Make Valentines Day Stand Out This Year
It’s one of the most cliché days of the year and can easily become a repetition; nice, but not so momentous. So why not make this year something a bit different? Here at Large, we’ve put together some ideas of more unusual presents to treat your partner…
Home Made Presents
Your first thoughts may be crudely made cards or wonky cakes, but home made presents can be the best and most personal way to show your love. If your partner prefers edible treats, there are plenty of delicious and easy recipes for cakes or full meals that will get any mouth watering.
Or why not try making your own bath bonbons to let them soak with a glass of their favourite drink? Prefer more practical presents? Galvanise those objects that would otherwise never be noticed: if they have green fingers, make them their very own Love Pot by decorating a plant pot with all of the things they like (just remember to use permanent paints!). Or why not try personalising your own photo frame? Alternatively, create a lasting memory with a personalised Photo Book of your memories together.
Taste Bud Treats and Bizarre Bounties
For those that are less creative, there’s nothing wrong with buying a present from a shop; it’s just a matter of buying something a little more interesting. Manchester Arndale offer hundreds of shops to help you find the perfect gift, including Lush, Republic, Pandora and River Island. Hotel Chocolat have created a multitude of chocolates as part of their special Valentines Day range, creating 40 products to help bring romance back into your life.
If your partner’s more quirky, Truffle Shuffle offer a choice of retro presents from retro tongue telephones to gold plated Minnie Mouse earrings. For those with a passion for being green, AllThingsGreen offer a selection of recycled gifts.
Buy an Acre of Venus
No, it’s not a joke – you can buy an acre of this amazing planet, named after the Goddess of Love. You even get an official certificate proving it. After all, how could you beat such a grand gesture as giving them a piece of a planet? It originally began with the moon, but www.moonestates.com have moved on and up – you can even buy plots on Mars too!
A Night in With a Twist
Home cooking is a well known alternative to a restaurant. But why not try and spice things up a little more? Use the money you would have spent on that expensive restaurant to theme the whole evening, decorating the place to resemble a cosy Moroccan hideaway or another exotic location and make a meal to match. You could add the icing on the cake with some themed music to set the mood and even an outfit from your chosen location!
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Learn a New Skill
One of the best ways to surprise your partner is by secretly learning a new skill - don't worry, there's still time! If you want something personal and intimate, there are plenty of books: The Complete Body Massage Course is an excellent starter. Looking for a short course? Maybe a teasing dance workshop will get you ready in time for Valentines day.
Alternatively, why not try your skills in the kitchen? Try The Chocolate Lady for home-made treats, or impress your partner with your new found cocktail skills.
If you’d prefer to learn something that takes more time, there’s no harm in thinking ahead to next year. Manchester Dance Centre offers a multitude of classes, and there are plenty of local pole dancing classes in the area including Poletastic and Polefire. Alternatively, The School of Massage offers a host of skills to indulge your partner.
Getting Personal
Why not personalise something with your
loved one’s name? With the internet at your fingertips there is a world of
possibilities, from personlised
tea and personalised
pop art, personalised
wine, or even buying a personalised
message bean as that little extra!
Whatever you do for Valentines Day, enjoy it. Presents are all good and well,
but having a good time with your partner will always be the real treat! And if
2012 isn’t your year of Valentines day celebrations, be sure to treat yourself
– after all, loving yourself is just an important.
Natalia Fedoruk
