You don’t need to be outrageously romantic to treat your loved one on Valentine’s Day. Simple twists on old classics such as chocolates and jewellery can make special gifts.
Here are a few ideas based on some of the favourite things News Shopper has seen. Of course this is aimed at men looking to buy gifts, but these ideas might also apply to women reading this who are looking to treat themselves for Valentine’s Day or give their blokes some helpful hints!
Slice of love
Spending the most amorous night of the year in with a pizza might not be everyone’s idea of what romance is about, but when the pizza is made of chocolate and comes topped with yummy sweet treats it might be a different story.
A range of chocolate pizzas are available from www.prezzybox.com, made from top-quality Belgian chocolate and covered with luscious toppings such as milk chocolate curls, white chocolate honeycomb balls and marshmallows.
Perfect to share with a loved one, the pizza come in 7 and 10-inch sizes, priced £12.95 or £16.95, and there is an option to create your own.
Make it sparkle
Add some extra sparkle to Valentine’s Day with a bracelet from the Tresor Paris Bellatrix Collection.
Available in white, yellow and rose gold, these sweet bracelets are inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphics and are all £89. The two hearts becoming one is a particularly lovely choice for this occasion.
There’s also a cute range of heart earrings from the Tresor Paris Je t’aime collection. These chic little tokens of affection cost £29 per pair.
For more jewellery options the Lily & Lotty site is well worth a browse. Their beautiful range includes necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings.
Eeach piece such as as this heart pendant is hand-set with a real diamond accent and packaged in a luxury satin pouch and presentation box – a smile is the least reaction you can expect is giving one of these as a gift.
Fine dining
If you want to add a real touch of class and luxury to your Valentine’s Day then why book a journey for you and your other half aboard the British Pullman steam train.
The classic train provides a blissfully romantic venue as guests board at London Victoria station and settle down in cosy armchairs enjoy a delicious five-course meal with champagne and wine served by liveried stewards.
As the engine whistles and smoke passes by the window, travel back to the golden age of travel and relive how enjoyable and memorable train journeys once were.
Alternatively, spend an intimate evening aboard the British Pullman’s 1920s art deco carriages on the Valentine’s Day dinner.
Prices for Valentine’s Day journeys aboard the British Pullman are around the £400 per person mark. See www.orient-express.com
Scent of romance
Give your love, or yourself, an alluring scent for Valentine's Day.
Among the many options is Lipsy London's Love (from £18, www.lipsy.co.uk) - encased in a gold heart-shaped bottle, it's an addictive fragrance with top notes of lemon, orange blossom and romantic rose.
Set the mood
Set the mood for a loved-up night indoors by lighting seductive scented candles. Try Max Benjamin's Harmony Fragrance Blend candle set (£29.95, www.maxbenjamin.ie). Designed to be lit at the same time, the two scents create a harmonising blend for both sexes.
Meanwhile, set in the tone for all things exotic with Soak Yourself's Love Soak bath ritual recipe kit (£40, www.soakyourself.co.uk). You'll find candle, bath crystals, essential oils, tea for two and lovers blend massage oil for the ultimate night in together.
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