The Food Lovers Valentine’s Gift Guide
1st Jan 2015 Animals & Pets
From the extravagant to the frugal, food writer Helen Best-Shaw takes a look at what is on offer to give your loved on this Valentine’s Day.
I love to receive edible or food related presents, and Valentine’s Day is no exception! Although I do believe that you should show your appreciation and cosset your loved one 365 days of the year, rather than just one. Here is a selection of food related gifts - some cheekier than others!
Kitchen gifts
Mr & Mrs ½ Pint mugs from Emma Bridgewater – a classic, but great fun for breakfast time! These are £39.95 from Emma Bridgewater
Heart shaped “Amore” toast rack - this is £39.95 in John Lewis
If your beloved loves to bake and does not already have a stand mixer, then this red Kenwood K-Mix stand mixer with glass bowl is a great gift. This mixer will whisk, whizz and knead for a lifetime. It's also a very impressive present. £399.99 from most department stores.
The silver plated cereal spoon with 'Good morning beautiful' engraved into the bowl is guaranteed to make you smile every morning. It is £16 from The Cutlery Commission
Alessi Products
Alessi never sacrifice function for form and consistently make beautifully well designed objects that will look as good on display as they do in use.
These are sexy and a bit suggestive. The Piccantino chili scruncher (£15.50), the Acacia honey dipper (£27), the Voile spaghetti measure (£15.50), and the Mysqueeze citrus-squeezer (£37) are all available from the Alessi website.
Say it with Chocolate
The Hans Sloane Hot Chocolate Valentine's Hamper contains two rich dark drinking chocolate hearts each serving two. Simply pour milk over the heart and watch it melt, gently whisk, then enjoy. RRP £25.00, available from Hans Sloane.
Classic Ferrero Rochers in a fun heart shaped box, from major retailers for £4.49
Don’t lose your head with this Queen of Hearts mug (£10), Alice in Wonderland chocolates (£6) and Rose tea (£6) from Whittard.
The Venus Nipples and Lips from Rococo Chocolates are £14.95
Fun and Frugal
Start the day with a 4-pack of heart shaped sausages from Heck (or Peck!) from Waitrose and Asda, £2
The Krispy Kreme Love Bug doughnut is filled with Strawberry Jam and hand-dipped in red icing, £1.90 each or 3 Assorted for £4.50.
Cookery Lessons
This is a present that will certainly be beneficial for you and will also make a perfect last minute gift! For something different, try The School of Wok, London’s dedicated Asian cookery school. It offers a range of classes, from a morning shopping trip in China Town with afternoon cooking, to a variety of evening classes including knife or wok skills.
Dine In
Eating out for Valentines is expensive, clichéd, and can feel pressurised as you try to look as loved up as all the other couples in the restaurant. I always stay at home and get take out, or buy one of the supermarket dine in with wine meals for £10, with several of the supermarkets offering a £20 gourmet meal. With minimal cooking to do you can smooch on the sofa, but be warned that these meals have very generous portions and all you might want to do after is sleep!
Find someone to share your food with. Visit Reader's Digest Dating today.
Helen Best-Shaw, is a freelance food & recipe writer and blogger at Fuss Free Flavours.
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