Heart Motif Napkins - Susie Watson Designs
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Time to dust off your romantic gestures manual and plan something for your other half. This year we’re having a weekend away a couple of weeks ahead of the scheduled date to avoid the crowds and the extra demands of half term. We’ve always been flexible with the date, after all it is just a date in the year and romance can blossom at any time.
Last year, we were all deep in lockdown 3 so the options for grand romantic gestures were much more limited. We had a stroke of luck though. A few days before the Valentine’s Day we had the usual shopping delivery and there, just sitting carelessly strewn on the top, was a large juicy, top of the range steak. We hadn’t had the foresight to order it ourselves but once it had been delivered to us, Covid rules meant it wasn’t going back. A free steak! It was huge. Taking the hint, we created our Valentine’s celebrations around it. I made a seasonal rhubarb crumble for dessert; we bought suitable steak accompaniments and a creative tablescape was designed and set. I will admit there was a certain amount of pressure to cook the meat perfectly – it’s not really a feature of my cooking repertoire but the instructions were clear and I followed them to the letter. Again, not something I would normally do. It was a memorable meal. So much so that the OH (Other Half) has suggested we try to repeat the experience on the day this year. This, of course, is likely to be full of pitfalls but I’ll give it a go.
Any Heart Motif Goes for Valentine's Day
I sure there are many of us, that despite the ability to go out and enjoy yourselves this year, will in fact be at home. Whether that is through choice, lack of babysitters, lack of forward planning or just lethargy, it’s still more than possible to bring the romance to your kitchen table. I designed this tablescape for a pre Christmas party but with half an eye to being able to reuse much of it for Valentine's Day. I shall be replacing the festive pine cone with some shiny wrapped chocolate truffles or if I can get them, sugared almonds. The napkins, used to convey a sense of warm family greeting at Christmas, can now take on their obvious role as conveyors of the loving gesture. Teaming the white plates and napkins with pale green is a suitable nod to the oncoming spring. In addition, I shall replace the Christmas greenery on the table with little pots of spring bulbs (preferably white flowers), whilst keeping the red candles.
Red Roses and Pink Champagne
A word about roses. They are lovely, there is no denying it. I am lucky enough to have received several bunches over my lifetime. But, with each year, I am becoming more concerned about where they come from and how our demand for something so unseasonable for the UK is not a sustainable use of our resources. Most of the roses are not grown here in the UK. Even if they were the hot housing and chemicals needed to get them to their best would not be an environmentally friendly choice. The majority of the roses we receive in our shops, markets and indeed through the post these days are flown in from the other side of the world. The airmiles, chemical preservatives and the way in which the flowers are grown is highly unlikely to be a sustainable, planet friendly option. We should really be considering flowers grown locally 'grown not flown'. So what are our options at this time of year for the grand romantic gesture?
Floating Hellebores and Snowdrops
Native flowers in our gardens at this time of year include hellebores and snowdrops. The hellebore comes in a variety of colours and this pink perhaps being its most romantic shade. It is notoriously difficult to get them to last in the vase, they often flop after a matter of hours. Not helpful when giving them as a gift of love. They do last longer as floating flowers though and could form a very romantic centre piece for a romantic meal. Snowdrops are a much loved native that is probably at its best now. The Victorians made out it was unlucky to bring inside the house but we seem to be over that now. Instead, snowdrops have taken back their old meaning of rebirth, innocence and purity,
The other spring bulbs are perhaps more associated with an Easter display rather than a romantic Valentine's gesture. However, I think tulips can be considered romantic. Many are locally grown, if forced in heated polytunnels, which at least reduces their airmiles. They are likely to be more abundant and cheaper so a really grand gesture could be put together with little cost. If you can find them, the double tulips look almost rose or peony like in their form.
A Grand Gesture with Tulips
Perhaps an evening meal is not always the romantic gesture it is intended to be, especially if little children are involved. If you've not tried it, I would put a word in for the Afternoon Tea. There are several reasons for this. Valentine's Day this year is a rather inconvenient Monday, a work day and for some the worst day of the week. Just before it is a Sunday of course, perfect for an Afternoon Tea grand gesture. Some of the goodies can be Valentine's themed - the internet is awash with ideas for cakes, sweets and even cocktails. The children can be drafted into help create some of these goodies, thus providing your loved one with an extended break and some time to themselves - as I remember, possibly the best Valentine's present a partner can offer when the children are little. Afternoon tea is easily made beautiful - perhaps the Spring bulbs fit better with this meal. Mismatched china cups and plates can still be found relatively cheaply at second hand stores and charity shops and a little forethought to set the scene would be perfect I think. Don't hold back on the homemade craft either. Bunting would look rather lovely hung about the room and could be saved for Easter or summer birthdays.
Afternoon Tea - A Selection of Goodies
Whatever, you choose for your loved one this year, I hope it's a special and memorable occasion. Happy Valentine's Day.