Alternative Valentine's Day Ideas

I was blown away by the supportive response to my last newsletter, thank you - so much so that I’ve had a wee bit of writer’s block just now as I pen this one! However, it’s been such a comfort to know that there are so many of us who feel the same, who are looking to slow down and simplify, to appreciate the small things, and I thought an alternative Valentine’s newsletter might be a nice antidote to the call to consume that’s filling my newsfeeds at the moment!

Valentine’s Day is something I do feel torn about. On the one hand, I don’t like the notion that showing affection for one’s love should be confined to one day, not to mention the role it fulfils in perpetuating tired, often gendered, heteronormative stereotypes about love. Then “galentine’s” and “palentine’s” days came along, and while I do approve of the sentiment of appreciating one’s friends too, so often it’s being used as a marketing tool to sell us something. And all of this can leave us, if we’re feeling lonely - and even if we weren’t - feeling even more alone.

But. I’m also someone who enjoys any excuse to celebrate, to set the table, to mark a seasonal milestone - and I think maybe there’s part of us that has needed to celebrate love more than ever in recent turbulent years? So here’s to showing appreciation for our loves in all forms, and to ourselves, in small and thoughtful ways on this day - but all year round as well. I thought I’d share a few ideas for doing just that: an alternative Valentine’s Day of sorts.

Make Something:

The greatest gift we can give is surely our time - and no matter how haphazard or unprofessional the results, something made with love is surely worth more than anything else. Food is my love language - in previous years I’ve made parma violet sweets, peanut butter fudge or white chocolate fudge to give as a gift. Baking is always a hit and these rose, cardamom and pistachio tarts (pictured above) are seasonally appropriate too. Or these salted caramel and chocolate profiteroles are perfect for ending a celebratory meal if you’re dining in at home. Or what about a homemade brunch to treat your love? These rhubarb bostocks look impressive - and taste delicious - but are easy to make. My marmalade cinnamon buns were also a hit, and are fairly hands off when it comes to prep. Edible gifts are a fail-safe if you ask me!

Seasonal Flowers:

If you want to say it with flowers then avoiding out-of-season roses imported from abroad is a far more sustainable approach. Roses aren't the only flower to have a deeper meaning: in-season snowdrops represent hope and endurance (more on snowdrops soon) while hardy hellebores symbolise tranquility and peace. Narcissi stand for creativity and reflection; giving them to a loved one is meant to show they’re ‘the only one’. I’ve got my eye on the ‘flower arranger’s box’ of seasonal flowers to gift myself from Hortus Poeticus. The gift of a local flower subscription is the gift that keeps on giving - look up what’s local to you. If you’re in Edinburgh then Pyrus Botanicals’ subscription comes highly recommended - currently the garden is hibernating but you could treat a loved one to a voucher to enjoy in the Spring.

Shop Local Chocolate:

Chocolate and Valentine’s day go hand in hand, and we’re spoilt for choice here in Edinburgh with local options that deliver further afield too. Rest assured, I have done a lot of taste testing! My all-time favourite chocolatier is Edward and Irwyn; their dulcey truffles are made with caramelised white chocolate and fresh cream and are as good as they sound. Mary’s Milk Bar is renowned for her famous gelato, but her chocolates are just as creative and delicious and she delivers by post too. My favourite is the white chocolate filled with pistachio and cardamom, but they disappear almost as soon as they appear online! Coco Chocolatier is also from Edinburgh; their Isle of Skye salted caramel hot chocolate is perfect for this chilly time of year.

Learn Together:

I always love to give the gift of learning. I can’t help it, it’s the teacher in me! Seriously though, I really do think there is so much value in experiences rather than buying more things, and it’s always lovely to have a date marked in the diary to look forward to. In previous years I’ve gifted my partner a sourdough course at Gartur Stitch Farm that really was a long-term gift - nearly four years later, Mildred the sourdough starter still lives and is used twice-weekly (I hope you’re proud of me, Kat!). We’ve also done foraging courses at Colstoun when it had a cookery school and a yoga day retreat at Ballintaggart Farm (pictured below). It’s well worth looking at what’s on near you for a memorable activity to learn together - and even better if you can keep the skill going together afterwards too.

Most of all though, it’s the thought that counts and celebrating love in all its highs and lows every day - not just on one day. Sending love your way. Xxx