan, but have a sweet tooth and fancy something a little more interactive, these marshmallow toasting kits from The Naked Marshmallow Company are great fun. This set is available from prezzybox.com an contains everything you need to get started, including 2 varieties of marshmallows (Vanilla bean and salted caramel!) and a smokeless odourless gel burner (so you don’t have to worry about inadvertently setting off the smoke alarm!)
With the lights down low and the warm gold glow of the burner, you can lovingly nudge your other halves mallow (not a metaphor) to ensure your vanilla bean (again, not a metaphor!) is warmed and primed to perfection! There is a sentence I never thought I would write, but hopefully you get the gist!
We had great fun doing this! Definitely something a bit different and reminisced about our times away at Bluestone toasting around the open fire. One day we shall return!
Continuing on the sweet theme, I also love these Donut Odd Socks from Prezzybox, One size fits all, with 6 individual mix and match socks, what could be better than toasting marshmallows with toasty feet?!
For those ready to walk down the aisle…
Many of us are feeling well and truly ready to walk down the aisle in 2021. No not that aisle!!! – the plane aisle!! With so many of us having had holidays, family trips and beach retreats cancelled in 2020, many of us are reminiscing about the holidays we’ve been on in the past and craving sunsets and sand between our toes.
For a sentimental gift that celebrates a love of travel, these bracelets from El Camino are ideal! These handmade customisable travel bracelets allow your loved one to celebrate their travel memories from all across the globe by adding country, ocean and adventure ‘steps’ or ring charms from their destinations of choice. You can even personalise your own custom charms for a more personal touch.
With a stainless steel clasp, this gorgeous purple double loop bracelet is just £36.99, with country steps available from £10.49 each. The El Camino bracelet is celebrating my Trek Iceland experience – I can only hope that I get to return to that beautiful landscape in the future – I could certainly do with a float in the Blue Lagoon right about now!
The Gift of Self Care
Trust me when I say that the one thing I want for Valentine’s Day this year is some time on my own in the bath, ideally with a book and a glass of wine lol.
After not having my hair cut for almost 12 months(!) (unless you count the hash attempt I did at trimming it myself!), my hair could definitely do with some love too.
A really thoughtful gift for the Mum who needs a bit of self care, The Love is in the Hair gift set from Alterna is a luxurious treat for locks that are lacking in lustre! This Caviar anti-aging set comes with Shampoo, Conditioner and Blow Out Butter as well as three pearl hair bands so that when we do finally get to leave the house again – we can guarantee a good hair day!
A little reminder…
Last but not least, for the times when life feels a little too tough, and the weight of home schooling and staying strong feels too hard – Willow Tree gifts are a great way to remember the Importance of family.
Willow Tree are a line of hand- carved figurative sculptures that embrace the qualities that help us feel close to others, hope, healing wounds and treasuring relationships using only body gestures as their expression.
The Willow Tree Family groupings range allows you to select figures that best represent your family set up – capturing their personalities and gestures. You can add additional siblings, babies and even pets!
This family grouping below is made of of the pieces My Girls (featuring a father and his two daughters) and Je t’aime – representing a mother’s love.
You can recreate your own family or couple at Willow Tree Gifts here.
However you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, one thing is for sure; no matter how much living under each others feet has tested us over the last 12 months, it’s these relationships and our family that has kept us going!
Enjoy!
Lucy xxx
