Sending flowers for Valentine’s day is certainly a lovely way to show how much you care. Flowers have the ability to express feelings and emotions in a way that words often can’t. This is why choosing the right flower or flowers is important to convey the right message.

The carefully selected flower choice can express just how much you feel for someone. Whereas, the quickly bought bunch from the local petrol station may not have the desired message. So a little thought and research can make all the difference to your Valentine’s day flower gift.

The rose is probably the best loved flower around the world. The red rose in particular has become synonymous with love. However, while the giving of red roses is certainly one of the most popular Valentine flower gifts, it is by no means the only flower to convey love. There are many flowers which have long been associated with feelings of the heart.

In fact different flowers convey very different meanings and messages. This can make the sending of Valentine’s day flowers more romantic and meaningful. So choose the ones which express your feelings of love in the best possible way.

The red tulip (meaning perfect love) has been used since Victorian times as a declaration of love. Tulips are the third biggest selling flower in Holland, where many are grown. They symbolise love and passion and the perfect lover, while the yellow tulip reflects hopeless love.

The carnation (meaning fascination), has long been associated with love, especially red carnations, which symbolise admiration. These make an excellent cut flower as they are long lasting and can last for up to three weeks.

The orchid (meaning love, beauty, seduction and refinement), offer not only long lasting flowers but rather exotic and fascinating flowers too. They can be bought in cut flower form or as a plant. The plants can flower for many weeks, making a much longer lasting reminder of your love.

The lily (meaning beauty), makes a stunning bouquet. These can be highly scented to add to their attraction. They come in various colours such as white or pink, pink being the most popular as a Valentine flower gift. Care should be taken with the pollen as it can stain clothing.

African lilies, Astilbe, Violets, Zinnia and Gladioli all represent love and devotion. These are used to send to someone who is a long distant love and represent how much you miss them or you will stay faithful to them, that they have your love and faithfulness.

The lilac (meaning do you still love me?), are available in white, pink or violet. These also have the added beauty of a wonderful scent. Purple lilacs, hyacinths, asters and azaleas, have all been used in association with first love.

Therefore the sending of Valentine’s day flowers can certainly be one of the most romantic gestures you can do. Whether you send a bunch of flowers or a display, choosing the right Valentines day flowers will ensure the right sentiment to go with it, especially if an explanation of the flower is included.

History Of Valentines Day

Valentine’s  gift baskets make wonderful presents for both men and women and can be filled with many different items to please your partner as well as your budget.                                                                 

Men are notoriously difficult to buy for, but with a Valentine gift basket you can fill it with some of his favorite things. You might just want to fill it with his favorite sweets, chocolates or DVDs. But having a theme looks more thought out and shows how much trouble you have taken.

A Valentine’s basket need not come in the traditional basket form. Using a container that fits a theme can not only be functional but look good too. This is particularly useful when selecting a Valentine’s basket for a man.

For example, if your man is a keen golfer, fill a cool bag that is shaped like a golf bag with all the necessities for a day on the golf course. This could include drinks, new golf balls, snacks, sun block, cap etc.

Or if your man likes fishing, start with a fishing basket. This could be filled with various fishing accessories such as hooks and bait. Or you could fill it with foods and luxury items for his fishing trips.

For the man who enjoys wine, fill an ice bucket with wine or Champagne. Or for those who prefer beer, fill a large ice tub  with a selection of beers and snacks. You can make this more special by choosing a selection of beer from around the world or special brews and adding an information book and beer glasses to go with it.

For the keen gardener, fill a large pot with seeds, plants, garden tools, gloves, gardening books etc. The pot can be used to grow the seeds and plants in. This will give you a lasting Valentine’s day gift.

When it comes to giving a Valentine’s basket to a woman, the choices are undoubtedly easier. Not only are the contents easier to source, but the containers you put your chosen gifts in are easier to select. Most women like baskets and can always find a use for them around the home for storage and decorative use.

Valentine’s gift baskets can be filled quite simply with sweets, chocolates, flowers etc to look wonderful. However, to show how much thought you have put into your Valentine’s gift basket, choose items that you know are favorites or will be appreciated. Buying a whole basket of chocolates for someone may be a lovely idea to most women, but if she is on a diet, this may not go down too well!

A Valentine’s gift basket that contains all her favorite toiletries not only looks good but will please her too. To make this more special, you could include a beauty treatment or day at a spa. Or a basket that has the theme of a day of relaxation. Items to include could be an eye mask, face mask, a massager, relaxing aromatherapy oils, bath soaks, lavender products, candles and perhaps a bottle of Champagne.

To be really romantic, fill a popcorn container with her favorite films, snacks and wine and the promise to watch them with her. Or include theatre tickets and chocolates.

Perhaps the woman in your life has a hobby or real passion for something in particular such as a sport, hobby or activity. Try to find ways to include this in your Valentine’s basket.

For example, if she is mad about cats, fill a cat shaped basket with cat items like mugs, ornaments, books etc. If she enjoys cake making, fill a decorative mixing bowl with cake making items, icing equipment, cookies or cup cakes and be sure to include one or two heart shaped items to reflect the theme of Valentine’s.

Gift baskets for Valentine’s day make lovely gifts for both men and women. There are many companies that make them up commercially and offer a wide range of contents and themes. But if you want to be really romantic and personalize your Valentine’s gift basket, the best idea is to make it up yourself and show how much thought you have put into it.

Valentines Day History

So for that really romantic and intimate dinner plan a meal of your own. As it’s Valentine’s day you want to make it something special. However, this does not mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Quite to the contrary, you need a stress free enjoyable evening together. Which is why I have suggested three relatively easy, yet stylish dishes to cook for your loved one.

There are several foods which we associate with love and romance. Oysters, for him or her, red meat for him and chocolate for her.
For this reason I have chosen Tempura oysters with lime, chilli, mint and coriander for a starter. Duck with soba noodles in plum sauce for a main course and chocolate fondue for a dessert.

Tempura oysters with chilli, mint, lime and coriander.  Serves 2

Ingredients:

Oil, for deep frying
6 Pacific oysters, shucked and shells washed

For the dipping sauce:

2 shallots, finely chopped
1 stalk of lemongrass, finely sliced
2.5cm knob ginger, finely chopped
3 lime leaves, finely shredded
juice of 2 limes
1 tbsp coriander, thinly chopped
1 tbsp mint, finely chopped
1 tbsp castor sugar
200ml ice cold sparkling water
1 red chilli, finely sliced
1 tbsp fish sauce

For the batter:

4 tbsp cornflour
2 tbsp plain flour
pinch of salt
50ml cold water

Method:

1. Make the dipping sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a bowl and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.

2. Next make the batter. Mix together the flours and salt and add enough water to give the batter the consistency of double cream.

3. Heat the oil to 190c

4. Dip the oysters into the batter and fry for 2-3 minutes. Do not allow them to stick together.

5. Place the cooked oysters back in their clean shells. Serve with the dipping sauce on the side.
Ingredients:   Serves 2

4 duck breasts
150ml red wine
4 tbsp Damson plum jam
4 tbsp teriyaki marinade
fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the noodles:

250g soba noodles
150g mangetout
2 tbsp sesame oil
4 spring onions
handful coriander
sea salt

Method

1. Pre- heat the oven to 110c. Lay the duck breast on a chopping board, skin side up. Score the fat in a lattice pattern with a sharp knife. Take care not to cut through to the flesh.

2.Season the duck on both sides, then place fat side down in a heavy based frying pan over a moderate heat.

3.Fry the breasts until crisp and golden and most of the fat has melted, about 10 minutes. Carefully pour off the fat and turn the breasts over to fry for a further 5-10 minutes. The flesh should spring back when done.

4.Remove the breasts to a baking tray and place in the oven to rest and keep warm. The oven should not be too hot or they will over cook and become dry.

5. For the sauce. Pour off any remaining fat, but do not scrape the sediment on the bottom. Return the pan to the heat and add the wine. Boil for 20 seconds, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

6. Add the plum jam and teriyaki marinade, stirring well to dissolve the jam. Bring back to the boil then remove from the heat, season to taste. There should be no taste of alcohol, if there is , simply boil for a few seconds longer.

7. Remove the duck breasts from the oven and place on a chopping board, slice each breast into 5-6 slices. They should be pink inside, but not raw.

8. For the soda noodles. Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and cook the noodles until tender. Add the mangetout 2 minutes before the end of cooking time. Drain and rinse with a little cold water to stop further cooking. Place in a warmed bowl and stir through the sesame oil.

9. Slice the spring onions and chop the coriander. Mix into the salad when ready to serve. Season to taste with sea salt.

10. Serve the duck breast piled on top of the noodle salad and pour over the sauce.
Chocolate fondue:    Serves 2

This is a very flexible recipe and can be made to your own tastes or add fruit that is in season. Just remember if using fruit such as bananas, prepare just before serving or they will go brown.

Ingredients:

Large block of good quality chocolate (dark, milk or white), 70% cocoa is best

Selection of fruits e.g. grapes, bananas, cherries, strawberries.
Packet of marshmallows

Method:

1. If you have a chocolate fondue maker, this can be used. If not either melt the chocolate on a low power in the microwave or over a bowl of hot water.

2. Slice or chop the fruit where necessary into bite sized pieces and arrange on a large plate with the marshmallows.

3. Place the melted chocolate in a bowl or your fondue maker in the center and serve with long forks.

Valentines Day History

By the 18th century, Valentine’s cards had become very elaborate. They were often decorated with embroidery, lace and sequins. The first commercial Valentine’s day card being produced in the United States in 1840, designed by Esther A. Howland, whose father owned a printing business.

Mr. Howland certainly knew a business opportunity when he saw it. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion Valentine’s cards are sent each year, making it the second largest card-selling occasion after Christmas.

The giving of a card on Valentine’s day is an expression of love. So choosing the right card for your Valentine is very important. The type of card you choose will very much depend on the personality of the recipient and the relationship you have with them.

You would not send the same type of card to someone you have loved for years as someone you have only dated a few times. The following tips will help you decide on the type of card you wish to send.

To start with there is a vast variety of Valentine cards to choose from in the stores. They range from romantic to humorous and come in many colors, shapes, sizes and budgets. It is best to buy your card early, as this is one of the most popular days of the year for sending a card, you don’t want to be disappointed and not get the right card.

Think about what message you want to send to your loved one. If writing your own poem, make sure you select a card that is large enough to take the message. Or if pre-written, are the words suitable?

Creating your own Valentine’s Day card is not only a good way to make sure you send the card you really want, but it shows how much trouble you are prepared to go to for your Valentine. There are many websites and books that can help you make your card and materials are easily available from craft stores or stationers.

Even if you feel you are not very creative, making your own card and including a message of love or poem, will be a great surprise and something that will be treasured.

One long lasting and special type of Valentine card you can make yourself, is a photo Valentine’s day card. This is a thoughtful and inexpensive way to create a unique card for your loved one. Simply use your own photos printed on your home computer for a free Valentine’s day card. Pictures that are memorable to you both such as your wedding, a special place or occasion, all make for the right card.

It is hardly surprising that with todays use of computers E- cards have become very popular.The advantage of these is that you can design your own card and not have to rely on the postal system to get it to your Valentine. Ideal if your loved one is far away or you are unable to or are short of time to go shopping.

E- cards are a very fast, easy and inexpensive way of expressing your message of love to your sweetheart. They now have very sophisticated graphics and animation techniques. There are now many websites to choose from if you want to send an E-card.

You can also find on-line sites which offer Valentine’s day printable cards. Some sites even offer free valentine’s day cards.

With all the choices available  choosing the right card for Valentine’s day has become much more easy. But one of the most important things to remember is the person you are sending it to. Always think, would they like to receive this card? This is one day in the year when getting the right message of love and affection across is very important. So spend a little thought and time in choosing the right card for Valentine’s day.

Valentines History

With this long held tradition of expressing one’s love on Valentine’s day it is important to find the right gift or card. This need not be expensive, as there are many gifts to suit every budget. Some of the best gifts can be homemade and made to be very personalized, symbolizing your love for your partner.

Probably the most popular Valentine’s day gifts are chocolates and flowers. While these are very romantic and make lovely gifts, for a Valentine present to be memorable it needs to be a bit different and unique.

A must for Valentine’s day is a card.What better way to show your loved one just how much you care than by making your own Valentine’s card. There are scores of commercial Valentine’s cards on the market, but a personalized card says so much more and can be a gift in itself.

If making your own card consider the inside and outside. A favourite picture of the two of you or place where you were really happy or even an anniversary picture works well. The inside could be your own poem and words of affection.

A Valentine’s gift basket is something that can reflect the personality of the loved one you want to give it to. These make ideal gifts for men or women.

For the girl in your life a gift basket could be filled with her favourite toiletries and perfumes. A basket of chocolates, champagne and theatre tickets can look luxurious and thoughtful. A gift basket of all her favourite sweets and romantic films will show her how much you understand her.

For him, a basket of goodies relating to his favourite hobby will please. For example, for the football fan, a new club T-shirt, team mug or scarf plus tickets to a game. A selection of DVDs or books that you know your man likes. Just think about your partner and make their Valentine’s gift basket special to them.

Photo frames and albums make wonderful Valentines gifts. Photo frames come in so many sizes, colors and materials that it is easy to find one that will suit both your budget and your taste.

To add to the memorable moment if giving a photo frame or album, add to the gesture with a camera to take a picture of you both on the day. This could be either a disposable camera or proper camera depending on your budget. Or add to the album your most romantic pictures.

A really special Valentine’s day gift could be in the form of a special day for your partner. There are many commercial pre-arranged days out to choose from. These include pamper days for her or racing car days for him. But how about doing something together such as a romantic balloon flight or day out together somewhere special.

If your budget doesn’t allow for an expensive day out, make a pledge to  have your own day by offering to make a special meal or do the jobs around the house for a day. Or invite other couples round to celebrate together.

And finally, the symbol most associated with Valentine’s day is the heart. What better way to show how much you love your boy/girl friend, husband, wife or fiance, than with a gift in the shape of a heart. This could be anything from heart shaped chocolates, cakes, bouquet of flowers, jewellery or ornaments. Something you have made yourself such as a cake shows love and care.

All over the world on 14th February, couples in love will be celebrating their affection for one another. The valentine’s gift you give can express just how much you care and can be a time of thanks and appreciation for one another.

History Of Valentines Day

Valentines Day is a super opportunity for the whole family to express their family love by joining together to create gifts, cook special treats and make cards for one another. Here’s a few tips to involve the whole family;

Valentine Cards

Of course the most recognised gift on Valentines Day is the Valentine Card. Millions of cards sre sent on 14th of February every year. The whole family can enjoy the craft of making their very own Valentines card.

One of my favourite cards is a photo card which will become a memorable keepsake. These cards are very easy to make, you simply print off one of your photos, stick on some blank card, then use your artistic skills to create a decorative border. This is a great way to show your love by giving such a unique gift.

With todays abundance of websites, you’ll be able to find sites that will give you templates to download with lots of instructions and tips to help you design and decorate your cards. Most of these sites are free and you’ll discover how to add sequins or real flowers to your creations. Lots of ideas for the kids to create Mum Valentine Cards as well. Just Google “Create A Valentine Card”

Valentines Wreaths

You can get a lot of fun making a Valentines Day Wreath and they do make a great decoration. You can make these in any size to fit on your front door or above the fireplace. First you’ll need to get hold of some red fabric, preferably in different patterns and textures. Then cut the material into heart shapes paired in different sizes. Sew the pairs up but leave about a quarter unsewn. Stuff paper between the 2 halfs and then finish sewing them together.

When you’ve completed several hearts, you can then sew them altogether to create a larger heart. All you need to do now is make a loop at the top of your wreath, either out of string or wire, then hang your Valentine wreath on your door for all to see and admire

Valentines Day Baking

Children love the opportunity to help their parents do a bit of baking. So what better time to involve the kids in baking some Valentine treats. You’ll find loads of Valentine recipes on the web that will show you how to make chocalates or candies for this special day. Then letting the children present their produce in a heart shaped basket to the rest of the family will make their day

Here’s a popular biscuit recipe that people love on Valentines Day. Firstly you’ll need the following ingredients

red boiled sweets
60g golden syrup
60g soft dark brown sugar
60g caster sugar
150g butter
360g plain flour
1tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp ground ginger
1tsp bicarbonate of soda

1. Heat the oven to 180c or gas mark4. Line a baking tray with kitchen foil.

2. In a small saucepan melt the butter with the sugars and the syrup.

3 Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger and cinnamon into a large bowl. Add the melted butter and sugar mixture and mix well.

4. Knead the mixture until it comes together. Flatten the dough into a round 1″  thick. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

5. Roll the dough out on a dusted work surface to 1/4″  thick and use a heart shaped cutter to cut out the biscuits

6. Place the biscuits onto the baking tray and cut out the center of each heart with a smaller heart shaped cutter. Replace the center with one of the red boiled sweets.

7. Cook for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly on the baking tray. The boiled sweets will have melted to create a stained glass effect.

Valentines Hearts

Valentines Day would not be complete without seeing hearts around the house. Even the youngest of the children can join in. Just cut out of either paper or card lots of different heart shapes. Hand them over to the children and let their imagination run riot. Just provide them with paints, glue, sequins, tissue paper, dried flowers etc. The completed masterpieces can then be stuck on doors and windows all over the home.

Keep Valentines Day as one of your special dates in the diary and let the whole family share and show how much you all mean to each other. We all have such busy lives today and maybe don’t share and love as much as we could. So celebrate Valentines Day with the whole family and have great fun finding new crafts you can all enjoy on this special day. Read about Valentines Day History