Thursday 14 February 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day


Well another Valentine’s Day comes around. For those of you who had forgotten until now, it’s not too late to do something special for your loved one. Shops will no doubt continue selling appropriate cards and novelties for the next few days (there will be stock to clear after all) but you might like to come up with something today that doesn’t actually smack of last minute panic.

More on that in a bit, but first, how did this day come about anyway?

There have been conflicting stories, but the popular line seems to be the tale of how it all started with a certain Roman priest by the name of Valentine. In the 3rd century AD he performed secret weddings for couples, after the practice of marriage for soldiers was forbidden by the then emperor, Claudius II. Predictably he was found out and sentenced to a gruesome death in 269 AD, involving beating, stoning and then beheading – brutal lot those Romans. “So where was the romance?” (secret weddings aside) I hear you cry.

Well, prior to his death, the doomed priest reportedly sent a note to his jailer’s daughter, Julia, signed “From your Valentine”.

Fast forward to the Middle Ages and Chaucer’s era, when the whole Valentine’s Day idea became popular, marking the day as a celebration of ‘romantic love’, exchanging tokens such as flowers and confectionery.

So does this help if you’ve forgotten to offer a token of affection to the love in your life today? Well, you could always cosy up together while you impress them with your Valentine’s knowledge. Failing that you could try one of these:

  • Create a tempting dinner for two – if cooking’s not your forte, buy a ‘meal for two’ deal at your local supermarket, and prepare a perfect romantic evening indoors. Sainsburys are offering a £10 Valentine’s Deal consisting of a Taste The Difference dish, bottle of wine/cava and a dessert.
  • Book some tickets for a forthcoming show/event. You may be lucky enough to find something for this evening, but that’s not strictly necessary, as the promise of an evening out in the near future will be greatly appreciated. For short notice bookings visit www.lastminute.com  
  • Don’t just rush in with a last minute bunch of roses, for a more lasting impression buy a whole bush! Planted in the garden it will be a gift that can be appreciated for years to come. Check out your local garden centre or nursery.
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